The words hung in the air, almost unreal. Giselle blinked, expecting the noise of the city to rush back in, but the room remained perfectly still. Time froze.
“That’s not… that can’t be right,” she said, shaking her head.
“It’s still the first trimester,” Dr. Hill continued gently. “I’m estimating around six weeks. We can do some follow-up tests when you’re ready. Now, we need to get you on your feet. It’s imperative that you move around, even with two broken ribs to avoid lung infection and muscle contraction.”
Six weeks?Giselle did the math and immediately calculated her answer. Heavy. While she’d been living with Alonzo, the two of them didn’t have sex until about two weeks ago. She’d purposely kept him at arm’s length because she didn’t want to feel like some needy hoe when he took her in. One drunken night, he introduced her to cocaine because he thought she might need an escape, and they’d been sharing his bed ever since.
“Ms. Knox, are you alright?” Dr. Hill interrupted her thoughts.
“I’m… I wasn’t expecting that.” She shook her head as the door opened to her room, and Maisie appeared with her phone in hand.
“What’s up Doc? How is the patient?” she queried, picking up on the tension in the room.
Maisie’s eyes volleyed from Giselle to the doctor questioningly. Giselle was hoping Dr. Hill got the message to keep this between them. Wincing as she sat up, she tried to swing her legs over the side of the bed.
“I’m fine. Doc says I need to move around, though.”
“Are you sure?” Maisie rushed to her side with concern etched in her face.
“Yes,” Dr. Hill replied, holding the tablet against her chest. “Short walks, nothing strenuous. You will gradually increaseactivity as you heal. I have also signed off on the psych recommendation. The nurse will bring in some information for you regarding rehabilitation programs. I have seen many cases like this, Ms. Knox, so let me be the first to say how very blessed you are to walk away with minimal damage. Mr. Maynard is awake, and he’s been asking for you. He is down the hall in room 410. I’ll be back to check on you. We’ll want to keep you a few days for observation.” Dr. Hill backed out of the room, and Giselle took baby steps over to the window.
“Everyone is glad you’re okay,” Maisie announced.
“Everyone?” Giselle swung her head toward her as she rested a hand against the windowsill and caught her breath.
It hurt like a bitch moving just those five steps from the hospital bed to the window, damn near taking all the wind from her. Maisie lowered herself to the edge of the hospital bed and examined her cousin from where she stood, staring out at the world pensively.
“Yeah. Including Heavy,” Maisie acknowledged.
Slowly, Giselle lowered her head and took a breath.How had she gotten here, and what the hell was she going to do now?
“I appreciate you coming, Mais.”
“Giselle, why don’t you just come back with me?”
“I have a life here now.” She sniffled and lifted her gaze. “I started a business. My lawyer says the estate is almost settled, and everything will be released to me. I decided to sell the house. I can’t step foot back in there. It’s best I start over. Last night, before all this… Alonzo asked me to marry him.”
“What!” Maisie screeched. “Is that why you crashed the car?” she joked.
“No.” Giselle snickered. “But he’s been good to me, and… we’re good for each other.”
“Do you love him?” Maisie pried.
“It doesn’t matter,” Giselle answered quickly.
“Hmm, when it comes to marriage, that’s the most important thing. Maybe not in this world, though, and maybe you’re okay with that.” Sighing, she lifted herself from the bed and slapped her hands against her thighs. “And I should stop trying to convince you otherwise. This is what you want and where you want to be. I mean, from the outside, it looks pretty nice. Big house, nice cars, no ceilings when it comes to a credit limit. Just doesn’t seem to make you very happy.”
“Happy is an illusion, Maisie.”
“Happiness comes from you, Giselle.Youdecide when to be happy, and you don’t let anyone else make that decision for you.” Maisie gathered her jacket and the rest of her belongings, slinging her big Marc Jacobs bag over her shoulder.
She walked right up to her cousin and wrapped her in a warm embrace before kissing the top of her head.
“I love you. No matter what. Take care of yourself.”
“Thank you for coming,” Giselle whispered into her chest.
“I’ll never not come, G.” Maisie nudged away and tapped the tip of her nose.
