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"Here we go," said Jim. He walked into the bedroom carrying a warm bowl of soup. "Just what the paramedic ordered."

Melinda tried to thank him as he set the bowl on her bedside table, but she only succeeded in sneezing.

"I'll bring you more when you've finished this."

"Ugh, I don't think I'll even be able to finish this much soup. I'm not very hungry."

Jim placed his hand on Melinda's forehead to check her temperature. Still on the toasty side. "You need to eat something. Please just try?"

Melinda looked up into his concerned face and knew she'd force down a hoagie right now if he asked. She smiled and shook her head in amusement.

"What?"

"Nothing, nothing, now let me eat my soup!" She pretended to sound annoyed.

Jim chuckled and took a seat at the foot of the bed and watched Melinda attempt to eat something.

"When do you have to leave?"

Jim didn't like the fact that he had to work tonight. Melinda was strong, but stubborn. He knew his wife well and he knew that she'd be tempted to make use of her "down time" by cleaning the house or attempting to work from home instead of resting. He wanted to be home to make sure she remained in bed.

"I need to head out pretty soon. You sure you don't need anything else before I go?"

"I'll be fine," Melinda insisted. "You bought me a whole pile of magazines--"

Melinda paused to say "Thanks for waiting in line with a stack of girly magazines by the way," which made Jim laugh.

"And," she continued, pointing at her bedside table, "I've got movies to watch. You really don't need to worry."

"I can't help it. I'm your husband and I want to take care of you."

"And you've done a marvelous job, but I'll probably fall asleep soon anyway, so go to work."

"Okay." Jim leaned over to give her a kiss but Melinda ducked out of it.

"Hello, I'm all germy!"

Jim gave her an are-you-serious look. "Mel, we sleep in the same bed. If I was going to get sick it would've happened by now."

Melinda shrugged and was only too happy to kiss him. "I love you."

"I love you, too." Jim turned back to her when he got to the door. "Stay in bed," he ordered gently. "I'll try not to wake you when I get home."

"Please do," Melinda called after him. "I like to know you're home."