𝓛𝓮𝓸𝓷 𝓚𝓮𝓷𝓷𝓮𝓭𝔂| ɪᴍᴀɢɪɴᴇꜱ ʙᴏᴏᴋ 4

I Never Took My Wedding Ring Off Either

I hate the cool white of the hospital room, the strong scent of the sterile corridors and the harsh bright lighting that never seems to dim down. My head turns at every shadow that walks past the door, thinking it's finally a doctor who's found time to come check on my daughter. I turn back to her bed, my hand in her smaller one as she sleeps, cuddling the fluffy rabbit teddy her dad bought her only last week when he came to visit. We've been going through a divorce for months now, but neither of us have made any moves to sign the final paperwork. We're just in this lingering state of splitting up. I hate it. 

I watch the rise and fall of her chest, my eyes fixated on the laboured breathing. My baby's so pale, the suspected stomach bug really doing a number on her. There's a small needle attached on the back of her hand, a drip feeds into her since she's losing so many vitamins and liquids through her near constant vomiting. I stroke her head, giving it a gentle kiss before I leave the room and stand outside, gently closing the door. I sigh, trying Leon's number again. Like the first time it rings and rings, until finally he picks up, his voice deep as if tired. 

"Y/N?" He asks, worry lacing his words. 

"Where the hell have you been? D/N's in the hospital and I've been trying to reach you for hours!" I snap, the frustration sudden. I hear shuffling in the background as if he's already getting changed, then I hear keys, if I know him as well as I think I assume they're his bike keys. 

"I'm sorry, I've been at work, I've only just come back. Which hospital? I'm now on my way." Leon asks frantically. My anger simmers at the confirmation of my hopes that he was busy with work and not with a woman. I tell him the hospital and room number than hang up, going back inside to sit with my daughter. She stirs when I sit, her small voice meek as she sniffles. 

"I want daddy." 

I nod, giving her a small smile as I stroke her hair and adjust her covers. "He's now coming, don't worry sweetie, just focus on getting better for us." I soothe. I grab my phone and load up a story and begin reading it to her, once we're a few chapters in the door swings open revealing a ragged looking Leon. He's dressed in his work suit, buttons undone as if he's been stressed and his motorbike helmet dangles from his fingers. He sets it on the side before rushing towards D/N, enveloping her into a hug as she smiles and hugs him back and pats his dark hair. 

"Why's my little princess in the hospital, huh?" He coos to her, grazing his knuckles down her cheek as he perches on the bed, his blue eyes find mine, making my breath catch. I notice he's still wearing his wedding band but I don't comment, now isn't the time. 

"She's caught a nasty stomach bug. It started two days ago but seems to be getting worse until she wasn't keeping anything down. I brought her here yesterday and they admitted her in only hours later. They say she'll be okay and have given her some meds to fight it off, but she needs to be on the drip whilst she recovers to keep her liquids in and some vitamins." I explain shakily. Now Leon's here I've let my guard down, and I realise that I'm not as okay as I'd thought. I had no choice to be tough on my own, but now Leon is with me I can admit I'm scared for her, it's awful seeing my baby poorly. He reaches out, taking my hand in his as our eyes meet, he nods as if silently understanding, but all I can do is take a deep breath, especially if I don't want to cry in front of our little girl. 

"Where have you been daddy? Were you fighting bad guys?" Our daughter asks, breaking the heavy tension. Leon smiles, turning to her as he reaches out and traces circles on her hand with his finger, it's a small habit he picked up ever since she was a baby, and she immediately yawns from the comfort. 

"Yeah, I had to fly in a plane all the way across the country to fight some bad people, but don't worry, it's all safe now. Hey, you've got Miss Fluffykins with you." Leon replies softly, tugging the rabbits ear. D/N nods, smiling as her eyes grow heavy, I suspect some of it is to do with the painkillers. She soon falls asleep, leaving Leon and I alone to tackle the weight of our relationship. He shuffles, staring at the floor as I look around the room, but our eyes keep meeting every few seconds as if we've got something to say to each other. I swallow, then Leon reaches out once more and takes my hand in his as if giving me strength. 

"I'm glad you're here Leon, I-I really needed you." I confess, feeling a lump in my throat. He nods, then moves quick as tears roll down my cheeks. He kneels on the floor in front of my chair, wrapping his arms around me as I silently cry on his shoulder. Though we agreed his job only added to my worry and it was better if he took that weight off my shoulders and left me, I still love him. I think he still loves me too, but I can't say for sure. It's up to me to seek the answer if I want to know. There's no denying he provides a security and comfort that I think I need, and I know D/N misses him at home. 

"I'm here sweetheart," Leon murmurs, running his fingers through my hair, "I'm so sorry it took a while, but I'm with you now." We hug for a while, until the doctor comes in to check on D/N. For the next couple of days Leon and I take it in turns staying at the hospital whilst the other goes home to shower and look after the house. Leon stays at my home since it's closer than his apartment, and the first time I went home I noticed a fresh vase of flowers on the kitchen counter and my favourite box of chocolates, alongside it was a note saying 'I'm proud of you for staying strong, I'm glad our daughter has such a brave mom to look up to and admire'. I broke down in tears as I finished reading it, then composed myself on the way back to the hospital. 

When D/N is finally better and released from the hospital it's late in the evening. Leon and I are tired from the draining atmosphere of the hospital as well as the restless sleep and constant worry. He carries our daughter to bed when we're home as I lock the door and unpack her bag, he comes back downstairs a few minutes later yawning, but he frowns when he sees me. "Are you alright?" He asks, coming over to me and gently cupping my cheek. It feels so natural. 

"Yeah, just tired. I better start the washing and clean up a little-" I begin, turning to do as I said, but Leon steps in my way, shaking his head as he leans down to my eye level. 

"It's alright, I'll do it for you. You've been doing so much lately, let me help." He says, "I can stay up and get it all done before I leave." I bite my lip, reaching out hesitantly as I press a palm to his chest. I take a deep breath, lowering my eyes for a second before mustering the bravery to look for his reaction. 

"You don't have to leave, if you don't want to. I don't just mean tonight," I whisper, "I've missed you, D/N has too. I-I still love you, I don't want to divorce. I know your job worries me, but I'd rather live with it than live without you. I still love you Leon." 

Leon's eyes widen as my words sink in, then his lips lift just the tiniest bit. "Are you sure?" He asks with hope, "Of course I want to stay, I'll even pack up my apartment tomorrow. Fuck, I love you so much." He closes the distance between us, kissing me like he's missed me. I loop my arms around the back of his neck, tongues dancing and head tilting until I pull away breathless, pushing back to show I'm not in the mood for anything further. "Go up to bed, I'll be there soon." 

I go upstairs, checking on our sleeping daughter before showering away the grime on me and getting ready for bed. By the time Leon comes in it's late, but I've been waiting for him. He undresses and puts on his pyjamas he stored here before slipping into bed with me, his arms pull me to his chest as I savour his warmth and being back into the nest of his body. I fit perfectly, and he holds me close as he kisses my head and murmurs a goodnight. For the first time in months I sleep so well, and in the morning our daughter comes to wake us up like she used to. It's all back to being perfect and how it should be, and I can tell Leon thinks the same from the way he kisses my ringed finger. I never took my wedding ring off either.