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“Amazing. I’ll be right back with the medication.”
She disappears without a backward glance and I look back to Ryker, who is significantly tenser than he was a few minutes ago.
“You can’t protect me from everything, Ry.”
He frowns. “I can’t stand to see you in pain.”
“I know, but sometimes it’s unavoidable.”
The nurse steps back into the room and makes quick work of administering the syringe straight into my IV before disposing of the needle.
“How does a shower sound, Chloe?”
I groan. “Like heaven.”
It’s been days since I’ve felt clean, and between the filth of the basement and being covered in my own blood, I can’t think of anything I’d like more than a shower.
She laughs. “I thought it might. Would you prefer I help you, or one of your…” She trails off, but there’s a glint of knowing in her eyes.
“I can help her,” Damon’s voice comes from the corner.
Ryker lets out a low rumble, but I’m surprised when he doesn’t immediately argue.
“Great! Let me know when the pain starts to come down, and then I’ll help you out of bed.” She glances at Damon. “She’ll be a little shaky on her feet to begin with, so you’ll need to support her throughout.”
“I’ve got it.”
She updates my chart as the medication moves through my body, and I’m relieved when it only takes a few minutes for the pain to start to ease.
“Feeling a little better, Siren?” Ryker asks.
I nod.
“You ready to try standing?”
“As ready as I’ll ever be.” I huff out a nervous laugh.
She comes around to stand beside Ryker, and he helps her move the blankets out of the way.
“I’m going to bring up the back of the bed and see how you handle that before we get you up. Sound okay?”
I swallow heavily but nod as anxiety rolls through me. I’ve never been great with pain that wasn’t related to my endometriosis, and considering how excruciating just lying here was when I woke up, I’m nervous to push it.
Thankfully the pain meds are doing their job and there’s only a slight tug of discomfort when I’m sitting upright.
The nurse and Ryker help me turn until my legs are dangling off the edge of the bed, unhooking the IV while I get used to the feeling of sitting unsupported.
I take a few deep breaths before taking her hands and allowing her to guide me to my feet.
“Just take it nice and easy, Chloe. You won’t be running any marathons, but once we can get you walking a few times a day, the doctor will be more inclined to discharge you.”
Stars dance in my vision as my body settles into standing for the first time in days, but they fade after a few seconds.
Ronan and Kingston are awake now, watching with concern as the nurse helps me shuffle forward.
“You’re doing great, Mama.”
The simple encouragement along with the pain that never comes allows me to take a more confident step toward the bathroom at the end of the bed where Damon is waiting.
