Claimed by the Biker Giant (Maxine and Tank) novel Chapter 224

Storm POV

As much as I wanted to get involved in talking to Cloe at the bed. One look from Dad told me to let Mum handle most of the talking, for now, a girl thing, I guess, she was going to need Mum moving forward, more than she realizes.

Watching Mum, I couldn’t help but move forward and get closer to Cloe as she conversed with Mum. I reached out and touched her arm, stroking it softly. Cloe didn’t flinch or move her arms away; it was like she didn’t feel me, but I think she does. Cloe turned to look at me when Mum introduced Dad and finally mentioned me, and although she looked tired, her beautiful emerald-green eyes captured me. I couldn’t look away, even if I wanted to. They held my gaze while Mum continued to talk about her needs, before leaning in and kissing Cloe on the cheek.

Dad and Mum left, and after Cloe started yawning, I took that as a hint to move back and keep studying. I had six modules to do, and my degree was done. Being online, you can complete it as fast or as slowly as you want, which is why I am ahead. I had sent the assignment away just before Mum and Dad arrived, and the results were back already. Now I could get started on the next module. I had been reading the textbooks for the next module while I waited for my assignment to be graded, and I would either have to redo it or wait for the next portal to open. I was happy to see that the next portal was open and ready for me to start.

I watched, Cloe, watching me from my peripheral, and she yawned a few times. As much as I want to sit and talk, get to know her, I also understand that she needs to rest and sleep. Aunt Nightingale got in my head about what to expect after the accident and the problems Cloe will experience, and that was before she started trying to get around on no legs. Body and mental shock, to start with, she lost a lot of blood, so she will have a lot of fatigue until she regains some strength, which could take days or weeks, depending on her ability to bounce back. I was worried about how she would react once she understood the gravity of her situation.

The Doctor walked in, and Dotty closed on his heels.

“Hi Dotty,” I called out as I stood up to meet those who entered the room.

“Any change?” The doctor asked.

“She was awake to meet Dad and Mum, before falling back to sleep about an hour ago.

“Does she know?” He asked casually as he looked at the chart.

“No.” I looked back at Cloe as I spoke, making sure she was still asleep.

“Good, please don’t, I want to be here when she’s informed of the situation.” The doctor continued and then began talking to Dotty, who would be her nurse for the foreseeable future.

“When will your parents return?”

“Soon, they will go to get some personal stuff for Cloe, and some PJ’s,” Looking at my watch to see how long they had been gone, and was surprised how long I had been studying, no wonder I had almost completed the next module.

“What are you keeping from me?” Cloe’s weak voice floats over the room, having us all turn to look at her.

“Cloe, I am Doctor Micheal. You have had surgery on both of your legs, which suffered a severe crush injury, involving loss of both legs below the knees. Do you understand?” He asked and waited.

“My legs, they are gone?” I was at her bedside in an instant, wrapping my arm around her shoulders as she rested her head on my chest. Cloe was shaking, and tears started to flow down her cheeks.

“Yes, it’s not the end of the world. There are many out there living with the loss of a limb or two. We have Dotty here as your permanent nurse, and a woman called Jacqueline who will be your physiotherapist.” He continued, and I wondered why he wanted to be here, as he talked so clinically, so heartlessly.

“Dad won’t let the therapist in the house, or the nurse; he won’t care that I don’t have legs. He will find a way around it.” My heart broke with her comment, so sure of her father.

“He has no say, Cloe.” I interupt, not caring for the dark looks the doctor was giving me for taking over. “What do you mean?” Cloe hiccupped.

“My Dad had the judge sign over your care to him. Your Dad can’t come near you, nor can your sister; you are safe.” She burst into more tears.

“You were there? Saved me?” Cloe asked Nightingale.

“Storm called. He was the one who saved you. If he hadn’t done what he did, you would not be here now, and that would be a sad loss for us. You are a beautiful, young lady, and Storm is lucky to have you hold him.”

“You don’t mind?” She yawned, guess she will be sleeping again soon. This was a lot to take in. I am not sure what Cloe had been asking about that I minded.

“Never, time for you to sleep, I will be here when you wake up.” As if being given permission. Cloe yawned and promptly fell asleep, right there on my chest. I thought she had been fighting to stay awake, and most of what had been said would most likely be forgotten.

“Dad, that doctor was harsh; his clinical behaviour was not acceptable in my eyes,” I grumbled. Maybe I am being extra sensitive because I am fond of her.

“I gathered that things felt a little tense while he was in the room. I will take it to the head surgeon and see if we can have someone less abrasive take over her case, someone who can be there for the whole journey.” The women talked as they put the things they had brought with them away, and in the bathroom. Mum managed to get Cloe off me, and lay back in the bed, then Dad handed me a bag of food. Knowing I’d already eaten the last lot.

“Thanks.” I took it and placed it on my table. I would eat after they had gone. I wasn’t that hungry at the moment; the emotional roller coaster had taken my appetite away.

“Talk, tell me all that the doctor said,” Mum demanded, and so I filled them in with what had been said, and they left with a heavy heart. This was not the best way to tell a young girl she was legless.

I got back to my laptop, worked for a while, ate as I did, and completed the next module quicker than the last. The tea lady popped her head in and gave me a coffee and biscuits. She was a retired woman, doing the tea trolley rounds, because she loves to help. She stayed to talk for a while, and I gather this was part of what she enjoyed, the talking and socialising, that she might not get at home.