Bughead 💘 | Wattys2017

Chapter 26

I bolted awake from the weirdest dream I'd ever had. Ow. The bright light was hurting my eyes. Squinting, I awoke in a weird little white room, on a bed that I didn't recognize. And my head hurt like heck. I rose my hand to my head and felt like passing out. Maybe that's what I did in the first place? I looked down and I was wearing a thin white gown. Was I in a hospital? Then I noticed a tube that was sticking out of my right arm, which was connected to something that looked like a coat hanger, but it was holding a bag of fluids. I heard my heartbeat on a monitor nearby. I closed my eyes and took a giant breath. What had happened again? Why was I in a hospital? Jughead and I were just taking a walk in the forest looking for a waterfall. What happened after that? Where was Jughead? I frantically scanned the room for either my phone or my husband. Thankfully, Jughead walked through the door, carrying two cups of coffee.

"Jughead!" I exclaimed.

"Bets!" He rushed over to my side and set the coffees down on the bedside table. Then he threw his arms around me.

"Why are we at a hospital? Why does my head hurt like heck?" I held onto him tightly, tears threatening to spill.

"Long story short, we were out all day and you hit your head pretty hard on a cave wall." Jughead said calmly. "So you passed out not too long after. But you're ok." He pulled back and smiled at me. His smile was subtle, but it was still the handsomest thing I've ever seen in my life.

"Wait. Weren't we supposed to leave for home today? Ohmigosh! I totally ruined it." I put my face in my hands.

"No no no no, don't worry, Bets. I called Cheryl and it's totally fine that we're staying a day or two longer than expected. I want you to be all better by the time we get back." Jughead placed his hand on my knee, for reassurance. I nodded. Then I noticed that Jughead looked like he hadn't taken a shower in several days. His face was all covered in grime, his hat was missing, and his clothes were pretty dirty, too.

"Where's your hat Babe?" I questioned. He held up one finger to me, then reached for something out of his back pocket.

"Did you really think I'd lose my signature beanie, Bets?" He held it up in front of me and smirked.

"No." I smiled. Jughead leaned forward and kissed my forehead. Suddenly, a doctor came into the room.

"Oh good! Mrs. Jones, you're finally awake! We were starting to worry about you." She smiled, as she walked into the room holding a clipboard. "How are you feeling?"

"Mostly fine. I mean, like my head still hurts. A lot." I involuntarily brought my hand to my head. Jughead placed his hand on my head too, and rubbed his thumb back and fourth.

"That's natural. Especially after having a concussion. You're lucky that Mr. Jones brought you over when he did."

"Well, I mean, she had passed out." Jughead said sarcastically, as he stood up.

"So how long until we-I can leave?" I questioned, taking Jughead's hand.

"Oh, I'd say just another day or so. Just to make sure that you're ready to ride in an airplane." The doctor walked over and checked the bag with the fluids in it. She marked down a few things on a chart. "Here's a bottle of aspirin for the pain." She handed me a bottle.

"Thanks." I quickly took two.

"Other than your head, you appear to be doing well. Let me just take this IV out." She reached over and pulled the tube out of my arm. I yelped. She slapped a band aid on my arm. "Alright. Well, please press the button on the controller next to the bed if you need anything else, ok?" She smiled and headed out of the room.