Stay With Me

Chapter 22

Every time I shower, I never look down. Every time I get myself dressed, I never look down. I know the scar is there. I can feel it. I just don't want to see it so I'll be even more reminded that this isn't a dream. It's been one month and I'm still fighting everyday to realize that my baby girl isn't coming back. I shut the water off and grab my towel to wrap around my body. I walk back out into the bedroom and see Ian still sound asleep in the bed. At least one of us can sleep. I grab a new pair of pajamas and then climb back into the bed.

"Can't sleep?" Ian says quietly. I jump at his words, not expecting him to wake up.

"Yeah. Needed to clear my mind." I pull the covers up and settle back against the pillow. Ian turns on his side and runs his hand down my arm till his fingers lock with mine.

"What time is the doctor appointment again?" He asks.

"Nine." I answer back. It's in four hours. And I'm dreading it. They are going to check me out from the surgery and make sure everything is healing fine and that there's no infections.

"You're still coming right?" I look up at him. His other hand brushes across my cheek softly.

"Of course I am." He says.

I nod my head and lay it against his chest. He runs his fingers through my hair and soon enough I'm calm again and sound asleep.

We sit patiently in the waiting room at the doctor office, waiting to be called back. My legs won't stay still and Ian places his hand on my knee and I stop moving.

"It's okay." He kisses my temple.

"Nina and Ian Somerhalder?" The lady calls from the door and we stand up.

"How are we doing today?" She asks as she leads us back to our room, grabbing a gown as we go.

"Just fine." I tell her. She hands me the gown and we walk into the room.

"The doctor will be with you shortly. Just change into the gown and have a seat." She smiles and leaves the room.

I take off my sun dress and slide the gown on, Ian helping me up on to the table.

Dr. Pierce walks and shakes our hands.

"Have you had any pain around your scar?" He asks. I lift my gown up and lay back so he can check.

"No." Just my heart.

"It's healing great, Nina. Just keep it clean like you have been and you will be fine." He pulls the gown back down.

"We will schedule you to come in next week to remove your stitches." He writes something down.

"Okay let's see. With the way things our healing you can start being active again. But still don't push yourself. You told me you liked to run?" He asks.

"Yeah but I don't know if I'll get back into that just yet." I look at him.

"Also..when can we..when can we try again?" Ian slides his fingers into mine as I ask the question. We talked about it last night that we want to try again.

"Your body on the inside still needs a another month or two before you try getting pregnant again. Sex, you can do that if you're comfortable. Don't push yourself if you feel more pain. But just wait two months before you try again with a baby, I know it's hard Nina. But we need your body to be ready to prepare for another baby. When you come next week we can schedule another appointment two months from now for you to come back and I will check and make sure everything is fine." He tells us and we nod our heads.

"If you have any questions on anything please call." Dr. Pierce hands me a paper with the date for next weeks appointment.

"See you both next week." He leaves the room and I stand up to get dressed. I take the gown off and Ian hands me my dress.