Middle of a Memory

Chapter 6

Cole opened the door to let Delilah out. He watched her wince as she swung her legs out of the truck. He wrapped arm gently around her waist. "You want me to carry you?"

"No." She shook her head. "I've got it."

"Lila..."

"I have to do this." She raised her chin in her typical stubborn fashion. "I have to be tough remember."

He unlocked the door and let her step inside. "That doesn't apply to you, darlin. Not in this case."

"Why not?"

"Because I said so." Cole shut the door and faced her. "You want the bed or the couch?"

"Bed..." She eyed the stairs. She was already in a lot of pain since leaving the hospital. She didn't know if she could make it up them without bursting into tears at the throbbing pain in her lower abdomen.

Cole saw the pained look on her face. Without a word he swung her up into his arms and headed for their bedroom.

"Cole, put me down." She protested.

"No. You wanted the bed but clearly you're in pain. So stop tryin to act like you're not. It's written all over your face, baby... and it kills me. Let me take care of you for a while. I'm your husband. It's my job. Now shut up and let me do it."

She bit back a smile. He shoved the door open with his foot and eased her down on the bed. He squatted to pull her Nikes off her feet.

Tears filled her eyes. "Thank you."

"For?" He looked up.

"Bein you. For bein the best husband on the planet. For taking care of me. For lovin me."

He licked his lips. "Lovin you is easy. You make it easy." He stood up to put her shoes in the closet. When he came out she was pulling her sweatshirt over her head. He took it away from her and tossed into the basket. "You want a shower?"

"I can do it...."

"Remember what Dr. Evans said? Take it easy for the next couple of weeks...."

"I know and I will but I'm pretty sure turnin on the shower isn't goin to hurt me."

"I don't want you to overdo it."

"I'm not helpless, Cole."

"Never said you were.... I just don't want to see you in anymore pain than you already are. Speaking of that... I'm gonna run down and get your prescriptions before the pharmacy closes. Do you want me to get some dinner?"

"Yes. I am dyin for Italian food...."

"Italian it is." He dropped a kiss onto her head. "Shower then in the bed. I'll be back in twenty minutes."

"K."

"I love you."

"I love you too."

Delilah carefully made her way into their bathroom and turned on the shower. She stripped down and stepped under the hot spray. The heat soothed her sore body. After two days in the hospital it felt good to be back in her house, in her shower and to sleep in her bed. She thought back to what Dr. Evans had said about the surgery. It went well. There was no reason to think they wouldn't be able to get pregnant next year and carry to term. He had removed nearly all the scar tissue. She was going to be sore for the next few weeks but after the first of the year they could start trying for that baby. They would see how it went. She was excited about the future and being a mother.

She smiled as she lathered body wash over her stomach. To think in a few months there could possibly be a baby growing inside her. A piece of her and Cole. Their dream was going to come true. She knew it.

She turned off the water and grabbed a towel. The sudden movement had her hissing at the pain that shot through her. "Damn." She bit her lip. Slowly she made her way back into the bedroom and dressed in gray pajamas and Cole's Georgia hoodie.

Cole waited impatiently for the food. He tapped his foot. He had already been gone over thirty minutes. His phone chimed and he looked at the display. "Hey Luke... what's up?"

"Hey. How's my sister?"

"Good. We're home. Well she is. I'm down at Skero's waiting for her food. I had to get her meds and pick up dinner."

"What did Dr. Evans say?"

"Take it easy the next couple of weeks... but you know Lila..."

"She better listen to him."

"I know."

"Listen, Car and I are goin to come by tomorrow if that's ok."

"Sure. She'd love to have a visitor."

"Cool. We'll see ya'll tomorrow."

"Bye."

Finally, they called Cole's name and he nearly snatched the bag. "Thanks."

He was surprised he didn't get a speeding ticket trying to get back to the house.

Cole was pulling the food out of the bag when he heard "Shit." His head snapped up and he saw his stubborn wife trying to come down the stairs.

"Delilah Marie Swindell, what in the hell are you doin?" He barked coming around the counter.

"I was thirsty..." She bit her lip.

"Bullshit." Cole scooped her off her feet and head back up the stairs.

"Cole, put me down."

"No. You are supposed to be off your feet. I'm not playin this game with you." He dropped her onto the bed. "Dr. Evan's said bed rest and that's what he meant. I will get you something to drink." His eyes were dark. "You have to take it easy."

"Cole..."

"No, Delilah. I'm not doin this. I won't see you crumpled on the floor in pain. I won't. Either you do what the doctor said or I will call your brother to come deal with you."

"I hate this." She blinked back tears.

"What?"

"This! Feeling helpless! Depending on you to take care of me."

Cole felt his anger lift. "Darlin, look at me." He sat down on the edge of the bed. "You just had MAJOR surgery... that requires time to recover. You're not helpless, far from it but takin help from your husband is not depending on me. It's letting me do my job. It's letting me baby you. Letting me show you I love you."

"I can't even go downstairs."

"If you want to go downstairs tomorrow then I'll take you down but no more trying to go down on your own, got it?"

"Yes."

"Now... I'm gonna go get our dinner and I'll be right back." He dropped a kiss onto her hair.