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aiden1042 · 16 days ago

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Broken & Beautiful 🖤 // (excerpt 3 / work-in-progress)

Jace smoothed my forehead and cheek as he stepped beside the hospital bed in the large clinic room we were in. We’d arrived at the hospital early on a Friday morning for my double hip spica casting day, a week after the appointment when I’d had my arm casted, because Jace and I had seen Dr. Patrick a few days later, and we’d agreed because of the rapidly advancing hip dysplasia I was experiencing, it was best to cast me as soon as possible. Dr. Patrick hadn’t sugarcoated the prognosis either; telling us that I might need to be casted for anywhere between eight weeks or six months. It was a daunting prospect of being confined to such a massive cast for that long, but Jace assured me that I’d have the best care possible and we’d make the best of it since it was the intensive treatment my body needed.

I took a slow breath and looked up, meeting Jace’s loving gaze. I was trying to settle the nerves I felt building in my stomach. It was strange, because I was used to having treatments and getting casts, but this was different. This time felt more serious and somehow more real than other times before. Maybe because this time I knew I truly needed the treatment and it wasn’t just half-pretend for our personal gratification. I still couldn’t quite believe how much my life had changed in the past four years, and it was still shocking to some friends and family how quickly my health conditions had disabled me. However, that was what I’d wanted, and Jace had certainly helped things along. We both knew that I wouldn’t have progressed nearly as fast if we’d just let things take a natural course, and our fast track had been flawless. I’d gone from my condition being 85% pretend to being truly 100% disabled in about three years, and there wasn’t a single part of it I wanted to change. I loved my identity as a chronically ill, fully disabled woman who needed a specialized wheelchair, braces, breathing aids, a catheter, and feeding tubes. Every medical device I had now, I truly needed, including the massive cast I was about to be put into.

Jace rubbed his finger over the heart tape on my cheek and tucked the oxygen cannula tighter around my ear. “Doing okay?” he asked, voice gentle.

I gave a short nod against the plain Aspen vista collar I was wearing. I’d opted for the hard collar that day because I wasn’t sure which of my back and neck braces would work with the cast. Dr. Patrick also hadn’t said for sure if the cast would end below or above my breasts. We’d also had a discussion of even extending the cast up to include my neck, but then realized the cast would need a cutout for my IV port access, which would be tricky. We’d tabled that discussion, so it would be a surprise to see just how high the cast came around my chest, and then figure out which of my braces could fit with it.

“M’all right,” I replied, my tongue feeling thick against the retainers in my mouth. Jace had swapped my top teeth night guard for my custom retainer that had a tongue crib and headgear tube brackets on it. Although he hadn’t put my headgear on that morning, I knew it would be coming. My orthodontist had recommended wearing my retainers and headgear as often as I could, and it was much easier to wear for longer while I had a feeding tube. The orthodontic appliances were also some of Jace’s favorite accessories, which we’d discovered when I originally consulted with an orthodontist after my bite had been misaligned from so much time in various neck braces and no proper jaw or bite care. I’d immediately been fit with dental braces, and then spent a year wearing various high, low, and reverse pull headgear to fix my bite. Now I saw my orthodontist regularly and was diligent about wearing my retainers, headgear, and night guard to maintain my proper bite alignment.

Jace nodded. “Just checking… know how this can be nerve-wracking for you before everything gets started.”

I gave him a short nod again, then heard the door open. I strained my gaze to see who’d come in, and saw Alyssa, one of Dr. Patrick’s usual assistants, as well as Kate, a nurse I’d seen several times at the hospital. They both greeted me with smiles of reassurance as they stepped alongside the bed.

“Kind of a big day, huh Lucy?” Kate’s voice was kind as she easily readied my IV port with a three line lead, then slipped the patient monitor onto my finger, clicking through the screens and making notes of the readings.

I managed a smile. “Big day… bigger cast I think.”

Both Kate and Alyssa smiled, nodding. “It is,” Kate replied, “but we’ll work quick and get you home in a jiff. That’s the only nice thing about you just needing a maintenance cast… no need to be admitted for observation or an extended stay. You’ll be back home by this evening.”

“Just as soon as the cast dries,” I quipped, making Alyssa laugh.

“Exactly. Now let’s get you prepped for catheter number two, and once that’s in, we’ll insert your Rhyles tube. Then we can take you down to the casting room. Sound good?” Kate asked.

“Mmhm.” I kept my acknowledgment short, the nerves in my stomach returning full force. I looked over to Jace as Alyssa began adjusting the bed so I was further reclined. He immediately reached up and cupped my cheek, smoothing his thumb over the NG tube.

“You’re good, Luce,” he reassured me. “Just a quick cath prep, easy new tubes, and then you’ll get a big new cozy cast.” He leaned down and kissed my forehead. “Your back and hips and everything is going to feel so much better finally,” he told me. “Think you’ve needed this for awhile… glad Dr. Patrick finally pushed for the treatment.”

I nodded against his hand, closing my eyes for a moment. I knew I’d feel better and the nerves would settle once I was in the casting room, but until then I needed Jace to be close. I needed my anchor. I felt him rub his hand over my fully casted left arm, the vibrations light through the cast, and then he held my hand. I gripped his fiercely. “Stay with me?” I asked him, my emotions plain in my voice.

His hand was gentle on my cheek and he nodded intently as our eyes met. “Of course, baby. Wouldn’t be anywhere else today except right here beside you.”

I sighed in relief and nuzzled my face against his hand. He kissed my forehead again. “Love you, J.”

He smiled, giving me another kiss. “Love you too, Lulu.”

Kate and Alyssa gave us a long minute as Jace continued to soothe my nerves, then they started to move their equipment around. Kate brought over an IV pole with three bags attached to it, but only two were familiar: Lactated ringer’s and enteral feed with a pump. My brows furrowed, trying to place what the third bag was, until I noticed the tapered nozzle on the end of the line.

Of course.

The prep for my anal catheter was an enema. The third bag was enema solution to clean me out so they could more easily place the catheter. I let out a slow breath, now mentally preparing myself for the treatment and ensuing tubes that would be placed. Thank goodness I’d gotten so used to wearing butt plugs the last few years. It was funny, but for as apprehensive as I’d been to start wearing them, I now found them pleasant and definitely enjoyed when Jace plugged me and put me in chastity.

“All right,” Kate’s voice was soft, “we’ll start your fluids and a slow NG feed, then prep for your anal catheter. The enema drip will be about thirty minutes, so we’ll let you rest while it runs. Any questions before we start?”

I managed a head shake, not having questions yet. The process seemed straightforward enough.

Kate nodded, and hooked the fluids to my port line, and the feeding pump line to my NG tube. She adjusted the IV fluid drip, and then hit the button for the feeding pump’s auto-prime. She adjusted the feed rate and checked both lines, then carefully she and Alyssa rolled me onto my right side, tucking a pillow against my back and another under my casted arm. Jace fixed the pillow under my head and neck and smoothed my forehead. I let my eyes close, trying to relax myself for the procedure.

I felt my diaper be undone, then gloved hands cleaned around my vagina and Foley catheter. Another wipe was used on my butt, before a smear of lube was placed. A moment later I felt the tip of the enema nozzle in my asshole, and then slight pressure as it was inserted. The bulb slipped into my rectum, and my asshole closed easily around the tapered end; it felt just like the plugs I was used to.

“You’re doing great, Lucy,” Alyssa told me. “I’m going to start the solution now, so it might feel a bit full or uncomfortable. Do your best to stay relaxed, and I’ll come back in about thirty minutes to get you cleaned up, okay?”

“Mm, thanks Alyssa,” I murmured, mostly into the pillow. I felt the warm sensation in my bowels a moment later as the solution started flowing and I exhaled thickly. A blanket was pulled over me and tucked up to my shoulders then and I relaxed slightly.

“Welcome, Luce. I’ll be back in a bit.”

Jace thanked her and I heard the door close, then the blanket tucked tighter around me. I opened my eyes to see Jace bringing a chair over to sit beside me. “How’s it feeling?” He asked, sitting down and caressing my bare cheek.

My eyes drifted closed at his touch. “Okay so far,” I replied. Jace stroked my cheek again and I wondered if he was thinking about how I’d soon have another tube taped there. I hoped the Rhyles tube would be easier to tolerate this time around, since I’d grown more accustomed to having a tube in my nose and throat. I shivered slightly, feeling the gurgling sensation in my bowels as the fluid continued to flow in and breakdown what was in my colon. I swallowed dryly and opened my eyes.

“Water?” Jace offered me my large cup with the straw in it.

I opened my mouth to accept the straw and took a few sips. The liquid soothed my throat, but I knew it wouldn’t help the uncomfortable feeling in my gut. I shifted slightly on the bed, straining against the bulb in my ass that continued to flow. Nothing would alleviate the tightness I felt there now. I sighed and closed my eyes, thinking about how at the end of the day, I’d be back home in the large cast and new tubes, with Jace and Logan there to take care of me, and everything would feel better once I had a muscle relaxer and some painkillers. I just needed to get thru the first few unpleasant procedures first.

Twenty-five minutes later, Alyssa and Kate came back into the room and I felt like my bowels were close to bursting. Jace had gotten an ice pack to lay across my head and was gently wiping my face with a cold washcloth to help ease my acute discomfort. However, I knew relief would come quickly once the enema was finished; I was more than ready to be done with it.

“Lucy, doing okay?” Kate asked, setting a light hand on my shoulder as she pulled the blanket off me.

“Mm, not great,” I replied, my voice tight with the discomfort I felt.

She squeezed my shoulder in reassurance. “You’ll be alright,” she said. “Going to get you emptied and the catheter should feel much better. Most patients hardly notice them after the first day or so.”

I nodded against my collar and the pillow, closing my eyes again as both Kate and Alyssa came to relieve me. I felt a warm wipe around my asshole, and the enema flow was finished. Gently the nozzle was removed from my rectum and a cloth was held to my asshole for just a moment before I felt a bedpan placed beneath me. The pillow against my back was moved, and they rolled me over just slightly.

“Go ahead, Lucy.”

Kate’s voice was encouraging and I felt cool air on my back. Jace cupped the cold washcloth to my face and I let myself relax and unclench, my now liquid bowels spilling out into the bedpan. Kate gently massaged my belly and down around my intestines, moving more contents out easily. I moaned in discomfort as air and liquid were expelled from my ass as I gave another push. It all felt completely miserable right then.

“You’re okay baby,” Jace told me quietly, brushing his fingers over my forehead. “Almost done.” He kissed my cheek then, offering quiet assurance that I had made it through the worst part.

After a couple more long minutes, I was rolled back onto my side and thoroughly wiped down and cleaned up. I felt another smear of lube, and then a gentle pressure as the catheter was inserted. I forced myself to relax, taking a few deep breaths, and then felt a light internal pressure and tug. The sensation was very much like having a large plug inserted, and I was thankful I’d already experienced that.

A minute later a fresh diaper was slid between my legs and I was again rolled onto my back. Kate fastened the diaper and put a pillow beneath my knees, adjusting the bed so I was sitting up. She offered me a smile. “Worst is over I think,” she said. “And it’ll get easier each time we change the catheter. That’s the only downside to the anal caths,” she went onto explain, “they need more frequent changes. We usually recommend coming in every two or three weeks for an enema and cath change… but we can also set up home visits too. Whatever’s easier for you.”

I managed a faint smile in return, processing that I’d need these procedures every couple weeks while I was casted. I sincerely hoped they’d get easier.

Jace wiped my face again, removing the ice pack from my head. “Luce, do you want a few minutes on an O2 mask before they place the Rhyles?“ he asked, voice concerned. “Boost your saturation before you’re off the oxygen while they work? Maybe use your inhaler now too?”

I saw him share a glance with Kate and she nodded, agreeing with his assessment. I met his eyes once he looked back to me, and gave him a slight nod. I knew it was the right call. I definitely didn’t want to be part way thru the tube placement and desperate for air.

Jace returned my nod and retrieved my inhaler from the med bag he’d brought. The bag held my other medications and essentials that we sometimes needed while away from home. We’d learned the hard way to always have extra diaper and catheter supplies, as well as some backup braces and clothes. I found it sometimes daunting all the extra things I needed as a disabled person, but it was just part of my life now. I’d learned to adapt, and I knew I’d never stop changing and adapting since my conditions and disabilities were always changing too.

We easily went through my inhaler routine, Jace having me take an extra puff since my body was under more stress from the medical procedures. Once we’d finished with the inhaler, Kate exchanged the nasal cannula for an oxygen mask, and increased the flow to five pounds. I relaxed back on the bed, breathing deeply and closing my eyes. I was starting to feel the familiar burning ache in my left leg and hip, which today would only be relieved once I was casted. As I lay there, concentrating on my oxygen treatment, I no longer felt apprehensive about the large cast I needed, because I knew the absolute relief it would bring.

After another minute I opened my eyes and met Jace’s knowing smile. “Feel better?”

I nodded and reached for his hand. He laced our fingers together and kissed my cheek. I smiled. “A lot better,” I said, words muffled behind the oxygen mask. “And ready to get this cast on for the next few months.”

Jace grinned, unable to hold back his excitement that I would be in a full hip spica for a minimum of two months. I knew it was one of his dreams come true, and that much sweeter since I actually needed it. “Me too, baby… me too.”

He gave me another kiss and I closed my eyes, relaxing for the next five minutes as the oxygen treatment continued.

Then all at once Alyssa and Kate were back in the room with the Rhyles supplies and the day carried on. They adjusted the bed to sit me up further, prepped my face and nose with the wipes and numbing spray, and after only another minute, they were inserting the extra drainage tube. The insertion was remarkably easy and painless, and before I even realized it was over, Kate was syringing fluid for the test strip and once satisfied with the result, she taped the tube firmly to my nose and cheek. Alyssa slipped the nasal cannula back into my nose, which now felt stuffy and full with the tubes and prongs, but I could feel the oxygen flow even so. Kate attached a length of tubing to the end of the Rhyles, and I saw a small collection bag on the end of it that she simply set aside on the bed. I knew it would have overflow bile in it shortly, and I’d have to get a cover for it at home.

“All right,” Kate finally spoke up, meeting my eyes. “Let’s get you back in your wheelchair and down to the casting room. I notified Dr. Patrick and Derek that you were all prepped and we’d be there shortly.” She gave me an encouraging smile. “Two out of three done.”

I managed a smile back, my face feeling stiffer with the second tube taped to it. “Sounds too easy,” I replied, my voice a little raspy. My throat was irritated from the Rhyles, but I hoped it would clear up after a day or so like it usually did with the NG insertions. Jace offered me the cup of water and I took a few long drinks. I licked my lips once I swallowed and met his eyes. “Can you get me ice? Once we’re downstairs?” I asked.

Jace nodded instantly, knowing I’d prefer to have ice chips to suck on rather than constantly drinking water. “Absolutely,” he said. “Think you’re up for getting in your chair?”

I inhaled slowly, taking a moment to close my eyes and muster my strength as I exhaled. This would be one of the last times I’d move freely for the next couple months; how strange to realize that. I nodded as I opened my eyes and Jace steered my chair back to the bedside. I transferred slowly from the bed into the chair, paying extra mind to all my tubes and the heightened ache in my hips. The cast would definitely be a welcome relief. Jace carefully held his arm around me as I shifted back into the seat, wincing a little in discomfort as the new anal catheter prodded deeper into me. Jace guided my feet onto the rests, fixed the catheter lines between my legs and hung the catheter bags back on my chair, as well as the new Rhyles collection bag. He adjusted the chair to recline me back a little, then secured the chest strap below my breasts. He tucked a blanket over my lap and legs, then kissed my forehead.

“All good, Lulu? We’ll connect the portable oxygen and I’ll drive you, okay? Can just relax for the ride.”

I smiled at him, incredibly thankful he was there with me for all of this. “Thanks, J.” I pursed my lips and we shared a quick kiss.

Then we were off. Jace used the attendant controls on the back of my chair to drive it, and Alyssa walked beside us, rolling the patient monitor and IV pole, which was still active with my NG feed and IV drip. I wondered if Jace had remembered to get my med bag from the room, but the thought was fleeting. Jace always took care of everything, and if he hadn’t grabbed it, then surely Alyssa or Kate had; I didn’t need to worry.

As we waited for the elevator, I felt Jace kiss the top of my head as he let his hand drop down and caress my casted arm. I smiled, again grateful that he was so attentive and showed his love so genuinely. A moment later he stepped around my chair, snapping a few pictures and taking a short video to show the new tubes and my wheelchair setup. I knew he’d probably make a ‘day in the life’ edit for today, with me undergoing the few procedures and casting, as I’d noticed him documenting everything briefly so far. It made me happy to know he wanted to share my disabled life, and always remembered to capture snapshots on days like this.

“Smile, Lu,” Jace told me, still holding his phone up.

I mustered a tired smile for him and he took the picture, then leaned in to give me another kiss.

The elevator rang then and once the door had opened, we maneuvered inside, Jace easily backing my chair in and smoothing my hair back reassuringly. I closed my eyes, trying to keep myself relaxed; I wanted the next few hours to pass quickly.

A few minutes later we arrived at the casting room, which was fully prepped and ready. Dr. Patrick and Derek greeted us with smiles.

“Ready for your big cast?” Dr. Patrick asked me, coming to stand beside the wheelchair.

I looked up to meet his gaze, and gave him a small nod. “Hips are definitely ready,” I replied.

He nodded back. “I bet. Let’s get you on the frame and find a good position. We’re only going to cast halfway up your torso, so you’ll still be able to wear your SOMI or CTO. Think that’ll be the most comfortable for you.”

I gave him a half smile. “Thanks, Dr. Patrick. That sounds good.”

He gave an affirming nod, then everyone got to work in the room. Alyssa and Derek assisted me onto the casting frame, while Kate managed my tubes and lines. Soon I was mostly covered in stockinette, sleeves up my legs and around my torso, with a small towel tucked between my legs to give me a bit of modesty while I was casted.

Derek carefully pulled the torso stockinette around the front-clasp sports bra I still wore, and he reassured me I could keep it on and they’d cast around my breasts to make sort of a ‘shelf’ for them when I wasn’t wearing the undergarments. I caught Jace’s eye then, knowing he’d love seeing my bare breasts resting like that above this massive cast. For a moment I wondered how being casted like this would impact my lipodema, but then recalled the increased diuretic prescriptions Dr. Patrick had already given me. He’d also assured me that if I was starting to have complications in the cast, they could cut it to expand, or fully cut off and redo portions or the entire thing. I hoped it wouldn’t come to that, but knew we had to be prepared for anything.

“All right, Lucy,” Dr. Patrick’s voice commanded my attention, “we’re going to adjust the frame so you’re most comfortable, okay?”

I nodded, thankful that I wouldn’t be staying in the fully horizontal position I was in right then. Slowly the frame was maneuvered so that I was in more of a sitting position, like I’d been reclined in my wheelchair, but then they adjusted it further. The new position bent my hips more and I immediately shook my head with discomfort.

“Too far?” Dr. Patrick asked.

“Yes,” I replied, pain in my voice. Jace reached out and smoothed my forehead, trying to comfort me. Derek adjusted the frame again, reclining me back bit by bit and finally I felt the pain in my hips ease. I nodded against the vista collar. “There,” I told them. “That feels better.”

Both Derek and Dr. Patrick nodded, then made an adjustment on the frame, bending my knees a little further. “Feel okay?” Dr. Patrick asked.

I nodded again, relaxing into the position on the frame and closing my eyes. I felt Jace’s hand on my head once more, stroking my hair softly.

“Here’s some ice for her,” Kate offered to Jace. “We’ll do the padding and backslabs, let her rest for a bit while those dry, then we’ll do the fiberglass. It’ll go quickly,” she said, offering me some reassurance.

”Thanks, Kate,” Jace replied, taking the cup from her hand. “Lu, ice?” he asked me.

I opened my eyes and gave him a nod. He stroked his thumb over my temple, then easily scooped up an ice chip onto the spoon and slipped it between my lips. I sucked on the cold ice, the liquid easing my throat as the tubes had definitely irritated it. I was glad then, to have the NG tube so I wouldn’t have to eat with such a sore throat. Jace fed me another ice chip, then set aside the cup so he could take a few more pictures, as well as a video of the padding application.

The layers of padding were applied quickly as Dr. Patrick and Alyssa worked together on one leg, and Derek and Kate worked on the other. Only a few minutes later, all four of them worked together to wrap my hips and torso. Once everything was fully padded, the pairs worked together to create the plaster backslabs of the cast, layering the plaster from the bottoms of my feet, all the way up to the middle of my back. Once the plaster had been applied, they put one more layer of padding over it, then it was left to dry, which would take at least forty minutes. Jace gave me a few more ice chips as Dr. Patrick and the techs left to take a break, and I closed my eyes, feeling the plaster warm and harden into a shell beneath my back, hips, and legs. So far the cast was feeling good, and had absolutely eased the pain in my hips. I hoped it would stay that way.

Jace smiled as his eyes swept over me and he stepped back from the frame, taking more pictures and videos. There was a certain excitement in his gaze and I knew how much we were going to enjoy the next few months together. Some of our favorite memories had been when I’d last been in a big cast, and now to have the reality of me being in this double hip spica for at least the next three months was almost too good to be true.

Jace came back to the frame and continued to take pictures of everything: the plaster and padding, the slings holding my back and hips, the catheter tubes hanging between my legs, my casted arm hanging in a sling beside the frame, the NG feed and tube going to my nose, and the Rhyles tube going from my nose to the collection bag beside the bed. He took more videos too, then fed me a few ice chips once he put his phone aside.

“Doing okay?” he asked, voice quiet.

I swallowed the cold water from the ice and gave him a small nod. “Mmhm… hips are feeling better already.”

Jace smiled and leaned down, giving me a gentle kiss. “M’so happy to hear that baby. I know how much pain you’ve been in lately… glad we’re finally getting you some relief from it.”

“Think you’ll get sick of seeing me in this cast?” I asked him, somewhat teasing since I already knew the answer.

Jace smirked. “Definitely not,” he replied. “I’m going to enjoy every second of you casted like this. Not even sure three months will be long enough to satisfy all my needs for it.”

I laughed softly. “Mm, well then maybe you can convince Dr. Patrick for extended treatment during my checkups.”

He raised an eyebrow. “You’d be okay with that?”

I gave him a smile. “As long as you’re still taking care of me? Of course… would be much different if I didn’t have you here with me.”

Jace nodded, leaning down and giving me another kiss, then smoothing down the tape over my nose and cheeks and tucking the oxygen tubing beside the taped tubes. I moaned quietly, his fingers caressing my face in gentle strokes. “Love you, Lulu. I’m always going to take care of you baby.”

I smiled and we kissed again, Jace stroking his fingers over my forehead. I let my eyes close and inhaled a long breath, trying to relax further as Jace‘s light touches comforted me. I was never going to get over how lucky he and I were to have found each other, and how immediately we’d connected. I knew somehow we’d been destined for each other, because how else would our paths have so effortlessly crossed? Yes there was some luck to it, but mostly it was fate. I’d moved to the different city for a reason, and Jace had told me later, he’d only ended up at Dr. Turner’s office because he’d been unjustly fired from another doctor’s practice. It had been through Dr. Turner that Jace and Brian had met and realized the interests they had in common. Then I’d ended up in Brian’s care after my second car accident, and now here we were, four years later and both Jace and I were living a reality we’d only once dreamed about. I had become a fully disabled, chronically ill woman who required medical aids, treatments, and mobility devices, and Jace was my fully loving significant other who absolutely doted on his disabled partner. He was completely invested as my primary caretaker, and I couldn’t express how much I loved having him attend to my needs while I was so handicapped.

Half an hour later, Dr. Patrick and the others returned to the casting room and after checking the plaster slabs had dried sufficiently, they began applying the rolls of white fiberglass. My legs were casted easily, as well as my torso, but joining those together and casting over my hips and ass took longer, as they had to carefully shape the fiber and leave enough room for access between my legs. Once the first layer of fiberglass was done, the second and third quickly followed and I was getting hot as the fiberglass heated and cured.

Jace disappeared from the room for a couple minutes, but came back with a fresh cup of ice chips, an ice pack, and a cool, wet cloth. He gently placed the ice pack across my forehead and temples, then held the cool cloth over my eyes for a minute, feeding me an ice chip to help cool me down. After a long minute he lifted the cloth from my eyes and rubbed it over my bare shoulders and along my collar bone, beneath the vista collar. After sucking on a few more ice chips, I felt myself thankfully cooling down.

Finally, the double hip spica was complete and both Alyssa and Kate wished me well as they left the room, saying they’d see me in a few weeks for my catheter and tube changes. Dr. Patrick left briefly while Derek easily applied a short arm cast on my right hand with a thumb spica. He used hot pink fiberglass tape for that cast, to match my left arm cast. Jace took a short video while Derek applied the cast, then kissed my tubed and taped cheek. I knew he was absolutely loving me in such a huge cast.

Once Derek had finished applying the arm cast, he and Jace chatted quietly while they waited for Dr. Patrick to come back. I concentrated on my breathing and how the hip spica felt. It didn’t seem that there were any uncomfortable spots, or pressure points, which I was grateful for. Unfortunately I’d experienced bad casts before that were too tight, or hadn’t been padded enough around the bony parts, and the discomfort had been immense. Now I knew the sensations to look out for so I could avoid those situations.

“All right, Lucy,” Dr. Patrick announced as he breezed back into the room. “We’ll check for soft spots, but the cast should be dry enough to move you off the frame now. Then we’ll give it an hour or two to set and after a final check you’ll be on your way. Sound good?”

He met my eyes and I nodded against the collar. “Great,” I replied, thankful to be able to just rest now and get acclimated to the cast.

He smiled. “Wonderful! How’s the cast feeling so far? Any hot spots?”

“No,” I replied. “So far everything feels good… no pressure points.”

Dr. Patrick nodded. “Good. Let’s get you onto a bed.”

He and Derek easily maneuvered a portable patient lift into position beside the casting frame and carefully worked the sling beneath me. Once it was secured, they removed the casting frame slings so my body was only supported in the lift. Derek moved the bed, which had been parked on the other side of the room, to beside the lift, and they easily moved me onto the bed. Once they’d lowered me onto the bed, they unhooked the lift straps, but left the sling beneath me, as they’d need it to later get me back in my wheelchair. They moved the bed back to the side of the room, along with the IV stand and patient monitor, and Derek wheeled over a stand that had adjustable slings on it. I wasn’t sure if they were for my arms or legs, but I’d find out in a moment. Dr. Patrick adjusted the bed, shifting pillows beneath my head, neck, and back, as Derek placed pillows beneath my feet. Dr. Patrick raised the foot of the bed slightly and after a few more adjustments, including putting both my casted arms in the hanging slings, I was fully supported in the bed.

“Feel okay?” Dr. Patrick asked me.

I mustered a smile. “Yeah… for now.”

He nodded. “Good. I’ll send Kate down with some meds to help you relax a bit more and come check back in an hour or so.”

I gave a short nod. “Thanks, Dr. Patrick.”

“Welcome, Lucy.”

He and Derek left the room together, closing the door on their way out, and finally Jace came over to the head of the bed. He leaned down and gave me a long kiss, smoothing my cheek and letting his fingers trail over the tape and tubes. I smiled into the kiss and Jace pulled away, grinning. “You look so fucking amazing right now,” he said, voice slightly hushed. “I can’t wait to get you set up like this at home…”

I blushed, knowing what he was really alluding to. “Mm, I bet.”

Jace gave me a devilish smirk and kissed me again. “Mmhmmmm.” We kissed hard, his tongue dipping into my mouth and gliding over my retainers as his hand dropped down and slipped into the space beneath my arm where the top of the cast rose along my back. I moaned into the kiss, Jace’s touch heating my skin and sending a sudden throbbing between my legs. He grinned as he pulled back, seeing my elevated heart rate on the monitor. “Hmm… think I’m not the only one excited to get back home,” he mused.

My cheeks burned, but I gave him a smile. “Excited to have you take… special care of me,” I replied, winking at him.

A knock at the door made Jace pull away and I exhaled heavily, the throbbing in my pussy not slowing despite the sudden interruption.

Kate came into the room then, a tray in her hand. She gave us a warm smile. “Time for some meds to mellow you out for a while,” she said, coming to the bedside and glancing at the monitor. “Feeling anxious about being in your new cast?” she asked, seeing my high heart rate.

“A bit,” I replied, my voice raspy. “It’s a big adjustment.”

She nodded. “It is, but you’ll settle in after a few days. And it’ll all be much easier since you’re used to having catheters and feeding tubes. Those are the hardest adjustments for most patients,” she reassured me. “And speaking of, your NG feed is done, so let’s get that tube flushed.”

Kate worked quickly, unhooking the line from the feeding pump and flushing my NG with a syringe of water. I could feel the cold water rush through the tube against my cheek and into my nose. I shivered involuntarily and Jace smoothed my forehead as Kate finished flushing the tube and capping it. Seconds later I felt cold liquid move through the Rhyles tube in my other nostril and I gasped at the sudden sensation.

“What’s wrong, baby?” Jace asked immediately, his voice worried.

“N-nothing… just… felt the water… in the Rhyles,” I said shakily. “It surprised me.”

Kate nodded and Jace’s face relaxed, the concern fading from his drawn brows. “Have to get used to feeling that side drain now,” Kate replied, then picked up the smaller syringe from the tray she’d brought in. “Now for some happy meds,” she said. She leaned over the bed and picked up my IV line, easily inserting the needle into the access point and injecting the medicine. She deposited the used needle into the sharps container before stepping back to the bed and tucking the blanket between my legs and up to my shoulders. “And some better O2.” She removed the nasal cannula from around my ears and gently slipped a full oxygen mask over my nose and mouth. I took a deep breath, feeling the oxygen was more concentrated. “Dr. Tendler revised your respiratory baselines,” Kate explained. “We didn’t have you on the right flow rate, so this should feel better.” I nodded, my eyes feeling heavy from the meds. “I’ll let you rest for now… just ring if you need something.”

“Thanks Kate,” I murmured behind the mask, my eyes fighting to stay open.

I heard the door close and Jace kissed my forehead and smoothed my hair and cheeks. “Love you baby,” he whispered. “When you wake up it’ll be time to go home, okay?”

I nodded weakly against the vista collar, vaguely aware of all my tubes as the oxygen pumped through the mask and I sank into my new casted cocoon. The cast wrapped comfortably around my legs, hips, and up to my breasts and my casted arms hung heavily in the slings above the bed. This would be my life for the next few months and as I drifted asleep, I knew I didn’t want it any other way.

(Excerpt 1: https://www.tumblr.com/prettybracedgirlxo/760480066600927232/an-excerpt-from-a-work-in-progress-broken)

(Excerpt 2: https://www.tumblr.com/prettybracedgirlxo/776322862732787712/broken-beautiful-excerpt-from-a-work-in)

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