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“For the where, you have a few options. In patient at the center. Outpatient somewhere in Melbourne where you travel to the center. Or here. Or anywhere you like, actually.”
“Huh? How can I do rehabilitation anywhere I like?”
“Because once you’re discharged, it’s daily exercises. Walking. Swimming. Stretching. You can do that anywhere.”
She frowned. “How will I know what to do, though?”
“You won’t. I’ll oversee it.”
“Anywhere? So if I said I wanted to convalesce in Port Douglas, you’d go with me?”
He smiled. He hadn’t missed the teasing note in her voice. “Sure, as it’s not too hot this time of year. You can meet my ex and all.”
Georgie smiled at that. Then she grew serious again. “Why are you doing this, Ryan? Why do you care so much?”
He could tell her exactly why he cared so much. Because he was profoundly in love with her and her pain hurt him in ways he struggled to deal with. But, more simply, “Because, mo chroi, nobody should live with this much pain.” His tone was gentle. She looked away from him as her eyes filled with tears. He let her sit with that idea for a while, then he said, “You’re going to do it?”
She sat completely still for a long time, staring out at nothing. Then she turned to him, her eyes shadowed with fear. But also determination. “Yes.”
He let out a breath he felt he’d been holding for days.
“Most of the reasons I had for not doing it are gone. I still don’t like the drugs. They don’t scare me like they used to, but I still don’t want to be responsible for them. You’ve fixed that. I can’t handle the idea of going through it all again on my own. Waking up on my own. Rehabbing on my own. But you’ve fixed that, too. I think if I can figure out where to do the recovery, and you’re there, I’ll be okay with that. And Brandon will be there this time as well.”
“Right. It’s a good plan we’re getting together. Ah, here’s your lad now,” he said when he saw Brandon coming down the track.
“Hey, Ryan. You’re back.”
“I am. I’m just having a chat with Georgie May.” He shot Brandon a look, which he picked up straight away.
“Right. And?”
“We’ve got a few bits and pieces to sort out, but once that’s done, she thinks she’s good for the surgery.”
Brandon blew out a breath, looking at his sister searchingly for a moment. Pleased with what he saw, he said, “That’s so great, George.”
“Hey!” They all turned to see Mikayla at the top of the track. “Dinner at Juniper’s in ten minutes. You good?” She waved when they all agreed and walked off.
“Might go and get some nibbles and wine, then,” Brandon said. “I’ll see you there.”
After he’d gone, Ryan went inside and retrieved his medical kit and a glass of water. He put both on the outside table and sat down. “So since you’ve kindly agreed to put me in charge of pain management, I’m thinking there’s no time like the present,” he said, looking at Georgie as he opened the kit. He removed a few tablet packets and laid them out on the table. “We’ve got paracetamol and ibuprofen, to start with. It won’t do much, but it’ll get you used to the idea of taking them. But I will be giving you stronger stuff tomorrow.” He popped one of each and handed them to her with the water before she could argue. “Just do it, mo chroi. What’s the point in delay?” He felt relief wash through him when she looked at him for a long moment, put the capsules in her mouth and drank the water.
“Just so you know, you get away with being bossy because of your accent,” she said, handing him the glass.
He grinned at her. “Whatever it takes. Let’s go.” He helped her to stand and they made their way up the track and across the car park as the sky turned softly mauve with the fading sun. William let them in and through the house to the backyard. Juniper gave them a smile and a wave as she laid out the outdoor table, chatting with Nora all the while. Callum and John were at the barbecue. Rafe and Mikayla were standing by the stone wall, looking out at the ocean, their arms around each other. Ryan guided Georgie to a seat next to Leah.
Taking a seat, Georgie smiled her thanks at Ryan. She was feeling all sorts of emotions that she didn’t know how to make sense of. Terror. Confusion. Relief. Hope. A dawning optimism for the future. That was the strangest feeling of all. The idea that the future could be better. That she could be better. She watched Ryan catch Mikayla’s attention and Mikayla grab Rafe by the arm and pull him over to where Ryan was standing. They talked earnestly for a long while, shooting Georgie occasional glances.
“What’s going on?” Leah asked.
“Surgery.” Georgie held on when Leah wordlessly slipped her hand in hers. That was the exact comfort she needed. Georgie saw Brandon come around the corner of the house, greet William, John and Callum at the barbecue, then get called over by Ryan. More intense conversation. Head shakes. Questions back and forth.
Finally, Mikayla called out, “William!” She gestured with her head and William handed the tongs to John and joined the meeting.
Georgie had absolutely no idea what they were talking about. The idea that five people cared about her enough to have this long of a conversation about her was a bit mind boggling.
“Dinner’s up!” John called out. That put an end to the huddle for the moment.
Once they were all sitting around the table, eating marinated chicken, potatoes and salad, Mikayla said, “So am I right in saying that the only thing left to sort out is where the rehab takes place?”
