#jay copes

"Hmm, maybe." She hummed, pushing Jay's hand away as he started rubbing. "Don't, it hurts more when you do."

Jay frowned further but removed his hand, never had Hope rejected a belly rub before.

"I think we should get some pain meds in you, they'll help keep your fever down too."

"'Kay." Hope replied, making no move to get off of his lap.

"Baby you'll need to sit up a little so I can move." He chuckled lightly, lifting her gently so he could shuffle out from under her.

When he returned, water and pills in hand, Hope was exactly where he'd left her, except she was now in a loose fetal position. Her face had lost more of its colour, and her eyes were scrunched shut. His frown returned, and he hastened his pace towards her and crouched down so that his face was level with hers.

"Baby? Open your eyes a second." He instructed, voice soft and worried. He smiled gently at her when she did as he asked. "Let's get these pain meds in you, okay? It'll take the edge off." He ran a hand through her hair, then gently supported her as she sat up with a wince.

She took the tablets, swallowing the with a single sip of water before handing the glass back to Jay and patting the couch beside her.

He sat, pulling her back into his lap, resuming running his hand through her long hair.

"Play." Hope instructed despite her eyes being closed. He complied and restarted the movies, but only half focused on it, more worried about watching Hope. This was just so unlike her. Other than when she had that awful stomach bug from him a couple of months back, he couldn't really think of a time she'd been in pain like this in the last year. And even if she was ever in pain, she was tough and would never admit it. Despite Hope seeming unconcerned, he couldn't help the waves of concern that crashed over him at every wince or uncomfortable shuffle from beside him. However, when he next glanced down at her, her features had relaxed and she her breathing had evened out as she slept somewhat peacefully, and he allowed himself to relax slightly. Maybe it was trapped gas or just something she'd eaten that hadn't been digesting well, and once she woke up she'd feel better.

Jay remained playing with her hair throughout the remainder of the film, smoothing the soft strands downwards. As the movie drew to an end, his stomach grumbled, reminding him that neither of them had eaten dinner. With a small sigh, he slid slowly from under Hope, replacing his lap with his folded hoodie, and crept to the kitchen. He decided to fix himself a quick sandwich, and make some toast for Hope in case she woke up and felt like eating with him.

Walking back into the living room, Hope hadn't moved and was still snoring lightly. She looked so peaceful and beautiful, and Jay couldn't help but smile. He sat on the reading chair on the other side of the room. He'd chosen a simple ham sandwich in case the smell upset Hope's stomach more, but still wanted to sit far enough away that even the non potent smell wouldn't get to her.

As he ate, he checked his messages. The group chat was active, Lyla once again winding the other two men up about their drunken escapades at the lodge as she had done for weeks. It seemed like she didn't feel either Kai nor Jessie had grovelled for her forgiveness quiet enough yet. He couldn't help but snort as he read through the message chain, the conversation devolving from the two men apologising yet again to them both ganging up on Lyla. Their messages were so coordinated and well planned out that he was sure that Kai and Jessie must be messaging each other individually before putting their messages into the group chat. And Lyla was either playing along or completely oblivious, which made the whole thing funnier.

His attention was drawn from his phone by the sound of a groan from the couch. He put it down and immediately started across the room to Hope, who wasn't fully awake yet but looked uncomfortable and dangerously pale. He knew that look well enough that his next move was to get the designated puke bowl from the cabinet and run a clean dishcloth under the cold water of the sink. Stepping back into the room, it was clear he'd made the right decision as Hope's eyes opened in a flash and she gagged over the edge of the couch, saliva droolinv from her moutn over the white rug. Sprinting the final distance of the room he held the bowl under her chin with one hand, the other holding her shoulder so she didn't roll off the couch with the next heave. She gagged again, this time bringing up a mouthful of whatever she'd eaten for lunch. The next gag brought up the rest, her body trembling as each heave grew more violent and caused her back to spasm.

"Alright baby, I know. I know this sucks so bad. I know you hate throwing up but you're doing so well. Get it all up, your stomach will feel so much better." He cooed, using his thumb to trace circles on her shoulder as he held her firmly from falling.

The next heave got caught in her throat, and she coughed hard, making a rasping sound. Jay sat her up in one swift motion, hitting her back to help dislodge the stuck vomit. It worked, and the next cough brought up a whole new wave of puke. He had to admit, he was pretty impressed with how much someone so tiny could throw up.

"Nearly over baby. You're doing amazing. I've got you."

A few empty heaves later and Hope collapsed against his side. He put the bowl on the side table then pulled her in close, using his thumb to wipe the tears that were falling down her cheeks.

"That was awful." She whimpered, voice trembling.

"I know baby, I'm sorry you're not well. Does your stomach feel a little better at least?" He asked, kissing the top of her hair gently.

She shook her head weakly with a small sniffle that broke Jay's heart, "i don't feel sick anymore but my tummy still hurts."

He pulled her closer, holding her flush against his chest whilst she silently cried.

"Shhhh baby." He soothed, wanting nothing more than to take her pain away. He held her like that until he felt her breathing steady and the tears stopped.

"I want to go to bed." Shs sighed into his chest.

Jay gently helped her stand, walking with her up the stairs and to their room. He stood with his arms gently encasing her as she brushed her teeth.

"You're still warm." He mumbled into her ear.

"Feel cold." She muttered after she spat out the toothpaste.

"That's the fever darling. I promise you, you're warm." He reassured, leading her from the bathroom and passing her her pyjamas.

Once she was situated in bed, Jay briefly left her to clean out the bowl and bring it back, along with a fresh glass of water and a newly damp towel. He placed it gently over her head, relieved when she sighed contentedly and her face visibly relaxed. He threw on a pair of his favourite joggers, then slid into his side of the bed. Hope was curled up on her side, facing his way, so he placed the bowl between them before laying his head so his chin was resting just above her forehead.

"Try and sleep now, Hope. I'm right here if you need anything." He kissed her hair, then moved his arm so it wrapped around her and pulled her closer.

It was a testament to how bad she must be feeling, because Hope was asleep almost instantly. Jay continued to hold her, pressing tender kisses on top of her head whenever she stirred. The physical caretaker role was so rarely his in their relationship, he wasnt afraid to admit that, but he knew Hope like the back of his hand. He kept her close, his breathing slowly falling in time with hers as he listened to the rain against the windows, and his eyes grew heavy.

"Jay!"

He was awoken with a start, sitting up immediately and turning on the bedside lamp. What he saw sent shivers down his spine. Hope was sat up and curled into a tight ball, rocking back and forth as she cried. Not the silent cries of earlier, true sobs. His panic went from 0-100. In 6 years he had never, ever, seen her like this. He was out from under the covers and holding her shoulders in seconds.

"Hope? What's hurting baby? Your stomach?"

She didn't respond, but she sobbed harder, breathing ragged as her whole body trembled.

"Baby talk to me, you're scaring me." He fretted, not able to keep the panic from his voice as he moved to sit directly infront of her, grabbing her chin softly and raising her head so he could examine her face. Her skin was almost grey, and he could feel the fever rolling off of her. His heart was racing in his chest.

"My...my stomach. Jay it hurts so much." She wept, tears streaming down her colourless cheeks.

"Okay. Baby I need you to show me where on your tummy it's hurting okay? I know baby, I'm sorry." He murmured as she whimpered at his request, trying to remain as calm as he could.

She uncurled ever so slightly, just enough that her arms could move from their death grip around her stomach, and moved her hand over the lower right side of her abdomen.

Shit. Jay's no doctor, but Hope's had him sit through enough Grey's anatomy to know exactly what that could mean.

-----------------------

At 1:45 Jessie is pacing the driveway outside Jay and Hope's house, his bike leaning haphazardly against the wall. Hope's car is parked up, but Jay's isn't, which means he is still dropping Hope off. This meant he still had time to decide to back out, to not tell Jay a thing about Kai and just have a guys' afternoon. To keep their lives simple, solid, and the same, instead of potentially throwing a truth grenade that could destroy his deliberately built life. Crumble his carefully constructed found family into nothing but dust. His stomach churned at the thought, anxiety both sitting like lead and simultaneously swirling in his gut.

'Catastrophising', he heard Kai's voice in his head. Of course he was, because that would make this going badly feel easier. Always expect the worst and you won't be disappointed, and if the worst doesn't happen, then it's a pleasant surprise. That's the mantra he's lived and sworn by as long as he can remember. The same way he remembers how few times in his life he's ever been pleasantly surprised. Jessie's life was a black hole that almost exclusively pulled in things just as dark as itself, with something light only slipping in once in a blue moon that always had the potential of being turned dark like the rest of it.

The sound of a car door closing beside him finally drew him from his thoughts. He hadn't heard the car pull up, but now Jay was walking up the driveway towards him. He wore his trademark smile, oblivious to the fact that Jessie could be about to destroy everything. The smile faltered as Jay got closer, and Jessie couldn't help but wonder just what expression his face was making.

"Hey. You okay? You look one minute away from a breakdown." Jay said, unlocking the door and motioning Jessie inside.

His voice died in his throat, so the best he could do was offer Jay what he hoped was a reassuring nod. After kicking off his shoes, he moved to the living room, taking his usual spot on the couch. When Jay came into the room, he handed Jessie a glass of water, and instead of taking up his normal spot beside him, he sat on the coffee table in front of Jessie. His expression was one he'd seen many times from Jay. Concern mixed with a wariness, eyes examining Jessie closely.

"So", his voice was soft, painfully soft in a way that Jessie never felt he deserved, "wanna try that question again? In fact, no. Let me rephrase: instead of 'Are you okay?', I'm asking you what's wrong. Because you are not okay."

Okay. This was it. This was the time to come clean. He had his speech prepared and several backup speeches prepared in case things went south. He'd rehearsed for this moment for two weeks. He opened his mouth, ready to lay it all bare. But the words that came out of his mouth weren't the words he'd been saying on repeat all morning. It wasn't the grand speech with a slow introduction to the confession. Instead;

"I'm sort of kind of dating but not dating Kai." The words tumbled out so fast that it was less of a sentence and more like one continuous word.

The silence that followed meant that Jessie had to look up at Jay to judge what the other man was thinking. Except he couldn't, because Jay's face was arranged in the neutral expression that he wore at work when he needed the kids to not see what he was thinking yet wanted them to keep talking. Turned out that's very effective.

"I mean... we're not dating. Well... I guess we are. We haven't put a label on it because I don't know what I want. I don't know what I feel. Because I'm not gay... well... maybe I am a little gay... I mean, I must be because otherwise I wouldn't be kissing Kai and liking it. But I'm not attracted to any other man. I've never looked at another man and thought, 'Yeah, I'd do you.' But then... I also have never felt that about a woman either. Like, I understand when people are conventionally attractive, but I just... I don't feel that kind of pull. But with Kai, I don't know; it's different. It's... it's like I... I don't even know. I keep saying that, but it's because I don't. We just have...something and I like it. I really like it." The word vomit finally comes to an end, and Jessie is left breathless. He's watching Jay, searching for any reaction, any indication he's just completely ruined everything. But his expression is nothing but contemplative.

"So... you think you're attracted to Kai. You're kissing Kai," Jay says, his voice neutral, but Jessie's anxiety spikes.

"Yes."

"When did that happen?" Jay asked, head tilted slightly.

"He confessed how he felt five weeks ago. It was an accident; he was feverish as hell and rambling. But afterwards, I guess I realised that although I didn't feel exactly the same, I still... I thought of him differently than how I feel about you and the girls. That the line between being close friends and being maybe attracted to him had blurred. So we agreed to try. Take it slow, no labels; just see what happens. And... God, it's been the happiest five weeks of my life, Jay. I wanted to tell you at the start, but I was scared you'd be mad. Especially with it being Kai. I told him two weeks ago that I wanted to tell you, and he was all for it. I just couldn't... I kept putting it off" Jessie shifts uncomfortably on the couch, heart pounding harder against his ribs with each sentence.

"And that's why you looked like the world was ending when I pulled up? Because you were scared to tell me?" The neutrality gives way to something else, something vulnerable.

"Yes. I... I was worried that it would ruin everything. That you'd be mad that I was being stupid and risking the way everything is within our friend group." Jessie confesses, eyes trained firmly on the floor, no longer able to bring himself to look at Jay.

There is a minute of silence that felt like seconds and an eternity all at once.

"I don't like that you thought so little of me that I'd be more concerned about rocking the boat of our friendships than your happiness. That I would care more about who you were seeing as opposed to being happy that you were happy." When Jay speaks, his voice is quiet and shaky, hurt but not accusatory. It had Jessie's head snapping up to look at him, but Jay was facing the floor.

"That's... Jay, no. That's a reflection of my anxiety. My need to believe the worst-case scenario so I'm not hurt when it happens." He rambles, reaching out and taking Jay's hand carefully. He needed him to understand this was on Jessie and not on him.

"That's not the point, Jess. We've been best friends forever. The fact you still feel the need to think that way when it comes to me... That you think I'm more concerned about keeping the balance even if it sacrifices your happiness... the fact you think that would be an acceptable reaction..." Jay trails off but squeezes Jessie's hand. "It just makes me sad that your brain still hates you so much that you couldn't comprehend that I would just be happy for you."

Jessie's chest tightened, because yeah, he hated that too. He didn't have a response, at least not a verbal one, so instead he leant forward to Jay and wrapped his arms around him. Jay instantly melted into him, wrapping his arms just as tightly around Jessie.

"If you are happy with whatever you and Kai have going on, I am happy, Jess. You deserve happiness, to find someone who makes you happy. You deserve it more than anything." Jay whispers and Jessie cannot stop the tears that fall, dripping freely into the shoulder of Jay's top.

"I am. Happy. So happy." He confirms, and Jay gives him a quick, tighter squeeze before pulling away. All of the previous hurt on Jay's face was replaced by a genuine smile.

"Good. That's all I care about," Jay says, moving to sit beside him on the couch and setting up the Switch, chucking a controller to Jessie.

Any weight in Jessie's chest had dissipated, replaced by the lightness of acceptance. Jay wasn't mad, the world wasn't ending, and now Jay knew. That made what he and Kai had feel more... real. More official in its unofficialness. It felt good. Right.

He didn't expect a response, everyone else would be asleep, but it made him feel slightly better as he tucked his phone back in his pocket. He was surprised when only a minute later it vibrated. Pulling it out, he was greeted with a single word.

Kai: Coming.

He sighed in relief. He didn't care who it was, the knowledge that someone else would be there was enough. With it being Kai, he had the added advantage that he was a doctor. A doctor who worked in this hospital, meaning... well, he didn't know. Maybe he could see Hope sooner? Get more updates? Any updates at all would be a Godsend at this point, even though only 20 minutes had passed.

He resumed his pacing, the temporary relief of knowing someone was on the way soon vanished, and he was back to worst-case scenarios playing through his head. His heart was pounding, hands shaking, stomach churning, and thoughts racing. He clenched his fists in frustration. He needed to get a grip. This wasn't about him. This was about Hope, and she needed someone to be there who was calm. But he wasn't calm. He couldn't be calm when the love of his life was currently sedated and undergoing surgery. And the surgery came with risks. He knew this from the paperwork and consent forms Hope had to sign. Yes, they were unlikely, but they were risks. Excessive bleeding. Clots. Infection. Death.

His breathing rate increased as he spiralled through all of the potential outcomes, all the things that could go wrong. His heart was pounding so loudly it's all he could hear. He stumbled in his pacing, hand flying out to the wall to catch himself. He wanted to scream, to break down, because this wasn't how it was supposed to be. Hope was the healthy one. His head spun, eyes starting to develop black dots because he was breathing so goddamn fast, but he couldn't stop it, couldn't slow it down when his thoughts were going so fast. He felt his legs start to go from under him, but he just couldn't bring himself to care. Just as he started to go down, a strong grip held onto his forearms and lowered him down slowly with his back against the wall.

"Jay, you need to breathe, or you're going to pass out." He knew that voice. Even through the panic he could identify Kai's deep tone. He raised his head slightly, meeting his eyes. He was met with a calm, composed stare, which made everything worse. That was how he was meant to be for Hope.

"Jay. Get out of your head and breathe. Look at me." He hadn't even realised his head had fallen forward again and he was now staring at the floor. He tried, but his head felt so damn heavy.

He heard a sigh, then felt a firm grip on his chin and his head being gently forced up to meet Kai's gaze.

"Jay. Look at me. She will be okay. She is in great hands. But right now, you need to breathe." Kai stared into his eyes, lacking his usual air of cockiness that Jay was used to. His eyes were soft, kind even. This must be what his patients see.

"I...I can't..." He managed to gasp out, panic sitting like a rock in his chest.

"Yes you can. If you can talk, you can breathe. Have you ever had a panic attack before?"

Jay nodded.

"Okay, so you know inside that brain of yours that you can breathe and that this is temporary." Kai's hand on his chin moved to grip his hand. "When I squeeze your hand, breathe in. When I release, breathe out. Okay?"

Jay nodded, eyes fixed on Kai's hand in his. If this was any other situation he'd be laughing at the absurdity of this scenario. This was not his and Kai's relationship, they didn't do this. He watched as Kai squeezed his hand, the pressure grounding him enough that he managed a sharp inhale.

"Good. Now exhale." Kai released his hand slowly. "You're doing well. Now do it again, slower this time."

They repeated this pattern until Jay no longer felt like he was being sat on by an elephant and his breaths were coming out regularly, albeit still a little fast.

"There. You're okay." Kai squeezed his shoulder, the one he hadn't let go of since he got to him, then gently pulled Jay up off the floor and into a chair.

"Thanks. Sorry." Jay mumbled, running his hand over his face.

"Don't apologise," Kai shrugged, sitting beside him and crossing his legs, " that happens a lot more than you think when someone you love is in surgery."

Jay nodded, resting his head back in his hands.

"I was so scared. I still am." He confessed to the floor.

"Yeah, me too." Kai said it so nonchalantly that Jay looked up, raising an eyebrow.

"You don't look scared."

Kai sighed, "better poker face," he shrugged with a small smile.

"I've never seen her like that Kai. She was in so much pain. I mean, you know Hope. She doesn't admit to being in pain, ever. You two are the same like that. And she was screaming. Actual screams Kai." His voice was shaking, breathing speeding up again. He felt a heavy weight around his shoulder and then he was pulled into Kai's side. The most awkward side hug he'd ever recieved, but God he needed it.

They sat in silence for a while, neither seemed to want to move, and Jay realised that maybe Kai needed this just as much as he did. Eventually, however, the silence got to him.

"How'd you get here so fast?" He asked, looking up at Kai but remaining tucked into his side.

"Working." Kai responded, eyes trained forward.

Now that Jay actually focused on him, he realised that Kai was in his scrubs.

"Oh. Didn't know you were on nights." Jay replied.

"Unfortunately. Well, maybe fortunately this once." Kai shrugged.

"Do you need to go back? I'm fine waiting here."

Kai scoffed, "Yeah, you looked soooo fine when I came in. Absolutely not in the middle of a panic attack and about to pass out on the floor."

"Shut up." Jay elbowed him lightly in the ribs but smiled.

"I'm fine to stay here, I have my pager. If they need me, they'll bleep me." He shrugged again.

Jay nodded, that made sense. Slowly he pulled away from Kai, sitting straight.

"Well... this was an unexpected bonding session." He joked and Kai snorted.

"Yeah, can't say I saw this coming."

"You're alright you know? When you're not being an asshat." Jay said, keeping his voice light.

Kai snorted again, "Contrary to popular belief, I am not that big of an asshole. Not really. It's just easier when people think I am."

He sighed. It was so heavy that Jay almost pulled him into another hug. Almost.

"I get it, you know? Keeping people away so you don't get hurt. But I've known you almost as long as I've known Hope. And I know you didn't like me at first, but you seem to tolerate me well enough now. Maybe you should let yourself be... well, you. I see who you are with Lyla and Hope. How hard you tried with Jess at the lodge. That's the real Kai. I'd really like to know him more instead of whatever bravado you put on to keep people away." He wasn't sure why he'd suddenly become so ballsy. Maybe he could blame the adrenaline.

Kai didn't say anything for a while. So long so that Jay genuinely didn't think he was going to respond and was just going to pretend he hadn't heard him.

"I'm trying." Kai eventually spoke. It was barely a whisper and heavy with emotions.

"That's all I can ask." Jay replied.

Before they could say anything else, the door opened, and the surgeon Jay had met before Hope went in for surgery appeared. Both Kai and Jay stood.

"Dr Harrison." Kai nooded

"Dr Lindsay. Friend of yours?" He signalled at Jay.

Kai nodded.

"He's Hope's best friend." Jay added, as if that was even important right now.

Dr Harrison gave a nod of acknowledgement before speaking.

"The surgery went well. We were able to get in before it ruptured so it was a simple keyhole surgery. Nothing unexpected came up, and Miss Capina is in the recovery ward. Once she's awake you may see her."

Jay nodded, feeling his whole body relax because Hope was okay. She was fine and he could see her soon.

"I think we'd like to see her now."

Jay looked at Kai, not expecting that.

"You know that's not hospital policy, Kai." Dr Harrison chided, but his tone was soft.

"And what about the hospital policies when your son was in NICU Steve? I'm pretty sure I ensured that some policies were flexible then." Kai replied, tone measured. Not unfriendly, just factual.

The others doctor sighed and put a hand on his hip.

"Fine. But if the post-op nurses get angry, I'm taking no responsibility."

Kai nodded and Doctor Harrison left. Kai turned back to face Jay.

"I'm your friend too, you know."

Jay looked up at him, confused.

"What?"

"You told Dr Harrison I was Hope's best friend when he asked if you were a friend of mine. You are my friend."

Jay didn't know what to say. He knew they were more than acquaintances, and he classed Kai as a friend. But he never assumed that street went both ways.

"Oh." Was all he managed to say.

Kai rolled his eyes, a smirk tugging at the edge of his mouth.

"My two best boys." She smiled, leaning back against the bed, exhausted despite being awake less than ten minutes.

"Naturally." Jay laughed, moving to hold her other hand.

She smiled, the nausea fading slightly as the zofran kicked in. She took stock of how she felt. Her stomach was a little sore but nothing compared to the agony of before. Throat a little dry and mouth tasting like ass, but she just threw up, so that made sense. She cleared her throat, and within a second their was a straw being placed against her lips. Taking a small sip brought instant relief to her throat, and when it didn't settle like a rock in her stomach, she took a larger one before leaning back and looking at Jay and Kai.

"Appendix gone? No complications?" She asked.

"Yep, all gone and you're fine now." Jay said, voice all soft and reassuring. She looked at him again, eyes really scanning his face.

"What?" He asked with a dopey smile.

"You look like shit." Direct and to the point.

Jay frowned and Kai snorted with laughter.

"Yeah, well, you got a lovely little anesthesia nap followed by a morphine snooze. I've been up all night." He poked his tongue out at her and she squeezed his hand.

"Still could have napped. There's a recliner." She said, eyeing the not very comfy looking visitors chair he was sat on verses the actual recliner for overnight visitors in the corner.

"I tried to tell him Hope." Kai scoffed, "but he's as bone headed as you. Sat there all night and all morning staring at you. Creepy as fuck." Kai teased as Jay flipped him off.

"Yeah because someone else didn't completely abandon their shift to be here, nor blackmailed a surgeon into letting us see you in the recovery room before you came to this ward." Jay countered, but it was empty of any emotion other than banter.

"I didn't abandon anything! I had my pager, I was contactable if I was needed! Won't deny the blackmail though." Kai scoffed.

"Yeah, and miraculously not a single page all night? I bet you turned that thing off." This time it was Kai's turn to flip Jay off.

Interesting. Hope looked between the two of them, trying to work out why this felt different. A comfortable banter as opposed to a hesitant one like they'd always had with eachother, and smiles on their faces and all. It was weird, but wonderful all at once.

"Am I in a parallel dimension? Is this a coma dream like Buck in 911?" She half joked, but part of her wasn't convinced that wasn't exactly what was happening.

Kai laughed, a true belly laugh, whilst Jay snorted and pulled himself closer, pressing his lips to her forehead.

"That feel like a dream?" He asked, keeping his lips where they were, breath tickling her skin.

"No, I guess not." She relaxed into him.

"Good. Because I'm real. You're real. Unfortunately for us both Kai over there is real too...Ow!" A pen bounced off of Jay's head whilst Kai looked around the room with faked wide eyes.

"Where did that come from?" Kai asked, with sarcastic surprise, "damn hospital ghosts, always throwing pens at the most annoying visitors!"

Hope laughed, then winced as it pulled her stitches. Kai's smiled dropped immediately and he stood over her.

"Pain?" He asked, full doctor mode activated.

"Only when I laugh, so if you could both pipe down." She rolled her eyes as Jay squeezed her hand.

"Okay. We'll stop our comedy act." Jay's voice was soft as he brought her hand to his lips and kissed it.

"How am I tired already?" She sighed as her eyes felt heavy. She hated this. She wasn't a tired person, and she'd been awake for all of 20 minutes and she wanted a damn nap.

"Hope, you've just had surgery. You've got pain meds, zofran and the back end if the anesthesia in your system. You're allowed to be tired. You need your rest." Kai scolded, already knowing where her thoughts had gone.

"Especially for visiting hours." Jay added, "there are two very worried and mad individuals who want to see you."

"Mad?" She asked with a frown.

"Not with you, don't worry. With Kai." He smirked.

"Woah hold up, let's get something clear here!" Kai held up his hands in surrender, "I already broke the rules letting Jay see you early. Then I also broke the 'one bedside visitor outside of visiting hours' rule to be here. If I broke another rule by letting two more people in here, the post op nursing team would have my head! Those women may be small, but they're fucking terrifying!"

"He's turned into a right little rebel." Jay snorted, causing Hope to laugh again.

"Ow! Stop being funny!" She chided.

"Sorry, sorry." He smirked, moving his hand from hers to play with her hair. "Now rest. They'll be here in two hours, so you have plenty of time for a power nap."