All Love Lost (ON HOLD)

Chapter 27

"Be careful." I held on to Winter's arm as I led her through my apartment and into her room.

I'd gone ahead and made sure everything was just as she left it, with the exception of some of the things that were broken during the dispute.

I fluffed up a few pillows for her to rest on before sitting her onto the bed and moving her legs in an outstretched position. She probably could have done it herself, but I'd noticed the she would wince in pain with almost every movement she made and I wanted her to be as comfortable as possible.

"Thank you, baby." I nodded as I mulled over the mini checklist I had in my head.

"Do you need anything right now? I don't want you moving around too much." The doctor gave her clear instructions regarding what she could and could not do during her recovery and I was being super meticulous about every little detail.

"I do." I raised my eyebrows waiting for her to tell me what is was that she needed, but she instead patted the open spot next to her on the bed. "I need my little girl."

I let out a small laugh before walking to the other side and joining her on the soft mattress.

"I know I've said it a hundred times, but I can't say thank you enough." She stopped talking and noticed a few tears fall from her eyes.

My heart broke for her. I wrapped my arms around her, and it hit me that I couldn't remember the last time that I'd done the simple gesture. I held her for a while before letting go and sliding off of the bed altogether.

The meds that she'd taken before leaving the hospital were bound to be kicking in soon and she would be fast asleep. She needed all of the rest that she could get in order to give her body time to properly heal.

"You get some rest." I advised. "Call me if you need anything."

She nodded weakly, the meds seemingly starting to take effect. I hit the lights and closed the door gently behind me.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath just think about everything that was being added to my overflowing plate.

"Where do you want me to put this?" Adrian's voice almost made me jump out of my skin as I clutched my chest. "Sorry."

I shook my head. "No, you're fine. I forgot you were here."

"Wow. Easily forgettable, huh?" He teased.

I walked over to him, fully prepared to give a smart response, but it slipped my mind when he wrapped me in his arms.

"You need me to stay tonight?" He asked.

As much as I wanted to say yes, I couldn't. He'd stayed over every day this week, even after my body and mind began to show me mercy and allow me to sleep. Making him stay any longer would've just been selfish on my part.

I shook my head. "No. I think I'll be fine."

He nodded and kissed my forehead before letting me go.

"So, where do you need me to put this?" He asked again, holding up my mother's hospital bag.

"Oh, I'll take it." I grabbed it from his hands and set it outside of her door. I didn't want to risk waking her up, even though I was sure the medicine decreased those odds significantly. "What time do you have to be at work?"

He looked down at his watch and located his cars keys on the counter before sticking them into his pocket. "About 30 minutes. What do you have going on for the rest of the day?"

"Um..." I took a moment to think about what I needed to do. "I need to get a few sketches done and find a good temp nurse for my mom. Why? You tryna be a part of my plans?" I teased, walking back over to him and wrapping my arms around his neck.