Life Interrupted

Chapter 5

After Deanna's brain had settled down a bit from the excitement of Mike bringing home work, she realized she needed to get cleaned up so she'd at least be presentable for Stephanie tomorrow.

Mike offered to help wash her hair and give a sponge bath. It did take a little work to actually get fully taken care of, but eventually Deanna was in a clean pair of pajamas, broken leg set carefully on a couple of pillows and reading a new fiction book.

Mike snuggled in beside her, kissing her tenderly on the neck. "How are you feeling about Stephanie coming over tomorrow?" Deanna rolled her head so she could meet Mike's eyes. She took a deep breath and blew it out through her mouth. "I think it'll be good. I am a little apprehensive about it though..." "Yeah?" "Yeah, I think it's just having the distraction of my leg. I feel like it's thrown off my game a bit and I don't know what will happen as I dive back in tomorrow." She sighed again. "I don't know..." Mike leaned over, kissing Deanna and settling back into his pillow. "Let's get some sleep, okay love?" "Yeah, okay. Love you." Deanna closed the book, setting it on the nightstand and flipping off the light. "Love you too." With that, Mike rolled on his side, his right arm reaching across her waist, comforting her as only he could. Moments later Mike's breathing evened out and he was fast asleep.

Deanna laid there, her mind racing through all the scenarios of the next several weeks. In the darkened room she urged her mind to slow. She focused instead on her bare toes, gently wiggling them, trying to get her mind to believe that her leg was indeed healing.

Finally, in a last ditch attempt to sleep she sent up some desperate prayers for her future children. Thank goodness that worked, because the next thing she knew Mike's alarm was going off and the gray skies were peeking around the curtains.

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Tuesday morning dawned with a bit of a chill and drizzly, gray skies. Deanna stood at their picture window, watching the fog drift about. Still in her pajama bottoms, her leg ached from the colder than normal temperatures. As she moved toward the couch, she wiggled her toes, causing her leg to shift slightly inside the cast. Deanna let out a soft moan as she steadied herself, the pain momentarily shifting her focus.

Without realizing, Mike snuck up behind her and placed his hands on her shoulders. "Why don't you go settle in on the couch. Stephanie will be here in a few minutes." Deanna leaned back into his strength. "I miss you." "I know, I miss you too. We'll see what the doctor tells you on Thursday. Okay?" Deanna turned, nodding slightly and leaning into her husband. Mike in turn wrapped his arms around his wife, his hands settling on her lower back.

After soaking in the moment briefly, Deanna turned, deciding it was best to sit down. She allowed Mike to guide her to the couch, and once she was seated, he ever so tenderly lifted her leg onto the waiting pillow set on the couch. "You good for a few minutes?" He asked. "Yep, just fine. Thank you." Mike leaned in for a quick kiss which only added to the steaminess of the moment. "Love you." He said as he went to finish getting ready for the day.

Deanna sank into the couch cushions, oddly thankful for the quiet house as Mike finished preparing for his day. She grasped her coffee mug, grateful for a man who clearly loved her and took such good care of her.

Knowing Stephanie would be around most of the day eased Mike's mind, but since she had no idea where things were located Mike had set out everything Deanna would need for a day working from home; computer, water, coffee, notepad(s), pens and pencils, a few snacks and of course her phone and charger.

As if on cue, a few moments later the doorbell rang. Mike dashed to answer it as Deanna had just cracked open one of the files. "Good morning, Mike!" Chirped Stephanie. As annoyed as Deanna had been early on at the younger woman's chipper attitude and squeaky voice, Stephanie sure had a brilliant head on her shoulders.

"Morning, Deanna." She'd toned down the squeakiness as she approached. "Man, that perp sure did you in, didn't he?" She remarked as her eyes focused on the large cast covering Deanna's leg. Her attempt at small talk falling short this morning as Deanna worked to escape the fogginess her restless nights brought on.

"Hi Stephanie." Deanna offered flatly as she pulled up a small smile. "How's your leg feeling?" The young woman asked, a clear attempt to pull Deanna out of her haze. Deanna snorted, "it's okay." She reconsidered her words as Stephanie sat there. "It hurts some this morning with the change in weather." Deanna shrugged. "I think it'll help if I can get my brain focused on something else." She finally offered. "All right, well let's get to work then Detective." Stephanie said with a nod of head to the folders. "Sounds great."

"Alright, babe, I'm outta here!" Mike's deep voice bellowed from the entryway. "Love you! Have a good day!" Mike swooped back in on his way to the garage and kissed his wife. "Love you too. Hope you make some good progress! See you later!"