Is It A Dream?

You're Still Beautiful

Danny called Baez while he heated up the soup.
"Reagan, hey. What's up?"
"Just wanted to know where you are in the process?"
"Waiting in a fast food line. I'll be there in tenish minutes. I got a big box of potentially related cases."
"Good."
Baez listened to Danny as he told her where the hidden key was, "Reagan, I gotta go. See you soon."
Danny pocketed his cell, stirring the soup. He hoped that Linda would get better fast, but he had a feeling it was going to take a lot of time.
Meanwhile, upstairs Linda stood in the bathroom, looking at her naked self in the full length mirror. She frowned deeply, never had she been ashamed of her body. She looked like something that came up from the grave. She hated her reflection, she was too skinny and ugly. "I look like the freaking crypt keeper.... how could Danny love something that looks like this?"
"Because I fell in love with your brains and knowledge, your personality and sweet nature," Danny said softly from the door, holding the soup bowls. He watched Linda grab a nearby towel and cover herself. "The pure hotness that you oozed was just an added bonus." He placed the bowls on the counter and hugged her from behind. He kissed her cheek, catching the salty tears.
"But I hate myself. How I look, how I feel."
"And we're gonna change that. You took some big steps today, Linda. You opened up and were sorta close to intercourse. And you want to eat, that's great.... do you want to look like what you used to?"
Linda nodded, finding comfort in Danny's embrace as her tears fell down her cheeks.
"Let's start by putting your clothes on, hm? Then we can eat." He kissed her cheek again, cursing whatever stroke of fate or Murphy that had caused her to be this way.
"Will you leave?"
"I won't leave you, but I'll go in the other room." He figured it'd be safer to tell her he was going to stay with her.
"Okay." Linda watched him take the soup and close the door behind him. She put her clothes back on, and hesitated for a bit. He had seen her- Danny had finally seen her naked. She didn't know how she felt about that. He didn't say she was ugly, but he didn't say she was beautiful either.
Linda came out in her sweatpants and a sweatshirt of Danny's. She walked over to the bed and sat next to her husband.
Handing her a soup bowl, Danny stated, "even when you're sick or feeling lousy, you still manage to make my clothes sexy."
Linda softly smiled, "your clothes are sexy to begin with."
He kissed her cheek, said grace, then added, "oh, one more thing. Please help Linda to get through this. Please give me the patience and understanding to help her. Amen."
Linda teared up as she crossed herself. She mumbled a phrase she had said very often before, "hardass my ass."
The detective chuckled as he dipped his spoon in the soup. "I love you. So, so much. I hope you know that."
She nodded, "I do. And I love you, too. To infinity and beyond." She leaned over to give Danny's lips a peck. "I really do want to get better. I just don't know how."
"I know, baby. I want you better, too. And we'll figure something out, I promise." He took a bite and swallowed, "by the way, you're still beautiful."
If Linda had to look at her soup for a few moments, neither of them mentioned it.