“Fresh Roses In The Garden” part 3
A/N: We get tooth rotting domestic fluff, the aftermath of part 2, and meet Lorelei (Elowen’s little sister)
How on earth had it come to this? Delilah bounced her leg in her seat. Leon and her had been sitting in the hospital waiting room for an hour. She was scared, but refused to show it in her expression this time. She had to stay strong for Leon, who had been chewing his cuticles since they found Elowen in the garden this morning...
Delilah had just woken up to her alarm she sets every evening to the time the sun wakes up. She sprung out of bed and opened up a can of coffee, making a brew for herself and both her partners to enjoy. She put her hair up into a calculated bun, donning her hard decorative flats and smart business jacket. She poured the coffee into mugs, set it onto a tray, and made her way to her lovely’s rooms.
All as normal.
She opened her husband’s door panel first, since he was both the closest in the hallway and the longest to wake up. Of course, she knocked first. She wasn’t a barbarian, unlike some people, Elowen. Leon stirred a little in his sleep, and she gently said his name once. He peaked open an eye.
That’s when she noticed her husband had slept in his binder. She didn’t say his name gently this time.
“LEON ESPINOZA, GET YOUR ASS OUT OF BED BEFORE I SET YOUR OTHER BINDERS ON FIRE”
An empty threat, for the record. She knew how much meant they meant to him, and they all couldn’t afford top surgery for him just yet. They were getting there soon, though.
He jumped out of bed at the sound of her voice, immediately regretting it when his ribs ached at the sudden movement. Delilah almost slammed the tray down on the nightstand and rushed to his side.
“Delilah, what the hell??” He asked, confused in his sleepiness.
“Arms up, eyes closed.” She instructed to a bleary eyed Leon. Leon did as he was told, although it took a second. She very gently, but briskly removed the binder. Fortunately for her husband, he has small breasts, which would not (hopefully) bother him too much in just a size-too-small sports bra for an hour or so today. She got one from his dressers after throwing the binder into the laundry basket.
She marched up to him again and put the bra over his head and slipped it over his very manly cleavage, thank-you-very-much.
“Do you want to break a rib as you sleep, Leon?”
“I’m sorry Delilah, I was so tired last night I passed out before I could hit the pillows.”
“Try not to stay up so late next time. I don’t want you accidently hurting yourself. I don’t know what I would do if I found either one of you injured. Besides, we’re a week away from getting enough cash from our goal, and then you can get your top surgery and after you recover I can finally quit my job.” She said in one long breath.
“I know, Delilah. I promise you I’ll be fine. Ok? Stop worrying so much for us.” Leon said softly as he threw on a shirt. She could tell he was being sincere, so she forced down her anxiety over them a little bit.
“Ok”, she said.
He picked up the coffee from the nightstand. It smelled delicious, and his wife had made it just the way he likes it. He genuinely grinned at her, light chocolate eyes flashing blue in happiness. She smiled right back. He took a sip.
“Thank you, my heartstring. This tastes just as delicious as it smells.”
She blushed and coughed, reaching for her own.
Wait. Elowen would normally wake up from the yelling, both from thin walls and that they are a light sleeper.
Panic immediately shot through them both.
“I’ve got their room.”
“I’ll check the garden.”, they said at once.
She raced down the hall to the backdoor connected to the kitchen and the living room. She froze at the sight of Elowen, covered in half-healed cuts and sleeping fireflies. Petals spewing from their mouth like blood. Oh no. Oh no no no no this can’t be happening.
She screamed…
The rush to the hospital was a blur. At one point she remembers calling her boss to take the day off, and then calling Leon’s boss to let them know he is in a family emergency and won’t be coming in either. She felt numb holding her sunshine gingerly to her chest, very quickly wrapping Treatment Bandages over the many cuts.
...and that’s how they got here.
Leon paused from chewing his cuticles, looking up at her anxiously.
“Did we call Lorelei??”
Ah, shit. She quickly dug into her pocket and pulled out the transmitter. She did the voice code for Lorelei. The younger, dark woman with stylized dreadknots appeared immediately.
“Hey there Delilah! What’s up?” She spoke uncharastically cheery, perhaps she was having a good day. Guilt pooled in her gut for having to be the bearer of bad news. Lorelei must have caught on to her expression.
“Is Elowen ok?”
“We’re at the hospital. The doctors haven’t told us anything yet. I’ll send the address.” She responded. Dark green eyes watered up through the projection, but the other woman’s voice was even and strong like the oak trees she plants.
“I’ll be right there. Call me in the car if the doctors spill the beans. Tell me what happened when I get there. Bye.” And with that, Lorelei hung up.
