Life Interrupted

Chatper 12

Mike polished off the eighteenth hole on a high, hitting a hole in one. He dashed over to Deanna in a little victory celebration, catching her eyes and lifting her up out of the cart. A small squeak erupted from Dee as he spun his beautiful wife around a couple of times, careful not to hit her leg on anything. Deanna had never seen him quite so happy or free. She finally reasoned that this new, carefree, Mike, was at least partially due to being freed from work responsibilities for the week.

People stopped to stare at them. They really were a sight; Mike had dropped his club on the ground a few feet from the cart and was now standing, making out with his wife, without relinquishing his firm grip on her back and legs. Deanna was acutely aware, even during the kiss, of how her leg stuck rigidly out from Mike's grasp. Thank goodness he'd grabbed her from the right, so at least her casted thigh was sandwiched between her left knee and Mike's chest. Because she couldn't feel anything through the cast, at least this way she knew her leg was secure. Her face heated as they broke apart and she realized just how many people had stopped to observe the scene.

Mike stared into Deanna's eyes, momentarily entranced. "I love you Deanna." Deanna studied Mike's deep chocolate eyes, everyday she fell more and more in love with him. "I love you, Michael Taylor." She reached a bit further around his neck and he adjusted his grip on her.

The moment was adequately broken as someone let out a "Whoop!" from the crowd. Deanna bit her lip and Mike moved to set her back down. "I didn't mean to embarrass you." He whispered in her ear. She gazed up at him. "You didn't." She whispered, a smile teasing at her lips.

"Let's go get cleaned up. I suspect a nap and some ice would be in order for you too." He stole a sideways glance at her as he steered the cart back on to the path.

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Over the past weeks, Deanna had begun to have quite a bit of pain in her knee and in an effort to ease that, Mike settled her into the borrowed wheelchair and pushed her downstairs for their coffee date.

Coffee with Amy and Brandon was a sweet catch up time for the ladies and once the men got acquainted, they were quite happy to oblige the ladies. Mike didn't miss the warmth emitting from his wife as she and Amy caught up. It did his heart a world of good to see Deanna in a different element than her daily work and helped him realize she had more of a purpose than simply being a detective.

Just then Amy's face contorted into a pained expression and the conversation seized as they waited to catch what Deanna was saying. "...and that's how I ended up in this guy." They heard, both breathing a sigh of relief as they caught the conversation. "Oh Deanna, I can't even imagine what that was like!" Amy gasped as she reached for her friend's hand, squeezing it in a effort to show her support.

After a round of hugs, the couples parted ways and Mike knelt next to Deanna. He rested his hand on her shoulder and gazed into her eyes, searching them for any sign of pain. "Where to now my queen?" He asked, a teasing tone on his tongue. Deanna bit back a smile. "Well, my dear King, my knee is aching a bit, but I would love to explore downtown a bit. Plus I have my trusty chariot and crutches, I think I can manage a little excursion." She teased right back. "Alright then, where to?"

Several hours later, they arrived back at the room, a few gifts in tow. "C'mon, let's get some ice on that knee." Mike wrapped his arm around Deanna's waist, supporting her as she hopped to the bed. Deanna settled back on the bed as Mike stuffed a few pillows under her cast. "Okay, hang tight. I'm going to grab some ice." "Not going anywhere..." Deanna yawned as she leaned back into the pillows. Mike was too busy dealing with the ice bucket to see his wife's eyes slide closed.

"Okay, I've got ice!" Mike stated loudly as he returned. He set the ice bucket and poked his head around the corner when Deanna didn't respond. The next words died on his tongue. Deanna's eyes were closed and she was breathing softly and deeply. He finished with the ice pack and set it gently on her casted knee. Mike then sank into the recliner in their room, his own eyes closing.

Time flew and the sun was setting when Dee's brain registered the scent of food. She glanced around the room, noting Mike was asleep in the chair. She smiled as she sat up, reaching for her crutches and carefully unwedged herself, smiling again at the deflated bag of ice on her knee. It had soothed the ache and she was eternally grateful for a caring, loving husband.

A trip to the bathroom later and she was at Mike's side. "Hey sleepyhead." She teased, poking him. He took a deep breath in, reaching his arms over his head. Deanna had to resist the urge to tickle him. A giggle escaped her mouth at the thought and Mike glanced up at her amused. "What?" He chuckled. Deanna was shaking with laughter as Mike stood. "What's so funny?" He asked again, a lightness to his voice as he wrapped his arms around Deanna. "Nothing." She said, still laughing and not meeting his eyes. All the laughter ended as he pulled her in. Mike reached around her waist, taking her weight and making the crutches useless.

Their lips met as Deanna pushed herself up on the toes of her left foot and reached her arms around Mike's neck. The next minutes felt like hours as they made love for the first time since Deanna's injury. It was tricky, but so worth it and when they finished they were thoroughly exhausted and quite hungry.

A call for room service remedied the hunger issue and they spent the remainder of the evening relaxing and enjoying each other's company.