Nina and Ian: Reclaiming

Chapter 9: Fragile Bird

It had been two weeks since the accident and Nina was able to leave the hospital.

Nina couldn't wait to get out of the stiff hospital bed and trade it for her queen sized mattress in her apartment. Nina's brother, Alex, was helping her into a wheelchair when her phone started ringing. Alex reached over to the side table next to the hospital bed and handed it to Nina.

"Incoming Call From Ian" it read. Nina hesitated to answer, but finally pressed the little green phone on her screen.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Nina." Ian responded gently.

"Hi." Nina greeted, her voice quiet from the painkillers and other meds that the doctors had given her.

"How are you doing?" Ian asked.

"Okay. Actually, the doctors are letting me leave today instead of tomorrow." Nina explained.

"Oh, that's really good. Um, do you need someone to pick you up?" Ian asked.

Nina felt a blush growing on her cheeks, but she turned away from Alex to hide it. Alex was in the corner of the room trying to look preoccupied by packing Nina's things, but she knew he was listening.

"No, that's okay. Alex is here to drive me home, but thanks."

There was a pause before Ian replied.

"Well, if you ever need any help, with anything, I'm only a phone call away." Ian explained kindly.

Nina couldn't help but smile.

"Thank you, Ian. That's really sweet of you."

"You're welcome, Neens."

Nina hung up and put her phone into her small bag that was resting on the bed. She turned back to see Alex with his arms crossed standing in front of her with a sly grin on his face.

"What?" Nina asked.

"Nothing, just, you and Ian," Alex began.

"I thought you guys weren't together anymore." Alex looked down at Nina and quite frankly, it was making her feel like a small child being disciplined by her parents.

"We're not, but, that doesn't mean he can't still be my friend." Nina explained.

"Hmmm hmmm." Alex raised an eyebrow and laughed softly.

"What's so funny?" Nina asked slightly annoyed. Partly because he was making fun of her and partly because she just wanted to leave the hospital.

"It's just, you didn't see how worried he was when he came to the hospital after your accident. Now, I don't know what happened between you guys, and it's none of my business to know, but he definitely looked like he cared for you a lot more than just a 'friend'."

Alex had always been Nina's protector. Nina remembered when he talked to all the kids that had made fun of her when she cut her hair into a pixie cut during the sixth grade. He defended her and was always there for her when she needed her brother.

Standing in front of her now, Nina couldn't help but think deeply about how right Alex had been. Nina remembered waking up to feel Ian's head resting on her arm. His voice so broken and hurt. His eyes looked so worried and sad. She couldn't believe she didn't see how much he cared about her.

"Okay, uh, if you don't mind, I'm really ready to leave this hospital." Nina joked.

Alex smiled and put Nina's bag on the back of the wheelchair and rolled Nina out of the hospital.

Nina felt like she was five when Alex had to lift her into the passenger side of the car and buckle her in. The drive with him was warm; Alex and Nina were laughing about some childhood memories. When they reached Nina's apartment that was near set, Nina grumbled.