Doctor & Nurse

Chapter 42

Marking the calendar, my heart beats rapidly in my chest. Is today the day Tobias comes home? Patch said the beginning of the week, but never followed up with an exact date like Tobias told me he would. On Monday, I made one of his favorite meals, and cleaned the entire house, only for him not to show up. Disappointment fills my chest when I have to eat alone that night. Yesterday, Tuesday, I made another of his favorite meals and washed, dried, and ironed all of his scrubs. Tobias didn't come home yesterday either. Today, Wednesday, I decided to make steak, twice baked potatoes, glazed carrots, and rich devil's food chocolate cake which he nicknamed Dauntless Cake since he declared the first time I made it, "This cake is so rich, more than one slice will send someone to Dauntless Hospital's ER." My stomach fills with nervous butterflies thinking about Tobias, I can't wait to see him. Secretly, I wonder if anything about him will have changed. Is he going to still be the same man I love?

Waking up early Wednesday, I decide today is the day Tobias should be coming home, it's the middle of the week. I spot clean the house, looking for something to do, take a shower, and change into my new outfit Chris and I brought at the mall. Glancing at myself in the mirror, the black, skinny jeans, the flowy shirt, and the knee-high boots make me feel beautiful. I hope Tobias still finds me pretty. Taking extra time, I do my makeup and hair for him. My heart pounds in my chest with the anticipation of seeing him with each stroke of the makeup brush.

Pacing the living room, nervous energy flows through me, and I can't seem to sit still. My eyes glance at the clock. It's three in the afternoon. Maybe Tobias isn't coming home today. Disappointment fills my chest at the thought. Suddenly, a car drives into the driveway, a door opens and shuts. Sneaking a peek out the window, my eyes land on Tobias exiting the car, wearing a short-sleeve button-down shirt with dark jeans. He looks good, healthier than the last time I saw him. Reaching into the car, he pulls a bouquet of flowers. Excitement courses through my limbs, I race out the door and tackle him at the base of the stairs outside, leaping into his arms, wrapping my legs around his waist. He drops the flowers to encircle my waist with his arms. "Hello handsome," I grin happily. He smiles, "Hello beautiful, I have missed you." My eyes fall to his lips, I have missed his smile. I missed the way he smelled. Leaning over, I rub my nose into his jaw, inhaling the sweet smell of his aftershave. It smells just as I remember, only better. Shyly, I answer, "I missed you too," my nose rubbing along his freshly shaved jaw while he carries me up the front step, the flowers long forgotten.

He pushes the front door closed with his foot, and his lips immediately find mine. His tongue dances with mine, the kiss is full of passion and need. Pulling away, I'm breathless, staring at him, but he won't let me leave his arms, he murmurs, "I love you. Thank you for staying and for forgiving me." Heat floods my cheeks, I reply, "I love you too," my fingers playing with the hair at the nape of his neck. He continues to stare, while he walks to the couch, sitting down with me on his lap, I remain in my current position. His soft, full pink lips return to mine right where I want them the most. We continue to kiss until we are out of breath once again, his lips move to my neck, I grind my hips into his eliciting moans to escape from his beautiful lips. I have completely lost control, but I don't care, being with Tobias feels amazing right now like this. Tobias stills my movement against him, resting his hands along the small of my back, my fingers tug at his hair. His scent invades my nose, and I can't get enough of him. He pulls away panting, "We need to stop," a smile playing across his lips. I return his playfully smile, "I love you with all my heart and soul. I never want to be away from you again." He answers seriously, "Me neither," changing the subject he continues, "Something smells good. What did you make?" I grin, "Your favorite!" He pushes a strand of hair behind my hair, "You look beautiful. Are those new clothes?" Nodding my head, I answer, "Chris and I went to the mall, and I picked out a new outfit just for your homecoming." A smile tugs at his lips, shyly he presses a light kiss to my lips, I attempt to deepen the kiss, but he pulls away, I groan, "Tobias!" He laughs, "There will be plenty of time to kiss later, I'm starving!"