Book IV: Avi Dragon

A Change Will Do You Good

Avi had to look away when the IV was removed. He knew there would be blood, and it pained him to even think about. He'd done this to her, however inadvertently. Come to think of it, he'd never seen his Angel bleed.
   But now she was, even if it was only a drop. All because he couldn't stand having an emotionless dragon watching over him out of habit, bound by their Marks. Because she didn't have a choice.
   This Angel chose to stay with him. More than that, she married him. That was still strange. The weight of the ring had grown comfortable, but the concept was... well, comfortable was the last word he'd have used.
   :Amen to that. I dunno if I'll ever get used to that. No offense intended, I'd just given up on the whole matrimony thing.:
   Ignoring her words for the moment, or the fact that she'd picked up on thoughts he hadn't quite put into coherent sentences, he asked her if it hurt.
   :Nah, it's a bit of a sting, and then relief. Then the aggravation of a band-aid. Now, I'm free.: She was trying for levity, but there was a lingering sadness behind her nonchalance.
   She wasn't listening to the nurse's instructions, because they were pretty much what she'd expected. She'd been through the wringer before. It was no different this time. He, on the other hand, had little idea what to expect, so he paid close attention. She sighed internally. He was going to hover for the next two weeks, she could just feel it.
   "Okay, you can get dressed now. We'll have a wheelchair waiting when you're done."
   Angel snorted. "Dunno why. I can walk home from here." She'd forgotten that home was no longer home.
   The nurse made That Face. "The doctor doesn't want you straining yourself. We can arrange a cab to take you home."
   Angel made a worse face, because Avi was already pulling out his phone. He asked the nurse for the number for the cab company, but she assured him that they would take care of it.
   She left, assured that even if her patient wouldn't behave, her husband would make sure she followed doctor's orders.
   Angel snatched up the clothes again and stalked into the bathroom. She was irritated, mostly because she shouldn't be. He was just looking out for her. It was sweet, but it was equally frustrating. She whipped the gown off, snaps squealing for mercy. Up went the underwear, quickly followed by the shorts and their handy cinch. She tied it with a bit more force than necessary, but quickly relented and tied it more calmly. She was building a foundation. Damaging her vessel would only set her back, and they couldn't afford that.
   Over her head went the bra that did nothing save hide her nipples, and the baggy shirt. Her hair was a wreck, but she'd fix that when she got home. But... is home still home? Did they rent my apartment out to someone else?
   She dropped to her heels, then her knees, there on the cold hospital floor, and wept. They were tears of sadness, of loss, and strangely, of... relief. She didn't have to worry about where she lived, or what she owned. She was a Guardian now. He could handle the day-to-day minutiae, so she could focus on her... career..? She had been all but ordered to craft herself into the best dragon she could be. Better than she thought she could do, no. She had to be the best.
   The only one of her kind.
   That thought added loneliness to the mix of emotions tumbling through her weakened body. She tilted sideways, to lie on the cool floor, but a warm body interrupted her fall. Long arms held her close, let her weep into his flannel.
   :You're not alone,: he kept saying. :I'm here.:
   But not forever, her heart wept.
   And that time, he heard it.

   Some time later, a deep voice boomed in the confines of the bathroom. "Do I want to know why you two are in here crying, and I'm stuck out here with a baby that's doin' the same?"
   Angel immediately lunged up toward the baby, as did her father. Dan stepped back, out of the bathroom. "There's not enough room in there for that. Come on, at least sit somewhere comfortable while ya do that."
   The young parents got clumsily to their feet in the tiny room and shuffled out, like two children who'd been caught doing something naughty. Dan pointed at the narrow bed, only handing the baby to her when they were both sitting down. They folded around her in a protective, loving shield, murmuring apologies. Dan sat in the chair and rubbed Angel's back and side in a half hug.
   "I'm sorry, sweetness. Mama's just sad about leaving. You're okay."
   A salty drop of sad landed in the corner of her eye. She turned to press her lips to his scruffy cheek, pouring her grief into the simple gesture. "I'm sorry to you, too. I don't want to leave, you know that."
   Dan sniffled. "Sure you do."
   She looked at her little family, her forehead pressed to his jaw. "I want to be where they are. I just wish they were here. You know how much I love Minnesota." She kissed his cheek again. "I'll miss you lots. Don't stop talking to me, 'kay? I still need my best friend, now more than ever."
   Dan wrapped his big arms around her, giving Menolly a little tickle on the way round, in the biggest bear hug he'd given her yet.
   "Wow, you've lost a lot of weight! How'd I not notice 'til now?"
   She sniffled into his overalls. "You were afraid to hug me properly 'til now? I dunno."
   Transport came in then, with a wheelchair that looked far too big for her. Three pairs of eyes dripped with more tears than they thought they had left.
   It was Dan who moved first. He went in the closet and got her belongings bag.
   Avi handed her the baby so he could gather his things, and the baby's. He'd been cleaning up when he Felt her break down. At first, he let her cry. He thought she'd resent him for butting in. But he could only take so much, and there was nothing else to pack. Now, his forethought was paying off. They could leave sooner.
   That sort of made it all the more sad. There was no delay to the goodbyes, no reason to tarry.
   "Do we even know where to have the cab take us?" Angel's blue-on-blue eyes stared up at him, all but swimming in the wheelchair, baby on her lap.
   "I... don't know. Your sister said your things were in storage, so... I guess the nearest hotel?"
   Dan stood straighter. "If it's all the same to you, ma'am, I'll take them out for a bite to eat while they find a place to stay for a few days."
   She nodded. "Why don't you pull up around front, and I'll have the front desk cancel the cab. We'll meet you downstairs."
   Angel nabbed his hand as he walked past. "Thank you, Danny boy."
   "Any time, dragon eyes." He squeezed her hand and walked away. His phone rang, but this once, he let it go to voicemail.