Jessie Marsden has always been the mother hen to her fellow foster sisters. She's always taken care of them when they needed it, but rarely gave herself much thought. Jessie's a little different than the average woman, which makes her a little harde...
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"How much longer are you going to be in here?"
Jessie shrugged at Happy as he sat in the chair beside the bed. She'd been in the hospital for a week and a half and she was getting frustrated. "I'm not sure. You know, you all really don't have to come here every day. I know you have things that you should be doing."
Happy looked at her and shook his head. "Stop it, little one. I was just asking because I know you're tired of being in that bed."
She nodded in agreement. She was tired of being stuck here but she'd developed an infection a few days ago, so that was now the hold up on her release. She decided to change the subject and grinned at him. "So I hear that you and Rocky are moving in together. That's exciting!"
Happy chuckled at her exuberance. "Yeah, I suppose I'll keep her around for a while." When Jessie laughed, he continued. "So Pru mentioned that there was a nutritionist here yesterday when she stopped by."
Jessie blinked at the sudden change of subject before she shrugged. "I wss thinking about losing a few pounds, that's all. I was asking for some tips."
Happy rolled his eyes. "You can't spare any pounds, Jess. You could actually stand to gain some."
Jessie wanted to change the subject yet again and blurted the first thing that came to mind. "How's Chibs?"
Happy smirked and Jessie groaned inwardly. "He's fine. Been busy. Want me to tell him to stop by?"
"No!" Jessie cleared her throat and tried again, more calmly this time. "No, that's not necessary. I was just wondering." She cleared her throat again. "I hear that Pru and Lucinda are looking for a place to share."
Happy nodded. "Yep. Looks like everyone is putting down some roots."
Jessie nodded. "I'm glad. Agnes would be so happy that we're all together once again."
Happy nodded before standing up. "Okay, I gotta get going. We have church soon. Keep everyone posted on what the doc tells you." He leaned over and kissed her on the forehead. "Behave yourself. No more yelling at nurses."
Jessie rolled her eyes before grinning. "I'll try to keep that in mind."
When he had left, Jessie reached for the spiral notebook laying on her rolling tray and opened it to jot down some ideas for the new shop. She looked up when there was a tapon the door to find Tara and Dr. Taylor walking in. The older man smiled at her.
"I have good news. The infection seems to be going away. We should be able to get by with oral antibiotics now. If you can promise me that you'll keep movement to a minimum, I'll release you to go home."
Jessie let out a woop then laughed. "Really? That's the best news I've had since I came in here."
Dr. Taylor chuckled and nodded before turning to Tara. "If you'll write up her release papers, I'll let the nurses know that she can get dressed."
Tara nodded as the doctor walked out of the room. "I'll call and have someone come get you. I'm going to write a prescription for Metformin as well as the antibiotic. It's for your diabetes." She held up a hand when Jessie started to speak. "I know, it's a secret. Although I don't agree with that choice, I'll go along with it for now. I'll get your meds filled and bring them to you this evening."
Jessie nodded. "Thank you, Tara."
Tara grinned and waved off here thanks. "Don't thank me. Just keep your blood sugar under control."
When Jessie agreed, Tara left her to get things in order. A few minutes later, a nurse came in to help her dress in the clothes that Evie had brought her earlier in the week. Once she was dressed, she waited impatiently for Tara and whoever was coming to get her.
She almost groaned out loud when twenty minutes later, Chibs came walking into the room with Tara, a smile on his face.
"Ye ready to go luv?"
Jessie didn't miss the smirk on Tara's face as she glared at the Scot. "Why are you here?"
Chibs shrugged. "I was available. Come on, darlin', let's go home."
Jessie tried to ignore the thought of them having a home together as Tara rolled a wheelchair over to the bed and Chibs helped her stand then get settled in the chair.
Once they we're outside, Chibs stopped the chair beside a black panel can and stepped up beside her. When he reached out to take her in his arms, she protested.
"What are you doing? I can walk, you know."
Chibs chuckled as he easily picked her up out of the chair and placed her in the passenger seat of the van. He leaned in close to fasten her seatbelt and grinned before winking at her. "Why let ye walk when I can carry ye around?"
Since she didn't have an answer for that, Jessie cleared her throat and looked straight ahead, making Chibs chuckle quietly.
Once Chibs was behind the wheel and pulling away from the hospital, Jessie noticed that they were going inn the opposite direction from her house.
"Where are we going?"
Chibs shrugged. "Until yer healed, ye'll be stayin' with Evie."
Jessie rolled her eyes and shook her head. "I can take care of myself."
When he stopped for the next light, he turned to Jessie with a serious look. "Ye'll not be stayin' alone, Jessie. Evie's house or the clubhouse, luv."
Jessie growled under her throat before sighing. "Fine. Evie's."
Chibs nodded and drove on. When he stopped in evie's driveway, he turned to her with a grin. "I dinnae know if ye argue wit' me because ye think I'll walk away, but it willnae work, luv. I can be more stubborn than ye can."
He got out then and walked around the front of the van, opening her door and lifting her from the seat. She'd never admit it to him, but she loved the fact that he was willing to carry her where she needed to go.
