Chapter 45 However It Is Meant To Be

Chapter 45 However It Is Meant To Be
Corran

“All done. It isn’t too tight, is it?” I ask, smoothing the bandage down. 

April shakes her head. “No, it is fine. Thank you.” 

It might have been better to wait until tomorrow rather than have her sleep with it on, but it provides some support for the night. 

“Are you going to take the day off work tomorrow?” 

“No, I can’t. I haven’t been there long enough. I'll wear flats and hope for the best," she sighs, glancing at me. 

April should take a few days off, but she isn’t going. I can’t make her. “Please take it easy at work. Your ankle won’t heal without rest.” 

I swear she rolls her eyes at me. “Yes, boss.” 

I dismiss her snarky remark and shake my head. “Would you like to go to bed and elevate your ankle?” 

"Perhaps this is for the best.” 

I nod and stand, helping her to her feet and guiding her to her room, where I sit her on the edge of the bed and get some PJs out for her to change into. I turn away to give her some privacy. 

“You can turn back around. I am covered up.” 

When I turn back around, she is already under the covers. “Do you have extra pillows?” 

April gestures toward her wardrobe. I grab two extra pillows, lift the covers, and slide them under her to support her ankle. Although it won’t be a comfortable sleeping position, it will help prevent her ankle from injury during the night. 

“Comfortable?” I ask. 

“I am. Thank you. You really don’t need to stay, Corran. I appreciate your help, but if you want to go home to bed, it is okay.” 

I shake my head, remove my shoes, and get into bed beside her, lying on top of the covers. “I am fine right here.” 

“So stubborn…” 

“Yes, yes, I am. I have no reason to go home. I would rather stay here to make sure you don’t end up with another hurt ankle or something,” I tease. 

Reaching over, she playfully slaps me. I chuckle and smile brightly at her. I won’t stay in her bed. I will sleep somewhere else. I don’t want to make things awkward. 

“Are you tired?” April asks. 

“No, I am fine for now, but if you are, I can let you sleep.” 

“No, I’m okay for now, too. I can find us something to watch for a bit. You can sleep in here if you want. I don’t mind.” 

“Are you sure?” 

She smiles. “Yes, it is fine.”

If she wants me to, I will happily sleep in here with her. April finds us a film to watch and gets herself comfortable, well, as much as she can without moving around too much. She groans in frustration, but eventually settles. I fluff her pillows and pull the covers up to just below her chin, making sure she is warm enough. It has to get cold tonight. 

“Corran, you can take some of your clothes off to make it more comfortable to sleep in, or, if you prefer, you can go home and change, then come back,” she suggests. 

“I can strip down to my boxers and T-shirt if you are alright with that?” 

“I’ve seen you naked, Corran. I can handle you just in boxers and a tee," she giggles. 

I won’t argue with that. I sit up, remove my socks and jeans, fold them, and place them on the chair. I switch the light off before slipping back into bed with her, this time under the covers because it’s too cold not to. 

“At least if we fall asleep, the light is off.” 

April claimed she wasn’t tired, but after a long day and her fall, her body must be exhausted. Hopefully, with the light out, she'll fall asleep soon. I won’t be far behind her. 


April had fallen asleep next to me. It took longer than I expected, but she is sleeping now, and that is all that matters. The painkiller will wear off in a few hours, so there is a chance she will wake up in pain. I hope that isn’t the case, but there is a high chance. If she does, I will wake up too and get her some more painkillers. A stronger one would probably be better. I can pick her up some over-the-counter painkillers tomorrow. I still wish she would have let me take her to get it checked, but I understand her not wanting to go to the hospital. I try to avoid them as much as possible, too. 

I turn off the TV, use the bathroom, and try to settle down for the night. Sleep won’t come easily; I'll be on high alert for April to wake, a skill I perfected when Edin was sick. I never slept well then, always worried she might need me. The same will be true tonight with April—it's that protective instinct in me. I'm generally very protective of the people in my life. Maybe I've been more guarded lately, but I can feel that protective instinct resurfacing with April. 

Sighing, I toss and turn for a moment before finally settling into comfort. I didn’t want to wake April. I lie on my back, gazing at the ceiling, caught up in my thoughts. Sleep will come when it is ready. 

The thoughts of tonight run through my mind, making me smile. It is a shame our great night didn’t end as well as it started, but I am glad we did it. I want to do it again. Who knows, maybe one of these times we can class it as a date, rather than just friends. If or when that happens, time will tell. 

I glance at April, even in the darkness where I can’t see anything. “Who knows where this will lead, if anywhere, but I'm eager to find out," I whisper into the dark. 

I would be happy even if I only end up with April as one of my closest friends. Fate will make it whatever it is meant to be.