Tearing Apart

CLEAR

The doctor came early in the morning to check on her and get her paperwork ready for discharge.

-Ok Ally, everything looks fine so we’re sending you home now. Just please, take it easy and come back in a week so we can remove the stitches from your forehead. A nurse will be here soon to help you with your discharge

-Ok doc, thank you

He shook her hand and made his way out of the room . Jo turned to look at her and smiled.

-Well, thank God! Let’s go home! These hospital couches are really uncomfortable – she laughed

There was a knock on the door and Ally called them in, thinking it was the nurse coming to get her

It opened and Gus came inside holding a small duffel bag. He looked awfully tired, dark bags below his eyes. He made his way to her bed and kissed her cheek.

-How are you feeling?- He asked, getting a hair strand out of her face.

-Better- she sighed- they’re sending me home now.

-Good- he said- handing her the duffel bag- I brought you some clothes, I got your keys out of your purse last night, so I went to your place and picked up something for you to wear- He paused, wincing- Your clothes from the accident were soaked in blood...

-Thank you- she replied, running her hand through his beard- I’m ok now... it was just a cut – she whispered- Let me go get changed.

Jo and Gus helped her getting up and into the bathroom, where she opened the duffel bag and extracted some underwear, a pair of jeans and a shirt. There was also a pair of socks and some sneakers. She put everything on as best as she could and when she got out of the bathroom an orderly was already waiting with a wheelchair.

-It’s ok, I can walk- Ally said when she looked at it.

-It’s hospital policy, Miss Eckert- he replied, motioning to the chair for her to sit- Please

-Ok, fine- she sighed plopping on the wheelchair.

He pushed her out of the room and through the halls, flanked by Gus and Jo, who was carrying her purse. They soon arrived at the hospital entrance.

-I’m getting my truck- Gus announced and he left, heading towards the parking lot

They waited for a few minutes before he came back, stopping in front of them. He swiftly jumped down and went to grab Ally from the wheelchair, carrying her to the truck and making her yelp. He made sure she was safely buckled up in the middle before helping Jo up to the passenger seat.

Thank you- he said, turning to the orderly and shaking his hand.

He drove them in silence all the way to their apartment. When they got there, he helped both of them getting out of the truck.

He tried to carry Ally inside, but she refused.

-I can walk Gus, really- she said, only taking his hand for support and letting him guide her

Jo opened the door and silence greeted them. Ally made her way to the couch and sat quietly. Gus went to sit beside her.

-Ok guys, I’m going to Saul’s place- Jo announced after a moment- I haven’t seen him since I came back. Will you two be alright?

-Yeah Jo, we’ll be fine. Don’t worry- he answered- and… Thank you

-Anytime- she replied grabbing her keys and making her way out- See you later!

She closed the door behind her and left them sitting on the couch. Ally kept her head down. He reached for her chin pulling her face up to him, running his fingers through the bandage on her forehead, inspecting her thoroughly. When he was satisfied, he kissed her lips softly and she let out a relieved whimper.

Tears started running down her cheeks immediately

-I’m sorry Gus… I’m sorry for treating you that way! You didn’t deserve that and I promise I will try to be better. I know that you are different than anyone I have ever been with and I’m done with dreading you to be otherwise – she paused, cupping his jawbone- Please don’t leave me.

-Ally, I’m not going to leave you- he sighed- but I need you to understand that I want you to be my partner, for real. I don’t need a coach whipping my ass to get things done… And I certainly don’t need another mother. I’m an adult and so are you… So, what I need is you to be able to talk to me, to tell me how you feel and what’s going through that pretty little head of yours. And most of all, I need you to trust me and to please understand that I’m always trying to do everything I can for us to be ok. Cause if you don’t, you’re gonna end up tearing us apart- he ran his hand down her cheek- Am I making myself clear?

-Crystal clear- Ally nodded, sniffling

-Good- he took her hand- now come here, Princess.