Ashlyn had spent a long while in the bath, Jay had helped her get out eventually and get dry and dressed. She wasn't keen on being naked around someone she didn’t know, but Jay explained she worked as an in home career for elderly and disabled people, she wasn't a trained nurse technically but this was the kind of things she did every day and she could help Ashlyn get dry and in her underwear while keeping her covered with the towel, and she did. Ashlyn was getting steadier and steadier on her feet every time she stood up, her knee was a little sore but she was able to walk unaided out of the bathroom. It was 10pm now but Ashlyn wasn’t ready to go back to sleep, she felt too restless. Jay helped her into the bed and helped her move into a comfortable position, sitting he back up and raising the knees. As she left to arrange for something to eat, there was a knock on the door. Mark was back with the older man he was talking too earlier “hey Ash, can we come in?” Mark asked gently. Ashlyn nodded, smiling at him.
Once both men were sat around the bed the older man began to speak “Hello Miss Faye, may I call you Ashlyn?” Ashlyn nodded curiously, no one had ever asked her permission to use her name before, the man gave her a small smile. “Thank you. My name is Rowan Ward, I am Micah and Lochlan’s father. I can only apologise for my sons behaviour earlier, Micah has been sent to cool off, Lochlan and a…friend of Micah’s are with him now, I hope that in time you will understand.”
Ashlyn smiled a little “its nice to meet you Mr ward” she croaked softly.
Rowan gave a small chuckle “Please, Rowan is fine. Now I know you will have a lot of questions, but I want you to get some rest tonight. I have told my sons that they need to stay out of the room tonight, though I suspect the furthest Micah will be is he corridor and he may sneak in while you are asleep. The doctor has forbidden us from stressing you out tonight, so please be patient with us, tomorrow, I will return and explain. Hopefully you will be well enough to be discharged too. Micah has been planning your new bedroom in his suite, I have to admit he has done rather well, its very nice.”
“But, Mr…I mean Rowan, I don’t understand why I’m here….Micah said he had taken me from park view because he didn't know what was going on there and he couldn't protect me, but why does he want too? He doesn’t know me, we don’t have any kind of connection, no one here owes me anything. I have no family or anything so you can’t get a ransom.”
“Ashlyn, I give you my word that you will understand, you will have your answers, but I have been told that for now, you need to rest, so dinner, Jay went to see Mrs black about getting you something to eat yes?” Ashlyn nodded “so, why don’t you have something to eat when it comes and I’ll leave Mark to keep you company for a little bit. I’m sure there’s a deck of cards around or something to do?” Rowan suggested. Mark gave a shrug and smiled over at Ashlyn. “Well thats sorted then. You sleep well Ashlyn and I shall return tomorrow, no doubt with my sons in tow” he stood with a chuckle. Patting Ashlyn on the shoulder, careful to avoid touching her bare skin.
Mark and Ashlyn sat in silence for a little while before Mark turned to her “so, wanna play cards or read? I could run up to your room, I’m sure Micah got you some art stuff” Ashlyn replied with a yawn, apparently more tired than she though. “I could do with a drink…. Any chance of some juice or something though?” She whispered. Nodding towards her empty water jug. Mark gave her a smile that she was sure would stop hearts of plenty of women and some men, but it did nothing for her, he jumped to his feet and grabbed the jug, giving a little “your wish is my command” he said playfully, making Ashlyn giggle.
Jay arrived while Mark was getting juice. She set a plate in front of Ashlyn with a huge burger on, cheese, onion rings, BBQ sauce, bacon and two burgers. Ashlyn’s stomach give a rumble so loud you would be forgiven for thinking it was thunder outside. “Now, I’ve been told you like burgers…. But like I said, you shouldn’t eat too much at once, it might make you throw up, so no chips today I’m afraid.” Jay explained “mmmmm” Ashlyn mumbled around the burger, she couldn't wait any longer and had dug in as Jay was saying that she knew Ashlyn liked burgers. Jay laughed lightly at the sight, joined by Mark as he entered the room a a few seconds after Jay finished speaking. Ashlyn glared at the both of them.
Ashlyn, Jay and Mark spent a pleasant few hours playing card games, watching a film on Marks laptop, they watched the mortal instruments film and promised that they would show Ashlyn shadowhunters on the big TV up at the house when she was discharged. They discussed books and Mark told Jay about some of the pictures that Ashlyn had drawn at park view, the ones that she had on her walls. Ashlyn enjoyed herself more than she had in her life. Ash was starting to relax around Jay and Mark now, she felt like she could trust them, she liked them, it felt like they were friends despite the fact that she was so much younger than them. They taught her how to play poker for sweets that someone, they guessed Loki had left for her. Both of them were kind to her, they didn't treat her like she was going to break, but at the same time respected her space and were careful not to touch her bare skin. Ashlyn liked being around people who didn’t think she was insane and about to flip her lid at them at any moment. People who didn't feel the need to walk on egg shells, who would tease her and treat her like a normal teenage girl.
As Ashlyn started yawning more and more, Mark and Jay started to tidy up their things, Jay helped Ashlyn into her bed, offering to her some pain killers, which Ashlyn did take. Jay left the room to find out what the doctor wanted to give. Mark said good night too and left, he said there would be someone around all night so if she called out for someone called Jessy, the nurse on duty tonight, he would come and help her out. Checking the curtains were ok and asking if she wanted a window open before he left.
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