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“Why don’t you just take a nap?” I whispered. “You’re worn out.” She shook her head as I spoke.
"I'll go with you," she repeated. "You'll need the help."
13
elliot
Reagan was right—Ineeded the help.
"We’ve been here three hours," I grumbled, pacing the little exam room. Reagan held a sleepy Emma in her arms on the hospital bed as they watched me. "Why aren't they doing more?"
"I think they've done everything they can," Reagan said. I knew she was right. There was only so much they could do for an earache, but my baby was still hurting and it was pissing me off.
"Then why are we still here?" I whirled on her, and she narrowed her eyes.
"I don't know," she hissed, holding Emma tighter. "Ask someone who works here."
I knew we were both at our wits' end. We were more than exhausted and ready to snap at each other over everything. After we got here and Emma's wailing had stopped, and we were left alone in this little room, everything from last night seemed to hit us both.
So, now we were in this weird limbo where we were skirting around the actual issue, which was how fucking awkward we felt after last night, but also having to ignore it for Emma's sake. She needed us more than we needed to dissect our feelings or what happened.
The door opened, and I braced myself for more bullshit. I respected the shit out of healthcare workers. But after spending hours in a hospital dealing with people coming in and out, poking and prodding Emma, and not giving me a straight fucking answer, I was more than over it and ready to kill them all.
"Okay, you're all set." I blinked and slowly turned toward the nurse.
"What?"
"You can go." Reagan didn't need to hear anymore, apparently. She staggered to her feet, Emma still in her arms as she gathered the giant tote bag full of Emma's things she'd brought. I grabbed Emma from her, knowing she had to be getting heavy.
"We can go," I repeated, turning back toward the nurse. She smiled softly at Emma before looking at me.
"Your prescription was called into the pharmacy, so you'll need to pick that up, but yeah," she nodded, smiling at Reagan, "you're free to go."
"Thank God," Rae muttered. The nurse chuckled softly as she pulled open the door.
"Take your wife and baby home," she said. "They look spent."
I froze.
Reagan froze.
Slowly, I glanced down at her before clearing my throat. "Yeah, they're exhausted." After our goodbyes and signing the few things we had left, we made our way down the short hallway.
Reagan was stiff as she walked beside me. She refused to acknowledge me. Instead, she pretended like I wasn't even there, and when I opened the car door for her, she chose to ignore that, too.
Whatever. I was too fucking tired to deal with her shit. I just wanted to get Em home and to bed, then pass out for a few hours myself.
The drive home was silent, except for Emma's soft whimpers of pain as she tried to sleep. My heart ached with every sound she made. I just wanted her to feel better.
"I'll go to the pharmacy if you'll put her down for a nap," Reagan finally said, her voice hoarse. I glanced at her and re-gripped the steering wheel.
"I can stop on the way." She let out a harsh breath. "Or you can go by yourself, whatever."
"Why are you being like this?" she snapped, and my brows lifted.
"Like what?"
"Or go by yourself, whatever," she repeated, mocking my voice. "What is that? You're being a dick."
