You Are My Sunshine

Chapter Thirty-One: Accident or Not

Balancing Elena on her hip, Gabriella chewed on her lip as she waited for news about how Joe was doing; it looked like he was going to spend the night in hospital since they wanted to keep an eye on him. 

Trying to settle Elena, Gabriella whispered softly to her daughter knowing that the three-month old wasn't happy about being away from her father; the doctor was in with him checking out the head injury. 

"Miss Evans?" the club doctor called stepping out of Joe's hospital room, he smiled at the woman who had been pretty well behaved since Joe had been injured. 

Some of the other women usually got in the way when it came to treating their partners, they demanded answers and tried to fuss over the footballers making it harder to treat them. 

Gabriella turned around and looked at the medic, she had tried to stay out of their way wanting Joe to get the best treatment; it also allowed her to think about the fact that he had asked her to marry him. 

"How is he?" Gabriella asked walking over to the medic, she was worried about him and she couldn't believe that this had happened; she peeked at Elena, she couldn't think how the match could have gone worse. 

The last thing that Gabriella wanted was for Joe to be hurt, she knew how much he loved playing and he would certainly be about for a week or two after what had happened. 

"Joe has a concussion. It'll be okay but they want to keep an eye on him," the medic explaining knowing that the footballer had been lucky, he had hit the floor quite hard and they had been worried when he'd had problems concentrating. 

Gabriella felt a weight lift from her shoulders, she had been worried and she knew that right now he was in the right place; she was just glad that Joe was only walking away with a concussion and some stitches. 

"Can I see him?" Gabriella asked knowing that she had to get Elena home, she hated to leave him and she was sure he would be okay in hospital; it was going to be strange but she knew it was for the best.

The medic nodded his head, he stepped aside to allow Gabriella in knowing that Joe would want to see her; he walked away knowing the club would want to hear about what was going on. 

Stepping into the hospital room, Gabriella smiled at the sight of her boyfriend comfortably sitting on the bed; he looked happy and she guessed that was the pain meds that he'd had. 

"Gabby," Joe cooed his face lighting up at the sight of her and Elena, he held out his hands wanting to cuddle his family and was disappointed when Gabriella didn't hand Elena over. 

Watching Gabriella sit down, Joe smiled thinking about the fact that he had asked her to marry him and he still didn't have an answer; he pouted a little hating that the medics had interrupted their moment. 

"How are you feeling?" Gabriella asked holding Elena close, she knew that Joe wasn't in the best place right now and the last thing that they needed was for him to accidentally drop Elena. 

She doubted that Joe would ever forgive himself if that happened, Gabriella chewed on her lip watching Joe; she just hoped that he would be okay with them going home without him. 

"Good," Joe slurred smiling at Gabriella, he was happy that she was here and he hoped to get an answer for the question that he had asked her at the stadium. 

They might not have been together for very long but Joe knew what he wanted, he already had an engagement ring sat in his draw at home; he could already picture the future for them. 

"You still haven't answered me," Joe insisted looking at Gabriella, he was hopeful that she wanted the same thing; they had a perfect family together and Joe wanted that to last.

Not saying a word, Gabriella stared at him knowing that this certainly wasn't the time or place to talk about that; she wasn't even sure that Joe was aware of what he was saying right now. 

"We'll talk about it in the morning," Gabriella said knowing that Joe would be more aware then, she knew that it was a serious talk and better left for when Joe wasn't in hospital with a concussion. 

It didn't seem real and Gabriella knew that it was a big step for them, the last thing that she wanted was for them to rush into things when they were doing so well. 

Joe pouted and opened his mouth to say something when the doctor popped his head in stating that it was time for Gabriella and Elena to leave since visiting hours were over. 

"I will be back tomorrow," Gabriella murmured kissing Joe, she hated to leave him now but she knew that he needed his rest; he was in the best possible hands right now and he was better off here. 

Joe nodded his head, his green eyes watching Gabriella knowing that he would miss her while he was stuck here; he looked back down at Elena, he wished that he could go home with them. 

"Say goodbye to daddy," Gabriella whispered to Elena, she adored her daughter and she knew that tonight was going to be strange leaving Joe here. 

Joe kissed Elena's chubby cheeks, he wanted the best for her and he knew that he would be home soon; he didn't like the idea that he had to stay here but it was for his own good. 

Gabriella smiled at Joe one last time before she left with Elena, it was going to take some getting used to and she wasn't sure what tomorrow would bring.

***

"How did you sleep?" Gabriella asked stepping into Joe's hospital bedroom, she had missed him over night and she hadn't really gotten much sleep while she thought about what Joe had asked her. 

She had spent the night staring at the ceiling thinking about the future, Gabriella did want to marry Joe and have a future with him but she wasn't sure that they were ready for that yet. 

"Good," Joe replied smiling, he felt a lot better and the doctor had cleared him to go home that morning with the warning that he should rest; he couldn't wait to be home again with his family. 

Gabriella smiled walking over to him, she kissed Joe sure that he would be much happier sleeping in his own bed; she couldn't imagine being stuck in hospital for long time. 

"About last night..." Joe mumbled feeling embarrassed, he felt like he had to apologise to Gabriella for something and he knew that he would make it up to her. 

This was the last thing that he had wanted for her first match, Joe knew that she didn't entirely feel comfortable when it came to his team; this was the last thing that he had wanted to happen. 

Gabriella raised an eyebrow at him, she had never seen Joe so nervous and she felt doubt bubble in her stomach about the fact he had proposed to her. 

"I didn't do anything stupid, did I?" Joe asked nervously, he couldn't really remember what had happened after he had taken the hit to the head. 

Joe couldn't imagine what he had been like especially with the pain killers that the doctors had given him, the cut on his face stung a little and he was just glad that he could go home with Gabriella. 

Staring at Joe, Gabriella shook her head knowing that it was better if she didn't tell him that he had proposed to her; it was much too soon for that and she couldn't imagine it would end well if she told Joe about what he had said.