A few days later, Robbie Lewis' own back was healing right nicely but he was discovering just how true the aphorism was that doctors make the worst patients. As Laura continued to recuperate at home, she bristled at Lewis' attempts to get her to stay in bed. She threw off the covers time after time only to be tucked in again. I know I should be grateful to be in my own bed again, but… She wanted her silken pyjamas; he insisted she wear flannel. Lewis was still treating her like an egg in an incubator though Laura had overcome the deathly chill that nearly took her from him.
Lyn had returned to Manchester but left them a crockpot full of soup ample enough to feed them for days. Laura had a hard time managing with the spoon as she had not yet recovered the manual dexterity to which she was accustomed so Lewis insisted on feeding her. Laura shook her head. "No more soup. Grill me a steak Robbie; we could sit on the porch swing while it cooks."
"It's too cold out, pet. James offered to make a grocery run though; I'll ask him to pick up a steak too." He paused, "I didn't think you particularly cared for steak though. I'll check your vitamins to be sure you're getting enough iron."
"I don't have an iron deficiency! I just want to cut into something with a knife! And I want to go outside!" Her lips began to quiver. "I want to go back to work, Robbie. What if I can't use a scalpel anymore?"
Lewis put down the bowl of soup on to the tray table he had propped next to the bed. He held her close. "You're making a lot of progress, but you have to give it time, love. Now I want no more talk about work." He was thinking of the icy slabs she examined her subjects on- not to mention call-outs to crime scenes in all kinds of inclement weather. "Laura, would it be so horrible if you were to take an early retirement and stay home with me?"
"If you're planning on holding me prisoner in bed for the rest of my life, then yes!" Lewis looked crestfallen. Laura hadn't meant to hurt him.
"Oh Robbie, don't look at me like that. I love you with all my heart, even when you smother me. I do look forward to retiring with you, but I want us to go places. We should travel, and spend time with your kids and grandson. One day, when I'm done with my scalpel I might even trade it in for knitting needles- if our Lyn has the patience to teach me."
"I think she'd love that, pet." He beamed at Laura's adoption of his familiar phrase- our Lyn. He sighed contentedly and relented to her wishes. "Maybe this afternoon- if you bundle up- and if we keep moving- but not too fast- we could take a walk this afternoon."
"That sounds wonderful, Robbie." She pulled him into a kiss. "And I promise to dress warmly, but as you have ably proved, you are the only heat source I need."
Laura didn't remember that night in the back of the squad car, but Hathaway had filled her in on any details omitted by the modest Lewis. ("And then this manky sod tore his clothes off like he thought he was the Incredible Hulk or something." Oh how Hathaway had enjoyed recounting the events so as to maximize embarrassment to his former boss…)
Lewis too though back to that night, but instead of shivering, grinned. "Do we have time to snuggle before we take our walk?" He asked earnestly.
"I think so," she purred. "Can I lose the flannel?"
"Mmm hmm." He slipped out of his trousers- gracefully and not at all Hulk-like, Laura observed- and began to unbutton his shirt as well as he joined her under the covers.
As they shifted around and melded into a comfortable position for snuggling together, they both reflected on their couplehood in light of the recent events. Laura was reminded how lucky she was to have some someone completely devoted to her- for the first time in her life. For his part, Lewis remembered that he loved Laura because she was so dynamic; she made him feel alive and certainly more adventurous than he'd ever been. Both resolved not to stifle what they cherished most in the other. And neither one minded spending a few more minutes in bed before their next adventure.
Hathaway was pleasantly surprised to find Laura up and dressed when he came by later that night with provisions. He decided she could handle some light humor as she (begrudgingly) asked Lewis to cut her supper for her. "You know, you've got this all backwards. You are supposed to be the one taking care of him in his old age," he said, nodding to Lewis.
"Cheeky git." Lewis responded, as he handed Hathaway a beer.
Laura jumped in too. "No, James, we've got it right. I'm supposed to keep Robbie's life interesting. He is supposed to keep me grounded. And we're going to spend the rest of our lives keeping each other in balance." She exchanged a meaningful look with Lewis.
"Did I miss something?" Hathaway asked.
Lewis put down the cutlery and took Laura's hand. "Laura's agreed to let me put a ring on this finger here."
"If my fingers aren't functional they might as well be decorative." Laura quipped.
"Hush, love, there's no reason they can't be both. Give it time."
Hathaway grinned. "Are you sure you've thought this through? I mean, you scarcely know each other..." he said, facetiously referring to their 20 year friendship. He raised his beer. "Cheers to good friends and good news. May you have a long and healthy life together."
Author note: And so a story that began at the end now ends with a new beginning... Thanks for reading and the kind reviews! (PS I'd somehow cut off the last bit of chapter 5, but it's fixed now!)