"About what?"
"You look tired."
"I've been here keeping vigil." Lifting his free hand, he rubbed his jaw and grimaced. "I suppose it would not do any harm to get a shower and a shave."
"Take off your shoes."
"Pardon me?" He gave her a puzzled stare.
"Take off your shoes," she repeated.
"Why?"
"Just do it."
Complying, he slipped out of them. "Now what?"
"The bed is big enough and since this is a private room, I would like my husband to join me."
"I don't think that's a good idea," he began.
"Please."
Shrugging, he slid in next to her.
"Put your arm around me."
"Leanne."
"Please," she repeated.
Sighing, he did just that and closed his eyes when she snuggled on his chest.
"The nurses."
"Can close their eyes if this offends them. I need to feel my husband against me." To her relief, she felt him relaxing by degrees.
"I gave you a scare."
"I'm sure you didn't mean to." His hands started moving up and down her back lazily. His eyes started drooping as the exhaustion, emotional and physical, started to take its toll.
"I want to apologize nonetheless."
"Not necessary." His words were starting to slur. "You were magnificent. I haven't lost you." He struggled to keep his eyes open. "I made a bargain with God."
"What?" Half lifting her head, she stared at him and he smiled at her sleepily.
"I told him that if he saved you, I would start going to chapel, perhaps not every Sunday, but often enough to make a difference and I will open a soup kitchen in the downtown area." His eyes flickered shut. "I already made the call a few minutes ago." He opened his eyes again.
"I made a bargain and He gave you back to me. I would do anything to show my appreciation. I would have died if I'd lost you." His eyelids closed and while she watched him, he drifted off to sleep, a smile on his lips.
Very careful not to wake him, she eased back so she could study him better. His face was drawn and the lines of strain ran fromhis eyes to his mouth. His hair looked as if he had spent an inordinate amount of time running his fingers through them. It hit her with the force of a ton of bricks what he must have gone through in the three days she had been out of commission.
He loved her and loving her meant he must have suffered greatly.
"Oh darling," she whispered, trailing a finger gently over his forehead. "I'm so sorry. At least now, you can get some sleep."
The medical team came and went. They did their examination and made no comment on the man fast asleep next to her. He was in so deep; he did not even stir. Not even when the family dropped by for a visit.
