Valerie moved her fingers gently through Benny's hair while his head rested on her lap while they were on his couch. She had decided to come up for Christmas with him since her dad and Rhonda Sue had made plans to go to Hawaii. And then Benny had come down with a head cold and couldn't fly so they were having a cozy holiday celebration with just them. Benny sniffed softly for a moment.
" Are you sleepy honey?" Valerie asked softly.
" A little but I like being where I am right now."
" If you need to close your eyes go ahead. I'll be right here."
" All right." He blew his nose softly on one of the million tissues that he had used since Valerie had arrived. A soft sigh followed that .
" Benny?"
" I just feel bad like I ruined our Christmas with this cold. I wanted to take you out and do things with you and I've felt miserable for a few days."
" I only wanted to be here with you. Besides we can still go out to dinner. That diner you showed me the last time I was here has good comfort food and it wouldn't be far for you to walk while you're not feelin well."
" Sure we can go there tommorrow. I love you."
" I love you too, now go ahead and snuggle in and take a nice nap. I'll make some soup later for dinner that should help you start kicking those sniffles in the butt." " Oh that reminds me look what Diana got Jason for Christmas."
She pulled up a picture on her cell phone of Jason holding a small brown kitten in his hand.
" Bull with a kitty? I can see that. I'm glad he needs so,e company sometimes and something to get him out of the office at night when he gets too absorbed in work."
" I think it was a cute idea and one of the sheriffs deputies working in the courthouse had a cat who had a litter. Jason's was the runt that didn't have a home so Di took her to surprise him."
" That was sweet."
Benny felt a yawn coming on and tried to fight it off but it happened anyway. " Cold medicine makes me sleepy."
" Rest will help you feel better." Valerie wrapped her arms around him gently and pulled a blanket over him.
( More to come)