Help me, won`t you?

Chapter 15: New Statuses and Two Lines

A month of intensive treatment and rehabilitation had passed. Today, I planned to discharge Igor from the hospital. His body needed a break; he had been within these walls for three months. I decided on a one-month hiatus to see how his system would react to the change in environment.

A knock at the door interrupted my thoughts. I had been so deep in planning that I’d forgotten about Igor and Fedor’s scheduled visit.

"Come in," I called out.

The door opened and, just like our first meeting, Fedor rolled the wheelchair in, followed closely by my friend Lera.

"Hi, Lena. I decided to sit in on your consultation," Lera said without ceremony, pulling up a chair next to me. "I need to give my final psychological assessment. Shall we begin?"

"You sound like a judge, Lera. Don't boss me around. I’m the lead doctor here," I teased, nudging her. "First off, hi guys. How’s the mood?"

"Hi. Can't you tell? He’s as grumpy as the day we met," Fedya said, sitting down. "Let's get started before he starts his usual performance."

Igor didn't move. He just stared at his brother with a look of pure annoyance.

"What happened between you two? Want to share?" I asked.

"If you say a single word, I’ll kill you," Igor warned his brother.

"Igor thinks you’re about to tell him the treatment failed and there's no point in continuing," Fedya explained with a smirk. "And he’s convinced that once you discharge him, your relationship is over."

"That's it, you're dead!" Igor shouted, rolling his chair toward him.

"Stop! No brawling in my office!" I stepped in, placing my hands on Igor’s shoulders to calm him. "Listen to the plan first, then decide if you agree."

"Fine. Sorry," he sighed, his gaze softening as he placed his hands over mine. "Let's talk."

"I'm discharging you for a month. You need rest. I’ve run every test, and physically, you’re nearly normal. You should be making steps by now. I think you need an emotional jolt—a push to bridge the gap between your mind and your muscles. Also... I want you to move in with me. Only if you want to, of course."

"I agree," Igor said instantly. No hesitation.

"I agree too," Fedya added. "As his doctor and his girlfriend, you’re his best emotional anchor. I’ll help however I can."

Lera chimed in, "As your therapist, I support this. As your friend, Lena, I worry about your career if the board finds out, but I know the Chief has our backs. We’ll keep the 'secret' safe."

I prepared the discharge papers. Fedya agreed to take Igor for a "guys' afternoon" while I finished my shift. I told them no alcohol, kissed Igor goodbye, and watched them leave. When the door shut, I finally exhaled.

"You really thought he'd say no?" Lera asked.

"I’m not as confident as you, Lera. Sometimes this feels like a dream. We’ve stayed together at the dacha, at my place... everything is so perfect that I’m terrified something bad will happen."

"Stop overthinking," Lera laughed. "You're a woman who is loved. Anyone can see how he looks at you. Now, get back to work!"

The day flew by. By 5:45 PM, I called Igor. He had ordered a surprise dinner from a restaurant to be delivered to my apartment. I loved that he was taking charge.

At the parking lot, Fedya handed him over "safe and sound." The moment we were alone in my car, Igor pulled me into a passionate kiss. "I missed you," he whispered.

"I missed you too. Let's go home."

At the apartment, we skipped the formal table setting and ate the restaurant food right out of the containers. For dessert, we moved to the bedroom. I helped him into bed, and we fed each other fruit, laughing and enjoying the quiet.

"I’m thinking of selling my apartment," Igor said suddenly. "I don't live there, and I need the money for future treatments."

"It's your decision, Igor. I can't tell you what to do with your property."

"I'm living with you now. I feel like I'm a burden."

"You're not. You contribute as much as I do."

"Fine. I have one more question... actually, never mind. I've already decided. Don't be mad if you don't like the answer."

"You're scaring me," I said. "What is it?"

"I'm not asking. I'm telling," he said with a sudden, nervous grin. He pulled a small red box from beside him. "It’s not gold or diamonds—I haven't earned those yet. But I hope you’ll agree to bind your life to mine."

Inside was a delicate silver ring with a small flower and tiny stones. It was beautiful.

"So? Do I decide for you, or do you have an answer?"

"I wanted to say I’d think about it... but I’ve already decided too. I’ll marry you, Igor."

The night was filled with a tenderness that surpassed any grand romantic gesture. We were simply two people, happy and home.

The next morning, the hospital was buzzing. By 9:00 AM, every nurse knew about the engagement. Lera burst into my office ten minutes later.

"You didn't tell me! My best friend is getting married and I hear it from the nurses?!"

"I was waiting for the explosion," I laughed. "Calm down and I'll tell you everything."

"Are you pregnant? You’re glowing," she teased. Then she stopped. "Wait... are you?"

"I... I don't know. Maybe."

"Let's go. Right now. I’m holding the test for you!"

We sneaked into the surgical ward and "borrowed" two tests from a nurse. Minutes later, we were sitting on the windowsill in the restroom, waiting.

"How did you feel when he gave you the ring?" Lera asked.

"Surprised. He’d mentioned it before, but I didn't think he was serious. Now I realize I was the one not taking the idea of marriage seriously."

"I'm so happy for you, Lena."

We looked down at the tests. Two solid lines on both.

"When are you telling him?" Lera whispered, vibrating with excitement.

"Tonight at dinner. We never really used protection... we just didn't talk about it."

"You two are strange," she laughed. "But perfect. Go, be a mother! I'll cover your shift if you're too distracted."

I couldn't focus for the rest of the day. I kept imagining our future: a baby, Igor standing on his own, us walking together in the park. It didn't matter if it was a boy or a girl. We would love this child with everything we had.

I finished work, swung by the supermarket, and drove home, my heart pounding. I was about to find out how my man would react to the biggest news of our lives.