The Nights We Stay Awake (TemperancexReader)

47. "A little company"

Y/n pov

I'm sitting up in bed, my body propped up by pillows, staring at the ceiling. It's another day in the hospital, but not one of many left. But the monotonous routine has started to weigh on me. The novelty of being fussed over, of having visitors, has worn off, leaving me with long stretches of time to think, which isn't always a good thing.

I glance at the clock on the wall. It's mid-morning, and i know the doctors will be making their rounds. I've grown used to the rhythm of the hospital- the way the nurses come in with their charts, the regular check-ins, the meals that arrive at the same time every day. It's a strange sort of comfort, but i can't deny it's better than the silence.

As if on cue, the door opens, and in walks Dr. Jenkins, followed by a small group of interns. They're young, eager, and carrying notepads, their faces a mix of curiosity and seriousness. I sit up a little straighter, trying to look less like i've spent the last hour staring blankly at the ceiling.

"Good morning, Ms. Garcia," the doctor greets me, his voice professional but kind. He's been overseeing my care since i was brought in, and despite the clinical nature of our interactions, i've grown to appreciate his clam demeanour.

"Morning, Doc," i reply, offering a small smile. "What's on the agenda for today?"

He chuckles lightly, stepping closer to the bed. "Well, we're just going to do a routine check-up, go over your progress, and make sure everything's healing as it should. And, of course, i've got my team of eager learners with me today."

I glance at the group of interns, who are now watching me with keen interest. It's almost amusing- the way they hang on every word, their pens poised to scribble down anything the doctor says. I remember being like that once, eager to absorbed very but of knowledge, though in a different field.

"Feel free to ask any questions," i say, addressing them with a grin. "I'm a profiler, not a doctor, but i do enjoy hearing all the medical jargon."

The interns exchange glances, a few of them smiling at my comment. Dr. jenkins nods approvingly and begins the examination, explain everything he's doing as he goes along.

"We've been monitoring your shoulder," he says, gently pressing around the area. "It's healing well, but you'll been to continue physical therapy once you're discharge. The fracture is also stable, but we'll keep an eye on it to ensure it's healing correctly."

He continues with the examination, his hands methodical and precise. I listen to the way he speaks to the interns, explaining the significance of each observation, the implications for my recovery. It's oddly fascinating, even though it's my body they're discussing.

One of the interns - a young woman with a serious expression - leans in slightly, her pen hovering over her notepad. "And what about the spinal injury?" She asks, her voice tinged with concern.

The doctor pauses, his gaze flickering to me before he answers. "The spinal injury is more complex, as you know. We've been monitoring it closely, and so far, the signs are encouraging. Ms. Garcia has regained sensation and movement, which is a very positive sign. But full recovery will depend on how she progress over the next few weeks."

I nod along, familiar with this part of the conversation. We've been through it a few times now, the doctor reassuring me that i'm doing well, but also reminding me that the road to recovery is a long one.

"Don't worry," i say, looking directly at the intern who asked the question. "I'm too stubborn to let anything stop me from getting back to work."

She smiles, clearly relieved, and jots down a few notes. Dr. Jenkins continues with his explanations, detailing the various treatments i've bene receiving, the physical therapy plan, and what the next step will be. I listen intently, genealogy interested in the process. It's a strange feeling- being the subject of such a clinical discussion, yet still feeling like a part of the conversation.