Page 121 of The Clover Chapel (Jamison Valley 2)
Emmeline
I woke up to the smell of hospital.
My eyes felt huge but I managed to crack them open, giving them a minute to adjust to the white panel light above my bed.
Blinking hurt. Breathing hurt. The pounding rhythm in my head caused new waves of pain with every thump.
“Emmy?”
I turned to the sound of Nick’s voice at my side. Anguish and heartache were etched on his face but he was still a beautiful sight to see.
“You’re here.” The words sent pools of tears to my eyes.
“I’m here.” His eyes were glistening too.
“Hi, Husband.”
“Hi, Wife.”
I smiled before my eyes fluttered closed and I went back to sleep.
“Emmy?” Nick’s gentle voice was at my side.
I forced my eyes open and tried to remember where I was. The hospital. I turned toward Nick’s voice. He was leaning on the edge of my bed with my hand pressed between his.
“How are you feeling?” he asked.
I took a moment to breathe and assess. “Sore. Tired. Thirsty.”
He helped me sit and eased a plastic cup to my lips. It hurt to swallow but soon the water eased some of the tenderness in my throat.
“Better?” he asked.
I nodded and looked around my room. The TV was turned to a basketball game and the bathroom light was on. Though the curtains were drawn, I could tell it was dark outside.
“What time is it?”
“About ten,” he said.
I had spent the entire day sleeping. I remembered Jess bringing me here this morning and a brief conversation with the doctor, but after waking up and seeing Nick, I couldn’t remember anything else.
“Has Dr. Peterson been back in?” I asked.
He nodded.
“What’s wrong with me?”
“You’ve got pneumonia.” He frowned.
I wasn’t surprised. My cold was the worst I’d ever had and my stress levels during the last day had been off the charts. It had been the perfect recipe for pneumonia. “How long do I have to stay here?”
“Three or four days. You’re on an antibiotic and Dr. Peterson said it can take some time to work.
You were pretty dehydrated too so they’re pumping you with fluids. And he gave you some pain medicine. You’ve got two cracked ribs, which will hurt for a while. He wrapped them up but they’re slow to heal.”
“And my face?” It was pure vanity, but I really hoped that there wouldn’t be permanent damage to my cheek.
“Just swollen. It should fade to a nice purple, green and yellow color in a few days.”
