Gray's anatomy reverse

Later that afternoon, the sun cast a warm glow through the window of Lexie’s hospital room, illuminating the sterile environment with a hint of comfort. It was just past 3:00 PM, and Lexie had managed to shuffle through the limited selection of TV channels in search of something entertaining to watch. She felt restless, the combination of her physical limitations and the monotonous hospital routine driving her to distraction.

Just as she settled on a nature documentary, the door creaked open, and Mark stepped inside, a smile breaking across his face. “Hey there, beautiful,” he said, his tone playful, and despite the circumstances, Lexie felt her spirits lift.

“Hey,” she replied, her own smile forming. “What are you doing here? Aren’t you supposed to be working?”

Mark walked closer, holding a stack of papers in one hand, which made her furrow her brow in confusion. “I took the day off,” he said, dropping the papers onto the side table. “Thought I’d spend some time with my favorite patient.”

Lexie raised an eyebrow, half-amused, half-intrigued. “You took the day off just for me? What kind of workaholic are you?”

“The kind who has a girlfriend who’s stuck in a hospital bed and needs some company,” he replied, leaning against the wall with an easy grin. “And besides, I figured you could use some entertainment. How’s the search for a show going?”

“Not great,” Lexie admitted with a sigh. “I thought I’d find something interesting, but it’s just a bunch of reruns and awful game shows.” She gestured toward the TV, where an old sitcom played in the background.

Mark stepped closer to the bed, his expression softening as he looked at her. “Well, I come bearing gifts,” he said, picking up the stack of papers. “I brought some movies we can watch. You know, the classics.”

Lexie raised her eyebrows, her curiosity piqued. “You’re joking, right? You actually brought me movies?”

“Of course,” Mark said, flipping through the papers. “I know the hospital’s selection isn’t exactly top-notch. So I brought some options: Casablanca, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, and even The Princess Bride. Figured we could have a little film fest.”

Lexie chuckled, feeling warmth wash over her. “I can’t believe you went through all this trouble. You are the cheesiest boyfriend ever, you know that?”

Mark smirked, his confidence shining through. “I’ll take that as a compliment. Besides, you love it.”

“I guess I do,” she admitted, her heart swelling at the thought. “So, which one are we watching first?”

“How about we start with The Princess Bride?” he suggested, settling into the chair beside her bed. “It’s a classic, and it always makes you laugh. Plus, you can’t beat a little adventure mixed with romance, right?”

“Perfect choice,” Lexie said, her spirits lifting further as Mark adjusted the TV. He pressed a few buttons, and soon the opening credits rolled across the screen.

As Lexie settled into the familiar comfort of Mark’s presence, her eyes drifted to the stack of papers he had placed on the side table. They were neatly organized, and her curiosity began to override her enjoyment of the movie.

“Okay, but seriously, what are those papers?” she asked, tilting her head toward the stack. “You didn’t bring me boring medical paperwork, did you?”

Mark chuckled softly, rubbing the back of his neck. “Not exactly. These are your discharge papers.” He paused, watching her reaction. “I went ahead and filled them out while you were busy trying to figure out what to watch.”

“Discharge papers?” Lexie’s brows furrowed in confusion. “I thought I had to stay for observation for at least a few more days.”

“Technically, you do,” Mark replied, his expression shifting to a more serious tone. “But Dr. Hanley and I had a little chat earlier. He agreed that, given your progress, you could be discharged with some conditions. You know, just to ease your mind a bit.”

Lexie’s heart raced at the thought of going home, but she knew there had to be a catch. “What are the conditions?” she asked, crossing her arms over her chest as she leaned back against the pillows.

Mark picked up the papers and began reading them aloud, his tone firm but caring. “Okay, so first, you need to make sure to rest as much as possible for the next couple of weeks. That means no overexerting yourself—no long walks, no lifting anything heavy, and definitely no late-night dance parties,” he said, throwing her a teasing look.

She couldn’t help but laugh, but the reality of the situation hit her. “That sounds doable. What else?”

“Second, you have to attend follow-up appointments with Dr. Hanley. He wants to keep an eye on your recovery, especially your ribs and your leg. And you’ll need physical therapy, which we’ll set up for next week,” he continued, his gaze steady and protective.

“Okay, I can handle that,” Lexie replied, nodding, but she could feel her excitement about going home waning slightly as the restrictions piled up. “What’s the third condition?”

“Third,” Mark said, leaning forward, “you need to take your medication as prescribed. I went to pick it up for you.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small bottle. “This is your pain medication, Oxycodone. It’ll help with the pain, but it’s crucial that you take it only as directed—no skipping doses or taking more than prescribed, okay?”

Lexie nodded, her expression turning serious. “I understand. What’s the dosage?”

“Just one pill every six hours as needed for pain, but only for the first week. After that, we’ll reassess. If the pain gets worse or you feel anything unusual, you call me or Dr. Hanley immediately,” Mark insisted, his protective nature evident in his tone.

“Got it,” she said, appreciating the concern etched on his face. “And what about my leg?”

“You’ll need to keep your leg elevated as much as possible, especially while you’re resting at home. The doctor wants to minimize swelling and promote healing,” he explained, glancing down at the discharge papers again. “And if you notice any swelling or redness around the incision site, you need to notify your doctor right away.”

Lexie felt a mix of relief and apprehension at the thought of leaving the hospital. “So, it’s just a matter of taking it easy at home? That doesn’t sound so bad.”

“Exactly,” Mark replied, his expression softening. “I’ll be there to help you, Lexie. You won’t be alone in this. We can turn your recovery into a fun little adventure—watch movies, order takeout, whatever you want.”

A smile crept onto Lexie’s face as she absorbed his words. “Okay, I’m in. But you’re stuck with me, and I might put you to work.”

“Bring it on, Lexie Belle,” he said, his tone playful again. “Just remember, I’m on top of things. I’ll make sure you don’t overdo it.”

With the tension eased, they settled back into the movie, the familiar banter and laughter filling the room once more. As they watched, Lexie felt a wave of gratitude wash over her. Having Mark there to support her made the thought of recovery a little less daunting and a lot more hopeful.