Therapy is Good for the Soul

As soon as the elevator doors opened, Bailey pulled apart from Tyler and ran to her parent’s suite. Her sister opened the door after she knocked. Bailey immediately went over to her father to analyze the gravity of the situation. Tyler was amazed at how quickly she flipped a switch from being devastated to being calm, strong, and taking charge. She truly was the rock of her family.

After all his years playing hockey and witnessing fights and various injuries, Tyler was never one to get squeamish, but this was different. There was a trail of blood on the carpet and a large puddle of it in the bathroom. If he didn’t know better, he’d think they walked in on a crime scene. He watched Bailey in awe, as none of this seemed to phase her. She put on a pair of gloves from her father’s colostomy bag care kit and went to work. Bailey calmly gave everyone a task to complete while she helped empty her dad’s bag that was overflowing with blood and get him cleaned up as best she could. Bailey, wrapped a towel around her dad’s waist, and then draped a blanket over his shoulders that came down to cover his clothes covered in a bloody mess and provide him with some dignity. Before Tyler knew it they were headed out the door and towards the elevator. Rebecca stayed behind with Bailey’s mom who was out cold from her medication. They didn’t want her to wake up and worry when her husband was missing.

They quickly made their way to Tyler’s truck. Tyler helped Mr. Thomas get in the front seat of his truck while Bailey put his walker in the back. Tyler ignored most traffic laws on their way to the Mass General. He tried to keep calm and have small talk with her dad, while Bailey was on the phone talking to Christina’s mom. Tyler reached his right hand towards the back and gently squeezed Bailey’s knee when he noticed her shed a few tears through the rearview mirror.

When they reached the emergency room, Tyler pulled his truck right up to the door. Bailey jumped out and ran inside to get a wheelchair, while Tyler helped her dad out of the truck. Then, Bailey wheeled her father into the emergency room and began the admission process while Tyler parked his truck.
By the time Tyler got inside, Bailey was rattling off a bunch of technical terms related to her father’s medical history and current treatment regimen to a nurse in the back. He continued to be impressed by his fiancé’s medical knowledge and ability to remain calm and collected.

After speaking to the doctor, Bailey and Tyler stepped out of the room while the doctor examined her dad. Tyler took advantage of the opportunity to pull Bailey into a comforting embrace. She didn't hesitate to pull herself in close to his chest and just let him hold her. Tyler gently ran his fingers through her hair knowing that she always found that relaxing.

After several minutes, the doctor came out and started filling Bailey in on why he thought her dad was bleeding. Bailey easily engaged in the conversation with the doctor and started asking several questions and using a bunch of technical terms, that Tyler couldn't understand. He was quite impressed and if it wasn't for the circumstances, he'd be turned on by this show of confidence from Bailey. He still can't believe someone as bright as her could love him. He continued to watch the scene before him in awe of his fiancé.

After several minutes, the doctor and Bailey went back into her father's room to explain the treatment plan and procedures that needed to be done. Mr. Thomas agreed with the plan and the doctor left to go write the orders and have the staff gather all the necessary items.

"Bailey, Tyler, I'm so sorry I've put you out on the eve of your weddin!"

"Daddy, you don't need to apologize; you can't help that you're sick."

"She's right sir, and you're not putting us out. We want to be here for you and make sure you are ok. Family comes first!"

"That means a lot, son. I'm so glad my daughter has found someone as special as you. It's comforting to know she'll be taken care of after I'm gone."

"Don't talk like that Daddy!" Tyler wrapped his arm around Bailey's waist and gently pulled her into his side.

Bailey's dad reached for her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. "Munchkin, don't worry I'm not giving up just yet, but that doesn't mean I can't still be happy you and Tyler found each other. I want all my kids to be happy."

"I promise Bailey's happiness is my life's priority."

"That's good and just remember what I told you earlier this evenin."

"Yes sir, trust me when I say it won't be an issue!" Tyler and her dad let out a light chuckle.

Bailey looked between her father and Tyler unsure what discussion they had. Before she could ask, her brother Michael and Freddy entered the room.

"Perfect now that Michael's here you can go back to the hotel and get some rest Bailey."

"What? NO! I'm not leavin until they discharge you!"

"Bailey, you've already spoken to the doctor and agreed to his plan, so there's nothing else you can do. Tomorrow is your weddin you need your beauty sleep."

"I'm not leavin!!!"

"Bay, please, you and the baby need some rest. I promise I will be right here and if anything happens I will call you.” Tyler gave Bailey a look of genuine concern as he pleaded with her.

"Bay, listen to Tyler and Dad. We know you want to be here, but there's nothing else you can do right now. It's also not just you anymore that you have to think about."

Freddy added, "We ran into Christina’s mom on our way in. She went to consult with the Doctor. You know she's going to make sure your dad gets the best care. Everything is going to be fine."

"Hear that munchkin, I'm in great hands, so there's no need to fuss. Now please let Freddy take you back to the hotel. I promise I will see you there tomorrow."

Tyler saw the hesitation in Bailey's eyes, but she reluctantly gave in and agreed to go back to the hotel. Bailey gave her dad a big hug and made Michael promise to call if there was any change. Tyler took Bailey's hand and followed Freddy out to his car.

When they reached the car, Tyler opened the door for Bailey. He then gently pulled her into an embrace and whispered in her ear. "Bay, please try to get some sleep! I have faith your dad is going to be ok and make it to the wedding tomorrow. You need to believe that too." He kissed the top of her head before pulling away.

"I love you."

"I love you too. I'll meet you at the alter tomorrow." He bent down to press his lips to Bailey's. After they shared their last kiss as two single individuals, he helped Bailey into Freddy's car. "I promise it will be ok." He kissed her cheek lightly before closing the door.

Bailey tried her best to get some sleep, but she couldn't get her dad off her mind. After, tossing and turning, just as she was about to turn on the TV, Tyler called. She shot up in the bed, her mind immediately jumped to the worst conclusion as she answered the phone.

"What happened? How bad is it? What did the doc..."

Tyler cut her off mid sentence. "Bay, Bay, calm down. Everything is fine."

"Really?"

"Yes, I wouldn't lie about something like this. I just called to let you know I just dropped Michael and your dad off at the hotel."

"How'd you know I'd be awake?"

"Because I know you Bay."

"Thank you."

"You're welcome. I love you."

“I love you too. How’s Daddy?”

“He’s exhausted, but your dad is a fighter Bay. The doctor and Christina’s mom said the treatment was working and he should be ok. They gave him some pretty heavy duty IV antibiotics and a prescription we filled at the hospital pharmacy before we left.”

“Thank you for stayin with him. It means a lot to me.”

“Of course Bay, I love you and your dad. I would do anything for my family and right now I need to help you get some sleep.”

“And how do you plan on doing that?”

“I plan on staying on the line and chatting your ear off until you finally relax enough to drift off to sleep.”

“Thanks, I’d really like that. So what should we talk about?”

“How about you tell me what you’re looking forward to the most tomorrow?” Tyler could sense Bailey’s giddiness as she paused a moment before letting out a small giggle.

“I don’t know if I can pick just one, but I can’t wait for you to see me for the first time in my dress. I hope you like it!”

“Bay, you could walk down the aisle in a garbage bag and I’d think you were the most beautiful woman in the world. My mom and sisters also wouldn’t shut up about how gorgeous you looked in it, and I know they have great taste, so I am positive I will love the dress you picked.”

“What about you; what are you most excited about?”

“Finally seeing you in the dress I’ve heard so much about and hearing the minister finally say I pronounce you husband and wife. Then I’ll know you’re not going to wise up and run away. You’ll finally be mine forever.”

“I’m already yours Tyler. I love you and I’m not going anywhere.”

“I love you too Bay and I’m glad you feel that way.”

“Can we talk about our honeymoon now?”

“Sure, what about it?”

“Where are we goin?”

“Come on Bay, you know better than that. I told you it’s a surprise.”

“What if I guess?”

“Take your best shot.”

“Really? Ok. Well I know it’s some place warm, because you know how much I hate the cold and I’d just want to hide in bed all day.”

“Damn! maybe I should rethink this honeymoon plan. Spending all day and night in bed with you sounds fabulous!”

“Ha Ha! But thank you for lettin me know I’m right. So, let me see, some place warm. Hmm. Are we going to the Bahamas?”

“Nope.”

“Jamaica?”

“Wrong again.”

“Well I know it’s not Hawaii, because Emily made me get a passport a couple of months ago. Is it Bermuda?"

“Bay, you might as well give up because you’ll never guess.”

“Why don’t you give me a tiny hint then.”

Tyler chuckled and shook his head at Bailey’s persistence. “All I will say is it’s a beautiful place with lots of history for us to enjoy.”

“Well that’s not helpful, it could be anywhere! Why do you have to be so stubborn?!” Bailey huffed in frustration.

Tyler let out a belly laugh this time. “You are one to talk Bay. You just need to be patient and learn to love surprises, because you’re going to get lots of them from me as long as we’re alive.”

“Fine. Will you at least tell me some of the things we will do on this trip?”

“I think I can do that without giving away too much information.” Bailey listened intently as Tyler explained how they would be going on some tours of the area, there would be dancing, a beach, boat rides, and fabulous food.

“You know what this reminds me of?”

“No,tell me.”

“Do you remember how you called me and stayed on the line until I fell asleep after we went to the movies for the first time?”

“Oh yeah! I saw your twitter conversation with Freddy about how spooked you still were from the movie. That was a great night, you know.”

“Let’s see we had our first fight, I punched you in the nose, made a fool of myself in front you and your friends, and was almost positive there were ghosts in my apartment. However, it was also our first date, our first hug, I learned about the cutest puppy in the world, and I got to experience just how sweet you could be. Yeah, I’d say it was a pretty terrific night that lead to many more.”

Tyler and Bailey reminisced about their journey that lead them to where they are today, until Bailey gradually drifted off to sleep. “Good night and sweet dreams Bay. I can’t wait to see you at the altar. I love you!” Tyler cooed before hanging up the phone.

Notes

I feel like a horrible person for leaving y'all hanging for so long!!!! Graduate school is kicking my ass! I also let someone's negative comments get in my head for a while which turned into writer's block. However, I realized I like my story and so do a lot of other people so I can't let one person make me doubt myself. Anyways, I know who my characters are based on and I stand behind them and my storyline 100%. I hope you enjoy this chapter. The next chapter will be Tyler and Bailey's wedding. I will do my best to post it soon. Thanks again to all the readers for your support!