Housekeeper (Lavens Family, part 1)

34. On discharge

(Vanessa)

When I'm wheeled back into my room, I look at Dave — who is currently sitting at the table with his laptop in front of him — with a wide smile. Once I'm on the couch, and Yohanna leaves the room, I say, "I can go home this afternoon."

Dave's face lights up as he cheerfully asks, "Really? Can you go home?"

"A nurse has to come every day to change the bandages, and I have to keep calm. The vomiting is a result of a small infection. I need to eat light food."

"I'll make sure everything is ready when you get home, and Barbara is informed. Get ready for a night full of movies and lots of cuddling."

"Dave! You don't have to stay home specifically to babysit me. I know you have a lot of work to do. You've put your phone on silent, but I can hear it vibrating non-stop."

"They can wait. I'm with the most important person in my life now," he says as he walks up to me.

"Yes, and I say you can't neglect your work for me. Take it, Dave. The trembling gets on my nerves, and I'm going to lie down in bed to rest."

"Good, but I'll help you into bed first."

I stand up from my seat and press my hand against his chest.

"I'm good at crawling into my bed myself. I have a wound that recovered well, not a life-threatening disease. If I'm on my own this week, then I have to rely on myself." I settle into bed, but let him put the blankets over me.

"I know I'm a little protective, but I almost lost you," he says as he sits down on the edge of my bed, stroking the hair away from my eyes.

"I'm not a delicate girl. And I'm still here. You haven't got rid of me yet," I reply with a smile.

"Mhmm, who says I'll ever get enough of you? I want to take you home and pamper you so much that you can't get out of bed from fatigue."

"Dave," I reply, blushing and sighing. Our lips press together, and I feel my lower abdomen tickle and my panties gradually getting wet from desire. Dave grabs his still-vibrating phone from the table. I overhear him discussing numbers and appointments.

I'm not sure when I drifted off, but a nurse, arriving with a tray heaped with food, rouses me.

"Hey Vanessa, where would you like your food?" she inquires.

"Just set it on the table," I respond, casting off my blankets. I yawn and gingerly rise from the bed. Settling next to Dave, who is engrossed in a document on his laptop, I notice the nurse entering with another tray. Dave gestures for her to place it opposite him. I give the nurse a quizzical look and receive a reassuring smile in return.

"Dave, it's time for a break. Let's eat, put the laptop away."

Dave looks at me with a raised eyebrow before his face lights up. "Are you now going to order me to put my work aside? Didn't you just say to do my job?" he asks as he closes his laptop and slides it away a little. I slide his tray in front of him and cheerfully reply, "Yes, but you still need your necessary energy to get through the day. Eat!"

"So commanding. Well, I'll eat this delicious hospital food and then read on. I... No, I'll ask another time."

"What, is something wrong?"

"The document is not very well drafted. It's a contract for a hotel, but there are holes in it. I'm a bit absent, I guess."

"I can check it out. Maybe I'll see what you're missing."

"No, you need to rest."

"I'll look through that document in my bed. No contradiction."

"Okay," Dave replies with his hands in surrender. "You have it your way. Workaholic."