Where's your heart?

"Nicole what's wrong?" I ask, her bottom lip disappearing between her teeth as she sniffles softly before she breathes out deeply and says "Franks been in an accident." I feel my heart stop, my stomach clenching painfully and the room seems to spin for a moment before I manage to find the part of my brain that allows me to form words and I choke out "How? What? Is he ok?" Nicole nods, swallowing hard before saying "He's hurt, but he'll be ok. He asked me to come tell you and...." "Take me to him? Please" I ask, my eyes stinging slightly with the effort of holding back tears and Nicole nods before saying "Yeah of course," following me inside and I lead her to the living room to wait while I change. Once I'm ready we head outside, getting in Nicole's car and she starts driving me towards the hospital, telling me along the way that Frank was hit by a drunk driver not long after he left my house and I choke back a sob, praying he's OK as the hospital comes into view. A few minutes later Nicole is leading me into Franks room, approaching his bedside as I freeze in the doorway, watching as his eyes slowly open, locking onto Nicole and as they talk I take in his appearance, a large patch of gauze covering half his forehead, his eye below that swollen and clearly bruising, the skin turning a sickly purple and I let out a low whine, my vision going slightly blurry as my eyes drift down to his right arm, bandaged from the elbow down and when Frank turns his head to look at me his expression drops, his non bandaged hand reaching out to me and I rush across the room and take it between both of mine, leaning down to press a soft kiss to Franks lips.

A few seconds later we pull apart and now that I'm closer I notice all the smaller cuts and scratches that litter his face and arms, the rest of his body covered by the sheet on the bed and I bring my gaze back up to meet his eyes as I choke out "Are you...Is there...." My mind racing, my whole body shaking with the fear and sadness coursing through me and Frank smiles softly and says "I'm ok babe, it's ok." I nod, bringing one of my hands up to gently push his hair back off his forehead, my fingers gently running back down over the gauze covering his forehead before I trail them down his cheek, brushing over the bruising forming under his eye and even though I am barely touching him I see Frank flinch slightly in pain, my hand immediately pulling back but Frank drops my other hand to reach up and guide my hand back to his face, my palm flat against his cheek and he presses into the touch, his hand resting over mine to hold it there and I whimper again softly as I lean in closer and ask "Are you sure you're ok?" Frank nods, his small smile coming back as he says "I'm a little tender but I'm fine."

A few minutes after we get to the hospital Nicole tells us she should get going, winking over at me and I smile slightly and nod, knowing she's just going to give us some privacy and once she's gone, promising to be back in the morning Frank tightens his grip on my hand and pulls, guiding me to stand up as he slides over and I take the hint, slipping my shoes off before sliding into the bed beside him, his body rolling a little so he can curl into my side, his head resting on my chest and his bandaged arm coming to rest across my stomach and as he shifts around I see him wince in pain. "Are you ok?" I ask softly, my free hand hovering over him, unsure of where to touch and Frank smiles and says "Yeah, my ribs aren't broken but they hurt." I remain silent, unsure of what to say and when Frank finally stops moving I bring my hand up to gently stroke through his hair, his eyes slipping closed as he hums in contentment. "I'm sorry" Frank says after a while and I frown to myself as I ask "What for?" "We had plans and...." "Frank it's not like you planned for this to happen" I tell him, shaking my head slightly and Franks eyes open again as he says "Yeah but...." "No" I shoot back, my hand coming down to cover Franks mouth to silence him and he licks my palm, giggling to himself as I pull my hand away and wipe it on the blanket, and I laugh too as I say "I'm totally getting you back for that at some point." Frank and I fall into silence after that, my hand coming back up to stroke his hair again and I feel his body relaxing more and more against mine, my arm tightening around him as his breathing becomes deep and even and I lay there all night, holding him close and watching him sleep, my eyes continually trailing down his face, taking in every little scratch and bruise that forms, wishing I could kiss them all better.

The next morning Nicole comes back just as Frank is waking up and half an hour later the doctor comes around to perform another check up on Frank, making him sit up and lift his shirt, his side black and blue and my eyes widen, shock and relief spreading through me that he has no broken bones. The doctor seems satisfied that Frank should be alright to go home, but advises him it would be wise to stay with someone for a few days just incase and to come back immediately if he becomes unwell or experiences any further pain and after the doctor leaves Nicole says "Well I can change a few shifts around so I can be home more...." "Frank can stay with me, if he wants" I interrupt her to say, knowing my schedule is probably a little more convenient than Nicole's with her working late nights at the bar and Frank smiles and says "Yeah, that sounds good." Nicole smiles and says "Good, you'll be a pain in the ass anyway." "Hey" Frank objects, pouting slightly and Nicole rolls her eyes as she says "Remember last time you had the flu? I was ready to kill myself three hours in." Frank chuckles and smiles sheepishly and Nicole turns her attention to me as she says "Good luck." "I'm sure he can't be that bad" I tell her, smiling down at Frank and Nicole bursts out into laughter before saying "Yeah, tell me that tomorrow." After I help Frank off the bed we make our way out of the hospital, Frank walking with a slight limp and I take his free arm, helping support him a little as we go outside to Nicole's car and once we're all in she takes us back to my house, helping me get Frank settled inside on the couch before she leaves again, telling me to call if I need anything.

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