Chapter 10
Joan sat patiently in the waiting room for two hours. She was starting to get worried so she got up and made her way over to the nurse at the front desk again. Before she could speak a doctor came out of two doors. Joan quickly turned her head as she noticed that was the same doctor that was working on Vera. Joan walked up to the man as he began to speak.
“Hello,” He said with a smile. “Ms.Bennett is out of surgery and she is recovering well. You can see her now. But you may only see her if you are in relation to her.”
“I’m her wife.” Joan blurted out without realizing. She didn't care what she said as long as she got to see Vera.
“Alrighty then just come with me.” The doctor headed back through the doors with Joan following soon behind him. Joan followed the doctor all the way down a halfway and then to the left before they entered a room.
“I should just tell you that she is still recovering from anesthesia so she will be a bit groggy if she wakes up.” The doctor told Joan
Joan nodded before they entered the room. Joan saw Vera laying on the bed. Her wrists were all wrapped up in gauzed from where she cut herself. Her hair was frizzy and she was in a hospital gown. Joan felt so bad that Vera was in this situation. Joan knew that she was the main cause of this. She knew that if she had never told Vera to leave her house then maybe she would be at home cuddling with Vera right now.
Joan pulled up a chair to sit beside Vera. She got as close as she could to the side of the hospital bed. She sat down and reached out for Veras hand to hold it. She gently caressed her hand and started crying.
“I'm so sorry myshka. It's all my fault.” Joan brought her head to the younger woman's hand. Joan kissed Vera's hand and leaned back into the chair and made herself comfortable. She made sure she still had a hold of Vera's hand. She knew she was going to be there for a while till Vera woke up.
After about 20 minutes Joan started to get hungry. She quickly pushed that feeling down because she didn't want to leave Vera's side till she woke up. After pushing her hunger pains away she grew tired. Her eyelids became heavy as she drifted off into a deep sleep.
Nearly an hour later Vera started to stir. She slowly opened her eyes and felt something on her hand. She looked over and saw Joan sleeping next to her in the chair. All of the sudden she felt a flood of sadness. She could feel tears running down her cheeks. She silently wept until she couldn't anymore and begin sobbing.
Joan I woke to the sound of Vera crying. She looked over at Vera to see that the opposite hand that she wasn't holding up to her face. Joan gently gave Vera's hand a slight squeeze. Vera looked up at Joan to see that the older woman was awake.
“I'm sorry, Joan.” Vera was still in tears.
“No, no” Joan sat up in her chair and came close to the younger woman. “Don't apologize Vera your safe now that's all that matters to me.” Joan leaned up to give Vera a kiss on the forehead. As she did this she felt a sick feeling and began crying.
“What's wrong Joan?” Vera wiped away some tears
“I- I thought” Joans breath hitched as she let out a sob. “I thought I was gonna lose you Vera.” Joan leaned down to give Vera a hug. She stayed in Vera's arms for a few minutes as she cried.
“I’m so sorry I hurt you Joan.” Vera now felt heart broken.
“I know.” Joan Lifted from the hug and gave Vera a slight happy but also sad smile. Joan sniffled and wiped the tears away from her face so no one else would see her like this.
“I have something for you.” Joan said smiling with dried tears on her cheeks.
Joan reached over to her bag and pulled out a single rose. She smiled as she handed it to Vera. “I came to your house to give this to you before I found you.” Joan now looked away and frowned.
“Vera about the other-”
“I love it Joan thank you! And I'm sorry I upset you. I should have never expressed my feelings towards you.” Vera gave a slight face of worry.
“No Vera, that's what i'm saying. We need to talk about that. Well I need to anyway.” Joan stopped to draw a quick breath in and closed her eyes. She let out the breath and opened her eyes to look into Veras.
“I love you too Vera.” Joan couldn't do much but smile. Veras eyes lit up with joy.
“Are you sure? I don't want to pressure you into doing anything.” Vera said
“Vera I haven't been able to get you off my mind since the very day I met you. After we started to socialize more, the more I fell for you. The night at my house was the night I realized that I was in love with you. It scared me to admit that and when you said you loved me I couldn't handle it. It scared me even more. But after seeing you the way I found you and having the thought crossed my mind that I might lose you almost broke me. That's when I knew I really loved you Vera.” Joan looked at Vera who looked at her on the verge of tears.
Vera put her arms out like a toddler reaching up to be held. Joan went to Vera and gave her a big hug and pulled away to kiss her with every desire she had within her. Joan pulled away from the kiss to look into her eyes.
“Don't ever do that to me again. I- I thought I lost you.” Joan was choking back tears as Vera pulled her in for another hug.
“I won't Joan, I promise.” The smaller woman nuzzled into the crook of the taller woman’s neck inhaling the fresh clean scent.
A doctor entered the room. The women immediately turned their attention to him eager to listen to what he had to say.
“Sorry for intruding.” The doctor looked over to Joan with a smile. “Ok Mrs. Bennett I have the discharge papers here. You just need to sign them and it states in the papers that Mrs. Bennett,” He stops to look at Vera who has a surprised look on her face. “will need to be on suicide watch. So i trust that you will be able to look after her?”
Vera looks at Joan trying to suppress a grin from forming. Joan looks back and smirks followed by a wink as she signs the papers and gives them back to the doctor.
“Yes I can manage that.” Joan answers the doctor's question.
“Alrighty then, I'll leave you lady's to it.” The Doctor exits.
“Joan!” Vera lets out a laugh that she had been holding in.
“They wouldn't let me back here unless I was immediate family so… I told them we were married.” Joan had hoped that she didn't make Vera upset.
“Oh Joan! I love you. You would do anything for me it seems.” Vera hid a shy smile.
“Yes, I would do anything for you myshka. And I love you to more than words could describe.” Joan leaned over to place a kiss on Vera's forehead. “Now let's get you home. What do you say, hmm?”
Vera looked at Joan and furrowed her eyebrows. Joan noticed.
“What's wrong?”
“You said home?” Veras voice was low and quiet
Joan reached over to grab Veras hand and interlace their fingers “Yes Vera, my home is your home. No matter the circumstance.”
Vera smiled and squeezed Joans hand.
“You know I like the idea of being married. Especially being married to someone like you. Would you ever get married, Joan?”
“Perhaps.” Joan flashed Vera a kind smile showing that she was sincere. She picked up Vera's hand and hissed her knuckles before she helped Vera get dressed before they made there leave.