Chapter 11: Healing
Disclaimer: I own everyone not recognizable
John called the nurse and asked for the baby to be brought in. While they waited the doctors examined Carli and gave a great prognosis, she would only need to be in the hospital for another four to five days and then she could go. They wanted to observe her and make sure infection wouldn't set in and she wouldn't slip back into the coma. When they left John crawled into bed with her and Carli cried. Part relief she and her son were alive and part fear from what had happened. John held her and swore to himself to help her through this and kill the bastard that did this. She told him what she remembered about the other night and she surprisingly remembered everything. Dr Lester brought in the baby and spoke with Carli about how to care for his leg. He was doing great but needed the stitches out before they left. He had been moved to the regular nursery during the night and could remain with her as long as she wanted.
The doctor placed the baby with Carli and John and left the room. They sat there staring at the baby who looked like Carli but had John's dimples. She was still a little weak so John held him as Carli fed him a bottle. There was a soft knock on the door and John's parents stepped in. His Mom started crying when she saw Carli awake and his dad hugged her tight. Over the next few hours they received lots and lots of visitors including the police. Carli was in and out due to the drugs and being so tired. Her body still needed to heal a lot and she felt like she'd been in a war. She was able to hold her son for small intervals and it made her cry every time. Everyone had told her she saved her sons life but she said any mother would have done the same thing.
The days seemed to drag and Carli thought she'd never get out of there. She pushed herself and walked around a lot, but couldn't shake that tired feeling. She walked to the nursery to pick up and drop of her son. John watched as she bonded with their boy; he was amazed at the unspoken bond between mother and son. He already knew her voice, her scent, her heartbeat, it was incredible to watch the difference in the way he responded to Carli and they way he was with others. Her doctor wanted her to stay one more day; her body wasn't reacting the way they wanted. She naturally bitched and moaned but had no choice but to stay. John stayed in the room with her again that night and they had their son with them for the first time. Carli needed the rest so John got up through the night to feed the baby. He wouldn't have traded these moments for anything; his private time to connect with baby Joey. He reacted to his dad too, he knew his voice.
It was late in the day when Carli and baby Joey were finally released. They stayed in a hotel suite for the night and would drive home in the morning. She was surprised at how well prepared her husband was and he confessed his mom helped him and she was staying in the next room. He had no idea what to get other than bottles and diapers and his mom helped him with everything else. She drove some things down from their house and helped John set up the hotel suite. He had done a lovely job making Carli feel safe and relaxed. He had her favorite candles everywhere and had the baby set up next to Carli's side of the bed. When they put baby Joey down for bed they sat in the living area together and listened to music.
She loved the way her husband felt wrapped around her, the way he smelled. He wasn't a cologne kind of guy for everyday purposes but he always smelled of soap and deodorant. His body still turned her on despite two gunshot wounds and childbirth. She let her mind wander to the moments they shared. She thought about their first time, the night they conceived their beautiful boy, their wedding night, all of them stirred her lower regions. She looked at John with lust in her eyes. "What's up with you? Why are you looking at me like that?" John smirked at his wife's devious expression. Carli stood and pulled John to his feet. She kept her eyes on him which she knew drove him insane.
"Dance with me." She whispered. He hated dancing, loathed it, but he would do anything for her. She rested her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes. She memorized his scent as if smelling it for the first time. John ran his fingertips up and down her back and thanked God she was okay. Carli could no longer ignore the way her body reacted to his and she knelt in front of him and removed his shorts.
"Empty cupboard as usual." She smiled at her husband. She licked his boys and stroked him with her hands. Gently at first and gradually stepped up the pressure.
"Carli, baby, stop." John tried to pull her up but she shook him off. Continuing her assault on him physically she kept control of him mentally by maintaining eye contact. He tried to make her stop but his efforts soon became weak. "Baby, you don't…aah…have to do…mmm…this…please…" Considering Carli and John made love at least three times a week and it had been almost a month since they'd been together, John was ready to explode quickly. She knew he was close and Carli did everything she knew drove him crazy. Looking into his eyes, she used her mouth and hands together; working as a team. John looked around the room trying to distract himself from his impending release. If he looked in her eyes it would be over and he loved the way her mouth and hands were working him over. He was too close to slow down and his hands went to her head. "You're gonna make me cum." She literally sucked on him, adding more pressure with her lips and hands. "I'm fuckin cumin, oh god baby." John spilled himself in her mouth and she didn't stop until he was finished.
As soon as he recovered he was all over Carli. He knew he'd have to be gentle with her but the doctors never said she couldn't have an orgasm. He slowly peeled of her clothes and marveled at her body. Her shape had changed with pregnancy, but it changed in a good way. Her curves were phenomenal and made her sexier, if that was possible. He lightly touched her tummy where his son had lived and traced the circles of the marks forever on her body. They were good and bad scars. Those circles would always remind them of what happened and yet it would forever reflect her fierce protection of her child. Her instincts protected their son and she sacrificed herself for him. He couldn't believe this amazing woman was his wife. His life had changed dramatically in the past year. He almost hadn't gone to Paul and Stephanie's wedding. He owed those two a lot.
A year ago he met a beautiful woman at the airport, 10 months ago he moved into her home, eight months ago they conceived a beautiful boy and now they were married and he had a family. He wouldn't have dreamt this in a million years and would have laughed at anyone who said this would be his life. He liked kids but thought they weren't for him. He'd rather be the fun uncle. But when he saw the sonogram picture that day in her office, he knew where he was meant to be. Carli changed his whole world.
Now he was about to satisfy this woman and help her release tension and give her something else to think about. He removed her panties and ran his fingertips up and down her legs. He thought about the first time they were wrapped around him. They both gazed at eachother and started breathing heavy. "John…" He crossed the room in the blink of an eye, picked her up and backed her into the wall. Her legs instantly wrapped around him and their mouths played the same desperate game. They both groaned as he unhooked her bra and yanked it away throwing it to the side. His mouth and hands moved to her breasts, licking and sucking, holding them like a prize. His mouth went back to hers and she held his head with both hands. He placed his right arm underneath her lifting her a little higher as he frantically undid his belt and jeans. "hurry…" John freed himself and with his left hand he went to her moving her panties to the side and plunging his fingers into her. He immediately knew she was ready for him. He took both her hands and pinned them against the wall above her head with his right hand. He guided her hips with his left hand and they both almost screamed as he entered her. He stood still and kept her from moving until he could regain control. If either of them moved it was over for John. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath; all he could hear was Carli's ragged breathing which matched his own. They both needed to adjust to the new feeling of eachother. He opened his eyes and looked at her; her mouth was parted and her eyes bore hungrily into him. They both knew they'd gone too far to consider this love making, let's just call it like it is.
"Fuck me, John." She whispered as she struggled against him to move her hips.
"Oh shit, baby." He tried to think of other things as he began to move in and out of her. He had never been a two pump chump and he wasn't about to start now. He prided himself on his stamina, but Carli was ruining his record real fast. He let go of her arms and gripped her hips with his hands attempting to gain control again. She dipped her tongue in his mouth and mimicked his movements. He turned around and carried her to the couch, maintaining the connection. He sat on the edge of the couch and leaned back into the soft cushions. Carli pulled her legs from around John and left them at his sides. She shoved her hands under his thighs and leaned back a little. She kept her eyes on his as she moved her hips in circles and ovals. "Mmmm, Carli, baby, you feel so good." His hands squeezed her ass and she arched her back, still moving her hips at a steady pace. He could feel her body gripping him tight and then releasing him, teasing him, antagonizing him. John looked at her body; her perfect 34Cs, her taught and defined tummy, the trail of hair that led to the place where their bodies were joined. He brought his hands around and began his assault on her. Carli squealed and her head fell back. He could feel her body getting closer and closer which was making him get closer and closer. He took control of her hips with his fingers as his thumbs continued the assault. Carli moaned and whined as she felt her body giving in to John. Her nails dug into his thighs and when he felt her body start to contract he moved harder and a little faster. He too lost control and John came right after Carli.
"What are you thinking about?" She whispered.
He looked up at her as he lay between her legs. "The first time these were wrapped around me." He answered her as he dipped his tongue to her and began pleasing her. He picked up her leg and placed her foot on the coffee table giving him easier access. Carli's head fell back and she thought about the first time he'd done this to her. To her or for her? She was never sure how to refer to the sensation she was getting from her husband. She thought back to that night in a hotel. She dug her nails into his shoulders as he kissed her inner thighs. He moved his mouth from thigh to thigh brushing his lips against her as he passed over her center. She almost screamed as he finally stopped teasing her and let his tongue taste her. Carli's eyes rolled to the back of her head as he used his fingers and mouth to make love to her. "Tell me what you want me to do." When she felt her release getting closer she pressed her hips into him and gripped his head with her hands. "Just like that, that's what I like."
"Tell me what you want me to do baby." He looked into her eyes as he said the words and she thought she'd explode right then. He kept changing his movements trying to get her to answer him and even completely stopped. His fingers dancing over her already throbbing center, he whispered to her, "Tell me baby girl. Tell me where you want my mouth, tell me to fuck you." Carli screamed at his words as he teased her and wouldn't let her cum.
"Please…don't stop…oh god…" She let out a high pitched squeal. She moved his hands where she craved them and he plunged his fingers into her. She arched her back and yelled, "fuck me, baby…yes, just like that…mmm…oh John." She cried out as her body stiffened and contracted under his touch. The thought of it brought Carli quickly to the brink. She ignored the pain in her shoulder and her tummy. She focused on her husband's tongue and howincredible it felt. John slid his fingers into her and she bit her lip trying not to scream. His fingers moved in and out and he rubbed her walls hitting her sacred spot over and over. Her nails dug into him as she moved her hips against him adding to the sensation. John felt her stiffen and she tried to muffle her screams. She didn't do very well and still let out a loud squeal as her juices soaked his fingers.
As the adrenaline wore off Carli started feeling the pain of her injuries. She fell to the couch and grasped her tummy. "Carli, are you okay?" He looked at her and she had popped a few stitches. He started to panic but she just laughed.
"It was worth it!" She replied.
"That's it. No more of that until you get the stitches out." John said firmly. Carli stuck out her bottom lip and pouted. She reached for him and began teasing him again.
"Please, daddy, you know you like it." She ran her fingertips up and down him and he was back and ready for her. Her tongue darted out and she kissed the tip of John. It took him a minute of her excruciating tease to snap out of it. He backed away from her, regrettably, but she needed to rest.
"No more. It's too hard to fight wanting to make love to you. Do I really have to wait five more weeks?" He began to pout himself. Carli laughed. Five more weeks until he could feel her body wrapped around him, her warmth, her tightness gripping him.
"We can always play. Come shower with me." She grabbed her husband's hand and they went to the large bathroom. There was a Jacuzzi tub and that would feel much better to her sensitive skin. He pulled her out of there and made her sit on the bed. He went back in and ran the bath water, lit some candles and added bubbles. She was like a little kid and loved bubbles. He went back to the bedroom and watched her as she looked at their son. She stroked his downy hair and placed delicate kisses to his hands and head. John went to his wife and she was teary-eyed again. He smiled at her and tugged her hand. They went back to the bathroom and he removed the rest of her clothes. He picked her up and got into the tub placing her in front of him. She instantly melted into him and her body felt much better in the heat of the water. They closed their eyes and just enjoyed being so close to eachother.
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After the bath they crawled into bed and wrapped themselves around eachother. Tomorrow they'd head back to their house in Connecticut with their new son. John told her to sleep and he'd get up with the baby through the night. Carli fell asleep as soon as she closed her eyes. John woke up a few hours later and fed Joey. He spent that hour talking to his son and looking into his big beautiful blue eyes. When his belly was full, Joey fell back to sleep and John got back into bed with his wife. It felt like he'd only been asleep for a few minutes when he heard crying again. This was his first night and he was already wondering how long until he slept through the night. After he fed the baby, he got back into bed and noticed Carli hadn't even moved from the position she was in when she fell asleep. He thought back and realized she was in this position the first time he fed Joey. He touched her skin and she was cold. He jumped up and turned on the light.
She was deathly pale and he began to panic and tried to wake her. Nothing. He began screaming for help and tried shaking Carli. He remembered to check for a pulse and she had one but you could barely feel it. He called his Mom and she came right over. Luckily she was next door. She called 911 and tried to get John to calm down. They threw extra blankets on the bed and tried to keep her warm. Carol suggested he crawl into bed with her for more heat and he lay behind her and wrapped his arms around her. Carol relayed instructions to John as she was given them by the 911 person. He couldn't think and Carol had to yell at him over his own screaming. Between John's panicked screams, the baby's wailing and Carol trying to talk on the phone, nobody heard the knock on the door. The Hotel manager let in the EMTs and they followed the sounds to find Carol on the phone, John crying and screaming at his wife and a newborn in a cradle crying.
The EMTs began to assess Carli and John picked up the baby, trying to calm them both. Carol hung up the phone and packed a bag for John and Joey. She took Joey from John and went to her room to pack a bag and get dressed. As she was returning the EMTs were taking Carli to the elevator. John was still in his basketball shorts and basically told the EMTs he'd be riding with them in the ambulance. Carol and the baby followed in the rental car. When they arrived at the hospital the same doctors who tended Carli met them at the doors. They ordered emergency surgery and rushed her through the ER. Carol came running in with Joey in his car seat and the three of them followed the gurney as far as they could. John stood at the doors and watched as they turned the corner. He was still in hysterics and didn't care.
Two nurses who knew John and Carli from the previous visit approached John and offered him a room and a shower. They brought in a crib for Joey and had given John a suite. He knew he needed to at least put more clothes on but he was riveted to that spot. Carol got Joey settled and back to sleep and she had to force John into the shower. When he was alone he began to cry again. What had happened to her? Why would they release her if she wasn't healed enough? How did they not know she had something wrong? Millions of questions ran through his head and it just made him angry. He got out of the shower and looked at himself in the mirror. Not only was he wondering about Carli but what would he do if something ever happened to her? How would he breathe without his air? How would he know to wake up without his sun? How would he explain to his son that his Mother sacrificed her life for his? That's exactly how he'd explain it. She loved her son enough that she died protecting him. Why am I thinking like this? She'll be perfectly fine so it won't even be an issue. Think positive.
John got dressed and walked out. His Mom was sleeping on the couch with baby Joey'scrib next to her. He left the room and paced the halls. He made a few calls to Steph and Paul and Shawn and Rebecca. Steph and Paul were leaving immediately and Shawn and Rebecca got a flight mid-morning. Stephanie called Mark and Sara, Dave and Angie and Torrie and Billy. They in turn called everyone else. By the time the doctors finally came out, Steph and Paul were there and rotating baby duties with his Mom. John held Joey tight and was flanked by Carol and Steph. Shawn and Rebecca ran up just as the doctors were about to speak. They all could tell this wasn't good, the looks on the doctor's faces showed impending doom.
"John, I'm so sorry. We should have caught it sooner. Carli has a thoracic aortic aneurysm. We can't tell if it's been there or if it's new and formed from all the stress. We have a cardiologist flying in to see her. Her body has put her back into the coma." Carol took the baby from John when he looked like he was going to fall. Shawn helped him to a chair. Steph and Rebecca asked the doctor when they could see Carli and what he was hiding. The doctor explained the severity of Carli's condition. "It's pretty bad. I'm not sure she'll wake up." He started to walk away and Rebecca grabbed his arm.
"Wait a minute, wake up today, tomorrow…" Rebecca asked and before she could finish the doctor shook his head.
"At all. I'm not sure Carli will make it. We need to see if this is operable and then we'll know more. I'm flying in the top thoracic surgeon to consult and hopefully operate." Steph and Rebecca stood staring at the retreating doctor.
