Love and Basketball (Lauren/You)

Chapter 17

LAUREN'S POV

Since the moment where Y/N and I had made up in a way, I was able to stay by her side for the remainder of her time in the hospital with her approval of course. I had payed for the hotel just in case she were to push me away like she had, but now she allowed me to sleep by her side for a number of nights throughout the week. When I felt like she was getting overwhelmed with me or anything, I would go spend a night or two at the hotel but I would always return the next morning. Overall we had no other major problems that we were concerned with at this moment. Y/N was participating in small exercises to build up her muscle to where I originally was, but there was nothing that pushed her over the edge. The taller girl was slowly gaining function back in her muscles that allowed for her training and the doctors had admitted that they were actually surprised by her progress due to the fact that they didn't think she was able to recover so quickly. 

Y/N's coaches and teammates came to visit regularly to see how she was holding, but all of us weren't sure if she was going to be able to return in time for their playoff period. I knew Y/N was concealing her emotions a lot better than before, but she was also very clearly saddened by the fact that they didn't know if she was going to be able to return in time. Basketball was the only thing there for her for much of her life, and to lose that was obviously breaking her heart more than she would let on. She might have been able to fool her coaches and teammates, but I knew Y/N better than anyone else here. I could read the young adult like a book now that I have been with her for so long. Having such a huge crush on her allowed me to study her more than the average human, and I wasn't afraid to admit that to myself. I was in love with the girl longer than she knew about me; that had to account for something.

She was the one person that I likely knew more about than I knew myself, and I could proudly hold onto that fact without any shame. She was the love of my life and has been for a number of years, I knew by her body language, her voice, and especially her eyes that she was deeply saddened by now. It may have taken a rocket scientist to figure that out, but I learned what made her: Y/N. Studying everything about her clued me into everything that she was. The only thing I was unsure of was the fact that I didn't know if Y/N knew of my scrutinizing abilities towards her. She knows I've had a crush on her for the longest time, but I don't think she took the time to reflect on what that gave me the opportunity to do; study her. I sat back in the chair I was in, my fingers on my chin as I leaned on my elbow. I watched as Y/N's teammates were bidding their goodbyes after a visit along with a couple other staff members for the team. I stayed quiet, just observing the reactions coming from Y/N that were completely hidden to the eyes of the others since they hadn't known her for a long time like I had.

When they had left, it was silent between Y/N and I besides the steady beeping noises that sounded from the various machines around the room. Y/N had already completed her physical therapy for the day as it was nearing sunset. She had almost full function of her body again but there was still a little ways to go. I heard some slight shuffling on my right where Y/N was, so I looked over to see that her eyes were already staring back at me. Her head was turned and now she was able to sit up a bit more than when she first landed herself here. It was still a mystery how high amounts of stress could leave her immobilized like that for more than a couple hours or so. Either way, we were working through it as best as we could until she was better and able to go back to what she wanted most. I knew she was practically itching to get out of here so she could go back to training. It was crazy to think that it was like a drug for her; and I couldn't even be mad about it all. I knew that would change as soon as she had a little person to take care of.

I couldn't wait until the day when I would be able to see Y/N holding our child. Of course I couldn't wait to hold them myself, but the best payoff would be to see Y/N with them. She tried to act so tough all of the time and in reality she was, but I knew that with a baby it would bring her down immensely and make her soft again. I could feel myself grow excited at the mere thought of it all. "What are you thinking about?" Y/N's voice broke me out of my thoughts. I had just realized now that a smile had made its way onto my face subconsciously while I was thinking about our small family that was already beginning to grow. I shook my head, hoping that she would drop the subject but I knew that was also too much to wish for. So when Y/N rose her eyebrow, I let out a small sigh but the smile had never left my face. Seeing her looking so cute just made it wider if that was possible.