Under The Surface [Editing]

Chapter ThirtyTwo Beginning of the End

Feeling giddy as I packed all our things, Nathan was finally being released, today. There was only a small bandage over his cheek now. He was still sore and being sent home with pain killers and antibiotics with a check-up appointment in a few weeks but he was no worse for the wear.

And I would be able to sleep in my own comfortable bed.

If I didn’t have to sit or sleep in a hospital chair the rest of my life it would not be soon enough. My eyes had sunken in slightly from the lack of a proper night’s sleep; my back had a regular dull ache now, a week in the hospital finally over. They kept him an extra day than originally was planned. Now it was Thursday and he was admitted last week, late into the morning so it was technically a Friday but why did that matter. We were going home, I was relieved.

Glancing over at Nathan he was messing with is new iPod; really, he is supposed to be packing. I threw a sock I was holding startling him.

“What,”

“Pack I want to get home,” my dad was doing all the release paperwork and at home patient care directions with the doctor. He would have to get a few supplies for Nathan’s bandages.

“Right,” he got up putting the iPod in his pocket and began cleaning up and stuffing things into his duffel bag. I searched the room and bathroom for any of our belongings that I missed. When I came out of the restroom Nathan was still and starring at the framed photo I got him for Christmas. He hadn’t noticed me yet. I shut the door loudly making him jump. He was out of sorts today; I knew he was just worried about going home and his father.

“Pack,” I ordered giggling and he flushed. Inwardly I smiled, pleased that he adored the photo.

We finished up; everything was messily in our back packs and duffel bags wanting to get out of the hospital as soon as possible. My dad came in the room with the doctor and they spoke with Nathan giving him his instructions for at home care as well and signing his release forms.

I twirled my new car keys in my fingers impatiently waiting. Excited to go home, excited to take the first drive in my new-used car with Nathan, excited period. It seemed like the paper work was taking forever.

“Thank you,” my head snapped up as this sounded like we could go now. The doctor left and my dad picked up most of the things Nathan had packed. My stomach clenched, finally. I strolled to the door with my things weighing me down.

“Let’s go,” I said. As I opened the door for my father to leave Nathan took my hand behind me.

“Let’s go home,” he kissed my cheek smiling. We walked out to the elevator and I tapped my foot as it descended impatient to get to my new car. Outside I took a large breath of crisp fresh winter cool air.

“Feels like I haven’t been outside for ages,” I commented to no one in particular as we walked to my car. I opened the trunk and we tossed all our things inside.

“Dad are you driving your car?” I asked, and knew it was a dumb question.

“Yep,” a smile crept on his face, “you two have fun, see you at home,” my dad walked off to his car. It was his last chance to have some fun before he gets sent out to do all the chores, he turns and looks at me.

“So what do you want to do before we go home and your punishment,” I ask teasing him.

“How did you know?” he scoffs at me.

“Really it’s my dad he’s not going to let a stunt like that go by unnoticed,” I shook my head, “now get in the car,” I grinned at him. He slid inside inspecting everything,