Mrs. K left, and I tried to get a few more things done.
The soup was still warm… and smelled delicious. Using an empty paper cup and a spoon left from dinner last night, I got some and sat down on the bed next to Grace.
I took a bite, letting the soup of lemon, eggs, rice, and chicken explode over my tongue.
“This will make you feel so much better when you wake up,” I told Grace. I finished and put the empty cup on the bed table.
Grace stirred, and her hand moved in that way that meant she was searching for one of us.
“I’m right here. Do you want to wake up now?” I pulled her into me.
“Mmmm, dunno.” Her face buried in my chest.
“Okay. I have soup. Such nice soup to make you feel better.” I stroked her hair.
She made a non-committal noise. “Ice cream.”
“Yes, Wes will bring you ice cream later.” I looked at my phone. They were up, eating, and then going to Riley’s school. The semester ended in a few days, so they were starting to move her things back to the house for summer.
“Okay.” Grace snuggled into me and went back to sleep.
I went back to my phone, which was again full of mating party questions. But, my friend was all set to come and grill, my cousins would play the music, the rings were ordered, and the wine selected. Grace needed a dress, but that wasn’t an issue. I’d just take her to Andre’s shop unless she had something else in mind.
My grandfather even planned to attend, which surprised me considering his age.
Grace stirred again. This time she opened her eyes and looked at me sleepily.
“Hi, Darling.” I stroked her hair again.
“Spencer, you’re home?” She frowned and looked around. “Where…”
“Shhh.” I pulled her back into me. “You’re in the hospital, Baby Girl. You got sick, but you’re going to be okay.”
Her nose scrunched. “I have been spending way too much time in hospitals for my taste.”
Mine, too. At least she was awake. Relief flooded me.
“Your body is literally adjusting to being in a different world. It’s to be expected,” I murmured.
“Where’s Wes and Evan?” Her eyes teared a little.
“They’ll be back. Should they bring you the ice cream with extra fudge you keep asking for?” I texted them that she was awake.
Grace nodded and snuggled into me. “Yes. What happened? I remember throwing up and…”
Embarrassment flooded the bond.
“None of that.” Holding her tight, I explained what had happened–and what choices we made for her. “I hope it was the right one. The doctor asked you, and you said that you wanted ice cream.”
“I’m so glad that you didn’t choose the first one.” Her lower lip quivered.
“Unfortunately, it might still be in your future. We have to do what’s best for your body. But even if it’s in a hospital, I’ll make sure that your heart and soul are still taken care of, as will the others.” I kissed her. We’d been shown the medical heat suites; they weren’t awful, but it was still a hospital.
Grace made a face and then stared at her body. “Be good or else.”
I kissed her temple. “That’s my girl.”
“I… I was going into heat and didn’t know it? I thought heats were supposed to be magical. I’m fucked up.” Her shoulders rounded in defeat.
