Dark Side

Chapter 26 Part 1

The next day I awake to the light of the sun seeping in through the blinds of the hospital. Rolling over, I feel a sharp pain in my side.

"Bad idea," I mutter to myself, pushing my body up with the strength I was able to muster in my arms.

After blinking my eyes a few times, I look to my side table, looking for a glass of water. However, what grabs my attention first is a piece of paper attached to a bag of donuts. "Stopping by home to shower and change. Checking up on your sisters while I'm at it. Be back soon. Miss ya a "hole" bunch! Love always, Joe," it read.

"Well that explains the donut holes," I laugh out loud.

My hand finds its way to the call button and I press it. The pain was coming back to me and I really needed a glass of water. Since I didn't know when Joe would be back, and I didn't have my cell, calling the nurse was the only option I had. Not that I minded the nurse; she was actually quite nice. But all I really wanted was to go home and be with my family. No medicine, no stress, no hospital smells, no tests and monitors, no poking and prodding. Just me and my family in peace. But I have to get clearance from the doctor before that could happen, and I know he isn't going to let me leave anytime soon. I still have yet to get my MRI anyway, so I'm stuck here for a while.

Soon, there's a knocking on the door. Through the little window of the door, I see the smile of my nurse.

"Come in," I call out.

The little door cracks open and she comes in with a cart, varies things scattered on top. Pulling the cart to the side of my bed, she begins to replace the bags on the I.V. drips.

"Sleep well?" she asks cheerfully.

"Yeah," I sigh, recalling last night with a smile. Truthfully, it was the best I had slept in a while, and definitely more comfortable than the past few nights under the care of my enemy. I quickly brush off the thought, not wanting to recall that nightmare.

"When did he leave?" she asks, clearing the trash off my side table.

Having been caught off guard, I reply,"What?"

How did she know that? Or did she know? No, maybe she didn't know at all. Maybe she just meant when did he leave last night. Yeah, that sounds about right. There's no way she knew anything.

"You know, Joe. I saw you two last night through the window. I went to go check up, but you seemed to be in good hands. Don't worry, I won't tell anyone. He seems like a good guy," the nurse gushes, grinning from ear to ear.

I blush, not knowing she had seen us. Thank God she was so sweet; I didn't want to get into any trouble while was here, or get Joe into any for that matter.

"Thank you," I gush, hoping she doesn't notice my blushing.

"So was there anything you needed?"

The nurse was now packing up, ready to leave.

"Could I possibly get some more water?" I ask.

"I figured you'd ask that. Here's a few bottles, just buzz me down if you need more, okay?"

From the bottom of the cart, she pulls out three bottles, setting two on my side table and handing me the other.

"Thank you," I smile, and she is out the door, pulling that lite cart behind her.

Once the nurse is gone from view, I twist the cap off of the water bottle that she handed me. I hold the bottle up to my lips, letting the water trickle down my throat. It was cold and soothing, refreshing to my body and mind. Morning drowsiness soon wore off as I continued to to let the water stream down. The last drops of water hit my tongue, leaving my dry throat rehydrated.

"Guess ill save the others for later," I think to myself, not wanting to waste all of them.

As I set the empty bottle to the side, I hear a knock on the door. Looking through the keyhole, I see, not the nurse, but two warm, brown eyes; it's Joe. A huge smile spreads across my face, and Joe knows it's fine to come in.

"Hey, miss me?" he smiles, walking towards my bed.

With outstretched arms, he comes to give me s hug. I notice a bouquet of flowers in his hands, filled with the colours of spring.

"For you," he says, handing them to me as he takes a seat.

Taking them from his grasp, I lift the flowers to my face and say,"They're beautiful. Thanks, Joe."

"Here, let me put them in vase for you."

Joe bends down and unzips his backpack, taking out a simple vase. I hand the bouquet to him, chuckling as he arranges the flowers.

"What? Am I don't it wrong?" he smiles, keeping his eyes on the flowers.

"No. It's just, you're so-you planned this out well, didn't you?"

"Yeah, I di-"

"Joe! You can't use those! I'll have nothing to drink!" I interrupt him as he takes one of my water bottles to fill the vase.

"Relax, I've for plenty of water bottles in the bag just for you," he chuckles.

With that, Joe places the vase on my side table, taking out a water bottle before zipping his backpack shut.

"Your majesty," Joe says, bowing his head slightly as he handed me the water bottle.

"Oh, shut up," I laugh, pushing his head back with my palm pressed to his forehead.

Joe combs his fingers through his hair saying sarcastically,"Gosh, you messed up my hair! I spent three hours on it just for you!"

"Princess!" I sass back.

"You know you love me."

"My heart just breaks a little whenever you're gone," I say dramatically.

"I don't appreciate the sass, young lady, or else!"

"Or else what? You can't possibly injure me further."

"Or else I'll take you hostage and love you for the rest of our days."

"Is that a promise, Mr. Jonas?"

"Try me."

A provoking smile begins to spread across his face, and all too tempting to test him. I sit up and lean over to him, putting my hands on Joe's chest and moving my lips to his ears, whispering,"I'd love to see you try."

With that, Joe brought his hands up to my cheeks and leaned into me, causing me to fall back into the bed, my head landing on the pillows. Gently, he placed a kiss on my lips, smiling as he sat back up.

"You always were one to test the boundaries."

"I don't go by the rules," I sigh, giving a sassy smile.

"I love you."

"Love you, too."

"Hey, do you got some time?" Joe asks hesitantly.

"Well, I'm actually on a tight schedule, but I guess I could fit you in," I respond sarcastically.

"Alright, I want to show you something."

"What?"

"I'm taking you out for the day. Let's go."

"Joe, I don't think you can do-"

"Nope, we're going," and Joe pulls out a wheelchair next to my bed, picking me up and placing me on it.

"Joe, my I.V.-"

"Got it," he says, and wheels me out the door.

Without a mention of where we were headed to, Joe pushed me down the hall. My thoughts were racing what he had planned. Knowing Joe, it was something creative, something special. But what? We turned the corner, and that's when I saw it.

Hey, guys! Sorry it's been a while; I've been really busy! I love feedback, so please don't forget to comment!💜.

P.S.

Please check out my friend's, swimmer0416, story called too close