“Let’s help you with that,” the nurse said, adjusting her pain meds. Relief washed over her body, making her sleepy. “Time to leave, everyone; she needs to get her rest.”
The last thing Poppy wanted was to be alone. “Can’t they stay a little longer?” she pleaded, and the nurse caved with a heavy sigh.
“Ten more minutes.”
Poppy would leave some gifts for the nurses when she left.
“I’ll come by tomorrow when you’re home,” Mina promised, squeezing her hand reassuringly. Poppy despised all that Mina had been through because of their friendship, but she wouldn’t have changed anything, because it had brought a true friend into her life. Two friends, considering Phoebe hadn’t stopped checking in since they left Italy. She owed Phoebe her life; without her interference, Sophia would have killed them both.
“We’ll see how you are after physio. You’re always wrecked after and shouldn’t be pushing your luck,” Eckells said, like a real mother hen.
“Told you, a warden.” Mina took out her walking stick and smacked Eckells gently in the shin. He grumbled and rubbed it. Then he clenched his jaw and, before she could protest, scooped Mina into his arms and off Poppy’s bed.
“Put me down!” Mina insisted, but Eckells ignored her.
“See you tomorrow, Poppy,” he called over his shoulder as he carried her out of the room. They could be heard arguing all the way down the hall.
“Who’s going to tell them about their feelings for each other?” Poppy yawned, enjoying their theatrics.
“They’ll figure it out eventually,” Isaiah chuckled.
“You don’t have to leave, right?”
He shook his head, and she moved over so he could lie beside her.
“Just rest; I’m going to be right here beside you,” Isaiah said, brushing her hair behind her ear as she started to doze off. “The more you sleep, the sooner we can get you home.”
“Home sounds pretty great,” Poppy yawned, settling into his arms as he held her. Isaiah pressed his lips to hers.
Without anything left to fear, a new future waited for her – for them. Finally safe, Poppy drifted to sleep in his arms, a home away from home.
