He liked that. Taking hold of her hand, they made their way up to the floor. Nothing had changed, apart from the fact everyone was drinking coffee.
They waited another hour before a tired, exhausted, and scruffy doctor came toward them. Pixie saw the man had been at the hospital for a long time.
“I’m so sorry it has taken me this long to get back to you,” he said.
“It’s okay. What’s wrong with Chloe?”
****
Encephalitis was what was wrong with Chloe. They had already started pumping her with medication, and were keeping ‘round the clock care. They wouldn’t know for certain of the damage until she woke up.
Suzy had never been so happy to hear such a diagnosis. She’d been freaking out. Before Pixie’s big revelation when she was sitting in the hospital, talking with Chloe, she’d tried to figure out what was wrong. Talking to Chloe, asking questions, getting no response. At first she’d been worried in case Fluffy had given her something. In the end, it had been an infection that hadn’t been treated, but had gotten worse. It was common, treatable, but also dangerous.
Sitting in Chloe’s room now, Suzy told her the good news.
“Everyone was here a second ago. After the diagnosis, James gave a lot of instructions. Several of the guys are going to be here, and we’re going to take care of you.” She touched Chloe’s hand, giving it a squeeze. “You scared us there for a second. Well, you scared me. Teri was pretty damn petrified, and you know how much steel she has.” She chuckled. “It’s official now. I’m dating Pixie, and when you get out, and are well again, we may be going away on a vacation together.” She licked her lips. “I even think we’re going to be boyfriend and girlfriend. Do you know how weird that sounds? I’ve never had a boyfriend. It has always been Pixie. All of my firsts are with him.” In the private room she heard the beeping of the machines. Hospitals always made her uncomfortable. “You scared me, Chloe. I like having you around. You’re funny, witty, and I love you, sweetie.” She stared at the woman on the bed. Chloe was a beautiful woman, inside and out. She deserved so much love, and happiness.
“Is she awake?” Pixie asked, popping his head around the door.
She turned toward him. “Not yet.”
He entered the room, even though he wasn’t allowed. “You’re talking to her?”
“Always. The doctor said her vitals were looking good.”
“You need to go home,” he said. “It’s getting late.”
Her stomach chose that time to grumble. “Who will sit with her?”
“I will,” James said, entering the room. He carried a book. “I’ll take care of her.”
“Taking care of people is what you do best, brother.”
“I try. I wish I could say that I did a good job.”
“I’ve just been talking to her,” Suzy said, standing up. “You’ll call the moment she wakes up, right?”
“Of course. I wouldn’t hide it.” James smiled down at Chloe. “She’s had everyone worried about her.”
“See you in the morning if she hasn’t woken up by then,” Pixie said.
They were at the door when James called to them.
“I’m glad you two have decided to come out with your relationship. It’s nothing to be ashamed of, falling for each other.”
Pixie gripped her shoulders, and she had to wonder if he regretted his decision to let everyone know what was happening.
“Thank you,” she said.
They left the hospital, saying goodbye to Leo and Paul on the way out.
Suzy climbed into the passenger seat of Pixie’s car, her stomach doing another grumble.
“Do you want me to stop off for food?”
“No, I can make us something back at the apartment.” She pulled her bun out, and ran her fingers through her ha
ir. “I feel so achy.”