Unrestrained (Unrestrained 3)

"It's OK," he said and rocked me in his arms. "He's going to be OK."

I hugged him even more tightly, unable to imagine life without either my father or Drake, glad that, at least for now, I didn't have to.

Elaine returned after about half an hour. Drake and I had gone to the cafeteria and came back with a cup of coffee and a Danish for Elaine, who was notorious for liking sweets for breakfast.

"Oh, thank you," she said and flopped down on the sofa, the coffee in one hand and Danish in the other. She leaned her head back and sighed heavily. "I'm exhausted." She took a bite of the Danish and chewed and neither of us said anything for a moment.

"Oh," she said and sat upright. "The nurse said they'll be moving your father to the neurology ward later today. He's getting a private room with one of those recliners, so I can sleep in the room with him. It'll be so much better than trying to sleep on the cushions from these couches."

I nodded and felt the couches, which were really two-seater chairs with removable foam cushions.

"We should go and stay at 8th Avenue," Drake said, running his hand down my hair. "It's pretty close and we can run back really quickly if needed."

I nodded, glad at the chance to sleep in the bed there. I had so many wonderful memories in that apartment. I hoped that when we came back, that's where Drake and I would live.

"I'll speak with the residents and see if the extra room is vacant tonight and you can sleep there if you want," Drake said to Elaine.

Elaine shook her head. "I'll be happy to sleep on the recliner in the room with Ethan. We haven't slept apart since we started to live together and I'm not going to start now."

"You haven't been apart a single night?" Drake said as he sipped his coffee. "That's amazing."

"We haven't. I've gone to every convention and meeting he's had and he's attended all my family reunions. We've been so lucky that my work has never gotten in the way."

We sat in silence for a few moments, and all I could think of was that I would have to send Drake back to Nairobi, and that we would be separated. There was no other option. I couldn't leave my father until he was back home, and Drake could only afford to stay away for a couple of days.

I took Drake's hand in mine. "Drake will have to go back to Nairobi soon, so unfortunately," I said and looked at him. "We'll have to be separated for a while."

"What do you mean?" he said and frowned. "I'll stay until you're ready to come back. Ethan should be out of danger in a couple of days."

I shook my head. "I won't be going back for a while," I said, my voice soft. I hadn't realized he expected me to go back with him so soon. "But you have to go back. You have students and patients waiting for you." I took his hand and squeezed, forcing a smile.

"I don’t want us to be apart," he said, his voice low.

"We won't be apart for very long."

"How long?" he said, frowning.

"Not long," I said, my voice light. "When Daddy's back at home and everything's set up for his rehabilitation."

"That could take weeks."

"Katie, you don't have to stay," Elaine said, her voice calm. "I can take care of your father. We'll hire private duty nurses, and will have the very best care. You should go back with Drake."

I shook my head. "No," I said. "I can't go back until I feel sure Daddy's OK. I'd fret and worry if I went back to Nairobi now. I'm alone all day when Drake's at work, and he works late every night. He's also busy on weekends grading and is on call once every three weeks so…" I shrugged. "I'm not going back until I feel completely satisfied that he's doing well. Drake will be fine. He's so busy, Elaine. Busier than he would be if he was here working. You don't know what it’s like."

Drake said nothing, his expression dark.

"Well," Elaine said and looked from my face to his. "You two will have to sort that out between you, but really, Kate. There's no need to stay."

"It will only be for a couple of weeks." I turned to Drake. "You understand."

"Kate, I don't want us to be separated," he said, his voice very soft. He glanced at Elaine and she stood up.

"I'll leave the two of you alone."

I watched her leave, and then turned back to Drake.

"I don't want you to stay here without me," he said, his voice wavering a bit. "I can take this week off if we're back by next Sunday night. Michael's taking my classes, and Barnes is doing my slate for the week. I want you in Nairobi with me. We should know by Saturday at the latest how your father's doing."