Chapter 14

Teddy's POV

Time Skip... A Few Days Later...

     I was just discharged from the hospital just mere minutes ago. My stats improved to the point where I can go home, though I still have several follow up appointments to attend in the next couple of weeks before I can be cleared to return back to work. Truthfully, I still need a bit more time to gain my strength back. Teddy being the sweetheart that she is, has offered to drive me home and have dinner with me before returning back to the hospital to work an overnight shift. I feel guilty. She works around the clock too and has hardly gotten an ounce of rest, largely because she's been doting on me so much. 

      I look at Teddy and sigh wistfully. "I adore you but I feel guilty. You've spent so much time caring for me, you need to have some time for yourself too." She smiles softly. "You mean everything to me Tom. I'm not going to cast you aside, not ever again. I've made that mistake before and I refuse to repeat it." "I know Teddy but you're scheduled to work an overnight shift tonight. This is your third overnight shift this week alone. Plus you're almost always on call too. Are you sure you want to have dinner? You could crash at my place for a couple hours. I wouldn't bat an eye if you did. Truthfully, I'd be thrilled." She pouts and I laugh tiredly. "Please think about it on the drive to my place. Okay?" She nods. "I'll think about it Tom. Thank you for being so considerate of both my feelings and my needs."

         She slowly helps me into a wheelchair as I sign off on one last discharge form. I then grab my few belongings that I had with me when I was admitted and we head out. Teddy then has to help me once more get into her car. I've regained a lot of my strength but still have a ways to go in that department. The follow up visits do include some physical therapy which I'm sure will help. She then hops into the driver's seat and is attentive as always before we drive off into the city traffic and head back to my place. Teddy knows the route well because she's been over to visit me a few times now. The process of heading inside is also a little slow which frustrates me internally but I don't show it externally. As I hobble onto my sofa, I collapse into it with exhaustion. All of that movement with a still somewhat weakened immune system has worn me out. 

         I yawn and look at Teddy. You can have the recliner though I'd wear a mask because I'm still a bit contagious and I don't want you getting sick, especially not as sick as I was. I couldn't bear the thought of me having transmitted you coronavirus." She nods in agreement and keeps her mask on as she doesn't object to resting in the recliner. I talk to her for a few minutes before I hear light snores escaping her throat. I chuckle to myself and smile victoriously. I'm pleased that Teddy is finally going to get some rest, even if it's short lived. This is her third overnight shift this week and Teddy has been working nonstop since this pandemic began, every hour of rest counts and will do wonders for her to get through shifts like these. I set my phone timer for an hour because I want to nap too but I also want to make sure to wake Teddy up on time so she doesn't oversleep and show up to the hospital late. 

I hope that you guys liked this chapter! :) -Mary