Page 50 of Second Chance At Love

“He loves you too, you know,” Addison whispered in her ear. “He has for years. It’s okay to love him back if you want to.”

Putting an arm around Addison’s expanding waistline, Cora leaned into her, seeking comfort, hoping that what Addison had said was true.

It seemed like forever before the lead surgeon came out with a smile on his face.

Chapter Sixteen

His chest hurt. On the bright side, pain meant he was alive and the transplant was a success. At least, Henry was pretty sure that was what it meant.

Henry should be used to the pain by now. It wasn’t as intense as his first operation for the grafts but it still was there.

The doctor and nurses had him on some nice drugs, he thought fuzzily as he listened to the beeping of monitors.

Cracking an eye open, he saw the room was dimmed. It must be night hours. Good, he could go back to sleep, Henry thought drowsily. As he turned his head to get a more comfortable position, Henry’s hand moved and he felt something warm against it. Moving his head the other way, Henry frowned as he saw Ben sleeping uncomfortably in the chair beside the bed, leaning sideways against Henry’s mattress with an arm and his head resting on it. His little brother was going to have a serious crick in his neck.

“Ben,” rasped Henry. He flicked his hand against Ben’s arm. “Ben, wake up.”

Ben jerked his head up, blinking. He had a sleepy smile once he realized Henry was awake. “Hey. Good morning.”

Henry watched as Ben ran a hand over his face, trying to make himself more alert. Ben looked at his watch. “It’s four in the morning.”

“Early,” agreed Henry. He didn’t regret waking Ben. His brother looked a little worse for wear but at least he wouldn’t have a sore neck.

“The doctors said there were some mild complications but you came through okay. It’s probably going to take you a littlelonger to recover than a normal person. They said to take it easy with you, especially for the first while,” confided Ben.

“When can I get out?” wondered Henry. He would be happy to get back to some semblance of normalcy and not have to visit doctors every week.

“When you are ready and not any sooner,” warned Ben. “The last thing you want is a relapse or further complications. Take the doctor’s advice.”

Henry nodded, even though he would prefer to be home. He might be stuck convalescing for a while, but it was nice to chat with the kids and hear the sounds of the family down the hall. Plus, maybe Daisy would keep him company during the day.

And Cora was there. Henry always felt better with her around.

“They put you in double occupancy because Cora was determined to stay the night. She’s sleeping in the other hospital bed. Adam is in one of the glass bassinets from the nursery,” mentioned Ben. “I promised the doctors a hefty donation for surgical equipment in return for letting us have whatever visiting hours we wanted.”

Henry looked at the other side of the room. When he had first woken up and glanced that way, he had automatically assumed it was another patient in the next bed. He hadn’t even thought to wonder why he wasn’t in a private room.

Cora was sleeping on her side, facing towards Henry. Sure enough, Adam was nearby, sucking on one of his fists which made Henry smile.

“Remember that conversation at Christmas when we talked about the girl who you used to like? I might have accidentally realized you were talking about Cora,” admitted Ben. “And I might have let it slip to Cora.”

Henry turned his head to look at his brother. He wasn’t certain how he felt about Cora knowing his feelings. Part of himsuspected that she knew, but felt only friendship towards him. However, there had been that kiss before his surgery.

Probably because she was scared, he told himself. Things would likely go back to normal and they would return to just friends status again. It wouldn’t be good to get his hopes up.

Ben seemed a little uncomfortable in the silence as he shifted in his seat. “I’m sorry about that. However, if you and Cora ever did get together as a couple, I’m pretty sure everyone in the family would be okay with it.”

“Ben,” said Henry before clearing his throat and trying again. “If that ever did happen, it would be up to Cora, on whatever timeframe she needs. She’s been through a lot and I’m not going to pressure her. I think she needs some control in her life, to be able to make her own choices. She may not choose me, after everything that happened with Nate. We might always just be friends. Whatever happens, I can wait and be patient. I would prefer it if you don’t tell anyone else. I don’t want to embarrass or make Cora uncomfortable. You know how Max and some of the others can be when they get focused on something.”

“Okay,” nodded Ben.

“I’m going to try to get some sleep,” murmured Henry as he closed his eyes. He didn’t want to talk about Cora anymore. She was a dull, sweet ache that never seemed to go away.

Cora felt guilty for eavesdropping on Ben and Henry’s conversation.

She also felt better for having heard Henry’s replies.

He was letting her be in control of the situation, to dictate what she was comfortable with. He understood that she needed time. He was mindful of her needs.