The Bucket List

#24: Have Something Named After Me

"If you're tired, why don't you go to bed?" Gary suggested, giving her shoulder a gentle squeeze. Misty opened her mouth to rebuttal, but Gary anticipated her words long before she'd uttered them. "I think I speak for everyone when I say that I don't want you to overexert yourself. You still need to build up your strength a bit, okay?"

Crossing her arms, she pouted. "Fine."

Gary laughed as he ruffled Misty's hair, finding her stubbornness endearing. Leaning in closer to her ear, he whispered, "I can join you if you'd like." With a cocky smirk, he added, "We can have a little sleepover, and I promise all we'll do is sleep, no matter what you say."

"Gary!" she hissed as her face flushed and her heart sped up a bit. Pushing him away, she playfully slapped him on the shoulder. "Weren't you the one who was just telling me to take it easy? That's not helping."

"I'm just messing with ya, Red."

Removing his arm from around Misty's shoulder, Gary stood up and stretched. Leaning down, he scooped his arms under Misty's legs and neck, lifting her off the couch bridal style.

"Hey! Gary, stop it! Put me down!" Misty shouted in protest, flailing her legs in the air. Despite her valiant efforts to break free, her body remained too weak to fight off Gary's strong grip.

Ignoring her, Gary turned to face their group of friends. "Alright, everyone, I think it's time Red got some rest. We're going to head to bed, but we'll see everyone in the morning."

"Be careful with my baby sister, Gary!" Daisy called. Worry flashed across her face. "Should you even be holding her like that?"

"She's fine, Daisy," Tracy replied as he placed a comforting hand on Daisy's shoulder. "It's probably better she didn't exert herself too much anyway."

Misty scoffed, rolling her eyes once more. Since she'd gotten home, everyone had been hovering around her, treating her like she would break at the slightest touch. To no surprise, Daisy was the worst offender, insisting Misty didn't move a single muscle. Sure she was still recovering from major surgery, but Misty wasn't a porcelain doll; she wasn't going to fall and break. Only Gary seemed to understand that; he treated her with care, but he didn't treat her as if she was helpless.

The rest of the group wished them a good night, and they headed out of the family room and up the stairs to Misty's room. As Gary carried her out the door, Misty's eyes locked on Ash's. A steely glare aimed right at Gary.

What's his problem?

oOo

Gary gently placed Misty on her bed and, despite what he'd told her before, took a seat on the edge of the bed. He smiled down at her, but his heart was overwhelmed with conflicting emotions. On the one hand, he was grateful to know that she was doing better-that they had been able to fix her heart before it was too late. On the other hand, he still couldn't shake the creeping doubt. The doctor has said there was a chance their repairs wouldn't hold out. Gary tried to remain confident that Misty was strong and that she would heal quickly and go on with her life as if nothing had happened. But he couldn't help thinking what if: What if her heart gave out again? Then what?

"Hey, I almost forgot. I got you a welcome home gift."

Before leaving to get Misty from the hospital, he had stored the present underneath her bed so their friends wouldn't find it. While it wasn't anything embarrassing, it was still a gift he wanted to share only between the two of them.

Misty's eyes widened in excitement. "What? Gary, you didn't have to do that," she replied, but it was evident she was just trying to be polite.

"Well, I don't have to give it to you," he teased, and Misty's lips dropped into a pout. "If that's how you feel."