CCXIV

"Seems like your family is coming," Kieran said as he led Arabella out of the lab to her room.

"Coming here? Why?" she said, whipping her head around trying to check his face.

"Stay still or you'll hurt your neck," he said, helping her turn her neck back so she could face forward.

"Why?" she asked, wondering why her mother would take the journey out of her just because of a few bruises.

"Maybe she is worried?" Kieran said with a teasing voice.

"Are you teasing me?" she asked, pressing her lips together. He made a sound, showing that he was affirming her statement. "I do not think now is the time to do that," she replied.

"Oh, please, there is always a time for teasing," he said.

They were soon in the room; he helped her to the bed and went out to get something for her to eat so she could use her medications. By the time he got back from the convenience store down in the hospital basement, she was lying down on the bed.

"Are you sleeping?" Kieran asked as he went to the head of t