Chapter Three Hundred Twenty-Nine

Adrik

The day we were all waiting for was finally here. It had been long enough that Sephie was finally getting her cast off. She’d been making steady progress with her shoulder and was able to move her arm as much as the cast would allow. Her ribs were getting better as well and only caused a dull ache most of the time. She said she felt like she was starting to be able to breathe better finally, too. We were all looking forward to this trip to the hospital for once.

“One more x-ray before the cast comes off, Sephie. I want to take another look at your lung, as well. How has your breathing been since you finished the antibiotics?” Dr. Williams asked.

“It’s getting better. My ribs don’t hurt as much anymore so it’s easier to take deeper breaths,” she said.

“Good. We should be able to get the cast off today and send you on your way,” he said.

The x-ray wasn’t a problem at all for her this time. She hadn’t even worn the sling to the hospital. Most days, she left it off for almost the entire day. Andrei had been helping her do little exercises to help strengthen her shoulder again. Occasionally, she would wear the sling after a session with him because her shoulder would be extra sore. But she usually only wore it for a few hours and then it would come off again.

Dr. Williams walked back into the exam room with power tools. “So, the good news is that the cast can come off,” he said, walking toward Sephie. Ivan instinctively took a step closer to her when he saw the electric saw in his hands. She leaned into me, her eyes wide.

“Um, what’s the bad news, doc?” she asked. I could feel her starting to get nervous.

“I have to use this to take the cast off,” he said, holding up the saw. She immediately looked at me, her fear evident, as Dr. Williams went about setting up the saw.

“You’ve never had a cast removed before, solnishko?” I asked her in Russian.

“I’ve never had a cast before,” she replied.

not expect that,” Ivan

saw to cut through the outer plaster layer. The rest will slide off your arm,” Andrei said, trying

her nerves.

to try and keep her calm. I wanted her to keep her eyes closed just in case her eyes

way.

while she lifted her arm to give the doctor access. I glanced up at Ivan, who was trying not to laugh at her. We had all assumed she’d broken bones before, especially given her history. It was completely unexpected that she would be

my shoulder immediately. I could still feel her fear, but it was slowly lessening. I grabbed her left hand for the first time in weeks, my thumb tracing circles on the back of her hand. That was finally enough to get her to look up. Her fear disappeared quickly and I felt her warmth spread over my entire body as she felt her hand

sore for a few days while you remember how to use it, but your bone healed quite well. Your ribs are looking better as well, but they’re still going to need a little more time to heal completely, so nothing too strenuous for

left the room, he looked at Sephie, smiling. He opened his arms to her, saying, “come here, princess, I’ve been waiting for this.” She stood

ck,” he

be

this place,” she said, stepping back from Ivan. She held her hand out to me,

celebrate,”

was still sensitive about it and didn’t particularly care for the unwanted attention. They just silently moved in closer around us so it

we actually go there?”

the sweet smile that was reserved only for her. “Of course, sestrichka. We can go wherever you like,” he said. Her smile that made the world a brighter place

long. This is going

me to go to the house. “After lunch, we should go to the house for the rest of the week,” I

finding myself a little disappointed that she didn’t need my help so much. I’d become accustomed to helping her and I found myself really loving that she

said, sliding into the backseat beside her. I reached over and pulled her tight against me. She was practically in my lap, enjoying the

said, using both arms to pull my arms around her

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