Wide Asleep

Five: I Promise.

Wednesday, October 31st, 2018
8:20 A.M.
Sean's P.O.V.
•~}=====>

The sunlight beaming through the large hospital windows isn't enough to rouse me from my deep sleep, but hearing a gentle weeping a few feet from the couch I've inhabited is more than enough.

I open my eyes to see that I've been gifted a blanket and pillow from the nurses, and I find a note resting on the table before me. I pick it up, reading it once, twice, three times.

Mr. McLoghlin,
The greatest of thanks to you for visiting with our patient overnight. Looking through her records, we discovered that Charlotte's closest family was in residency all the way in New Hampshire, and she also has no living family. How she ended up in California is beyond us, but we are delighted to have her as a patient. She is light-hearted, kind, and severely intelligent. She may be in some pain this morning, but if anything more than a faint headache is present, you can find a call button to the left of the door in your room, or attached to Charlotte's bed for assistance. And please, would you call for us when she wakes up? We would like to check on her to make sure everything ran smoothly.

Thank you sincerely,
Dr. Maye and Company

I place the note back onto the table, my attention now directed to Charlotte, who has since sat up, and is now rubbing tears from her eyes as her soft, groggy voice inquires,

"What's that for?"

I simply smile to the girl, stepping over to her bedside.

"Nothing, just a reminder of some symptoms you might have, and what to do if you need any help." I explain briefly, avoiding the mention of her family. I feel guilty for it, but it's best if I don't place that stress on her; she's got too much on her plate to handle as it is.

Charlotte smirks slightly, looking to her hands that remain laced together in her lap.

"Oh, alright. Good morning, Sean." She greets me finally, stretching her limbs gently, cringing for a moment.

"Good morning, Charlotte. Are you feeling alright?"

She merely nods, yawning as she scoots back beneath her covers, gently nuzzling her bandaged head into her pillow as a nod.

"I don't want to get up." She states simply, to which I giggle.

"Would ya like me to get us some breakfast? I bet you're starving!"

Charlotte gasps, nodding vigorously with a wide smile. I place a hand on her bed for stability, reaching across her to press the call button on her bed frame, explaining what I'm doing.

"Dr. Maye wrote in the note that I should call for them when you wake up, so I can get some food while they check on you."

Charlotte nods, yawning and stretching once more. Seeing as I'm still reaching over her, I hear a familiar voice ringing in my head.

Give the lass a hug. She needs the reassurance.

I can't help but smile at Anti's truthful words, so I do what they insist.
Just before Charlotte can retract her arms, I sweep my own beneath them, taking the girl by surprise as I hug her. She giggles, hugging me lightly in her sleepy state. A wide grin covers my face as she absentmindedly nuzzles her head into my shirt, feeling her chilled fingers holding me as close to her as she can get me.

"Jesus, Charlotte, you're freezing!" I chuckle, making her laugh.

"I know, I'm trying to get warm." She insists, before we hear a light knock on the door. She groans, as if she's displeased by the sudden company. I giggle, holding her tight for one more moment, before raising to greet the visitors.