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The next time. She shook her head. After Steven’s mother passed, Rose had hoped for a reprieve for him and his family, but now he was in the hospital. She still couldn’t wrap her head around the idea that Steven had had a heart attack. He was so young. It just didn’t feel real.
Her stomach grumbled, and she reluctantly left the plush green cushions and headed to her small kitchen. It was more closet than kitchen, with just enough room for a fridge and oven on one side and a sink and dishwasher on the other. Her limited counter space was cluttered with a spice rack, a toaster, and yesterday’s mail.
In no mood to cook, she removed some cheese, crackers, and a bottle of wine. Balancing them in her arms, she returned to her chair. Tears pricked behind her eyes, and she didn’t even bother to fight them.
There was so much she didn’t know. How long recovery would take. Where Steven would live in the meantime. Dr. Bhati had mentioned other options for when Steven was discharged, but he hadn’t specified what they were. Steven’s house wasn’t exactly equipped for a wheelchair, and all of the beds were on the second floor.
Will he even consent to go somewhere else? While Steven was currently listening to his doctors, she knew her fiancé well enough to know he would be unhappy if anything kept him from the office for very long. In fact, she suspected that he had chosen the risky surgery because a speedy recovery would mean he could get back to work that much sooner.
After she finished her food, she settled back against the chair and sipped her wine. It had been a few days since she’d last FaceTimed with her parents. Part of her wanted to continue to put it off. They would pepper her with questions, first about the wedding, then she would have to inform them of the accident, which would bring a whole host of other concerns. She was in no mood to discuss either. Frankly, she was rather peopled out. But if she didn’t call soon, then the worried texts would start.
With a sigh, she picked up her iPad and tapped the app. Plastering a smile on her face, she pressed Call.
A moment later, her mother’s face filled the screen. “Rosie. It’s been so long. How are you?”
“I’m good, Mom. How are things across the world?”
Her mother’s eyes crinkled with her smile. “Oh, there’s a lot going on here. And we’re missing you, but we can get into that later. How is the wedding planning going? Are you excited for your big day?”
“Mm-hmm,” Rose murmured, her lips pressed tight together. She swallowed her pain, not wanting to add to her mother’s worry. Her parents had enough stress in their lives caring for her aging grandparents.
She racked her brain to recall the last wedding-related thing she and Steven had done. “We chose the menu for the reception and cake flavors. I’m meeting with the wedding coordinator in a few days to go over the details for the invitations, which should be sent soon.”
“Ah, I wish we could be there,” her mother said, a wistful note in her voice. “How’s Steven? Is he helping with the preparations?”
Rose’s thin hold on her emotions broke, and she burst into tears. Her hands flew to her face, but it was too late.
“What’s wrong?” her mother asked. “Did something happen?”
“Steven is—” Her voice caught, and she cleared her throat. “He was in a car accident and is in the hospital.” Saying the words out loud gave them power.
“Oh my goodness. Is he all right? Why aren’t you with him?”
Rose shook her head. “He’s… stable.” She proceeded to explain what she knew of his condition. Focusing on the familiar medical terminology helped her regain control of her emotions. “I was with him earlier, but I had to come home. When I return tomorrow, they should know more about the next steps.”
“When did this happen?”
“Late last night. I’m sorry I didn’t have a chance to call you sooner. I’ve been at the hospital and—”
Her mother waved her hand. “It’s fine. You were where you needed to be.” She took a deep breath and frowned. “How will this impact the wedding?”
With a sigh, Rose shrugged. “I honestly don’t know. Things have been too crazy here. I haven’t had time to consider it.”
“Is there anything we can do?”
“I doubt it.” Rose rested her chin on her hand and studied her mother’s face. Moments like that reminded her how much she missed her mother. “You’re on the other side of the world.”
Her mother raised an eyebrow. “We have friends in the States. They could bring you food, keep you company.”
Spending time with virtual strangers wasn’t much of a substitute for her parents, but she appreciated the sentiment.
“Lanie and Max were with me. And several of my coworkers brought me food.”
“I’m glad you weren’t alone.” Her mother rubbed her chin. “And Steven is young. He’ll heal quickly and be walking again before you know it. Everything is already arranged, right?”
“Yes. With the wedding only three months away, we’re only paying the balances due at this point, but between Steven’s hospital bills and the fact that he won’t be bringing in any money while he’s not working, I’m not sure how we’ll afford it.”
Mom’s brow furrowed. “I wish we could send you money—”
