"What do you mean, they can't find her? She's one woman, Marcus" I growl down the phone to my agent Marcus as I pace angrily outside my girls' hospital room
"Exactly what I said, they can't find her Craig, they've got Rebecca's photograph that they took when she was arrested. They're looking for her, but in the meantime the police say they wanna speak with Catherine" He says
"Well they'll have to wait, my girl is in hospital right now, the doctor is speaking with her right now— So I need to go, call me if there is any news," I say as hang up not waiting for a response and walk back into Catherine's room. The doctor is speaking to her "Your blood results came back, your red blood count is a little on the low side—so I wanna get you started on some iron supplements, which is probably the reason your asthma has come back. Your immune system is low when anaemia comes in to play, I wanna prescribe you some oral prednisolone steroids— they're little pink tablets that'll help reduce the inflammation in your airways. Your fiancé informed me that you've been given antibiotics by your GP too, you can take both that won't be an issue." He tells her
"So is this why I've been feeling tired a lot lately? The headaches?" Catherine asks
The doctor nods "Most likely, when your immunity is low you're more inclined to catch things easier. In your case the cold, which incidentally kicked off your asthma." He explains
"Can you prescribe her a new inhaler too doctor?" Paddy asks "She hasn't needed to use an inhaler for a while, so I'm not sure if the one she has already has expired or not?" He explains as Ava sits next to Catherine on the bed
"Sure can, Mr Murphy. So, I'll get these things ordered— I'm happy for you to go home once these are ready to be picked up, are you okay with going home, Catherine?" He asks her
"Yeah, I need my bed," She says spotting me smiles "Hey, are you okay?" She asks
I scoff "I should be asking you that, baby. Are you sure you're okay with coming home?" I ask
"Yeah, I just want to be at home, in my bed" she smiles
"Okay, baby" I grin
"Right, well, I'll get this prescription sent down to the pharmacy and then you can go home once it's ready. Any questions Catherine?" The doctor asks
"Um, well, I was wondering when I'll be okay to go back to work?" She asks quietly nibbling her bottom lip
"I'd say give it another week, let those antibiotics and steroids kick in properly, yeah?" He smiles "I'll write a note for your employer if you'd like?" He adds
"Yes please, I got a medical note from my GP but I'm not sure how long it gives me, and I gave my friend that note to hand into my boss this morning," she says hoarsely
"That's no problem, Catherine, I'll sort that out for you and this prescription" the doctor smiles as he leaves the room. Once I hear the door click I cup her face in my hands and kiss her "Jesus Christ, baby, you scared the absolute shite outta me" I groan
A throat clears, and I remember we're not alone in the room and my eyes close, Catherine hides her face in my neck "As pissed as I am for you to be kissing, my baby girl" Paddy growls "I'm also happy as fuck you got to her when you did" he adds
Ava scoffs "Oh behave, Paddy, they're both adults and they're living together—surely you can put two and two together?" She shakes her head at her husband
"Thanks for the fucking visual, baby" Paddy growls "As I was saying, I'm glad that you got to her when you did— now what I wanna know is, are you gonna take care of her? Or do I need to step in? Cos I sure as fuck don't wanna get a call like that again" He looks at me questioningly
"Daddy—" Catherine moans
"No, it's okay kitty cat" I say softly to my girl as I look back to her dad "Paddy, while I respect you as my girl's father, I don't appreciate your lack of confidence in me to look after the woman I love" I growl "I sure as fuck don't need you to step in, though I'm thankful for the offer. I called you because you're her parents, I knew she'd want you there— but you both need to know how much I love your daughter, I know I probably need to prove myself to you Paddy— and I will, and when I do that, I'll come to you as a man and ask for your blessing to marry your daughter" I tell him fuck it, just give it to him straight—
"Oh, my—" Ava sighs as paddy's eyes narrow at me, he stands up straighter looking at me with a look of— respect?
I look to my girl and she's got the brightest, most beautiful smile on her face. I reach for her hand placing a kiss on the inside of her wrist, looking back to Paddy and Ava "I'll take care of Catherine, I'll call you if I need anything" I tell them
"Good" Paddy growls as the doctor comes back into the room
"Right, Catherine, you're free to go, your meds are down at the pharmacy ready for collection and here is your new medical note for your employer" He smiles at her handing her the note
"Thank you doctor" Catherine smiles politely at him as she goes to stand from the bed
"Uh-uh, the only way you're leaving this place is with me carrying you," I say as I pick my girl up bridal style and whisper in her ear "Might as well get the practice in, right?" I say as she giggles snuggling into me
"I heard that, you've still got some proving to do first Berkeley, remember that" Paddy growls Ava scoffs laughing
"Oh, Paddy, I find it funny that you think it'll stop Craig from proposing to our daughter whether he gets your blessing or not" Ava chuckles behind us "Be thankful he's doing it the right way, baby," she tells him
"He wouldn't dare propose without my blessing" Paddy growls to Ava
Shows what he fucking knows—
I turn to face them both as I stand in the doorway of Catherine's now, former hospital room "Paddy If you choose not to give me your blessing, I can guarantee I'll be proposing regardless. But I know it'll mean a lot to Catherine and Myself if you do" I tell him honestly
Paddy sends a glare my way, I'm not phased at all by his glare. But my girl lifts her head from my chest and looks at her dad "Don't you look at him like that" she hisses "At least he's being honest with you, and he's right, it would mean a lot to me if you would be supportive of us Daddy. But if not" she says with a shrug "I'll be saying yes regardless" she tells him and snuggles back into my chest
"Told you" Ava sings smugly making Catherine giggle again. I have to bite my lip to hold back my own smile, but fuck it, my girl has basically just told me she'll be my wife. I always knew that's where we were heading but to hear the words from her mouth makes me the happiest fucker alive. "See ya later, doc" I shout as I leave the room with the biggest grin on my face and a grumbling paddy behind us.