Work Text:
Bernie woke up once more in considerable discomfort. She experienced a throbbing sensation in her head and a burning pain in her chest. As she gradually opened her eyes, she surveyed her surroundings, finding herself alone. Bernie's heart started to race with anxiety. Attempting to sit up and reach for the call button proved to be a challenge as her chest restricted her movements. She let out a soft cry of discomfort and reclined, hoping for someone to enter. "Bernie?" Serena announced her arrival as she entered. Bernie's eyes fluttered open once more, a faint smile gracing her lips as she caught sight of Serena. "How are you feeling?" "Serena inquired," she said. "Hu..rts..a..lot" Bernie exclaimed. Her ability to communicate in complete sentences was still developing. "Do you want more medication?" she inquired with concern. "No... no..t... n..ow." she said.
"Mrs. Wolfe, it's wonderful to see you awake and alert." Donna entered the room with a playful remark. Bernie chuckled before grimacing. "La..ugh..ing...ba..d," she said with a slow and hesitant voice. "Bernie, would you like additional pain medication?" Donna inquired with a serious tone. "I...said...do ..not...make...me...laugh...th."Bernie said, a mischievous grin playing on his lips. "Bernie, it is evident that you are experiencing significant discomfort." Donna made another attempt. "i..m..go..od." Bernie confidently stated. Donna couldn't help but express her annoyance as the rest of her doctor team entered the room. "Hello, Bernie!" "Fletch said as she entered the room."
"Hi," Bernie greeted."How are you feeling?" He asked."li.ke..crap" Bernie responded with a slight grin. "I'll be conducting a brief neurological assessment on you, Bernie, alright?" Guy stated. Bernie nodded in agreement as Guy started speaking. "follow my finger," he said, guiding his finger in a smooth, steady motion from left to right. Bernie followed it flawlessly. "I will now examine your incisions. "Donna remarked once Guy had completed his exam. Donna gently lifted Bernie's gown, revealing a delicate pink scar. She carefully explored the area, thoroughly inspecting the underlying tissue. "Looks great," Donna concluded with satisfaction.
"Now I will carefully listen to your heartbeat and examine your sternum." Jac placed a stethoscope on Bernie's chest, ready to listen. Bernie was momentarily startled by the chill, but quickly regained composure. "The condition of your heart sounds satisfactory. Now, I will gently palpate the area around your sternum. it's going to hurt." Jac warned. Bernie nodded in agreement and gently took hold of Serena's hand. Jac placed her hand on Bernie's chest, causing Bernie to immediately tense up in discomfort. "Don't worry, I'm here. You're doing great." Serena whispered softly. Bernie nodded, her teeth pressed into her bottom lip. Jac finally released her grip, causing Bernie to let out a sigh of relief. "Everything appears to be healing in the expected manner." "Jac said," Bernie nodded softly and settled into her pillow. "Bernie i'm going to give you something for the pain. don't even try argue with me." Donna said firmly.
(outside the recovery room)
"Is she doing well?" Serena asked. "She's making good progress despite being involved in a van accident. The recovery process will be quite lengthy, and it is likely that she will need to stay here for a minimum of two weeks. However, rest assured that she will ultimately be fine." Ric said looking at Bernie's chart. Serena nodded and let out a sigh of relief.
Bernie woke up feeling parched and glanced over at Serena, who was peacefully slumbering in a rather contorted position on the chair. She gazed upon her slumbering wife and offered a faint smile. "Ser?" she asked softly. "S-Ser," she said with increased volume. Serena woke up and glanced at Bernie. "What can I assist you with? Do you in pain?" Serena asked. "No...ca..n..i..have ..som.e water?" Serena gave a nod and filled a cup with water, using a blue plastic cup. She gently placed a straw near Bernie's lips, allowing him to sip. Bernie delicately sipped on the water, only to have it abruptly taken away by Serena. She gently placed it onto the side table and lovingly brushed the hair away from Bernie's face before planting a tender kiss on her lips. "We have a bit of time left before rounds. Would you like to go back to sleep? Serena asked in a gentle manner. Bernie nodded and shifted slightly, making room on the bed with her uninjured hand.
"Bernie, I don't want to hurt you." Serena spoke with a hint of uncertainty. "plea..se?" "Bernie asked," Bernie asked. "Bern-" she began. "Ser..ena.. Pl..eas..e." Bernie pleaded. Serena's face lit up with a smile as she acquiesced. She genuinely desired to be close to her, but she was hesitant to cause her any further pain.
Serena climbed into bed next to her, gently enveloping her in a warm embrace. Bernie nestled into the warm embrace, longing for the comfort of those arms whenever Bernie was apart. "even though you've been back 2 month i still miss you." "Serena said," Serena stated.
"You'll never have to miss me again. I will be staying here from now on. Bernie offered reassurance. Serena gently nodded, her arm draped across her waist as she patiently waited for Bernie to drift off to sleep. In that precious moment, Serena cherished the feeling of holding her beloved wife close.
As Bernie's doctors entered the room to conduct their rounds, they were momentarily taken aback when they saw Serena and Bernie embracing each other. "Should we wake them up?" asked an F1. "No Wolfe woke up early this morning let them rest." Worven said. "will do rounds later." she added
(Few hours later)
"Bernie?" Serena spoke softly. Serena woke up as the doctors entered her room for their routine rounds. "Hmm, wh..at?" "Bernie asked. "Rounds," she murmured softly. "Ugh?" Bernie complained as she tried to position herself on her back. Serena kindly assisted her and gently kissed her forehead. "How are you feeling, Wofle?" "Ric asked," he asked. "Exh..aust..ed!" Bernie complained. Ric let out a light laugh and placed the chat back on the end of the bed.
"Bernie, today we're going to help you sit up on your own." Jac said "Exce...lle..nt." Bernie said with a hint of sarcasm. Jac smiled and gracefully exited the room, allowing the other doctors to carry out their rounds.
After a successful outcome, everyone departed. Serena gazed at Bernie, a playful smile dancing on her lips. "Looks like someone's in a mood today," she said with a smirk. "shut up." Bernie said as she attempted to toss a pillow, but was hindered by the discomfort in her chest and hand. Serena tenderly kissed her forehead and carefully adjusted the pillow she had attempted to toss. "Guess what?"Serena asked.
"What?"
"I love you." Serena said. Bernie smiled, her mind working to find words. "I... I lo.v..e yo..u," she stuttered.
After a few hours, Jac finally entered the room. Serena gently leaned down and placed a tender kiss on Bernie's forehead, hoping to rouse her from her slumber. "Wake up, Bernie," she softly murmured.
Bernie woke up and opened her eyes. "Hi" she whispered softly. Serena couldn't help but smile at the sheer adorableness of her wife as she woke up. "Mrs. Wolf," Jac said, approaching the bed. 'sit..u..p?" Bernie asked.
"Yes," Jac replied, "I'll assist you by supporting your elbow while you utilize your uninjured arm to lift yourself up. If possible, you can then gradually move your legs over the bed. Then Serena and I will step away, allowing you to sit up by yourself without any support for as long as you are able. Understood?" Jac asked. Bernie nodded and reached for the edge of the bed. With a grimace, she managed to pull herself up. Jac was there, supporting her left elbow, while Serena placed a comforting hand on her back. She carefully extended her legs off the edge of the bed, emitting a soft sound of discomfort. She accomplished the task. Jac released his grip while Serena took a step back. Bernie paused to take a series of deep breaths, feeling a slight increase in pain. She sat up for 2 minutes, possibly exerting herself a bit too much, and had to stop. "You did an excellent job, Wolfe." Jac calmly administered another dose of medication into her IV.
Bernie simply nodded, rendered speechless by the haze of medication coursing through her veins. Once more Bernie drifted off to sleep, exhausted from the events of the past few hours. Serena, concerned for her wife's well-being, didn't want Bernie to overexert herself and potentially worsen her condition. Requesting an F1 to remain in the room, the individual took a momentary break and made their way to the staff room. Fletch glanced behind him while preparing a cup of tea. "Here," he said, passing his cup to her. She gazed up at him, a warm smile gracing her lips. "Thank you," she replied, taking a sip. "Charlotte expressed her readiness to look after Jayson while we are both here at the hospital." Fletch chimed in.
"I wanted to express my gratitude for the other night. Your assistance was truly beneficial." Serena sighed, her head sinking into her hands as the weight of the past few days' stress and worries overwhelmed her.
"You seem like you could use some TLC," Fletch remarked.
"I'm really pressed for time, I have a shift in just 5 hours," she remarked, glancing at her watch. Fletch took a seat beside Serena. "Serena, it's important to take care of yourself too." He stated. "I will once's shes okay and then I will stop. If I don't everything will fall apart. Jayson and Charlotte, it will all blow up in my face." After acknowledging the situation, she gracefully rose from her seat and made her way back to the recovery ward. "thank you Fletch for the tea." she said peering her head back through the door.