Royal Pain in the Ass

Chapter XXV

Daphne nodded. "That might have been it. But that's not what matters now, child. Ya need to be restin' and relaxin' and focusin on gettin' yerself better."

Daphne ran a few tests, drew some blood helped me to change and shower. She was sweet and caring and made me laugh while she brushed my hair. She pulled my hair up into a French braid and then and only then did she let Xavier back in. Apparently he'd been waiting outside for most, if not all, of the time she was outside.

I saw how tired and worn out he looked. There were dark bags under his eyes, his hair was tousled, and his clothes disheveled and wrinkled, something I'd never seen from him before and his tie was half mast. "Are you feeling any better?" Xavier asked, a half hearted smile on his face.

"Yeah." I nodded. Now that I was awake, Daphne had removed the tubes from my face, and even though my throat was sore it was so much better without fighting with tubes.

I saw him visibly relax. "Good,"

"How are you feeling?"

Xavier looked confused. "I'm fine. It's you you need to worry about. Don't worry yourself about me."

"Xavier, you look exhausted. Daphne said you haven't left the hospital."

"She did, did she?"

"Yes, she did."

"Ah, well, it's true."

"Xavier! You have to take care of yourself. How did Angelica get home?"

"Ah, yes, well, I called your father and informed him of the delicacy of your condition and instead, Carolynn flew over in his jet and escorted Angelica home instead."

"What have you been doing?"

"Waiting for you to wake back up."

"Xavier, you can't just drop everything because of me."

Xavier strode over and placed his hands on my shoulders. "Juliet, we almost lost you. You almost died, not once but twice now! Are you mad? How could I leave?"

"I what?"

"You almost died."

"Oh . . ." Xavier let out a sigh and pulled me into a tight embrace, which reminded me about my ribs. "Ribs!" I squeaked and he released me, concern etched in his face.

"I didn't mean to hurt you, but I was so scared I was going to lose you. You have got to quit doing this to me. I'm going to be a nutter here soon if you don't stop this."

"I'm sorry, Xavier, it's not like I planned this to happen."

Xavier shook his head he wrung his hands through his hair. "I know that, it just terrifies me to think I almost lost you already."

I shook my head. "I'm a lot harder to get rid of than that."

Xavier pinched the bridge of his nose which knocked his glasses off kilter. "You are going to be the end of me." Xavier sighed but looked at me with a small smile on his face. "But you have to stop scaring me."

I smiled back. "I'll do my best."

Xavier rested his forehead against mine. "Has this been your best?"

I shrugged. "Maybe."

"Then your best is dreadful."

I stared into those chocolaty brown eyes and had a sudden urge I couldn't suppress. I moved those last inches and touched my lips to his. I stayed there for a moment and Xavier didn't do anything, so I pulled back and looked away.