The Unlikely Couple [COMPLETED]

Chapter Twenty-One

The warm and glistening sun greeted me in the morning, peering through the cracks between the curtains. Hal’s heavy arm was draped across my waist, his warm body pressed against mine comfortably. As I swung my leg over the bed to slip out, I heard a moan followed by a sleepy voice.

“I told you you’re not leaving the bed.”

“You’ll be thankful when I come back.” I’m sure he’ll appreciate me with freshly brushed teeth and a washed face. I really have to see someone about my skin. Its fine during the day, but the amount of oil around my t-zone when I wake up is shocking. I scrubbed intensely while watching him through the mirror. He rolled onto his stomach with his perfect arse uncovered. I added a touch of deodorant, and skipped back to the big bed. Before I climbed on top to hug him, my phone buzzed loudly.

“Don’t you dare answer.” Hal warned.

“I didn’t answer it last night.” It rang at least three times. I was a little distracted by the hunk in my bed though.

“Mhng.” He snorted.

“Hello?” I said with a chirpy voice.

“It’s about time you picked up the fucking phone.” Lindsey sounded completely distressed.

“I’ve been a little distracted.” I had to admit that. “What’s wrong?” My sister took several deep breaths before talking.

“Last night we were going to Dad’s house for dinner.” I could hear her holding back a river of tears.

“And?” My heart began to flutter.

“There was an ambulance outside.” She finally hissed. “Thank goodness Pam was in there.” Lindsey completely broke down. Seeing my distressed face, Hal got up and approached me. I shooed him away and listened.

“Lindsey, what happened to Dad?” A stroke? Some kind of fracture?

“He had a heart attack!” She screamed a little too loudly. She let out a pained choke, and presumably, dropped the phone. Her cries soft but full of agony. Ryan’s voice was in the background for a second, until he picked up the phone.

“Hey Stacey, look your Dad is fine.” Ryan filled me in. As they arrived to dad’s house, the ambulance were wheeling him out. He continued to complain of chest pains in the afternoon, but refused to let Pamela call triple zero. Minutes before Lindsey and Ryan arrived, Pamela found him sprawled out on the kitchen floor. He’s stopped breathing for a few minutes. He has a high blood pressure, and his cholesterol has been haywire for months. Originally he was taken to Royal Melbourne, but then transferred to the private hospital. I said goodbye to Ryan, and hung up with shaky hands.

“What’s wrong?” Hal appeared with a toothbrush balanced between his lips.

“My Dad is in hospital.” I replied, standing with a dizzy head. I stared around for a place to start, my eyes falling on my suitcase.

“What happened?” He tossed the toothbrush in the sink and wiped his face.

“He had a heart attack. I have to go.” My hands tore my clothes out of the cupboard. “I need to get back to Melbourne.”

“Stacey,” Hal took my trembling wrists and pulled me close. “You hurrying off to Melbourne won’t help your dad. We’re leaving tomorrow, we’ll be there in no time.” His voice was cool and soothing, but right now, nothing could calm me.

“How long does it take to drive to Melbourne?” If it was one hour by place, how long could driving be?

“It’s not worth driving five hours Stacey.” Ferocity appeared in his voice. I tore away from his grasp and went back to packing.