Temptation

What Do You Say? Part II

"Mr. Cumberbatch, I am putting you on medical leave for two months," the doctor said as he wrote on his clipboard. Ben was in a hospital bed with Cassie sitting right beside him. He didn't look happy with the doctor's orders and why should he be? What kind of toll was this going to take on his career?

 "Furthermore," the doctor continued, "when you do go back, you are not to stay past eight o'clock. You need your night's rest. I understand you have an infant at home and it's fine if you get up to care for her, but no straining yourself. Am I understood?"

Ben sulked and sighed, but nodded nonetheless. "Now, luckily, the x-rays didn't show any damage to your head, but I would like you to stay awake for a full twenty-four hours just to be sure. If you do have a concussion, we don't want to risk anything. You can take that bandage off your head tonight, but keep it on for now. Any questions?"

Cassie looked to Ben who was pouting like a child. She looked to the doctor and said, "I don't think so. Thank you." He nodded, then left the room. "Ben," she sighed, "I'm sorry you have to be away from work for so long. They'll understand, I'm sure of it."

He scoffed, then rolled his eyes. "They'll fire me, Cass. No, they can't do it now because it's illegal, but as soon as that medical leave is up, I'm gone! I'll be so backed up that they'll have already replaced me! Fucking hell, we're going to be living on the streets!"

He clutched at his head in pain as he started to get more riled up. "So start applying for a new job if you really think that's going to happen. There are options out there for you, babe. Besides, your Benedict Cumberbatch. I saw you give an interview to CNN because they were so impressed with your computer. Anyone would be stupid not to hire you!"

That got him to crack a smile. He took her hand with a sigh and said, "I'm sorry. I've been distant and cranky and...bloody hell, I'm sorry. Maybe these couple of months might be good for me, for us. I get to spend more time with you, I get to know my Ellie girl more than I have in a while. Also, I was overreacting when I said we were going to be living on the streets."

Cassie smiled as she told him, "I know. Honestly, Ben, with what you've made with this company...you never have to work again. Of course, that's like you saying that to me about teaching, which you did, and that did not go over well."

Ben smiled as if it were a funny thought...but then looked like he had an idea. "Cass...what if I don't go back to work? What if...what if we go somewhere where you can get a teaching job and I stay and take care of Ellie during the day?" Cassie seemed to be frozen because she just stared at him. 

"What?" He asked. She softly put her hand over his bandaged head and said, "I think you do have a concussion." He chuckled a bit and took her hand from his head. "Baby, I'm serious," he told her. "I mean, look where my job has landed me. If I keep this up, I'll be lucky if I live to be sixty. My career at this company is over the moment I hand in that medical leave. So, let's make something out of it. What do you say?"

**

"No. Fucking. Way! Oh my God, I can't believe you're moving back here!"  Cassie had to take the phone away from her ear or she was afraid Anna was going to blow out her eardrum. "Well, you can thank Ben for that," she chuckled. "He's basically sacrificing his career for mine. That, and his health. Still, I am so excited to be coming home! I called the school and they immediately gave me my job back!"

Once again, she had to pull the phone away because of the ear piercing squeals. Ben came into the bedroom after his successful shower and smiled. "I take it you gave her the news," he chuckled. Cassie pointed the squealing phone his way, making him laugh. "Alright, I've gotta go," she told Anne. "I have to give Ellie her bath, then make sure Mister Concussion over here doesn't go to sleep."

She gave Ben a smile and a wink when he gave her an incredulous look. After a moment, she hung up, then said to him, "You stay here and chill, I will deal with our daughter. Put in a movie or something." He nodded, then told her, "Yes, ma'am. Just make sure you bring her in here so I can say goodnight."

It didn't take too long for Cassie to bathe Ellie and get her ready for bed. When she was done, she brought her into the bedroom and saw Ben starting to nod off. "Hey, Ben, you can't sleep," she gently, but sternly reminded him. He jolted up and cleared his throat. "Mm'not sleeping."

She hummed, then handed Ellie to him. "Here, maybe she can keep you awake." Ben gladly took her and held her to his bare chest. "Oh, Ellie girl. My sweet, sweet girl." He kissed her head a few times and took in the smell of her fresh baby shampoo. 

Ellie yawned against his chest, but then moved her head up to the crook of his neck. He smiled and moved her to where she could rest her head there comfortably. Cassie came out from getting herself ready for bed, then whispered, "I'll take her to bed."

He simply shook his head and told her, "It's fine. I want to keep her here a bit longer." She nodded with a smile, then got into bed with her little family. She put her head on Ben's shoulder, near where Ellie was sleeping, and put her hand over his stomach. Ben looked down at his wife and noticed something. 

She was still smiling. 

"Darling," he whispered. She looked up at him as he said, "I've never seen you quite this happy. The moment we agreed on moving back to Santa Barbra, you're smile has not faltered in the slightest. If I would have known you'd be this happy, I would have never suggested moving here in the first place. I know it's not going to be for a few more months, but I can't wait to get back there...back home."

With a contended sigh, she snuggled against him and said, "Neither can I."