Between Friends

Everyone who had stayed behind; Chris, Tony and Pepper came to visit you and Sebastian often throughout your stay. Tony and Pepper managed to get everyone's clothes laundered and they even brought sushi for lunch the next day. It was from a grocery store, but you didn't care and were so grateful for the gesture. Chris would stay with you anytime Sebastian went anywhere or when he showered. Sebastian had gotten you flowers with a card that simply said, 'I love you.' That's all it needed to say.

The morning came for you to leave and everything checked out so you were discharged and relaxed in a bed of a new bus that Tony and Pepper had gotten. You slept quite a bit, watched movies, read and played card games with everyone... From the bed. Sebastian almost never left your side. He wanted to carry you everywhere, even to the bathroom, but he settled for just supporting you as you walked when you told him you wanted to walk. He brushed your hair and rubbed your shoulders and anywhere else that needed it. Before you were discharged, they told you that you might get some dull pains in your body for a day or two from the air they inflated your belly with to get to everything better during the surgery. You were going a little crazy and couldn't believe you had to go home and be tied to your bed for almost a week.

The pain of your loss came up every once and a while and you would cry again while Sebastian just held you or you would look out the window at the passing scenery, just imagining what life would been like being pregnant with Sebastian's child and if that little one had made it into the world... Which made you cry even more.

When you got to Tony and Pepper's that night, Chris, you and Sebastian took their cars home. When you got home, Sebastian helped you into the house and you changed all your clothes into some jammies under Sebastian's watchful eye. He was fretting over you, but you didn't mind too much. He got you set up in your bed with pillows behind your back and head, propping you up just enough, but you were still laying down. Chris unloaded the cars.

Sebastian sat on the edge of your bed and stroked your hair, "How you doing, honey?"

You nodded, "I'm okay."

He nodded back, giving you a small smile, "Well,", he blew out a breath, shifting and taking your hand, "You're gonna be holed up in here for a few more days. Do you need me to get you anything?"

"Well, I'm gonna need some big fat pizza for dinner.", you raised your eyebrows and nodded.

He chuckled, "You got it. Anything else?"

"Beer?"

He tilted his head and gave you an affectionate, but scolding look, "You're on pain meds, baby. No alcohol."

You sneered disapprovingly, "Oh. Yeah. Dammit. How 'bout some cherry Pepsi?"

"Okay. And what about things to do?"

You thought for a beat, "Ummm, books to read... Maybe some coloring books and colored pencils. Movies, of course."

He nodded.

"And um... Some yarn? I learned how to knit and crochet a while ago, maybe now would be a good time to pick it up again.", you chuckled softly.

He nodded again and smiled, "Yeah, that'll be cool."

"I have hooks and needles, but they're in storage."

He smiled, "I'll buy you new ones. Just text me what to buy and what yarn colors you want. I'll go get everything now and Chris can stay with you and order the pizza. Sound good?"

"Yep.", you beamed.

He leaned in and kissed you, "Love you, doll."

"Love you, Sebby."

He left the room and you heard his and Chris's voices in the kitchen talking about what was going on. You texted Sebastian what you would like, switched on the TV and turned on Friends; always a good show. Sebastian shouted as he headed for the door, "Love you, baby!"

"Love you!", you called back. You heard the front door close as Sebastian left and Chris came in.

He sat on the bed, touched your hand and wiggled it a little, "Hey, hon. What do you want on your pizza?"

You smiled, "Mmmm, everything."

He laughed a little, "How about a combination pizza?"

Your stomach spoke for you, growling loudly and you chortled, "I think that means yes. Thank you."

He laughed, "Okay. Sharon asked if she could come see you. Is that okay?"

You nodded, "Yeah, totally. She can hang out with us tonight."

"Cool. Need anything else?"

"I'm good, thank you, Chris."

He stared at you for a beat, then took your hand and squeezed, "I just want you to know how sorry I am that you have to go through this. It breaks my heart. You don't deserve it."

You pressed you lips together, managing to keep your emotions in check, "Thank you so much. And thank you for helping take care of me and being here for me... For us."

He smiled slightly, "I'll always take care of you. Remember that. I've told you that before and it still hasn't changed. You still mean so much to me." He leaned over you and gave your forehead a long, gentle kiss. He didn't care if he was doing something that maybe he shouldn't, he had to show you.

You closed your eyes and just let yourself feel how he was showing you how much you meant to him.

He pulled back and looked at you intensely. He sighed and smiled as he got up, "I'll go order that pizza. Call me if you need anything." With that, he left the room.

You layed there thinking about what had just happened. Was he feeling more emotional towards you because of what has happened? The way he looked at you... What was that? You didn't think on it too much though, he probably did just feel really bad about what you've gone through and you are his friend. Normal reaction, right? You didn't know; this kind of loss has never happened to you before. You went back to watching TV.

After only a moment, you felt you had to pee and started to slowly sit up and every muscle in your abdomen tightened with excruciating pain. You cried out and fell back down.

Chris jogged into your room and he sat next to you as you whimpered at the pain.

His face was worried as he placed a hand on your arm, "What's wrong?"

You grunted quietly, squeezing your eyes shut, "Muscle cramps. I tried to get up to pee.", you groaned, "My whole stomach." You realized you were holding your breath and let it out with a groan, "God."

"What can I do?"

You breathed heavily, "I don't know. Just give me a second."

He waited, concerned.

You took deep breaths and the pain began to subside, "Okay."

"You okay?", he rubbed your arm softly.

"I think so. They gave me muscle relaxers, right?"

He nodded, "Yeah."

"Maybe I could have one of those now.", you breathed out a weak chuckle.

He gave your hand a squeeze, "I'll go get it."

He came back with your prescription bottle, sitting and handing it to you. Once you got the tablet out he handed you a bottle of water after opening it, "You can stop scaring me any day now, you know.", he winked.

You laughed softly propping yourself on your elbow, "Sorry.", you popped the tablet in your mouth and drank from the bottle.

"The pizza is ordered. Let me help you up and then I'll text Sharon."

He got you up, to the bathroom and then back in bed. He sat next to you again and he texted Sharon as you continued to watch TV.

He seemed to be texting a while before he spoke to you again, "I told Sharon about what happened and she said that can happen and you'll probably need help getting up for a couple days still."

You laughed, "Thanks, papa bear."

"Always take care of you, remember?", he smiled. "She'll be over soon."

You smiled and then your face burst into excitement, "Oh, my God! I get to shower tomorrow!"

He cocked an eyebrow, "Damn good thing; you're starting to smell ripe.", he smirked.

You narrowed your eyes, "I'd sit up and shove you right now if I didn't think it'd throw my body into another painful spasm."

He laughed, "So, I can tease you for a couple more days with no repercussions. Awesome."

You rolled your eyes.

"I'm just kidding, hon. You don't stink."

You scoffed, "Gee, thanks."

He went to the other side of your bed and sat near the edge, leaning against the headboard and putting his bare feet up.

Sebastian returned with bags full of stuff. He put the Pepsi in the fridge and took the rest in your room. He leaned over and kissed you, "Hi, doll."

"Hi.", you smiled back.

"How ya doin'?", he asked.

Chris spoke up, "She had a muscle fit."

Sebastian furrowed his brows looking at you, "Huh?"

You answered, "I had some painful muscle cramps in my stomach, but I'm fine. I took a muscle relaxer."

"You sure?", he asked.

"Yes, honey."

He frowned, "I'm sorry, baby."

"It's okay." You smiled big, "What'd ya bring me?"

He started pulling stuff out of the bags and setting on the bed next to you, "Coloring books,", he set down five of them, some kid themed and some adult coloring books, "colored pencils, a big box. And a pencil sharpener. Movies.", he set down three DVDs, two that he knew you loved but didn't have and one that you'd never seen but wanted to. "Yarn, hooks and knitting needles.", he set them down too. "I'll have to get you books tomorrow, the library isn't open this late. Pepsi's in the fridge."

You smiled as he put stuff back in the bags, "Thank you, babe."

He set the bag he was holding on the floor next to your night stand and kicked off his shoes, then settled in next to you, working his arm under your neck, "You're welcome." He smiled softly and kissed your nose.

You all watched TV until Sharon got there. She came in to see you and sat on the edge of the bed while she talked to you about what's been going on with you physically as Sebastian sat at the foot of the bed and Chris stood. She was so helpful.

The doorbell rang again and Chris went to get it. After a moment, he called out from the kitchen, "Dinner!"

"I'll go help.", Sharon said and left the room.

Sebastian stood as you tried to sit up, "What are you doing?", he went to your side.

"I'm gonna go eat dinner."

"No, don't get up. I'll get it for you.", he sat trying to ease you back down. "Bed rest, remember?"

"I can sit in a chair, Seb."

He got more insistent, "No, I'll get it, baby."

"Seb, stop!", you snapped.

His eyes widened for a beat as he clenched his jaw and his nostrils flared slightly. He slowly took his hands from you, putting them on his thighs and his gaze shifted to the floor, his head not moving.

You just yelled at him.

Chris and Sharon had heard the conversation leading up to this point from where they were in the kitchen, but were surprised at your shout, so they just looked at each other, paused and waited.

Your face fell, "Oh, my God. Honey, I'm sorry.", you touched one of his hands. "I'm just going crazy being tied to a bed everywhere I go and with everything that's happened... I just want to go eat at a table, get out of this bed for a bit. I'm sorry, Seb."

He didn't move, but he swallowed. He finally looked at you, his face was hardened as he spoke softly, "I just want to make sure you get better as quickly as you can. I know you're going through a lot, but you aren't the only one going through this."

Your face was pained, "I know, honey. I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have done that." You waited for something, anything that told you that he forgave you.

He moved his hand out from under yours and you were afraid he was going to pull away, but he placed his hand over yours and took it, "I know. I'm sorry that you have to deal with a loss, the pain, the surgery and being confined on top of that. I can't pretend that I know how it's affecting you. Just don't do that again. Please."

You nodded, a little relieved, "I promise."

He started to help you up, his voice still a bit somber, "Let's go get you some pizza, doll."

You stood slowly with his help and when you were completely upright, you wrapped your arms around his middle and rested your head on his chest. He enveloped you in his arms and rested his cheek on your head. You whispered, "I'm sorry, Sebby."

He stroked your hair, "I know, baby."

He guided you to the table with a hand at your back and helped you sit and went to get you plate.

Chris came over with several bottles of beer. He set one in front of you.

You picked it back up and held it up, "Oh. I can't have this, Chris."

He took it back, cringing, "Oh. Shit. Sorry. I'll put these back." He took a step to go back to the fridge with the beers.

You scoffed out a laugh, "You guys can have beer if you want. It's not gonna bother me."

He raised his eyebrows, "You sure?"

"Yeah, it's fine. I'll be able to have it again soon enough."

He set them all back down and took only one back. Sebastian handed him a Pepsi from the fridge, "Thanks, bro." He returned to the table with Sebastian following him with your plate.

You all ate and then settled in your room to watch one of the movies Sebastian bought for you. Chris and Sharon sat on couch cushions on the floor at the foot of your bed while you and Sebastian laid in the bed.

You fell asleep about halfway through the movie with Sebastian's arm under your head and neck. Once he noticed you were asleep, he admired your peaceful face for a moment, thinking about how brave and strong you've been through all this; he was having a hard enough time with everything himself and he hadn't had to deal with near as much you have. He kissed your forehead lovingly.

When the movie was nearly over, you shifted your head slightly and a moment later, you started snoring. Sebastian looked to you and pulled the corners of his mouth downward comically, his eyes wide with surprise at how loud you were as Chris and Sharon turned around at the sound. Sharon looked confused. Chris furrowed his brows, his mouth turning up slightly as he whispered to Sebastian, "Is that her?"

Sebastian was fighting a laugh as he whispered back, "Yes." He then chortled quietly, "And my fuckin' arm's asleep, dude."

They all started laughing quietly and soft outward snorts could be heard in an attempt to not wake you. Sebastian's body started shaking from trying to quiet his laughs and it woke you a little. You opened your eyes, "What...", you croaked out.

He laughed a little louder, "You're snoring, baby. Like a freight train."

Your eyes were closed again, but the soft laughter from everyone was keeping you awake, barely, "Oh, that's cool.", you mumbled.

He kissed your head, "Go back to sleep."

"Can't."

"Why?"

"Gotta fuckin' pee.", you answered, nonchalant.

Everyone laughed louder as Sebastian started slipping his arm out from under your neck, your head lolling a bit, "Okay, doll. Let's get you up."

You said goodbye to Sharon sleepily as Sebastian helped you sit, then stand. Chris walked her out.

You went to the restroom and then Sebastian leaned his backside against the counter as you brushed your teeth.

"You doin' okay, honey?", he asked.

"Yeah.", you answered, muffled by the toothbrush and toothpaste foam in your mouth. You had woken up a bit, but you were still sleepy enough to go back to bed when you were done.

He took you back to your bed and got you laid down. He then went to get himself ready for bed. Chris had already said goodnight and gone down to the family room to watch TV for a while.

Sebastian returned and turned off the light. He climbed into the bed and cuddled up next to you. You hadn't fallen asleep yet. He nuzzled against your neck and tickled your arm, "I miss you.", he whispered.

You chuckled softly, "I'm right here, Seb."

"No,", he slid his hand up your neck. His breath caressed the other side as his lips grazed your skin while he spoke, "I miss you.", he kissed you there slow and gentle.

You felt a stirring low in your belly as your breath caught and you sighed, "I miss you too, honey." You turned your head and kissed him softly, your tongues caressing each other tenderly.

As his lips left yours, he rested his forehead against yours, "Two weeks until I can be inside you again is gonna kill me."

You smiled in the dark, "The doctor said no rigorous activity. I think that means you'll just have to make gentle love to me instead of fucking me before that two weeks is up."

"Mmmm, maybe so."

He kissed your lips softly and nuzzled against your cheek, "Nite, baby doll."

"Nite, lover."

He smiled.