The Expansion of the Universe {Completed}

Sixty-Three | "Donuts?"

Liza was able to keep her promise.

By the end of the week, she was able to stand on her own and even move around her hospital room with the aid of a walker, since her balance was poor due to her lack of muscle mass and overall weak state.

On Saturday morning, the doctor confirmed that she would be discharged that afternoon, though she would be given a list of exercises to follow and was expected to have follow-up appointments over the phone every week for at least a month to assess her progress.

She was glad to be leaving the hospital, but no one was more excited than Elijah.

"Did you hear, Milo?" He asked the dog only moments after the doctor left. "We'll be home-free today, buddy! Back in action, my dude, where you can help me get rid of the squirrels that are probably all over our fu—freaking—backyard."

She grinned at his words. She wasn't sure if he even realized, but Elijah had been using the word 'our' when referencing his condo, and it made her feel warm all over at the ease with which he incorporated her. He'd also been trying to curb his cursing, which had apparently grown out of control during the time she'd spent unconscious.

God, but he was adorable.

"My Liza, what should we do for dinner? What do you want? Donuts?"

Liza snorted and shot him a droll look. "That's not dinner."

Elijah frowned at her from where he was sitting on the couch across the room, folding up her clothes and setting them back in the duffel that Mom had brought them in. "Since when?"

"Since always."

"Well, today is a day of celebration, doll. How about this: I'll get donuts and a salad, that way we can at least have some veggies before our sugar."

"Much more reasonable," she allowed him. Really, she'd agree to anything he wanted, if only so his large grin stayed in place. After seeing him cry far too many tears over her, she was more than happy to see him acting like his normal, energetic self.

"That's what I thought." To Milo, who was sitting at her feet beside the bed, he whispered conspiratorially, "Your mom is such a sucker for me, Milo, I'm serious."

Liza rolled her eyes, but her annoyance was fake. His words were the truth, after all.

Two gentle knocks had them all turning to the door, while Elijah called, "Who seeks entrance?"

"Elijah," she scolded, though it was hard to sound upset when she was trying not to laugh.

Her mom's own voice was colored with humor as she replied, "Your lady's mother, sir."

"Ah, so!" Elijah exclaimed. "Very good. Entrance granted."

Mom opened the door and shot Liza an amused glance. "Your knight in shining armor takes his job seriously, I see." She carried on the dramatics by offering Elijah a playful curtsy, to which he responded by standing, bowing, and gesturing towards the chair by Liza's bed.

"Please, dear madame, be seated."

"Thanks, hon," Mom said between her chuckles.

"My pleasure." Elijah's grin was full and toothy. "We're leaving today, Mrs. Garner! Did you hear?"

"Now I have," her mother joked. "It's exciting, isn't it?"

Elijah was nearly bouncing in his seat with childlike energy. "Extremely," he agreed instantly.

Mom started chatting about Elijah's condo and the prepping she'd done to make sure everything was set up for Liza's return, and Liza watched as the two changed topics and began to discuss meal prep ideas.