AN:AU I thank all you who read this from so many places. You keep me going until the end which will be soon. John has to meet his future in-laws and then the wedding will end this. I apologize for any errors. I sincerely suggest everyone get a pneumonia vaccination. It took a long time until I was well again. I am grateful for all the get well wishes.
John awakened to a sense of loss. Joss was not inside his right arm warming his side. He dreamed of their kisses. He needed more of them.
He wanted to talk to her. His mind filled with questions. "She said she loved me, but, she didn't say she would marry me or live with me. Would she want to be engaged and wait until Taylor graduated? I need time alone with her before Taylor returns from camp. There are still things we need to discuss. A lot could happen waiting another 2 years. I need her now." He frowns in distress.
The scent of Jasmin and Joss opened his eyes. He thought she looked incredibly beautiful in a fitted white eyelet lace bare shouldered halter dress tied at the back of her slender neck. It was the right contrast to complement her honey colored smooth soft skin. Her ebony curls caught is a loose ponytail. He slid his hand up her arm then over her shoulder resting at her cheek. His eyes, pools of worry, he pouts. "I missed you being next to me"
She beams at him. "Good morning, love. I know this is hard, but we are in a clinic for you to get well.
Dr. Mandani will be in soon, so we don't have much time to talk. It's already 6:30 am. I have a lot to do before lunch." She caresses his cheek with her left hand. He kisses it. "Why did you take the wedding ring off." The gems in the ring she still wears shine brighter than ever. His eyes are a question mark.
"Yes, I will marry you." She grabs both his hands as they try to pull her closer. "Wait, let me finish. I am giving you this wedding ring to put back on my finger 1 more time. We are having a double ring ceremony.
You will never be an undercover husband again."
He laughs to himself at her reference to Zoe and his fears.
I applied for a marriage license here in New York. A blood test and waiting 3 days is required. Dr. Mandani took the blood and Finch helped with the rest. The doctor says that by Wednesday your fever should be gone. We are getting married at 5 pm at Finch's small hotel, The Lark, on Central Park South. Dinner celebration following immediately. My mother, Taylor, Fusco and Finch will be there. Shaw will listen by phone while she protects the number.
He frowns, "We need to wait at least 3 weeks, so I can be a functioning husband. I don't think I can stand long enough to say I do."
She smirks at his excuse. "If this situation were reversed, and I were a complete invalid, you would marry me. In sickness and health are words you are going to hear.
The doctor explained the extent of your injuries. I will be taking care of you until you start therapy. Your torso needs to be still to heal. You can walk.
Since you refused the pain killers the doctor offered, I understand you are not as well as you want to be. Let me help you. I saw your scars when you went into surgery. I don't want us to miss another day when we could be together. "
His darkened deep sea blue eyes stare intensely into hers. His voice lowers. "OK."
She was right. Trusting her was all he needed. His hand cups the back of her head and he presses her forehead to his.
"Not even my ex noticed every thing like you do. You saved me by stopping a bullet that would have hit me. You even went to the extreme of cleaning a paper cut while trying to ice it to prevent me being in the slightest pain."
"How you feel is more important to me than any experience I have ever had or know about. At this time in my life, I know what matters to me. You matter. Your feelings matter."
Staring directly into her warm espresso eyes. His voice is low and soft. "I will never do anything you don't want me to do with you."
She feels her face grow warm. She knows what he means. She knew she would always be safe with him. She holds his face in her hands. They melt into a kiss.
She pulls back to speak.
"I trust you, trust me that this will work. I talked to Dr. Mandani and he told me your limits. I am going to be your nurse and help with your physical therapy."
"I have to go to get ready for tomorrow. Finch and Fusco are coming to take you to a bachelor's dinner tonight. It is your last night as a single man.
My mom will be here to see you alone, sometime today or tomorrow morning.
My son will learn about this when Finch gets him from the computer and sports camp tomorrow. I am sure he will call you at that point.
I will tell my ex Thursday to take the pressure off Taylor. He will try to meet you as soon as I tell him.
Paul's friends have criminal histories that cover the past 10 years. Paul's going to continue to have supervised visits for a while. Taylor is not dropping out of high school. He wants to be a doctor."
"I will meet my husband-in-law, saying as little as possible?"
She winced with no comment to his remark.
"Our honeymoon and place to live are up to you. I will see you once today and then not again until the ceremony tomorrow. I know you won't be late. I won't either." They smile remembering getting dressed at Far Rockaway.
"So you'll start dressing today?" He teases.
She does not reply to his comment.
She gives him a passionate kiss that takes his breath away. She flies through the door and past the doctor waiting on the other side.
John pulls himself up and calls loudly, "Dr Mandani, I want those pain meds tomorrow. How long before they take effect? How long do they last? I want enough for the effect to last 24 hours."
Dr. Mandani smiles. "Yes, I can do that. You will be sore when the meds wear off."
"I don't care." John laughs, and thinks, "It will be worth it."