I've decided to bump up the story rating, as this chapter is M rated too.

The night was sleepless for them both. Every time Ruth rolled over Harry woke. He usually slept lightly, but not like this. Every forty minutes or so he woke with a fear gripping his heart, that this would be the last time he'd get to sleep next to her. That it would be the last time he'd hear her quiet breathing. He told himself that of course she'd make it through the surgery, but it didn't stop the fear filling him. At about six in the morning he gave up, went into the kitchen and started frying bacon and eggs for breakfast. He made sure that his entire being was focused on cooking, so his thoughts didn't wander to unsafe territories.

When he'd made a tray up with tea and toast as well as breakfast, he brought it upstairs. Ruth's nose was scrunched up and she could clearly smell the bacon.

"Mm, that's breakfast."

"Yes it is," Harry said, getting into bed next to her. She sat up and Harry struggled to avert his eyes from her bare breasts as the duvet fell down.

"Tea?" she asked, her fingers in mid air above the tray. He guided her hand to her mug carefully and she smiled her thanks. She took a cautious sip and then tried to spear her bacon with a fork, which was trickier than it should have been. But she hid her annoyance well. He should have made a bacon sandwich, he thought. That would have been easier for her. Her next words distracted him though. "I want to ask you something."

"Go on," he encouraged.

"I'd like…" she blushed a gorgeous red and Harry couldn't help but smile at her.

"I'd like to share a bath with you," she said. "It's something I've always wanted to do, and I thought… now's as good a time as any."

Harry smiled encouragingly at her, but of course she couldn't see that, so he kissed her in reassurance. "That sounds… entertaining."

Ruth smiled back at him. She fumbled for her tea and took another gulp. Then she ate the bacon as fast as she could. "I'll run the water then. Join me?" Before he could answer, she got out of bed and threw the T shirt she slept in on the floor. He looked at her naked body for long moments until she closed the bathroom door behind her. He heard the water running and waited for a moment before following her. He watched as she poured bubble bath under the hot tap, filling the room with fragrant cherry blossom. He smiled and watched with interest as she sank into the tub, still keeping the water running into the bath. He watched as first the bubbles covered up her legs and lower body, and then started creeping higher towards her breasts. She turned the tap off and he admired the water droplets clinging to her full breasts, one about to drip off her hard nipple. God he wanted her.

"I know you're there Harry," she said. "I can hear you breathing. Get in." He didn't wait to be asked twice. He got in the tub which raised the water level so her breasts were hidden from sight. He sighed with disappointment and she laughed, as if reading his mind. The bath wasn't all that big and their legs were tangled together closely, but neither minded.

"We should have champagne," Harry said. "Romantic baths require champagne."

"Its too early in the morning," she said. "But I take your point. Ah!" She cried out as his toes found their way between her legs. "Mm…" she sighed under her breath as he didn't stop moving.

"Turn around," he said lowly.

"Hmm?" she asked in a daze of confusion. Harry firmly moved her, causing water to splash over the side of the tub but neither of them cared. He pulled her close, her back to his chest, the hot water slick between their bodies. His arms were tight around her waist and she leaned her head back against his neck. "This feels good," she whispered.

He smiled at her. "Which shower gel is your favourite?" he asked, seeing the array of products resting on the edge of the tub.

"There's a creamy pink bottle on the… left," she said. "It's got roses on the label. I like that one. It's so bloody expensive though." Harry chuckled and reached for the bottle in question. He also grabbed a sponge and poured the soap onto it. He lathered it up and then reached for Ruth's body. Starting on her stomach, he gently touched her body, the sponge going round in circles on her skin. He moved so slowly, causing delicious rippled of pleasure throughout her entire being. The sponge reached the tips of her breasts and she moaned at the stimulation. She was torn between the desire to lean forward towards the teasing touch and pushing her back against his chest.

"You have magic fingers," she said.

"And you have a beautiful body," he replied. He let the sponge drift downwards very slowly, over her stomach, her hips, the tops of her thighs. She parted her legs in invitation and he chuckled into her neck. She could feel his arousal against her bum and knew he wanted her just as much as she wanted him.

"No," she said firmly, as his hands skirted around just where she wanted them most. She turned around and wrapped her hand around his erection. "You're teasing me."

"I know," he said with a smile. "That's the point. Oh…" he ended in a low moan as she pushed herself onto him, her warmth enveloping him. She gasped at the deep penetration and steadied herself, with her hands on either side of the tub. This gave Harry a perfect view of her glistening breasts. Leaning forward he sucked one nipple as she slowly set the rhythm. She was in complete control and he knew it. He loved seeing her like this, so bold and sure of herself. He hoped he'd see her like this more often. If… No, stop thinking he told himself.

"I love you Harry," she said in a hoarse gasp as she moved on top of him. "Oh God…" He didn't have the breath to speak with. All he could do was feel her moving, and in what felt like moments, his climax rushed over him. Ruth groaned at the feeling and felt her own orgasm pulled her into a blissful oblivion.

When she felt consciousness return to her again, she could feel her head resting on Harry's chest, his hand stroking her wet hair. The bath was cold and she fought back a shiver. "We need to move before we catch pneumonia."

"I know, but you were sleeping," he said. "And you looked so peaceful."

"That, and the fact you had a naked woman against your body and you didn't want to move."

"Well there was that to it to," he agreed. She reached for the plug and pulled it out so the bath started to empty. "How long was I… out of it?"

"I have no idea, but I take it as a massive compliment." He kissed her forehead as the water drained away. "And you need to get dressed. I'm taking you out for lunch."

"Where?"

"A great fish restaurant by the Thames. I've been meaning to try it for ages. Perfect day today, the suns out."

"Is it?" Ruth reached blindly out for some towels and found them, slightly damp but they'd do the job. She stood up, dripping and felt Harry rubbing her dry. He had such a good firm touch, and she never wanted him to stop.

"Lets get dressed."

Lunch was wonderful. The restaurant really knew how to cook fish. Ruth had prawns and plaice, while Harry had the Dover sole and scallops. But they had shared most of the meal, including dessert which was a delicious white chocolate mousse. Ruth felt full and happy, as long as she didn't think about tomorrow.

"I'm going to take you to Paris one day," Harry said quietly as they finished their drinks. "It's a beautiful city."

"I know," she said. "I've been there, but only once. Lets avoid the Eiffel Tower though. I don't like it."

"Really?"

"The views from the top are beautiful and it's a massive structure, but it's an ugly brown hulk of metal," she said as Harry laughed. "Sacre Coeur or the Arc de Triomphe are so much more beautiful. Oh and Notre Dame. And the Louvre, such a wonderful museum."

"And a boat ride on the Seine?"

"Absolutely," she said. A wistful smile filled her face. "If I don't get to do that…"

"Ruth, no," he said firmly, squeezing her hand tightly. "You are going to be fine. I will not let any other possibility happen."

"I need to say this," she said, anguish on her face. "If I don't make it, I want you to go to Paris anyway. And think of me while you're there."

"Criticising the most famous Parisian landmark?" he asked when he could find his voice. She smiled, even though it wasn't remotely funny.

"Yes," she said. "Think of me when you see that ugly structure by the Seine. Just… you know. Just in case." He lifted her palm and kissed it.

"I promise. But, it won't need to happen. I will go to France with you."

"Okay," she agreed. Harry paid the bill in silence, both of them worrying about what was to come.

The afternoon rushed by far too quickly. Ruth found herself thinking of her mother. She hadn't called in a while, and she'd mentioned nothing to her about her brain tumour for several reasons. She didn't want to worry her mother, and she didn't want the inevitable crying and shouting mixed with a good dose of pity. Harry felt sorry for her and the situation, she knew that but he had a way of not letting it colour everything he said and how he treated her.

"Harry? I haven't… called my mother."

"Oh Ruth," he said, shaking his head. "You should have."

"I know," she said. "But I'm not going to either."

"Ruth…"

"Which means if things don't go well.."

"I'll be left to make a highly uncomfortable phone call," Harry said. "Don't…" he was tempted to say "don't do that to me" but then realised this wasn't about him at all. This was about her needing reassurance about the people she'd leave behind if the surgery went wrong.

"I hate asking you," she said. "I really do, but I don't want to worry her."

"She'd want to see you Ruth."

"Oh I know she would," Ruth said. "I can't cope with her sympathy. I just can't. And she'll have a way of twisting everything so it's all about her. I can't Harry. I love my mother, and I don't want to seem ungrateful to her. But I like the distance between Exeter and London."

"Its only one train ride away."

"Yeah, a four hour one," Ruth said. "Those four hours are comforting. They stop the arguments."

Harry laughed, he couldn't help it. "All right," he agreed. "If it comes to it, I'll make the call that will make your mother want to strangle me." Ruth laughed too. Harry looked at his watch. "We have to go. Hospital."

"I know."

Thank you for the reviews so far. I hope to get the next chapter done over the weekend.