I’m finally going home. I’ve never been so excited in my life. It’s only been a week, but it feels like months. The pain is still pretty bad, but I’m able to move around and the doctors say my progress is amazing. They are sending me home with some pain medicine and instructions on follow up appointments.
“Babe, Ivy has everything set up at the house,” Zane says.
“Okay, thanks. Can you just help me get dressed? I’m tired of being in a nightgown.”
He grabs the sweatpants and t-shirt that are laying on the chair and walks over with a grin. He drops them to the bed, standing in front of me. “I’ll be gentle.”
“That’s a first,” I say, laughing.
He’s been extremely gentle with me since I’ve been here. I’ve never felt loved the way I have this week. I can see it in his eyes when he looks at me. It’s exciting and terrifying. I’m still trying to get all my emotions in check, so I seem to be easily overwhelmed.
“I’m gonna lift it off now,” he says.
I close my eyes and let him remove the nightgown. I’ve refused to look at my scars. I have so many on the inside, I’m not ready to see what they look like on the outside. Zane keeps telling me they make me more beautiful and maybe I’ll see that someday, but not yet. Right now, they are a reminder of all the horrible shit I’ve had to endure. I’m not ready to face it yet.
“I’m gonna put your shirt on, babe,” he whispers, knowing I don’t want to look.
I just nod my head and let him dress me. Once I’m fully dressed, I open my eyes and sit on the edge of the bed. “Thank you,” I say, peeking up at him.
“You don’t need to thank me. I’ll always take care of you,” he says, kissing my temple.
“Well, looks like you’re ready to go,” the nurse says, walking in.
“Definitely.”
She smiles and hands me some paperwork to sign. “Good. I’ve called in your medication to the pharmacy, so you can pick that up in a little while. I don’t want you lifting anything or doing any strenuous activities. You are still healing, so rest as much as you can. You can remove the bandages when you get home and shower. Try not to let the water pound on the incisions though. If you have any new pain, discharge, redness, get to the ER right away. Any questions?”
I hand her my paperwork and smile. “No, I’m good.”
“I have a question,” Zane cuts in. “Do we put the bandages back on after her shower?”
“No, they can stay off now.”
“Okay, great. So, that’s it? I can take her home?”
She laughs and squeezes my shoulder. “That’s it. Good luck, Harper.”
“Are you sure you don’t want to shower?” Ivy asks.
“Not yet, I just want to relax and eat first,” I say. It’s not true. I want to shower; I just don’t want to see the scars. So, I’ve resigned myself to Zane’s bed with Ivy, while he is out getting pizza and my pain medicine.
“How’s it feel to be home?” she asks.
I smile and turn my head toward her. “Good, but kinda weird honestly.”
“Are you worried about your father?”
“You know the more you know the deeper you get in the club,” I say with a laugh. “Of course, I’m worried about him, especially now that he knows I’m home.”
She bolts up and looks at me with panic. “He knows you’re home. How?”
I give her a sad smile and turn to look out the window. “He has eyes everywhere, Ivy.”
She looks up at the ceiling and for a minute I think she’s done talking. “What are you gonna do?”
“I’m gonna heal and then I’m gonna kill him.”
“Seriously?”