Chapter Thirteen
Angel awoke slowly.It took effort to open her eyes because she was so groggy.The pillow behind her moved, startling her, but she was unable to change positions.She didn’t feel paralyzed, just like she was encased in molasses.
“How are you, baby?”Thomas said against the side of her head.
She shivered at the deep timbre of his tone and the fact that she found him plastered to her.
She took a moment to assess her body.“Oh, I feel tired and numb.Is that good?”
“It’s the medication.It will wear off soon.I’ll decide if you need more later.”
“Can I just have Tylenol?”she asked.“I don’t like the way this makes me feel.”
“But do you feel any pain?”
She shook her head.“No.”
“That’s what matters, baby.I can’t stand to see you in pain,” Thomas said.
“Okay.”Angel couldn’t believe how she already trusted him.
She settled back against him and sighed.She felt the most content and safe when she was with him, her daddy.Would she ever get used to calling him that?It didn’t feel weird, just a little taboo maybe.
“Are you hungry?”he asked.
She shook her head.It had only been a few hours since they had eaten.The medicine was wearing off enough so that she felt her midsection tighten as another cramp built.He must have felt her tense because he reached for the heating pad and pressed it against her stomach.
“How long do the cramps usually last, baby?”
“I should feel better tomorrow.”
“Okay, until then, I’d like to give you another muscle relaxer.We can try just one this time, so you don’t feel so out of it.”
“Yes.I would like to try one.”
She felt him kiss the back of her head before he rolled away from her.It amazed her how the pain sharpened when she didn’t feel his heat behind her anymore.
“When the cramp is done, I’ll help you sit up.”
Several seconds later, she exhaled as her body relaxed.
He turned her onto her back before lifting her into a sitting position.This time, he propped her up against his chest before he handed her the pill.
She slipped it into her mouth and reached for the bottle of water he held.After she handed it back, she relaxed against him.
“Do you need to use the bathroom, baby?”
She shook her head.
“Let’s get you comfortable.”
He arranged her on her side again, curled his body around her, and reached for the pad.When the heat seeped into her abdomen, it calmed the cramp that had been building enough for her to breathe easily.She felt the drug start to overtake her, so she closed her eyes and slept.
The next time she awoke, the early morning sun was coming in through the curtains.Her stomach felt like someone had punched her, but it wasn’t as bad as it usually was.
Thomas exhaled behind her and then tightened the arm he had around her midsection.
