From Tokyo With Love - A Norman Reedus Fanfic Romance

Chapter 26 - What A Fool Believes

OLLIE

Tokyo + six months

"Oh Ollie, ain't you a love then? Now I know why Wednesdays are always busy around here! Everyone's waiting to see what delights you bring in for us"

Sheila exclaimed this loudly in her Cockney accent as she opened the carry tray I brought with me. Ducking her head into it, she took a deep sniff.

"I can't resist....bugger waiting for morning tea!"

She dipped a hand inside and tugged out one of the little quiches I made this morning. Proceeded to stuff it in her mouth....groaning with appreciation.

We've become good friends over the last five months. In fact, all the caregivers at the centre have become more  than friends to me.

Not too sure if it's because I visit Daddy daily? So I've become part of the furniture, almost.

Or maybe, it's because of the treats I bring in once a week. My small way of saying thank you to them for all their hard work.

Nahhhh!

I don't need to bribe them with food....they're friends regardless  😌

"Delicious!"

At least, I think that's what Sheila said? As little flakes of pastry puffed out from her bulging mouth.

I laugh and shake my head at her. Before leaving the nurse's station and heading off to Dad's room.

"Hey, Ollie. We won't be a sec. Just finishing David's make-up so he can look beeeeyooootiful  for his little girl"  Duncan laughed, as he massaged the last dollop of moisturising cream into Dad's dry skin.

"You better hoof it, Duncan. I just left today's baking with Sheila and...."

"Oh shit, why did you go and do that for?  That's like leaving a two-year-old on their own with an open bag of jelly babies. Will you never learn, young lady?"

His hand flew over Dad's face. And ten seconds later he hoofed it out the door without a backward glance.

"GET YOUR GREEDY MITTS OUT OF THAT BOX, SHEILA!"  His voice receded as he ran.

*

"You're looking mighty fine today, Daddy. It's Ok....I know you're not tarting yourself up for me. Hot date with Mrs Mankowitz for lunch?"  I joke, pulling up the visitor's chair to his bed.

I sit heavily on it. Biting back a small groan of relief as I stretch my legs out in front of me. Squirming around, I find a comfy spot before taking his hand. Placing it under mine on my lap.

He rolled his good eye at me as one side of his mouth twitched up in a replying grin.

"Teasher"  He whispered back.

Yep, I'm a teaser....and quite a happy one at that.

It's been a long five months since his arrival. And during the first four of them? I'm ashamed to admit....I almost lost hope that Daddy would ever recover. The daily therapy and exercises didn't seem to be making any headway.

But over this last month? The turnaround has been beyond truly amazing.

His face still has the dreadful palsy brought on by the stroke. And most of his body remains in a state of paralysis. Even though he can't move the arm and hand I'm holding, he's gotten some of the feeling back.

How do I know that? Because he told me himself!

"Baby?"  

That's what he whispered three weeks ago as I knelt on the floor. Cleaning up the water I spilt, when I went to put his cup on the little bedside table....and missed it by a mile.