claytonsguardianangel

[claytonsguardianangel]

“Well, I’ll get up in a half hour or so then.” I lay back down with him, lightly wrapping my arm around his waist.

"'Kay, that's better," he hums, "You're so warm, I just can't give you up yet."

[claytonsguardianangel]

“Sure,” I nod and get up, “I’ll go make it, just stay here.”

“Oh- you don’t have to get up now,” he says quickly. “C’mon… wanna snuggle.”

[claytonsguardianangel]

I shrug, “we could order pizza? Or I can make alfredo. Either of those.” I kiss his cheek gently.

“C’n we do alfredo?” He asks. “Please? Sounds really good right now.”

[claytonsguardianangel]

“Neither can I,” I shake my head, “every time my phone rings I think it’s her.”

He nods and closes his eyes, taking a shaky breath. “What do you wanna do for dinner later?” He changes the subject.

[claytonsguardianangel]

“She did,” I nod, wiping away his tears with my thumbs, “she didn’t want to live a single second without you.”

Clay shakes his head. “It’s been several months and I still can’t believe she’s gone,” he whispers.

[claytonsguardianangel]

“I’m worried too,” I nod, “but… this is a strong heart,” I gently place my hand on his chest, too light to apply any pressure, “it holds so much love and courage. It won’t die anytime soon.”

“Got a piece of mom with me wherever I go,” he nods, starting to cry a bit randomly. “She saved my life.”

[claytonsguardianangel]

“They’d be more careful this time. They were careful checking the heart sample- right? You were asleep for that one.” I nod.

Clayton nods a little. “Yeah. I dunno. I just- I don’t wanna go through it again, that’s all. I’m just worried my body won’t hold up.”

[claytonsguardianangel]

I shake my head, “I understand. Now that we know, though, you really would be asleep next time.”

“How can you be sure?” He shakes his head right back. “They gave me plenty of medicine before. I saw it.”

[claytonsguardianangel]

I roll over onto my back so I can see his face, reaching up and running my fingers along his jaw, “I dunno if I can either,” I admit, “but if it meant more years with you I’d walk the entire planet to find another one.”

Clayton tears up, giving you a small smile, "I know... I know I was asleep or some version of it. But knowing what they do to me for that and feeling the pain that came with it- I would rather die than do any of it again. Maybe that's selfish. I dunno."

[claytonsguardianangel]

I nod, laying my head on the couch arm rest, “I hope you don’t ever need a new heart again,” I whisper.

After a long moment of silence, Clayton nods a little. "Yeah," he murmurs, "I can't go through that again."

[claytonsguardianangel]

I roll quickly so he can slide in behind me, “I’m glad to change positions. I do t want you hurting.”

"Well it's okay- it doesn't hurt right now," he reiterates. "Just pressure or something." He carefully lays down behind you.

[claytonsguardianangel]

I nod, “do you want to shift to our sides? Would that feel better?”

"Uh- I think maybe yeah," he nods a little, "Just to be safe. 'm sorry, I know you were comfy like this." He slowly starts to push himself up, brows furrowing in pure focus so he doesn't drop himself.

[claytonsguardianangel]

“Doesn’t hurt?” I check, running a hand down his back slowly.

"Eh... it feels a little like- I can feel pressure against my chest, sorta? But it doesn't hurt." He shakes his head. "Think the bones there are still just weaker for now."

[claytonsguardianangel]

“Mhm! In another month or two. Careful.” I say as he lays on top of me.

"'m okay," he assures you softly, getting settled with a content sigh, "There we go... mission success."

[claytonsguardianangel]

I snort, “please, you thrive off of attention.” I hold an arm out for him, wanting him to come and lay with me.

"You know... I can get some more attention here soon..." he comes over and slowly climbs onto the couch with you.

[claytonsguardianangel]

I smile over at him from where I sit on the couch, watching him come into the room, “do you want to go on a walk in the park tomorrow?”

"Oh sure," he grins, "I can't wait to soak up the sun and all the 'that's him' looks- it's really good for the soul," he jokes.

[claytonsguardianangel]

I shake my head, “no, I’m serious,” I reach over and brush my thumb along his lips, “that’s the most you’re getting.”

He rolls his eyes and stops arguing, sighing softly as he scrolls through the channels for the tv.

The situation plays out that way for several weeks, with Clayton routinely asking for at least a makeout session and grumpily shuffling off to watch tv when he's denied.

He heals quickly, which the doctors attribute to his age and the fitness he kept up with pre-surgery, but even still, it takes him four and a half months to fully recover.

The incision and scar still looks pretty gnarly, and he's exhausted at the end of the day now, but at least he isn't having to stop multiple times a day for a break.

He's healing. Recovering. Months ago he didn't think he would even be alive for this. That's what matters.