Crumbling Cakes

Part XXIV (29)

We were sitting in the waiting room. The patient form half filled out in my lap, my head hurt. The light was aggravating. Sebastian kept up conversation on our drive, trying to keep me awake. All I wanted was to sleep.

Ronnie, ignoring my protests, had picked me up bridal style and carried me inside. Sitting me down on the closest chair. Some of my blood stained the collar of his shirt. I'd tried cleaning up in the car, but it hadn't been enough.

He kissed my forehead and told me to stay put. I cursed the strings of the universe that couldn't have tugged those lips just a little lower. While I pouted at the continuation of my misfortune, Sebastian was taking charge by getting my basic information to the nurse at the front desk. She handed him the clipboard and now here we were. Waiting.

And fuming.

I mean come on, if a girl is going to get whacked in the head with a pipe, followed by almost getting kidnapped for nefarious purposes, the least she could get is just a little taste of the forbidden fruit.

"Need help, Shorts?" He nodded at the clipboard.

I shook my head. Come on, Dalia. He got you this far, you can check a few more boxes. Stop whining about the lack of proper smooches. Ugh, maybe I really did need to get my head checked. I pushed through the rest. Sagging in my chair when I was done. A nurse had quickly walked over and taken the clipboard just as Sebastian was about to get up.

"I got it." She smiled and went back behind the desk. Leaning over, I rested my head against Sebastian's shoulder. He did me one better. He shifted and wrapped his arm around me, letting my damaged head cradle against his neck. The armrest dug into my lower rib, but I didn't care. It was nothing compared to my other injuries and breathing Sebastian in made most of it better. Not bad, universe, not bad.

"Thanks, Sweets."

"Anytime, Little Lia. It'll all be over soon." I curled into him as much as I could. Distance didn't matter to me now. I called him for a reason.

We sat like that until a nurse finally called my name. "Ms. Romanov. You can follow me." I stood up slowly. Everything I did was slow. Ronaldo stayed put for a moment. After a few steps I noticed he wasn't there, I looked back at him. He sat unsure.

"Come on, Sweets." I held a hand out, lilting to the right. He jumped up immediately, standing by my side and helping me down to the exam room. She let us know that someone would be with us shortly then shuffled off. Leaving us in the silence. I managed to sit up on the table by myself, but the effort left me exhausted. Sebastian paced the small space for some time. "Sit down, Ronnie. All that pacing is making me dizzy."

He froze, examining me. "How dizzy?"

"Enough to know you need to relax. It's a figure of speech. I'm no more dizzy than when my head was used for T-Ball Little League."

"That's not funny, Lia." His lips set in a grim line.

"I'm not making a joke. On a scale, I'd say it's about a 1.5. But the sensation comes and goes. Just relax, please."

He nodded, not knowing what else to do, it seemed, and leaned against the wall. Watching me. Even when he was pacing he watched me. At long last, our medical person walked into the room.

"Hello, I'm Susan. I'll be assisting the doctor this evening." I nodded at her. "I'd like to do a general check of your vitals, make sure there isn't anything out of the ordinary and to get them out of the way. Before I begin, I noticed you didn't put down an emergency contact. Is there a name you would like to add?"

"Ah..." I started, well shit. This was awkward. What's the best way to say sorry honey but I don't have anyone?

"That would be me." Sebastian chimed in. Straightening off the wall. "I'm her fiance." He met my eyes to make sure I got the memo to zip my lip. Well, look at that, posing as my betrothed for the second time. My chin tipped down in acknowledgment. "Will there be a problem with that if it comes to medical history or results?"