Call Your Girlfriend

Chapter 22: In Which Helen Has House Guests

***One Week Later***

I've been acting Medical Director since Max has taken his sabbatical to heal properly. He's being released to go home and as I get him dressed I know he's nervous about the whole situation. We haven't discussed where he's going or who is going to take care of him. Frankly, we haven't discussed anything out loud since he still hasn't found his speech yet. I am very worried about that. Vijay says it's not uncommon that speech comes back weeks to months after the fact- but what scares me is the possibility that it won't ever come back.

"Alright, left foot." I grab his shoe and he looks at me. That look of 'Why are you babying me?' And I just shake my head. "You're not supposed to be bending over. Remember?"

Shit...maybe he doesn't.

He rolls his eyes and picks up his left foot. I slide the shoe on and tie it. Grabbing the right shoe, I tap his leg and he reaches down and taps my forehead.

"Excuse me? Did you just tap me?" He looks away like he has no idea what I'm talking about. I put my hand just above his knee cap and apply pressure a bit. He slowly squirms because this is a ticklish spot on any person- from babies to old people. He pries my hand off and is exhausted from trying to laugh and squirm away. "That's what you get. Now, right foot, please."

He gives me the foot and I slide his shoe on and lace it up. Standing up all the way, I stand in between his legs and look at him. His hands rest on my waist briefly as he gazes into my eyes.

"So...I was thinking, and, um, it's totally up to you...but, um..." Why am I so nervous right now? This is Max. It's not some complete stranger.

He takes his left hand off my waist and cups the side of me cheek. Pretty much telling me to calm down.

"If you want to stay with me...until you're feeling better. You need support at home to look after Luna and she could come to work with me while you rest during the day. We can hire nurse or someone to come in and check on you- make you meals so you don't have to cook....I just...I don't want you...alone.." I'm shaking slightly.

He takes his phone out and opens the note page.

Why are you so nervous?

"I...I don't know..." I glance down at his chest and he just pulls me closer.

"Do you two need a moment...or are you ready to be discharged?" Lauren asks and we pull away from each other. She seems mischievous as she walks in. I push my hair over my shoulder.

"He's good....we're good." She eyes us up and down and smirks.

"Okay, so you're free to go home- however we need to know who will be your primary care support?"

Max takes out his phone again and types.

That would be Helen.

"You're accepting responsibility for him?"

"Oh yes Mummy! Let me keep him! I'll feed and water him every day!" I sarcastically say and Max grins and Lauren rolls her eyes.

"You know bestiality is illegal right?" Lauren snidely says and I grab the damn clipboard out of her hand. "Hey!"

I sign the form and hand it to Max. He signs and I hand the board back to Lauren.

"There." She brings the wheelchair over and we both help Max into it. "Just have to grab my bag and Luna and we can go."

"You want me to just drop her off later? You have a lot to take in." It would be hard getting Max up and into the house with a baby....unless I put her in the house first and then get Max in.