They woke into one of those hazy, lazy, lethargic Saturdays they craved.
Jill was already awake when he turned to check on her. She smiled, popped the airpods from her ear and reached across to kiss her husband.
He looked a little unfocused, just waking up he hadn't quite shaken the lethargy of sleep yet. She teased him a little, pressing little kisses to his face, his lips, his neck. She pushed the sheet down and ran her hand along his chest. He coughed and sat up slightly. She angled her body to make as much contact as she possibly could with his.
'Mmmm, that's a great way to wake up', he murmured. She ran her tongue across his nipple and he curled his toes in pleasure. 'You're feeling better babe', he said, stating an obvious fact.
'I am Joe. It must be the good care from my husband', she said, her lips hovering close to his. He grinned.
'Are you awake long? Did you sleep ok?'
'I slept great', she assured him. 'I woke up a few times but I just listened to your breathing and stayed close and I felt safe', she said honestly. He turned onto his side and leaned down, catching her lips in a deep kiss. 'What more can a man ask for', he said, obviously touched by her words.
'Babe, is there something I can do for you? I know you're not comfortable', Joe asked later. He'd been on a call with Val. As he came back into the living room she was still shifting around, trying to get a comfortable spot.
He knelt on the floor in front of the sofa and ran his hands along his wife's thighs, resting his chin lightly on her knees, looking into her eyes. 'Ugh, I just, no matter what way I sit or lie my bra is catching', she said, trying again to get some relief.
'Well just take it off then', he said simply.
'Joe I can't go around all day with no bra on, what if someone comes in, security or Anthony or Annie', she asked, her tone a little peeved, indicating her level of discomfort.
'Honey, this is our home. You do what you want, wear what you want. And for the record I wasn't suggesting you sit there topless all day. Although that would be absolutely fine by me', he said, leaning in and pressing a kiss against her neck.
She laughed, let her hands flop into her lap before cupping his jaw with one hand and with the other, running her thumb inside the strap trying to get some comfort. 'Why am I making such a big deal out of everything?' she asked him with a sigh.
'Because you're not at your best, your body has been through a lot, your mind too', he said, now sitting beside her and gently putting his arm around her.
'And, you being you, of course you think you should be your usual busy self immediately. But babe you've got to give yourself time and space. You've got to let your body heal. I'm here. Let me help you', he said, his eyes insistent.
'I want to help you.
I live to help you', he joked, now being overly dramatic.
She smiled at him. Nodded in acknowledgement of his words.
'And I'm so lucky to have you', she told him. Wincing a little as she closed her bruised and swollen eyes to kiss him.
He sat back and held her hands in his. 'Ok so let me go upstairs, bring down some tops that you can wear around today. Something you're comfortable in but that if someone comes in you feel ok with that too', he said, waiting for her agreement. She smiled and ran her hand along his cheek. 'Thanks honey', she said quietly.
He came back with a bundle of clothes, and split them into two piles.
'These are more comfortable but go on over your head so that might be a little awkward. These have buttons so are easier to put on but may not be as comfortable. And there's this too', he said, just leaving a garment on the sofa by itself.
