Falling - Benny and Nina - An Adapted In The Heights Roleplay (COMPLETE)

26 - Falling in an Emergency

She ran off toward her house. When she got there, she found the door unlocked. Sighing of relief, she rushed back to her old room, grabbing an old safe of hers. It was just a tiny metal box, a padlock on it. Before she left, she grabbed the key from an old jewelry box. Then, she scurried back over to Benny's house, gently closing the door behind her. When she got there, she opened the door, calling, "Benny?" into the apartment, unsure if Benny was there or not.

Benny rushed to the bodega, it had been completed destroyed. He went inside and found Sonny crying in the back room. He told Sonny to go home and get some rest. The bodega couldn't get much worse than it already was. He told him to tell Usnavi that he and Nina were safe. He then rushed back to his to find Nina standing in an open doorway. He kept quiet and walked behind her and put his arms around her waist pulling her in.

"Hey Benny."

"Hey Princessa," he said picking her up slightly and spinning her around in his arms. He suddenly dropped her. And clutched his side and fell to the floor. Wincing in pain, wanting to scream.

"Benny!" She put down the key and box and ran over to the wall phone. She dialed Usnavi. After a few rings, he picked up.

"Usnavi?"

"Yeah, Nina, what's up?"

"It's Benny. He got punched in the club and I think he has a broken rib. He tried to pick me up and made it worse. Can you drive us to the hospital?"

"Of course. Where are you?"

"Benny's place."

"See you."

Nina hang up. She said "Benny, come on! We're going to the hospital."

Benny didn't notice Nina call Usnavi, as he was on the floor looking at his side, and trying to focus on his breathing. When she said they were going to the hospital he asked, "How are we getting there? How will we pay? I don't have any money Nina." His voice breaking from the pain of his ribs.

"Calm down baby. Usnavi's driving us, and I have money. Just please, stop stressing. For all we know, it'll only make it worse."

"Alright" he said breathing heavily trying to calm himself down.

Nina walked closer to him and bent down to his level, placing one hand on his shoulder and one in his right hand. She could only hope that this would help to calm him down.

"Thanks baby." He said leaning his head on her shoulder. His breathing returned to normal.

Usnavi pulled up in his old car. Nina walked Benny over, them both sitting in the back seat. She knew that if one of them sat in the front that Benny would get set off again.

Benny squeezed onto Nina's hand as a way of reducing the pain he felt. "I'm sorry, let me know if I hurt you or I squeeze too hard. Just having your hand to squeeze helps relieves some of the pain."

"It's alright, carino. I know."

"What did I do to deserve someone like you. You're the best. I love you."

"I love you too."

Benny snuggled into Nina's side. Despite that fact he was on his way to hospital with a potentially broken rib, everything finally felt right between him and Nina in their relationship.

She was stressed, but not showing it. Her only hope was that there was enough in the safe to pay for the stay.

Eventually, Usnavi pulled up at the hospital. The journey had taken just over an hour. All the local hospitals had no power, so they had to travel a long way to get to the closest one that could function. The car squeaked to a stop while Usnavi parked. He got out of his side while Nina helped Benny out the passenger's side.

Benny held on to Nina as if she was the only thing keeping him from falling to the ground. He felt terrible for putting all this on her. He still didn't know how she was planning on paying for it all.

Once they got checked in, they sat in the waiting room. Lucky for them, there was an open spot only 15 minutes away. Nina put her hand on Benny's thigh, rubbing her thumb against it. "Everything will be okay Benny. I'm here for you."

Benny breathed slowly. "Thank You Nina." He rested his head on her shoulder and held her hands.

"You're welcome."