“You should really hand that thing off at some point,” I scolded her. She did an excellent job, but it was more than tiresome for someone in their thirties, and Helena was far beyond that.

“I know, your wife has been telling me so for decades now, but I have the suspicion it’s only because she wants us to go cavorting off somewhere that there are a wide variety of retail outlets. All on a regular basis,” Helena laughed. “Do tell her I said hello and that I’ll make it a point to see her sometime tomorrow, will you?” I replied in the affirmative, and Helena sighed. “Please take care of yourself, Dana. If there’s anything you need, don’t hesitate to tell me.”

“I won’t,” I told her, and had to resist the urge to tell her that she was amazing before I hung up. I looked around me and realized that I was sitting in the middle of the hospital hallway, and got to my feet a little painfully since both legs had fallen asleep. I figured that enough time had passed for me to be bale to go back to Alice’s room without disturbing her, and it had. Her bed was raised a little, not to a fully seated position but pretty damn close, and she looked fine. 

Gemma had gone to check her other patients, but there was a note on the tiny table that stated that Alice was doing fine now and that since she was so tired, the physical therapist would wait until tomorrow to come in. I figured that was a good idea as I took my familiar place in the chair beside her bed and held her hand.

She looked at me apologetically, and I felt horrible that she felt that way. “Stop it, I was the one who embarrassed you. There’s nothing to be sorry about,” I told her quietly, bringing her hand to my mouth so I could kiss her fingertips. We sat there in silence for a little while until she looked back at me, sleepily and imploringly. “You want me to go on?” I asked, and was thrilled to see her head move in the tiniest nod imaginable. Still, that was what it was, and I was glad to see it. “Whatever you want, baby,” I said, leaning forward a little so I could kiss her forehead.
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