Page 95 of Beneath the Blue Moon

***Casey***

of him crammed into a chair by my bed, a small blanket barely covering his

legs. He’s asleep. I’m surprised I was able to sleep… and I feel so calm

and rested. What the hell was in that tea Clara gave me?

He’s here. I chased him off, and he’s still here. He looks

so peaceful, his chest rising and falling, his breathing even. He does look a

little ragged, though; he hasn’t shaved, probably hasn’t even showered. How

long has he been here?

The door opens, and he jerks awake, looking in that

direction. I also turn as the doctor enters.

“Good morning, Casey.” He nods to Ethan. “Sheriff.”

“Morning.”

Ethan returns a nod in acknowledgment.

“How are you feeling?”

You want to know how I’m feeling? My world has

fallen apart, and I’m hanging on to this life by a thread. That’s how I’m

feeling.

“Okay, I guess. When can I go home?”

“I can discharge you today if you like.”

“Please.”

“There are some things I need to speak to you about

concerning your recovery.”

He glances nervously at Ethan. At this point, I don’t care

who hears; he can announce it over the P.A. system if he wants to. Ethan moves

closer, taking my hand and making it clear he’s not leaving.

I nod to the doctor. “Go ahead.”

“Well, the bleeding should last maybe another week and then you’ll

have some spotting after that. If it lasts longer, then you come back and see

me. If you’re bleeding too much, say more than one pad per hour, come in right

away. That’s a sign of hemorrhaging.”

“Okay.”

“You may experience lower abdominal pain and breast

discomfort, but that should also stop within a week. Your regular period should

resume within three to six weeks.”

Three to six weeks… and then it will be as if they never

existed. “Is that it?”

“There’s still the matter of infection. I’m prescribing you

some antibiotics. It’s important that you take them all, even if you feel

better.”

I nod.

“Also, stay away from tampons until your regular period

returns. No swimming pools, hot tubs, or baths—take showers. No douching and no

sexual intercourse.”

You don’t have to worry about that last one, Doc.

He glances at Ethan then returns his attention to me. “That

is, until the bleeding stops,” he continues. “It depends on you and how you

feel, but I would recommend waiting until you’ve had at least one normal

period.”

“Anything else?”

“Just take it easy, rest. Give your body time to heal.”

“I will.”

He nods and reaches into his coat pocket, pulling out a

small card.

“This is the number for Dr. Emily Shorter. She’s a therapist

who has experience dealing with… loss. I recommend you give her a call, set up

an appointment.”

A shrink? How the fuck is a shrink going to help me? “Unless

she can bring Daddy and my babies back, I don’t see what good it would do.”

He looks over at Ethan, who takes the card from him. “Thank

you, Doctor.”

Dr. Jameson nods and turns back to me. “I’ll take care of

your discharge.”

After he leaves, Ethan looks down at the card in his hand.

“Maybe we should see her,” he suggests.

“I don’t need a shrink.”

“Together.”

Together? Why would he need therapy?

“Casey, I may not have carried them inside me, didn’t even

know about them, but I lost them, too. They were a part of me… and it hurts

like hell.”

He’s right. Those babies were ours. Now they’re gone.

Maybe I don’t need to be such a bitch.

“If you wanna go, then we will.”

“Thank you.”

“Can you take me home?”

“Honey, you can’t go back there. Not now.”

“Why?”

“It’s too soon. Besides, it’s kind of a crime scene.”

“Oh. I guess I’ll stay in a motel or—”

“I’m taking you home with me,” he states.

“Are you crazy? I can’t do that!”

Helena would surely call her hit man then. Then again, maybe

it’s not such a bad idea. It would save me the trouble of doing it myself.

“You can and you will. I’ve already had your room fixed up.”

“My room?”

“You’re going to love it. Trust me.”

“Ethan—”

“It’s okay. I’m not expecting anything. I just want to take

care of you.”

“Are you sure it’s not a problem? I don’t want to impose.”

“You’re not. In fact, you should move in… permanently.”

“What about your girlfriend?” I ask.

“You’re the only girlfriend I have.”

“That’s not what I’ve heard.”

“What have you heard?”

“It doesn’t matter. I can’t move in with you.”

“Can’t or won’t?”

“This conversation sounds familiar,” I mumble.

“Don’t worry. What you do is up to you. I won’t push you.”

“Thank you.”

What do I do now? How am I going to handle being in his

house? It’s going to be World War III when Helena finds out I’m there. I look

up at Ethan and hope he’s ready for it. No. When I’m better, I’ll just go back

to New York, leave him and this place far behind.