Love and the White Wolf - Book 2

6. New Year's Eve (Sexual content)

I met up with Kyle and Laurel for breakfast and presented them with the engagement portrait. They both loved it and gave me a huge couples hug. When Kyle asked how much they owed me I refused payment saying it was just a down payment for all the personal support he had given us during our time at Avengers HQ. I told him he would be a wonderful and caring husband because he already had those qualities as a man. Laurel agreed with me and for a moment I saw the skinny gawky boy he had been when we first arrived there. Then he seemed to grow a little and showed the promise of his future.

The night before I had taken it to show James who also thought it was wonderful. He liked it so much that he wanted to commission my first paying portrait but he wouldn't say what he wanted me to paint yet. He had done better with the crutches in the evening. After breakfast and taking care of the dogs I was going up again for his next try.

Dixon wasn't on duty when I took the dogs out but the sentry who was said he'd been advised we were responsible dog owners. He was fine with Rowdy and Goldy being off leash. It was sunny out and the snow was melting so the dogs were both getting wet. The smell of wet dog permeated our rooms for a while.

I started packing my bag just to get a start on it. As I was putting things in I realized I had nothing to wear for New Years Eve. I had brought the pearl necklace and sapphire earrings because I wasn't leaving them behind. But I had no party wear and James had said we were going in style. I texted Laurel and asked if she wanted to go shopping in the afternoon for dress up clothes. She accepted and we set a time. Then I headed up to see James.

Carol had just put the brace on his leg and was attaching the strapping. She made sure he knew exactly how to do it. Then Bruce came over with the crutches. This time James walked over to the other side of the room and back.

"Pain level?" asked Bruce.

"About a four, I can handle it," replied James.

"And if I bump your leg?" said Bruce as he flicked his hand lightly at James knee.

James jerked his leg away and winced with a slight gasp.

"About a six," he said tersely, "okay, seven."

"Still not good enough, but I'm going to make a suggestion," said Bruce. "Let's try some contrast therapy. You're going to start with a cold pack on your leg for a minute, then switch to a hot pack for three minutes. Do that three times then finish with the cold pack for a minute. During the hot sessions I want you to stretch and flex the foot on your broken leg. We're trying to increase the blood flow to the break and promote healing. Do one session now, then another after lunch and we will try the crutches again. I'll get Carol to prepare the packs."

James took my hand and kissed it.

"I'm trying to be well enough to take you to that party," he said, "but Bruce is tough to convince. He didn't even touch me and I couldn't take the sudden movement."

"Would he let you go if you were in the wheelchair all night?" I asked. "I'd be happy to do some real slow dancing sitting on your lap."

"Bruce!" yelled James. "Can I go to the party if I stay in a wheelchair?"

Bruce came to the bed and scrutinized us both.

"We're still going to do the contrast therapy because I want your pain levels lower," he said. "But yes, if you stay in the wheelchair, and stay in the corner away from the dancing. One drink, no more. You metabolize alcohol fast but it could still affect the healing."

"Can I sleep in my room with my wife tonight?" pleaded James. "If we have sex I'll make Gail do all the work. I won't move my leg, I promise."

A smile flickered across Bruce's face then he got serious again.