Conception: Callie Douglas - Book Six

Chapter Sixteen

I pulled my pyjama pants on underneath my hospital gowns. That done, Gabe helped me take off the hospital gowns and I pulled on my pyjama shirt. "How is the dizziness?" asked Gabe.

"Not bad. I don't feel it at all as long as I don't move too quickly – or bend over", I said as I hurriedly straightened up from attempting to tie the laces on my boots. Gabe got down and tied my boots for me. I thanked him, then inserted my arms in the sleeves of my coat. It looked a little funny wearing fuzzy pyjama pants, boots and a coat, but I was comfortable and that's all that mattered.

"Are you ready?" asked Gabe.

My chin wavered with unshed tears. "I'm as ready as I'll ever be, I guess."

Gabe came over to me and gave me a tight hug. "Remember that I'm behind you, every step of the way."

I kissed him on the cheek. "Thank you."

"No problem. Someone has to be behind you in case you lose your balance again." I gave a teary laugh and pulled back. "Are you ready?" asked Gabe.

"Sure", I said. "Do you ever wish that Star Trek was real, and you could beam yourself from place to place? I would beam myself home and bypass all the crap that'll come next."

"It'll be okay, darlin'. Remember your vision of lying in my arms beside me in bed, wearing my t-shirt and your pyjama bottoms. Hold that close to your heart, and we'll be doing that soon." He came over to me and gave me a kiss. "I love you."

"I love you, too." I cuddled into him for a hug, just breathing in his citrusy smell. "How do you still smell citrusy?" I asked. "You washed off your cologne when you had a shower with me last night."

Gabe smiled. "Just one of the mysteries of life, I suppose."

We walked into the house, breathing a sigh of relief. "Thank God we're home", I said with a fervent sigh. "It seems like a lifetime ago since we left yesterday to go to work."

Gabe went to the kitchen and put on the kettle. While the kettle was coming to a boil, he put on a pot of coffee for himself. "Let's go and change. What shirt do you want to wear?" he asked. "Ask and it may be clean."

"Let me see. How about your 'psychology – where deviations are standard' shirt?"

"I think that one's in the wash", he said with a smile.

He put the pot of tea on to steep and we walked upstairs. "I can't believe how tired I am", I said with a yawn. "I've been doing little else other than sleeping."

"Yeah, I definitely see a nap in our future."

"That sounds good." I walked into the bathroom and shut the door. "I'm having a hot shower", I called out through the door.

"Do you need help washing?" asked Gabe. "Or are you steady enough to be able to do it yourself this time?"

"I'm good, thanks. I can definitely do it myself. I'm just looking forward to steaming off some of the muscle stiffness. My neck and shoulders are really sore. I guess that's from the force of smacking my head against the pavement."

"I wouldn't be surprised. You did go down quite violently. I'll give you a massage after your shower and that should help." This was a wonderful offer. Back in his high school days, Gabe got his certification as a registered masseur and I've been the recipient of his massages enough to know that his certification was well deserved.

"That sounds wonderful, thanks. I'll try to make my shower quick. I want to save some hot water for you."

"Shower as long as you want. I don't mind having a cold shower. I'll get you some clothes and put them on the counter for you to put on when you get out."