Chapter 36 Leaving the ICU
Anushka's P.O.V.
After walking a few steps with the physical therapist, I feel like I've been hit by a truck. When he first had me sit up, I was slightly dizzy, but it passed. My legs felt weak when I stood, but moving around felt good. Now, my body aches, but I'm not complaining because I'm thankful to be alive.
After Courtney left, a new nurse came in. I'll be honest, I'm not a fan of hers. She's rude and constantly complains about Jordan and Dakota being in the room. I'm glad I'm leaving the ICU because I'm two seconds away from letting my inner bitch come out.
"Well, everything looks good. Are you ready to move to the other unit?" Dr. Martinez asks as he walks into the room.
"Yes, thank you. Do you still think I'll need to be at the hospital for two weeks or more?" I don’t want to say anything to him, but I don't feel very safe with Gregory trying to get the staff to kill me. The next person may not have a heart as Courtney did.
"If you keep working with physical therapy, there's a chance that you could go home sooner. I would suggest you have twenty-four-hour nursing care to monitor your wound, look for signs of infection, and be there if you have any other complications." I look at Jordan and smile. I wonder if Courtney would like a pay increase to be my personal nurse. I honestly don't trust anyone else. That may be strange, seeing as she was going to be paid to kill me, but she did the right thing, and that speaks volumes.
"I think we can arrange that," Jordan replies.
"You'll still be with us for at least a few more days so we can ensure you're strong enough to go home. You just woke up a little over twenty-four hours ago. I'll have the nurse get transport and give a report to the other unit. Just hang tight for a few more minutes. Do you have any questions?" Dr. Martinez asks after examining me.
"No, thank you," I answer. After he leaves, I look at Jordan and Dakota sitting in the chairs beside my bed.
"You're thinking Courtney, too, right?" I ask Jordan.
"Yeah. I can read people pretty well, and I know she was desperate. When it came down to actually hurting you, she came clean immediately. Also, she's an ICU nurse, so I don't think we can find anyone better. Are you going to be okay returning home after what happened?" He leans over and kisses my forehead. I thought I might be apprehensive about returning. However, we've had so much happen that I feel safer there than anywhere else. Especially now that we have all the extra security.
"That's our home, and that's where I want to be. You guys better be ready because I plan on working hard with the physical therapist to get out of here ASAP. This place is scarier than home. I don't know who I can trust." The mean nurse, whose name I can't remember, walks in and lays paperwork on the end of my bed.
"I gave a report to the nurse taking you upstairs, and the transporters are on the way." She begins to walk out, but Dakota stops her.
"Thank you for taking care of my mommy." I look at Dakota in surprise, but the nurse's eyes are wider than mine. She smiles, and I swear she looks like a whole new person.
"You're welcome, dear. We don't get many thanks working down here. You guys take care of yourselves." She turns to leave, and I notice she's wiping a tear from her eye.
"I thought you said she was mean," Jordan asks Dakota after the nurse is gone. She shrugs her shoulders.
"My teacher says sometimes people act mean when they're having a bad day. Maybe she's having a bad day." Leave it to the four-year-old to melt the mean nurse's heart. A few minutes later, two young men knock on the door.
"Hello, I'm Bill, and this is Ted. Before you ask, no, we're not from Bill and Ted's Bogus Journey. We're transporters, and we're here to take you upstairs." Jordan and I laugh, but Dakota looks confused.
"What's a bogus journey?" she asks them. They both freeze and look at each other.
"Uh, it's a really dumb movie that's not any good. That's why we don't want people to think we're the Bill and Ted from the movie." Ted explains.
"Okay, then I don't want to see it. How are you going to take my mommy upstairs?" Dakota quickly changes the subject, and they look relieved.
"We're going to push her in the bed to a really big elevator. Do you think you can help us? We need someone to make sure we don't run anyone over. Can you do that?" Bill asks. They unhook my oxygen from the wall and attach it to a tank on the bed. Ted removes the IV pump and attaches it to the pole at the head of the bed.
"Yes. I'll ride on Daddy's shoulders so I can see really far away." Jordan lifts Dakota onto his shoulders. He grabs the bag with their clothes and walks out the door, ducking so Dakota doesn't hit her head.
"It's okay, guys." She says, looking all around. I smile as they push the bed out of the room. Gavin follows us.
"Bye, everyone. We're going upstairs now," Dakota announces to the staff at the nurse's station. They all smile and wave at her. The nurse I thought was mean ran over to us.
"Dakota, I have something for you. This is a nurse's hat because I think you're the best nurse your mommy could have." Jordan puts her down, and the nurse attaches the little paper hat to her head. Dakota hugs her, and I swear the nurse is going to start crying.
"Thank you." Jordan lifts her back up on his shoulder, and Dakota waves. The nurse is beaming at her as we leave.
When we get upstairs, the nurse does her assessment and says the doctor will be in soon. There's a couch that can lie flat to make a bed and a reclining chair. I believe Jordan and Dakota will be much more comfortable here. I have a private room, too, so we don't have to worry about bothering anyone else. Gavin takes his spot next to the door. I feel better being out of the ICU; it's one step closer to being home.
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The Hitman's P.O.V.
Stewart had said when the time came, I was to kill Anushka without question. Well, that day has come, and I'm ready for my payday. I don't know where he got the money, but the first half was wired to my overseas account, and the rest will be wired after she's dead. I just have one problem. She's in the hospital.
Typically, I wouldn't care, but I recognize the men outside and know they're some of Todd's best. I saw Gavin walking with them when they transferred Anushka. My best quality is being able to hide in plain sight. In a hospital, that means I put on some green scrubs and a face mask to look like a doctor. I used to be one of Todd's men until I realized I could make more money killing the people we were protecting.
Maybe her being in the hospital won't be a problem, I think to myself as I watch which room they're putting her into. Now that she's no longer in a locked unit, I can be in and out without being detected. I'm sure Stewart won't mind if I kill Jordan and the little girl, too. What are a few extra bodies? I'll wait until tonight when they least expect it. I wonder if Anushka knows the truth about her parents. Maybe I should enlighten her before I kill her. I can't help laughing as I leave the hospital. A big surprise for Anushka before dying. I can't wait.