Thankfully, she would be fine, as would be the baby.
“So long as you rest,” the doctor told her and Caspian. “I cannot stress enough how important it is that you rest.”
“Can I at least go home?” she asked hopefully.
“I would prefer if you waited,” the doctor responded. “Another day… two would be best. Just until we can be sure that you are back to good health. No sense taking any unnecessary risk.”
It was a frustrating two days for Thalia, confined to her bed, forced to remain at her brother’s home, when she wanted nothing more than to return with Caspian to where she belonged. And was it not for her unborn child, she might have taken the risk… but Caspian put a stop to that pretty quickly.
“It’s only two days,” he eased her. “I can wait.”
“I don’t know if I can,” she said with some humor.
He smiled and kissed her. “We have the rest of our lives. What’s two more days?”
It shouldn’t have surprised her that Caspian elected to stay at her brother’s home for those two days, nor that he spent each day sitting by her bed. He had told her how he felt, and she believed him fully. But she also supposed that actions spoke louder than words, and if she had any doubt about the truth of his love, his willingness to spend those long hours by her side was the final proof she needed.
Finally, however, two long days after collapsing, Thalia was given leave to return to her home. She kissed her best friend goodbye, she hugged both her brothers, and then she was led from the home and into the carriage that awaited.
“I am quite fine,” she insisted as Caspian guided her down the driveway; he held her the whole way, refusing to let go. “I can walk without the help, thank you.”
“I know you can,” Caspian assured her. “Just think of it like this. I’m doing it for me, not for you.”
She eyed him. “What does that mean?”
“I don’t want to let you go ever again,” he said. “So, that’s just something you will have to get used to.”
The urge to roll her eyes struck her, but she smiled instead because while his words were a little tart for her taste, they were just as sweet. He had told her already how he felt, he had shown her also, but that he continued to prove it through these small actions…he really does love me, and now I wonder how I ever doubted it.
Despite all the good that had happened between Thalia and Caspian these last few days, there was still something missing. It was not spoken of. It was not hinted at. Rather, it was felt between them. There was an underlying tension that hovered above the surface, that sat between the husband and wife, and that grew until it threatened to burst.
Both Thalia and Caspian seemed to sense it, just as they seemed to know the cause and the cure. All they needed was time together, which was exactly what they got once they returned home.
“I’ve had your room made up for you again,” Caspian explained as they walked up the staircase. Still, he kept one arm around her as if worried she might fall.
“My room?” she eyed him sideway. “I… I thought –”
“I did not want to presume,” he hurried to explain. “I thought that you might still wish for your own space.”
“I will indeed,” she said with a smile. “Only, not as it concerns where I sleep. In that instance, I rather like the idea of…” She felt her cheeks turn red and she swallowed the lump in her throat. “… you being in my space.”
With that said, Caspian led Thalia to his room instead of hers. They walked in together, and as if he could read her mind, he closed the door gently behind. It was still early in the day, light shone through the window, the house was busy with workers, but none of that mattered. They were alone, finally, and their minds both went to the obvious place without needing to dance around the fact.
“How are you feeling?” Caspian’s eyes roamed over Thalia’s body. She was dressed in a loose-fitting gown, and in truth she felt rather bedraggled, certainly in need of a bath. But he did not seem to care.
“As well as I ever have,” she said with a coy smile.
“No chance of collapsing…” He took her by the hand as he continued to drink her in.
“I don’t believe so.” She allowed herself to be pulled closer.
“I have missed you.” On hand held Thalia’s hand, while the other went to her waist. “All of you.”
“Prove it,” she purred.
“And how should I do that?” he chuckled as his hand squeezed her waist.
“Oh, I am sure you can think of something.”
