Our Last Dance

39.

When the next morning came around, Stevie and Lindsey were up early and he had helped her get ready after she washed up and packed her purse for the day.

Knowing she'd be a little loopy due to the anesthesia, she packed herself a nightgown to change into afterwards so that when she got home, she could simply get right back into bed and rest.

Meantime, Lindsey got dressed and simply packed some homework to grade because he wasn't really planning on leaving her.

They'd get to the hospital right on time, she was able to fill out any paperwork and by 8:30 a.m., she was being taken in for surgery preparation.

Lindsey stayed in the waiting room, knowing he'd be able to see her before she went in.

By the time she was prepped, a nurse would bring him back to visit her.

She was in her hospital gown, under the warm blanket with her leg elevated properly, she had all of her bracelets on and all of her things were off to the side in a plastic bag.

"Hey," he smiled. "How do you feel?"

"Mm, I'm just tired. They gave me some pain medication for my ankle, so I'm starting to get sleepy..."

He nodded, "Do you want me to take your things home? That way I can come back and when you're in recovery, I can just bring in your change of clothes..."

"You don't have to go to all the trouble, but if you want to, honey, it makes no difference to me," she assured calmly.

"Just makes life easier," he winked, picking up the bag.

She smirked.

"That way when you get home, you don't have to worry about your things," he added. "I'm sure you'll be pretty out of it."

She nodded. "I appreciate all your help, Lindsey," she pulled her hand out from under the blanket and she took his. "It means a lot to me that you're here and doing all this for me..."

Leaning over the bedside railing, he propped himself up on his elbow. "I wanted to... There's no reason for you to be going at things alone when we're together now... I know well, you'd be doing the same thing if it were me or even Shelly..."

She kind of nodded, thinking back to the pregnant gal.

"Okay?" he lifted her hand to kiss the back of it.

She smiled, gently nodding her head.

"I'm gonna let you rest. I'm gonna take this and grab some coffee."

"Okay, thank you," she easily closed her eyes.

He picked up her plastic bag and he decided to take it to the car before going ahead and getting a coffee.

...

Later that day, in the afternoon, Stevie was out of surgery and taken to recovery and although Lindsey was verbally told and seen that she was ready from the screen in the cafeteria, a receptionist still called her emergency contacts.

With her small bag containing her nightgown, jacket, one slipper and sunglasses, Lindsey headed to recovery to sit with her till she woke up.

As soon as he got there, a nurse was in the room, typing on a computer.

"Hi, there," the woman said softly. "She's only been here for about ten minutes, so it might be another half hour before she wakes up," she added.

"That's fine... I just want to be here when she does get up is all," he calmly replied, taking a seat in the metal fold up chair at the bedside.