Never Time to Say Goodbye

Chapter 4

Judy heard Nick speaking quietly as she slowly came awake. "I like having you bunnies all to myself at night."

Judy smiled and said, "You don't have to whisper, I'm awake."

"It's about time you woke up. You hungry? Little Carrots sure was."

Judy laughed as she turned on her side to look at Nick, who cradled Holly in his arms as he fed her a bottle. The little bunny's ears swiveled and she looked at Judy as the hospital bed creaked.

Judy gasped, causing Nick to look up in alarm. "Are you ok, Judy?"

She nodded as she gave him a wide grin. "I'm just... amazed at how beautiful you two look together. And yes, I'm famished."

It's weird that it's been so long since I last wrote in my journal, and yet it also doesn't seem like anywhere near enough time has passed, given how much has changed in my life. I'm still trying to process the fact that I'm a mom now, with a gorgeous little girl. I just wish I would hurry up and heal, so I could take care of her and myself. I'm going stir crazy being stuck in this bed, and even with physical therapy every day I don't feel like I'm getting better fast enough. Nick keeps telling me to be patient, but we both know that isn't exactly one of my strengths. Also the skin under my casts is itchy, so very very itchy. I can scratch under the one on my left arm with a pencil, but the itches on my left leg that I can't reach are driving me insane.

Ever since I complained about the hospital food a few days ago, Nick has been bringing me my favorite takeout when he comes by in the evenings. He's been incredible through all of this, and he's so wonderful with Holly, it just makes my heart ache to see him hold her. But I'm worried about him, he seems so tired lately, and there's definitely something bothering him. I think I know what it is, but I'll have to wait to talk to him about it, because right now he's sleeping next to me in a chair and snoring with his tongue hanging out. He looks so adorable, I wish I had my phone so I could take a picture of him... which reminds me, I need to remember to ask my mom to bring it to me.

Nick finished changing Holly's diaper and picked her up. "Since your mom is running late, I'll help you feed Little Carrots before I go."

"Well, it takes too long for me to get her situated, so I let my mom feed her in the morning..."

"Wait, what? Are you kidding me? Now I feel selfish for feeding her all the time at night."

"It's ok Nick, I love watching you feed her."

"No way, Carrots, you deserve to get barfed on too."

Nick helped Judy sit up as he put a pillow over her left arm. Holly whimpered pitifully.

"Oh Nick, it's ok... look, she's hungry."

He shook his head. "She'll be fine. I can't believe your mom..."

Nick carefully put the small bunny in Judy's lap so that she was propped up on the pillow.

"Ok... there we go Little Carrots... there. Does that feel ok, Judy?"

Judy nodded as Nick adjusted the pillow and gave her the bottle.

"Hey little bun, " Judy said as Holly looked into her eyes and greedily gulped down her breakfast.

Nick smiled as he reached over to adjust Judy's paw slightly. "There you go... just hold the bottle up a little more, so she doesn't suck in air. Now you've got it."

Nick was such a sweetheart, and so patient. I freaked out when Holly started to choke after one of my twitchy ears surprised her, but Nick assured me he had the same problem when he was first learning to feed her. I had him ring the nurse anyway, and she checked Holly over and declared that she was just fine.