Chapter 34

Bailey

I faded in and out of consciousness, drifting between blissful oblivion and white-hot shots of pain that startled me awake. At some point, there was a soft bed, gentle hands on my face, and a warm blanket. I didn’t know where I was or what was going on, but every time I came awake, Jensen was either holding my hand or I could hear his voice.

“…still sleeping.” He was talking to someone. “…I don’t know, Ma… I’ll call you when we get the results of the MRI. Yes, I know… I’ll tell her. I love you too. Yes, thank you.”

“Jensen.” My voice came out thick and raspy.

“Hey.” He was instantly at my side.

“Where am I?”

“Cedar-Sinai.”

“Oh.” It was one of the best hospitals in the city. That was probably why nothing hurt. “What… how… are you…” I couldn’t seem to formulate a full sentence and finally gave up.

“Shhh. Everything’s going to be okay.” He came over and took one of my hands between both of his. “Just rest.”

“How did you… get here?” I asked after a moment.

“I drove us here. After we got you out of your house.” He paused, cocking his head slightly. “Do you remember the earthquake?”

“Yes, but nothing after.”

“I came to check on you when you didn’t respond to my texts. I found you unconscious in the bedroom. I carried you down to the street and then drove you here.”

“You came to… check on me?” Tears flooded my eyes.

“Of course.” He brushed my hair out of my eyes. “I promised I’d never let you down, and I inadvertently did the other night at the charity event, but it won’t happen again, Bailey. If you’ll give me another chance.”

“I was already…” I whispered shakily. “I was… coming… to the game.”

“You were?” He looked surprised. “Why?”

“To apologize. And tell you… that I… love you.”

“I love you too.” He leaned over and gently pressed his lips to mine. “We can make this work, Bailey. I’ll do better at protecting you. I’ll?—”

“Shhh.” I put a shaky finger on his lips. “It’s not your job to protect me. Not like you’re thinking. We have to support each other, take care of each other, and protect each other. Everything else will fall into place.”

He stroked his knuckles across my cheek tenderly. “I know it will.”

“Hello.” A pleasant-looking doctor came in. “I’m Dr. Manning.”

“Hello.” I was suddenly nervous. Jensen and I had been so busy talking about our feelings, I hadn’t even thought to ask about my injuries.

“You had an MRI while you were resting,” Dr. Manning continued. “I’m afraid I have both good news and bad news.”

I unconsciously squeezed Jensen’s hand.

“Your hip was re-damaged when you fell. The injury isn’t catastrophic, but based on your medical history, I don’t think putting off the hip replacement is an option anymore.”

I tried not to cry, but tears filled my eyes anyway.

Jensen squeezed my hand, letting me know he was going to be there for me, but I was still frustrated. Miserable. Terrified. Another surgery. More rehab. Physical therapy. Pain. Scars.

Tears slipped out before I could stop them.

“It’s okay, baby.” Jensen’s voice was soft, soothing. “I’ll be with you every step of the way.”

“This is going to be a good thing,” Dr. Manning continued quietly. “I don’t know why your regular doctor didn’t push for it sooner. You must be in terrible pain all the time.”

I nodded miserably. “But another surgery… I’ve already had so many.”

“Hip replacements can be done so easily now. You’re up and walking the same day in most cases. Yours may be a little more complicated, but I don’t foresee any reason why you wouldn’t be home in twenty-four hours, assuming you have help. You’ll be walking with a walker or a cane immediately, and the pain you’ve lived with should be gone. However, even if that wasn’t the case, your hip isn’t salvageable the way it is. Between the deformity from your accident, the ensuing arthritis, and the pressure from rubbing bone on bone the last couple of years, this is no longer optional.”

I covered my face with my hands, wiping my tears and taking a moment to resign myself to the inevitable.

“Yes. Okay. Thank you.” I swallowed. “When should I do it?”

“I’m assuming you want your previous surgeon to weigh in, but the sooner the better. I’m the Chief of Orthopedics here, and I can do it first thing tomorrow. Or you’re welcome to wait for Dr. Clement.”

It suddenly occurred to me I’d never really liked Dr. Clement.

Jensen suddenly cleared his throat. “Would it be possible for you to send her Xrays and whatever images you have to Dr. Marvin Ritter? Is that okay, babe? He’s the team orthopedic surgeon. We could get a second opinion, and if he agrees, we can go from there. I’m sure he’d look at them tonight as a favor to me.”

I nodded. “Oh, okay. Yes. Thank you.”

If Dr. Manning was surprised, he didn’t show it. “I can absolutely do that. I golf with Marv. I’ll send them off once Bailey signs a release and I’ll check back with you in an hour or so.”

“Thank you.” My voice was soft, resigned, almost wary.

I was just so fucking tired of everything to do with my hip.

“I know this isn’t what you want,” Jensen said once we were alone, “but it’s going to be okay. I’ll be with you. If I have to take a personal leave from the team, I will. It’s not like they’re going to miss me.” He made a face. “And you’re more important anyway.”

“No,” I whispered. “You can’t take time.”

“Sure, I can.” He smiled. “I don’t want you to worry. I’m going to be there for you. Always.” He brought my hand to his chest. “We’ll get through this, babe.”

“I know.” I wasn’t sure I believed it, but I was trying.

“If Dr. Ritter agrees with him, we’ll get this done and over with. Then you can put it behind you. It won’t be hanging over your head anymore, hopefully the pain will be gone or at least minimized, and maybe your limp won’t be as noticeable. This is going to be a good thing in the long run, even if it’s going to suck short-term. But you won’t be alone this time, Bailey. I’m here. And I’m not going anywhere.”

“I love you, Jensen.”

“I love you too.” He smiled and suddenly it felt like everything was going to be okay.