Chapter 6

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by isthatjessica

by isthatjessica

-Jessie POV-

Danny pulled away all too soon but left me with a warm feeling. I was smiling so much my face started to ache. Our moment was interrupted by a doctor walking in.

"It's good to see you awake, Miss Cornish. I just needed to inform you some things about your condition before we take any further steps."

I nodded and the atmosphere turned serious as I was informed of everything I needed to work through. The anemia didn't surprise me a bit. I'd been feeling it for quite a while now. It was, however, affecting my heart rate.

"We're going to put you on beta blockers for a few weeks while your iron levels recover. This way we can keep your heart from going into overdrive while you're trying to recover. Also Mr. O'Donoghue, I need to speak with you outside." I looked at Danny, confused, but he shared my expression and just shrugged at me as he walked out. I was left alone with my thoughts as I let everything sink in.

-Danny POV-

I was stood outside Jessie's room with her doctor. I was expecting the worst. Possibly some horrible news about her condition. My thoughts were going into overdrive.

"Mr. O'Donoghue I assume it will be you taking care of Jessica while she is recovering?"

"Yes sir."

"Then I'll have to inform you some of the more major side effects of the beta blockers so that you can be prepared. There are the usual side effects such as nausea and dizziness. Those are not unusal and only minor." I nodded my head showing that I understood.

"But you also need to understand that there are more major side effects that she will most likely go through and you need to be sure that you're ready to help her. The ones I'm most worried about are the nightmares and delirium. They shouldn't be constant if they do happen but there's a chance she's going to go through this. I would prefer if you or someone trustworthy was with her at all times until she comes off the medication. If these side effects show themselves, they'll cause her to think in ways she wouldn't normally and possibly paranoia. She isn't going to know what's happening to her and she'll need support."

"Of course. I won't leave her side."

"Good. You can go ahead and go back in. We should be able to get her discharged within the next couple days as long as she continues improving."

With that I thanked the doctor and walked back in to see a nurse helping Jessie sit up in bed. A bunch of the wires had been disconnected from her body as she didn't need them anymore. The only ones left were her IV line and the wires that monitored her vitals. She looked up and smiled as soon as she noticed I was in the room. That smile was what I lived for now. I made it to her bedside and quickly kissed her forehead.

"How are you feeling, beautiful?"

"I'm okay. Just a little sore but I'm so happy I'm awake." She did look happy despite everything. The color had returned to her face slightly though she was still quite pale. The doctor wanted to start Jessie on solid food as soon as possible so the nurse brought up a few small things that would be easy on her. I took my usual seat next to Jessie's bed and we made light conversation as she ate. She apparently had some strong pain meds added to her IV line because she was starting to get a bit loopy. At this point she was trying to force feed me her leftover food so I took a hold of her arms.

"Jessie, I think you should go to sleep and let the meds do their work." She pouted at me which made her face look hilarious because her eyelids were drooping and she looked a little spaced out anyway. I couldn't help but let out a laugh.

"Wh-Why are you..laughing at me...?" Her broken speech just made me laugh even harder.

"Sweetheart, please just go to sleep." She squinted her eyes at me for a moment.

"Dan, I-I want...you to lie next to me...okay?"

"Only if you promise you'll go to sleep?" She paused for a moment like she was deep in thought and then nodded. I squeezed myself next to Jessie the best I could without hurting her or disturbing any of the wires attached to her. I wrapped my arm around her shoulders and ran my fingers up and down her arm as she rested her head on my chest. My other hand was intertwined with hers. I kissed the top of her head gently.

"I love you, Jess."