Skulduggery Pleasant: Raising Cain

Chapter 119 - Going home

Chapter 119

Five days awake

"I think a home environment will help Valkyrie significantly," Civet said, looking over his notes with Kenspeckle over his shoulder and nodding. Nadia and Tanith were the only ones there.

"I'm worried we can't give her the time," Tanith said again, exasperation in her voice. "Even if it's slower, she's better off with around the clock monitoring. You said that yourself."

"I said that when she was in a coma," Doctor Kenspeckle interjected. He'd given Tanith a new medicine this morning for her morning sickness and it was working very well. Well enough he might be regretting his discovery because Tanith had woken up kicking back that morning. Or afternoon. Nadia had been inside for nearly three weeks and it was not healthy. "Her recovery at the hospital is slowing down."

"I think it's also possible we need to prepare for a more permanent brain injury," Civet warned. "There's no indication that Valkyrie can't recover, but that doesn't mean she will. Regular visits here, the correct medication and lots of positive interactions at home is the best bet she has for a full and quick recovery."

"And I'm telling you, we don't have time to give her those things," Tanith repeated once more. "We can't be there all the time to help her. The others are working with the Sanctuary, there are mages pouring in trying to take over the Sanctuary from other countries. I'm seven months pregnant! There's no one at home to help Valkyrie like there is here."

"With all due respect, this hospital isn't exactly designed for this type of healing," Civet said sadly. "Our resources are designed for surgeries and short term, highly difficult healing, not long term recovery. And at any rate, over the last three days, Valkyrie was expected to have made much more of a recovery but hasn't met any of the milestones we were expecting in the time parameters. There's no reason she shouldn't except for lack of stimulation."

"I can look after her," Nadia interjected quietly when Tanith was about to repeat herself again. They all looked at her. "I mean, you've already explained everything that she needs. And she's worked out the things she needs for me to be able to look after her so... it makes sense, right? And Tanith will be home too, and the others at night, if there's a real emergency. I'll just be doing the majority and keeping her from killing herself. We'll literally watch telly, talk and play games all day."

Doctor Kenspeckle was sceptical, Tanith looked like she'd rather not, but Civet nodded encouragingly. "Nadia knows everything she needs to."

"Miss Robin is a child," Doctor Kenspeckle argued.

"Lots of children look after their family," Nadia said strictly. "And if being at home will help, Valkyrie won't need me around all the time for long. That's what you said."

"It is," Civet agreed, and she could see Tanith begin to be convinced. "If it doesn't work out, we can review. But for now, even regular home visits are better than being stuck in here."

Doctor Kenspeckle and Tanith didn't look entirely happy but both grudgingly agreed and once Doctor Kenspeckle was hidden – Valkyrie had seen him again and been scared, so he was still off limits – Nadia packed up the last of their things while Tanith woke Valkyrie and told her the plans.

Tanith got Valkyrie dressed and ready for the move and before long, they were outside and waiting on their taxi. Nadia gave Valkyrie a little wave.

"Hi," Valkyrie smiled.

"Hey," Nadia replied.

Valkyrie held her hand out and after a moment, Nadia took it. Grinning, Valkyrie looked away and seemed very smug, leaving Nadia to shake her head fondly.