Finding Olivia (Trace + Olivia), page 38
“I m-m-must l-l-look a-a-awful,” I said tiredly. The effort of speaking was beginning to take its toll.
“You’re always beautiful, Olivia. Even battered and broken, you’re the most beautiful creature I’ve ever set my eyes on. And most importantly, you’re alive,” he licked his dry lips.
He looked so tired and thin. This past week had obviously drained him. His hair was a mess and his red-rimmed eyes had gray circles from lack of sleep, beneath them. His clothes were rumpled and I was sure he’d been wearing them for days, heck, maybe even the whole week.
The door to my hospital room opened and the nurse jumped in surprise when my eyes met hers.
“You’re awake!” She exclaimed, striding over to me, and quickly checking the machines I was hooked up to. “You,” she glared icily at Trace, “were supposed to let me know if she woke up.”
“I’m sorry,” he apologized to the nurse but the quirk of his lips told me he didn’t mean it. “I got distracted.” He rubbed his thumb softly against the spot where my thumb and index finger connected.
“Mhmm, I’m sure you did,” she hummed. Looking at me, her face softened. “You’re a lucky girl, Olivia. You nearly lost your life. It’s nice to see you awake, and maybe this one will eat something now,” she pointed to Trace. “He hasn’t left your side since you came out of surgery.”
“S-s-surgery?” I croaked.
Changing my IV she explained, “You had to have surgery to repair your lung.” I watched as she shot medicine into the IV tube. “Sweetie, you’re going to start to feel very sleepy. Just let your body relax. We need to keep you sedated for as long as possible to speed up the healing process.”
I nodded, already feeling drowsy as the medicine hit my veins.
I glanced over at Trace, and stuttered, “I l-l-love y-y-ou.”
A calm stole through my body as I finally confessed my feelings to him. He smiled, bringing my hand to his lips, where he pressed a small kiss. “I love you too, Olivia. Sweet dreams. I’ll be right here when you wake up.”
My lips couldn’t help but turn up in a smile at his words.
★★★
“Hey, sleepyhead,” Trace crooned when I opened my eyes.
“Hi,” my voice was stronger and steadier this time, but dry and crackly like sandpaper. “Was I asleep for long?”
He nodded sadly. “Two days.”
How was it possible to sleep for that long and not be aware of it?
“Your mom’s here,” he nodded his head towards the door. I could see the nurses’ station through a rectangular pane of glass. “She went to get a bite to eat in the cafeteria so she’ll be back soon. Avery and Luca have been by too. Even Marcy and Alba came to see you.”
“Like this?” I asked incredulously. “I look horrible.”
I hated the thought of anyone seeing me, beaten and bruised like this, and smelling like old meat…because I was pretty sure that nasty smell was me. Then again, it could be Trace, because he was still in the same clothes he was wearing two days ago.
Trace’s laughter shook his body, and although I was serious, it was nice to see him laugh.
“Yeah, like that, silly girl,” he shook his head.
“I hope they all still want to be my friends after this,” I grumbled.
“You don’t look that bad, Olivia,” Trace rolled his eyes at me.
“I know I won’t be going near any mirrors for a long time,” I snapped. “I probably look like my skin has been tie dyed with all these bruises.”
Trace opened his mouth to say something but the door to my hospital room swung open and stopped him.
“Olivia!” My mom cried upon seeing me awake, dropping her coffee on the floor, in her haste to reach me. The brown liquid seeped across the white tile floor; reminding me of the pool of blood I had seen in Trace’s apartment.
I closed my eyes in remembrance, trying to block out thoughts of that day. I didn’t want to relive it. I wanted to put it behind me, but I knew that would be impossible.
When I opened my eyes again, my mom was peering down at me, with tears streaming down her face. She was desperately seeking a place to touch me but my whole body was battered. Finally, she hooked her index finger with mine and sighed in relief.
“You have no idea how worried I’ve been, Liv. I thought I was going to lose my baby girl,” she bit her lip. With her free hand she clutched at her chest. Trace stood and grabbed a tissue. She took it from him and wiped her face free of tears. “Thank God you’re going to be okay. I would’ve never forgiven myself. I didn’t think the divorce papers would have that much effect on him, since so much time had passed. I’m still in disbelief that he showed up here, and went after you, Liv. This whole thing doesn’t seem real,” she sobbed and Trace reached for more tissues.
“Mom, please don’t cry,” I begged. “This isn’t your fault. Aaron’s a nutcase.”
“Only you, Liv, would be bruised and battered in a hospital bed, and comforting me,” she wiped her nose.
“Seriously, mom,” I curled my finger tighter around hers, “this is not your fault. This is no one’s fault but Aaron’s. What—uh—what happened with him?” I asked reluctantly. I really didn’t want to keep talking about Aaron. Just thinking his name was causing flashbacks of my beating to come back to me. Did it make me weak, since I didn’t want to remember?
Trace cleared his throat. “I knocked him unconscious, but since he wasn’t seriously harmed, he’s in the local jail right now. Thank God he doesn’t have anybody willing to bail his sorry as out of jail, because if he was free and walking around, I would go after that fucker and…” He paused. “You don’t want to know what I would do to the bastard that hurt you. And—uh—sorry for the cussing,” he muttered the last part at my mom.
“What’s going to happen to him?” I asked. I needed to know if the man who had tried to kill me was going to walk free.
“He’s going to go to jail for the rest of his life,” Trace promised me. “My family and I are doing everything we can to make sure there’s no chance of him walking free. You have nothing to worry about, Olivia. He won’t hurt you ever again.”
“Will there be a trial? Will I have to testify?” I questioned, swallowing thickly. The thought of getting up in front of a jury and describing what Aaron did to me— God, I couldn’t even think about it.
“We’re trying to avoid that,” he explained. “Everything is pretty cut and dry. The evidence of what went down was obvious.”
Relief flooded my body and surged through my veins. I took a deep breath, which hurt my chest, and let it out.
“That’s good,” I breathed. “How long am I going to be in here?” I asked. Now that I knew what was going to happen to Aaron, there was no point in talking about him…ever again.
“There’s no way to tell,” my mom said, pulling up a chair beside my bed, so that her and Trace were on each side of me. “It all depends on how well you do. A physical therapist has been coming in every day, to work with moving your legs and arms so that it will be easier for you to walk.”
“I don’t like that guy,” Trace seethed.
“The physical therapist?” I croaked.
Trace nodded. “His smile is creepy.”
I started to laugh, which turned to a cough, and I ended up clutching my ribs in pain. “Ow,” I cried, fighting tears. My chest felt like a bull had stepped on it.
“Don’t laugh, baby,” Trace bit his lip, “it’ll hurt your ribs.”
“You think?” I glared at him.
“Sorry,” he mumbled and sat back in the chair.
“I’m sorry for snapping at you, but it really hurts,” I whined, “and I’m thirsty.”
“I’ll get you some water,” he hopped up from the chair and ran for the door. I think he was relieved to be able to do something to help me.
My mom was still sniffling, and I really wished she’d stop, because it made me feel bad. I didn’t like seeing her or anyone, this upset over me. I didn’t want anyone to suffer, because I was suffering. That didn’t seem right. The sadness that lingered in her eyes, as they fluttered over my body, upset me. Trace had that same look in his eyes when he looked at me. It was a look that said they wished they could heal me by glance alone.
The door opened and Trace stepped inside with a Styrofoam cup of water with a straw. Since I was so weak, he held the cup for me while I wrapped my lips around the straw, sucking slowly. My throat was still raw from the screaming I did…and for all I knew, I might have had a breathing tube, at one point.
When I nodded that I was finished, Trace placed the cup on the tray over my bed.
“I talked to a nurse. They’ll be in to check on you and take your temperature. They’re concerned about you getting a fever,” he explained, with his arms crossed over his lean chest.
“Why would they be worried about a fever?” I questioned.
Trace swallowed. “Your body has sustained a lot of damage and your system is weak. You’re going to be more susceptible to getting ill and if you get a fever…it could escalate fast,” the worry on his face tore me apart.
“I feel fine,” I assured him, desperate to make the line between his brows disappear. I wiggled my fingers and he placed his hand lightly in mine.
Looking over his gaunt appearance, I reluctantly muttered, “You should go home and eat, Trace. Take a shower and get some sleep. You look exhausted.”
“I’m not leaving,” he shook his head vehemently.
“What about Ace?” I hoped the mention of the puppy would spurn him into action.
“Trent’s staying at the apartment with Ace, so he’s fine,” Trace assured me.
“Still,” I rubbed his fingers, “you should get some rest. I feel guilty.”
He placed a tender kiss on the tip of my nose. “Don’t pull the guilt card, Olivia. I’m not going anywhere.”
I swallowed thickly. How did I get so lucky with Trace?
Continuing, he added, “I’m not leaving this hospital until you do.”
“What about work?” I inquired.
“Pete knows what happened, hell, all the guys do. My apartment was a crime scene for a few days until the police got everything they needed. So, he understands why I need to be here,” Trace explained, running his fingers through his hair.
“Okay,” I finally agreed, “but can you at least shower?”
His chuckle rumbled through his chest. “Are you saying I stink?”
“I’m saying I’m pretty sure that smell isn’t me,” I sniffed my arm for emphasis. I smelled like plain hospital soap, slightly citrusy.
“Fine, but only because there’s a bathroom with a shower attached to your room,” his eyes twinkled with laughter.
“Call Trent and tell him to bring you clothes,” I added.
“Is there anything else I should ask Trent to bring?” Trace shook his head at me.
“Um…” I smiled. “Think he can sneak in Ace?”
I wanted to see my sweet Lab and give him kisses. I hated that Trace and I had been away from him this long.
“I’m sure if I asked him, he’d try,” Trace chortled. “But they don’t allow dogs in the hospital.”
“They should,” I pouted. “Ace wouldn’t hurt anybody. He would lay right here, beside me,” I pointed to the empty spot in the hospital bed that was big enough for the puppy, “and wouldn’t bother anyone.” I smiled at Trace.
“I know he would, but I don’t want them to kick me out for letting my little brother bring a dog into a sterile hospital,” he chuckled.
“Fine,” I grumbled. “I’ll just suffer.”
“I’m so happy you’re feeling well enough to argue with me,” he snorted.
“Someone’s awake and talkative,” the same nurse from the other day breezed into my room. Her short auburn hair was straight and her pink scrubs were the only sign of color in the plain white room, aside from the clothes Trace and my mom were wearing.
She looked over my vital signs. “Everything seems to be looking good, sweetie. I’m going to take your temperature,” she promptly stuck a thermometer under my tongue. Ten seconds or so later, it beeped, and she checked it. “Temp is normal, so that’s excellent news. I’m going to check your blood pressure now,” she explained.
My mom scooted out of the way, and let go of my finger, so I could lift my arm for the nurse.
The cuff tightened against my arm and I winced as it dug into my tender skin.
“I’m sorry,” the nurse apologized as she removed the cuff. “Your blood pressure is excellent though. The doctor will be making his rounds in the next thirty minutes,” she smiled at each of us and ducked out of the room. The heavy door clicked closed behind her.
I relaxed against the fluffy pillows, fighting against the exhaustion that was threatening to pull me under. I didn’t know how it was possible for a person that had slept for two days straight, and a week before that, to still be sleepy. But I was.
Trace noticed my eyelids fluttering open and closed. “Olivia, if you need to sleep, go to sleep. Your body needs the rest.”
“No,” I shook my head slightly. “I need to stay awake. I’ve been sleeping so much-”
“Don’t fight what your body needs,” his green eyes were fierce.
My stubborn side kicked in and I looked away from him.
“Olivia,” he groaned warningly.
“I want some more water,” I requested, to sidetrack him.
He sighed and held the Styrofoam cup to my lips. “Don’t think I don’t know what you’re doing.”
I finished the water and fanned my eyes at him. “More please.”
“I’ll be back,” he sighed.
My mom slid her chair closer to the bed and hooked our fingers back together. “I’ll stay until the doctor checks on you and then I really have to go.” Apology was clear in her brown eyes.
“It’s okay, mom,” I assured her. “I know you can’t stay here with me. Heck, I don’t expect Trace to stay with me, but he’s so stubborn.”
“He loves you,” she smiled, “and he wants and can be with you. I don’t have that luxury. I have to be at work early in the morning. I work on the lower level of the hospital but I’ll try to stop by if I get the chance. If I don’t, I’ll come by after my shift ends.”
“You don’t need to do that, mom,” my eyes started to close again but I forced them open.
“I’ll find a way to see you tomorrow,” she promised.
“Okay,” I swallowed, because selfishly, I wanted to see her. I was hurt, and I wanted my mom to comfort me, like a small child sick with the flu.
Trace came back with my water and a doctor followed behind him.
“I’m Dr. Richards,” the gray-haired man said, grabbing a clipboard attached to the end of my bed, and looking over it thoroughly. “I’ve been following your progress closely and you’re doing extremely well. You sustained quite a beating,” he looked at me with kind blue eyes. “You’re lucky to be alive, Olivia. Count your blessings.” He skimmed over my chart again and placed it back in its slot at the end of the bed. He looked me over and said, “I want to keep you, for at least four more days, to make sure you’re breathing okay and everything’s fine with your lung and ribs. If that checks out, you’ll be free to go home.”
“That sounds great,” I breathed.
“I want you to try walking, today. I can see that you’re tired, but before you go to sleep, I’d like for your mom or husband to walk the halls with you,” he smiled kindly.
“Sure,” I agreed. “Wait, wha—”
Trace silenced me with a hard glare.
What was going on? Had we gotten married while I was sleeping or something?
“Walking’s fine,” I tried to cover myself.
“I’ll check in on you tonight,” he smiled and strode from the room.
“Husband?” I snapped, eyeing Trace.
He grinned sheepishly. “If I said I was your boyfriend they wouldn’t let me stay around the clock. So, be a good girl, and pretend to be Mrs. Wentworth.” His smile turned cheeky.
“You’re ridiculous,” I shook my head.
My mom stood and moved the chair back to its original spot. “I have to go. I love you, Liv.” She kissed an uninjured spot on my forehead. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Love you too, mom,” I smiled.
Trace waved goodbye to my mom. “I’m going to go get a nurse to unplug you from all of this junk,” he pointed at the various monitors I was hooked up to, “so you can get some walking done.”
“Okay, I’ll—uh—be here,” I joked.
He shook his head at me and left.
I forced my arm to move, reaching for the cup of water. Being helpless, was getting old really fast.
I managed to get my hand to grip the cup and slowly brought it to my lips. My body was so sore and weak that I knew walking was going to suck the last of my energy right out of my body.
“I hear you want to walk,” the nurse smiled, breezing into the room. The scent of her floral perfume permeated the air around her.
“More like, I’m being forced,” I pouted.
“Walking will be good for you. Just do ten minutes and come back. You don’t have to walk for long. If you’re tired after five minutes, that’s fine too. Don’t overexert yourself, but you do need to move some.”
Great, no one was on my side.
In no time at all, she had me unhooked from most of the machines except for the IV and oxygen tank that had those weird pointy things stuck in my nose, because both of those wheeled along beside me.
“I can take it from here,” Trace assured the nurse as he draped a blanket over my shoulders.
I leaned heavily against him as we strode down the carpeted hall. The oxygen tank’s wheels kept making this annoying shrieking sound.
“Can we go look at the babies?” I asked. “At least, I’ll get to look at something cute.”
Trace feigned that I had hurt his feelings by frowning and placing a hand over his heart. “And I’m not cute to look at?” He questioned.
“I look at you all the time. I’m sick of your face,” I snorted, shuffling along like a ninety-year-old lady.
