Gabi
"I have cake,"
"What flavour?"
"Chocolate,"
I was sat up cross legged, so I pat bed to get Sierra to sit there. I'd had a nap, and some meds, but the guys had left because I kinda wasn't in the mood anymore. Hospital birthdays weren't the best.
"Happy birthday,"
"Thank you,"
"We can't have candles but you could pretend,"
She sat on the end of the bed and passed out three cupcakes, then handed a card over as well. Inside was a gift voucher, which was very sweet of her.
"Are we going to go shopping together?"
"Who?"
"Me and you,"
"Oh-yeah. Yeah, we will,"
"Good because I need someone who isn't my dad to help me shop for once,"
"You'll hopefully recover pretty well, I can tell that you're feeling a bit better,"
"I got my own car today,"
"That's awesome! You'll be able to pick your friends up whenever,"
"Yeah,"
I nodded, then silence hung awkwardly across the room, both of us looking at dad who had the cake stuffed in his mouth, so wasn't much help.
"Well, I was only here for a flying visit because I know you're probably pretty tired. I am working tomorrow so we are going to run some tests and see if you're ready for home. By home I mean staying in your own bed and not doing anything,"
"Okay,"
"I'll call you later,"
She nodded and they kissed, then she left us again and I ate my cake, then went to the bathroom and got ready for bed.
Today had worn me out more than my entire stay, it felt like.
Dad tucked me into bed, then laid on his own and looked at me.
"I hope you had a good day,"
"I did. Thank you for my car,"
"I know you don't like driving too much, but I thought it meant you could do your own thing. Plus I didn't know if you'd be moving out or what,"
"Not yet,"
"I support whatever you do, okay? So no pressure. Take your time,"
"I don't wanna talk about it today,"
"Okay,"
"I love you,"
"I love you too darling, sleep well,"
For the first night here, I actually did sleep well. I hadn't felt this good waking up for as long as I could remember, and Michael was by my side when I did.
"Hey,"
"Good morning. Your dad has gone home to get it ready for your return, they're gonna try and release you today. But, that means boring waiting so I am here with my switch to play whatever you want,"
"I don't have mine,"
"Yes you do,"
"You're telling me that this entire time I have had my switch,"
He placed it on my lap and shrugged, then rummaged through my bag to find new clothes.
"You go and freshen up, I will grab you some breakfast, and then we can play,"
Slowly, I got out of bed, then went to the bathroom and brushed my teeth. I left the braids in that Sierra had done because they were still fairly okay, then changed into different joggers and a cami top.
I climbed into my bed again and sent a good morning text to Maddox, then Michael came back with breakfast for us both.
"You look a lot better. And older,"
"I don't look older,"
"You do!"
"You just look old now,"
He pushed my head and scoffed, then put breakfast on my lap and sat with his.
"If you need anything, ever, I'm still someone you can go to. Okay?"
"I know. I've not magically matured over night, and I don't suddenly not need you guys,"
"Good. I need you to need me otherwise I have nothing else to do with my life!"
"Have kids with Crystal?"
"Oi,"
"I take nothing back,"
We ate breakfast, then played games for a while, my blood getting taken and a sample of piss which was always fun to get. Someone took my height, weight and blood pressure too.
Then, I got collected for a CT scan, still with no sign of anyone but Michael. It kinda sucked. I would've thought Calum would show his face after ordering all these tests.
Thankfully, dad had got back by the time my scan was over, so we had extra company.
"Sorry I was gone so long,"
"It's okay, I'm whooping Michael's ass,"
"Is that so?"
"Yeah. Can I go home now?"
"Calum wants an ultrasound,"
"He doesn't need one,"
"He wants one. Drink up,"
"I'm 18 now, you don't get to choose for me,"
"Please, Gabi. They don't even hurt,"
"I don't like them,"
"I know, but if I am taking you home so soon after surgery then I want to be sure,"
"It's not even soon,"
"Yes it is,"
"It's been like... days,"
"Yes, which is hardly anything. You have made a very good recovery, but I don't want to take you home until you're clear,"
"I'll drive myself,"
"Gabi,"
"Fine,"
I grabbed the bottle of water and drank it, then he texted Calum and got the wheelchair from the corner. I wanted to walk, but dad obviously said no, so I glumly sat down and let him push me.
Calum wasn't even meant to work this weekend, but he had which was annoying for me. I hoped it was the last test.
"Look at you out of your room,"
"I better be out of this hospital soon,"
"Your labs look very good,"
"So whats the point of this?"
"It's just how I roll, have you drank water?"
"Yes,"
They helped me onto the bed and I laid on my back, then he got rid of the dressing and put the gel on.
"That's healing nicely,"
"Okay,"
"Mad with me?"
"A bit,"
"Don't be like this, Gabi," dad sighed.
"Shut up,"
"Gabriella,"
"It's okay, Luke. She has the right to be mad,"
"Not to say shut up,"
"She's going through a lot,"
"She's right here,"
"Can you stay still?" Calum said, "Luke, why don't you just leave for a moment? You can probably pack up her bags,"
"I don't need to leave,"
"I'm 18 now. You can go,"
He got up and left without another word, Calum gently wiping my stomach before starting to redress it.
He turned everything off, then changed gloves and took out my IV, helping me sit up.
"You were quick to use the 18 excuse,"
"He's pissing me off,"
"You're pissed at me, not him. He's stayed by your side this whole time, he's not slept, he's eaten crappy hospital food with you... you're not pissed at him,"
"Then why do I feel it?"
"I think you need some space, to be honest. Away from us all. It's not been easy,"
"Well now I feel bad,"
"He will understand,"
"I'm just tired,"
"I know," he said, hugging me, "But you can go home now. You have to take it easy, I don't even want you climbing stairs on your own, but you can go home,"
"Thank you,"
"I'll come by in a couple of days, but I'll text you and if you need more time the that's okay. You've seen me everyday,"
I nodded and he helped me into the wheelchair, then took me back to the room and got dad to sign discharge papers.
Dad put my bag on my lap, then pushed me out the hospital in silence, tapping the handles as we waited in the lift.
In the car, I put my headphones in and he put the radio on. Calum was right. I needed some space, and so did he.
"Sorry I told you to shut up,"
"Okay,"
"Do you forgive me?"
"Of course I do,"
"Can you say it?"
"I forgive you. I know it's been tough... do you want anyone over?"
"My friends,"
"Send them a message and I will carpool,"
"Henry can bring them,"
"Okay, whatever works,"
"Actually, I'll just chill,"
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah. Well actually... um,"
"Have your friends over, you need to see someone else. I promise you'll feel even better,"