Royal Pains

Family Talks

***Terra's P.O.V.***

Somewhere from the party to Aaron's hospital room, I kicked off my shoes so I could run easier. My parents probably saw me leave, but being mated, they should already know where I'm going. As for my shoes, someone will eventually pick them up and they can keep them if they want. I'm not much for heels, but wear them for special parties anyways.

Passing a few nurses, they smile as I go by them and briefly update me on my mate's condition. He's stable, but weakened from the poison. They ran some tests, but the doctors aren't haven't yet completed anything determining time of ingestion and a bunch of other things like that.

I put my hand to open his room's door, but see a whiteboard marker sticking to the whiteboard. Smiling to myself, I grab the blue marker turn to the whiteboard. I write my name under Aaron's name and then add heart around both our names. It now reads, 'Aaron & Terra' in a heart.

"Very nice." A woman says as she walks by. I smile and put the marker back where I found it.

Pushing open the door, I see Aaron sitting up in bed, his back resting against the headboard, and watching something on TV. As soon as I go to take step into the room, he turns his head to look at me and a full blown smile appears on his face.

"Terra." His smile then disappears to be replaced with a look of suspicion. "Aren't you supposed to be at a party?" I shake my head and move to sit next to him on the bed.

"I was almost chased out of the ballroom by the visiting Luna because she said you needed me. I wasn't about to tell her no." Aaron slowly lifts his arm and lays it across my shoulders. I snuggle carefully into his side and rest my head on his shoulder.

"I won't tell you to leave, but are you sure it's okay you left?" I nod.

"Everyone who knows understands."

"Great, so while I'm here, will you be giving me sponge baths?" I bite back a laugh, realizing he's serious. Leave it to him to find a joke in this kind of situation.

"If you're good and don't cause too much trouble for the nurses." He looks down at me, disbelief showing on his face.

"I never cause unnecessary problems." I lift my head to meet his gaze.

"But what about the time wh-" He cuts me off.

"Never." I bite my lip, and he fails at holding back a smile. "Fine, but I only cause trouble when it's harmless and I'm incredibly board."

"That sounds more like you. If it were Jay, he'd-" I cut myself off with a sudden realization. "Oh my god?! Does your family know what happened to you?!" He looks a little put off about the change of topic and slowly shakes his head. "Aaron!" I exclaim, a little too loud as my mate flinches.

"I haven't called them and I don't plan on telling them either. They'll worry too much. Besides, I'm getting better. There's nothing to worry about as long as I'm on the road to recovery." I roll off the bed and then turn to face him, hands on my hips.

"I'm calling them. They're your family." I reach into my bra, and don't judge me, and slide my finger over the touch screen to unlock my phone. I type in my password and see from the corner of my eyes that Aaron is trying to stand up. "Aaron stop." I order, moving quickly to his side to push him back onto the bed.

"Don't." He snaps, making a grab for my phone, but my reflexes are faster. I hold it away from my body, far enough he can't reach it. He frowns, getting frustrated, and tries to move my hand from his shoulder, but he's still weaker than I am.

"Name one reason why I shouldn't." His lips press into a thin line and it's then I know I won.

Getting off the bed, I scroll through my contacts and select Jay's number. Pressing the device to my ear, I carefully watch for signs that Aaron will try to get up again, but he simply lies there, defeated by his mate. After the forth ring, the other tin finally picks up.