Page 63 of Forever my Love

“Good, how do you feel?” he replied.

“Tired,” she admitted. “I could sleep for a week.”

He nodded. “My folks will leave, and we can snuggle here on the sofa. I’m too tired to head up those stairs at the moment.”

“Everything’s in place. The hospital’s instructions and your medicines are on the kitchen counter.” His mother walked over and kissed him on the forehead. “Get some rest. Both of you.” She motioned towards them just as his father came down the stairs.

“Let us know if you need anything,” his dad added.

“Thanks,” Hailey called after them as they walked out. He heard the front door lock engage and then kicked off his shoes and pulled Hailey down onto the sofa until they were snuggled tight together. It didn’t even hurt his chest.

“See, much better,” he assured her.

“The remote is over there,” Hailey said with a chuckle.

He groaned and then released her so she could grab it and a blanket to cover them both.

Then, to his happy surprise, she lifted her shirt slightly and removed her bra in several moves without taking her shirt off. They she lay back down in front of him.

“Later, when I have enough energy to do something about it, I’m going to want to see that show again,” he told her, causing her to chuckle.

“Tell me again,” he said, as she flipped through the channels to find a movie for them to watch.

She giggled. “I love you.”

“I love you,” he said, and before she could even start a movie, he fell asleep with the smell of her hair filling his mind.

He woke to the smell of food. Well, to be exact, his stomach woke him. The loud growl almost echoed in the house.

The television was still on but muted.

He sat up and rubbed his hands over his face, thankful the pain was bearable.

“How are you feeling?” Hailey asked, walking into the room with a tray of food.

“Rested. The pain is low enough that I’m going to try and skip the evening pills,” he said when she set the tray down and he saw the pills on it.

She frowned at him.

“How about we cut them in half?” She took one pill and held it out to him. “I’m afraid you’re going to be hurting too much later to head down here and take another one in the middle of the night.”

He agreed and swallowed the pill.

“What’s for dinner?” he asked.

“Chicken casserole.” She sat next to him.

“Lacey Jordan’s,” he said after taking a bite.

She laughed. “I’ll bet you can tell me who made every dish in your freezer by taste.”

“Yeah, I probably could,” he admitted as he took another bite.

They ate in silence for a while.

“I have to work tomorrow,” she said with a sigh. “I’m looking forward to going back, but if you need me…”

“We’ve talked about this. I’m good.” He shifted and only winced slightly. “It’s been a week.”