One day at a time. (Part 2 of the story of Joanne and Paul. Now complete!)

Chapter 23 - March 16th 2002

Joanne discovered that Paul was not the easiest of patients. She knew from past experience that he was frequently unable to sit still! However,  making sure he was following the doctors rules was difficult and stressful. Finally, after two weeks from hell, beginning with Paul's initial frightening hospitalisation and culminating in a showdown about him wanting to work, she lost her temper with him!

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" She looked at him in amazement. He was sat at the piano in the early hours, clearly writing. "You've been told rest, get plenty of sleep! You know, taking things easy!"

He looked sheepish. "I know but I've got this idea buzzing around so......"

"Are you for real?"Joanne cut him off.

Paul smiled, thinking she was joking. He patted the piano stool next to him, inviting her to sit with him. "Look Jo love, I'm OK. I'm not going to come to any harm like this am I?"

Joanne was furious! "I don't care! You know what you've been told!  I've not spent the last two weeks going out of my mind with worry to let you carry on like this! Paul, I've not been able to sleep because I'm constantly checking that you're still breathing. Do you realise how long I lie there in the dark listening? I'm terrified that if I don't stay awake and check on you then you might die! Then you do this! Take risks! Go completely against EVERYTHING the doctor told you to do! For God's sake Paul, try thinking of those people who are trying to care about you!" She turned away from him, furious, and began to walk away.

"Jo!"

She shook her head and continued to walk away. He got up and followed her and after catching her arm as she reached the stairs, he made her face him. He was shocked to discover she was in tears.

"Joanne love? What's wrong?"

She shook her head and turned away again.

"Joanne I'm sorry. Please love, talk to me."

"What."

"Have you really been that worried about me? Are you really scared I'll die in the night?"

She nodded slowly. She looked at him and wiped her eyes. "I'm so scared of something happenening to you. I know I couldn't cope if I lost you now."

"I'm so sorry Joanne my love. I'm so sorry. I hadn't realised how much all this has affected you. I'm sorry. I'll do exactly as you tell me now."

"It's not just me who's been affected like this Paul." whispered Joanne, "Our children are just as worried."

"Our children?"

Joanne nodded. "Yes. Yours and mine. Ours."

He looked thoughtful. Calling the two groups of children 'ours' made him understand exactly how Joanne saw him. He'd thought hey were, at present at least, two separate families, joined by the link of himself and Joanne. The fact that Jo saw them as one unit already showed him how important she viewed their relationship. "You're right, Jo love. I'm being selfish. I'm sorry." He held out his hand to her. "Come on then love. Let's go to bed and I promise to do exactly what you and the doctors have told me from now on. OK?"

"You promise?"

He nodded.

"You keep that promise to me Paul and I promise you that as soon as the doctors give you the all clear and that you can start working again, then you and I will set a date for our wedding."

He looked at her delight. "Seriously?"

"Seriously. But you have to keep to what the doctors have said" She leaned forward to kiss him. "I've been widowed once before Paul. I don't EVER won't to go through that again! Right, come on, I'm cold and I'm tired. I want my bed."

 Once in bed, Joanne found herself listening once more. She waited until she heard Paul's breathing slow into a steady rhythmn which told her he was asleep. Then, she rolled over to him and put her arm across his middle and snuggled into him. It didn't take her long to fall asleep, unaware that her movements had awoken him. He lay feeling her holding him. He liked the closeness. He thought about what she had said to him. He was saddened by how worried everyone was about him. He smiled to himself as he thought about setting a wedding date. Nothing was going to stop him from marrying Joanne, of that he was determined!  Nothing! Even if it meant living like a retired monk for the next few months, it would be worth it!