"I read somewhere that sex helps speed recovery when you’re sick, baby," she whispered naughtily, as she stood up, and tugged Bette’s panties and pajama bottom back on.  Then she headed for the bathroom.

"I’m sure it does," Bette whispered, as she felt herself drift off to sleep.

xxxxxx

The next morning, Bette woke at 5 am, feeling energized.  She’d slept almost the entire day through the previous day.  The pounding in her head was gone, and she felt stronger.  She grabbed the thermometer on the nightstand next to her, and clipped on a new shield over the pointy end, then gently inserted it into her ear, and pressed the button to enable the thermometer to read her temperature.  After half a minute, it flashed "98.7 degrees" on its display. She pumped a fist as she thought of bounding out of the bed, then caught herself before she moved the bed too much.  She glanced at Tina, who had rolled to her back.  After a moment’s interruption, the blonde resumed her quiet snoring.  With a fond smile, Bette leaned over carefully, and brushed her lips over the Tina’s.  Mmmm…  so good.  Reluctantly, she pushed herself off of the bed, and tiptoed to the bathroom.

She took a quick shower, brushed her teeth, dried her hair out, and then changed into a long-sleeved thermal underwear, spritzed her custom cologne on, and slipped on an off-white, knee-length belted cashmere cardigan paired with black skinny jeans.  She tiptoed into Angelica’s room, and saw that the little girl had (once again) kicked-off her blankets.  She gently lifted her daughter’s pajama top, and nuzzled the soft tummy, before covering her girl with blankets, tucking them into the sides of the bed.  She kissed her forehead and inhaled the sweet smell off of the top of the sleeping child’s head.  "Still a baby to me," she thought as she tiptoed her way out of the room and pulled the door shut.

She called down to ask reception what time breakfast would be served, then glanced at her watch.  Since she had about 20 mins before breakfast would start, she decided to quickly check on her email, scanning for one from Bernd.

She opened the latest one, which he’d sent last night.  He’d sent her new year’s greetings and said he was remaining in the St. Gallen area ’til the first week of January.  Bette switched to FaceTime, selected his name from the contact list, then tapped it.  "Who knows, he may be awake, like me!"