But I couldn’t let my true feelings drop. Now that I had all the pieces to who Noah really was, I could see myself truly falling for him. And if I did, and he fell right along with me, all of this would be so much better. I wouldn’t worry nearly as much about my goals and the path I planned to follow getting messed up if it was because of love, and not just because of a mistake.
An alarm went off in Noah’s pocket, and he pulled out his phone.
“It’s time for you to take your medication,” he said, turning his phone toward me to show me the alert on his screen. “Let me get you a glass of water.”
He left the room and came back a few seconds later with the bag from the hospital pharmacy. Putting the glass beside me, he took out each of the bottles and handed them to me. I noticed him reading through the information pamphlets that came with the prescriptions. A smile came to my lips. He certainly was taking this whole idea of being my caregiver very seriously.
I portioned out the doses of each of the medications and tossed them back with a gulp of water.
“Do any of those say the side effect is sleepiness?” I asked.
“A couple of them,” he said. “Why?”
“Because I feel like I can’t keep my eyes open.”
Noah chuckled. “You just swallowed them. They are not going to make you tired yet.”
“Then I guess I’m just tired,” I said.
“I can imagine you are,” Noah said. “Your body is trying hard to recover and grow another human being at the same time. That’s some very serious multitasking. Why don’t you lie back down and get some more rest? I’m going to go back to my place and grab some clothes and stuff.”
I shook my head. “You really don’t have to do that. I don’t want to inconvenience you.”
“You’re not inconveniencing me,” Noah said. “I want to be here with you. It’s going to take a little while for you to get used to everything. So, let me help you.”
It was the second time he made that request, and it was just as irresistible this time. I thought of his version of helping me the day before, scooping me up into his strong arms and carrying me into my bedroom, and my heart beat more quickly in my chest. I slid down into the covers and rested my head on the pillow again. Noah adjusted the blanket over me and ran his hand over my hair.
“I won’t be gone long,” he said. “Just close your eyes. If you wake up and need anything, call me.”
When I woke up, Noah was already back. The more he took care of me throughout the day, the less it felt like what happened between us was a mistake and more like a growing relationship. Throughout that day, all night, and the rest of the day after, he worked on his laptop and phone, and checked on me every few minutes. He got me my medication and brought me tea. He never let me get anything for myself and made sure I was always comfortable.
I couldn’t believe he was doing this for me, and it made me feel warm and safe.
By the afternoon of the second day since I got home, I desperately needed a shower. I hadn’t taken one since the day I had the accident, and I was definitely feeling it. I just knew it was going to be more challenging than I might want to admit. But I was going to try to do it on my own.
I got myself undressed and the water running. Even managed to get my leg brace off. It wasn’t until I was stepping into the water that I remembered I wasn’t supposed to get my cast wet. So, there I was, standing in the shower but with my arms sticking out to keep it dry. I also hadn’t taken into consideration how difficult it would be to climb back out of the shower when I couldn’t put any weight on one of my feet.
I was officially stuck. I couldn’t wash my hair. I couldn’t balance myself enough to get out. I could wash my body, but I was definitely going to need some assistance. I didn’t want to ask Noah. That was bringing taking care of me to an uncomfortable new level. But I had no choice.
“Noah,” I called. I heard him walking through the apartment and then knock on the door.
“Ally? Did you call for me?” he asked.
“Yes,” I said. “Can you come in here?”
“Sure,” he said, and the door opened. I had the curtains open enough that I could see and figured that he was going to see me anyway, so I brushed them even further apart. When he looked inside and saw me, his eyes grew wide, and a faint smile brushed his lips.