AN: Boy this one turned out long. Let me know if you dig it! Thanks for all the nice reviews I've gotten recently - if any of y'all have any suggestions as to what you might wanna see, I'm very open to giving the people what they want. Anyway, here goes:
It has been a week now since the colostomy operation was done on Gomez by Dr. Thoms. The surgery went successfully, without a hitch. Dr. Thoms had warned Morticia and family that due to Gomez's weakened state, it might take him longer than most to recover from going under general anaesthetic. Indeed, Dr. Thoms has been proven correct.
Over the past few days since the operation, Gomez has shown no sign of rousing, much to Morticia's profound panic. With him essentially comatose, she has tried everything she can possibly think of in order to encourage him out of it. These different attempts include dressing him in one of his white shirts from home, bringing in every single member of the family to talk to him, reading to him, playing him love ballads on the digeridoo (how did she get it into the hospital?) doing some of those massage and physiotherapy techniques she picked up from the therapists and the masseuse, and playing recordings of some of their favourite songs to tango to.
For four days, Gomez showed absolutely no indication of waking, despite everything Morticia tried. The stress of waiting for some improvement to happen has gotten to her. She is less able to keep it together without Gomez there to be her rock.
Gomez was in a real state after the operation. He had a nasogastric tube inserted down his nose to prevent vomiting, which is still inserted. He's been fed only liquid foods via his feeding tube for these past few days.
However, at the beginning of day five, in the early hours of the morning – as soon as Morticia was allowed return to his hospital room and sit beside him, that all changed.
When she opened the door, she immediately noticed Gomez reacting to it, just flickering his eyes open a little bit before they fell back closed. Morticia, elated, spent the rest of the day by his side, trying to encourage him further. Waking up from a coma (even a short one), is not like how it looks in the movies. It isn't like waking up from a regular nap, it's a process. Since Gomez's one was fairly short, the process of waking up will be shorter. For most of day five, Gomez was only able to open his eyes and look around a little before falling back under, and not able to respond to any questions by blinking.
However, by day six, Gomez's capacity to understand, what was going on was on its way back. He was able to blink yes and no to Morticia in moments of wakefulness, but was still too tired and groggy to use his eyegaze computer.
We open in the evening of day seven – a week later, and Gomez is finally now able to get started back on the eyegaze without getting too tired or woozy. Morticia has been waiting for this for an entire week. By day seven, his abilities to move the parts of his body he'd already recovered movement in (his face, mouth, head, and a little bit in the hands) had started to reawaken as well.
Morticia and Dr. Thoms are in the hospital room. Gomez is awake – more lucid than he's been the previous two days, and Thoms thinks now is a good time to get him back started on the eyegaze. Morticia stands beside Gomez's bed, her hand on his shoulder, as Thoms walks around the room, explaining things.
Thoms
So we may as well get started with that now, then. I'll get the computer off his wheelchair in the corner.
Indeed, the powerchair has been sitting sadly unoccupied for the past week, gathering dust in the corner. Thoms goes over to it, and unclicks the computer stand off the powerchair.
Morticia squeezes Gomez's shoulder softly.
Morticia
Darling, did you hear the doctor?
Gomez weakly flicks his eyes up to give the affirmative. Morticia keeps her hand on his shoulder as Thoms comes back over, and brings the computer over to the bed, clicking it to the bedframe. He presses the power button, and it slowly turns back on.
Morticia
Now, he's getting it all ready for you.
She squeezes his shoulder as the desktop loads.
Morticia
Take your time, dear.
Gomez does take his time, slowly getting used to using the machine again. The mouse awkwardly darts around the screen, Gomez not fully back in control of all the faculties he has yet, but getting there. He finally manages a moment of concentration, and brings up the text-to-speech widget.
Gomez
Querida mia…
He's selected this from his top ten most used phrases as opposed to typing this himself. He looks at Morticia as the words play out.
Morticia beams.
Morticia
Oh, Gomez.
She sits down beside him. Thoms watches, arms folded.
Morticia
Speak to me, cavaliero mio. Use those glorious, bulging eyes of yours.
Gomez manages a weak smile, which in turn causes Morticia's heart to swell with relief.
Morticia
Darling, you're smiling again.
Gomez
It'll take a lot more than a mere anaesthetic to conquer an Addams!
Morticia strokes his cheek, so relieved that it isn't even funny.
Morticia
Oh, Gomez, you're so inspirational.
Gomez
I get it from you, cara mia.
Morticia
Your typing, Gomez. Even encumbered by infusion upon infusion of medication – you compose those words so masterfully.
Thoms
Well, that must be quite the relief for you, Mrs Addams.
Morticia looks up. She takes Gomez's hand.
Morticia
Oh, doctor. I can't thank you enough. You have been so patient, even in my time of crisis.
Gomez
Crisis? What crisis?
Morticia
Oh, dear, you mustn't worry when we tell you.
Gomez
What happened? Did it go alright?
Thoms
The surgery?
Gomez
Did I die?
Morticia
Oh, not this time, Gomez. Thankfully not. You're still far too young for that.
Thoms
It was a complete success. But I don't want you to be alarmed by what we're about to tell you.
Gomez
Out with it, old man! I can't take the suspense!
Thoms
Well, it's actually been seven days since the surgery took place, Mr Addams. You were comatose for four days. You've been waking up for the past three.
Gomez's eyes go wide. He looks at Morticia.
Gomez
Tish! Is it true?
Morticia
I'm afraid so, my darling.
Gomez
By George, I didn't realize!
Morticia
Oh, you mustn't worry, Gomez. It isn't your fault. Simply down to fate. But you're all better now.
Gomez (weakly nodding, eyes still wide)
It's true I've always wanted to be in a coma, but not like this!
Morticia
I know, I know, dear. We had planned it the safety of home, with Mama's concoctions to snap you out of it whenever you so desired.
Gomez
The children must be worried sick!
Morticia
Oh, darling, try not to worry yourself too much. I explained everything to them.
Thoms
I made sure it wasn't going to be a matter of if you woke, but when.
Gomez
Capital. I hate to scare them like that.
Morticia
I know, dear, I know. But you mustn't worry now. You're back now.
Gomez
Tish… I hope I didn't frighten you.
Morticia
Don't apologize, darling. You must know I worried. How couldn't I? My heroic, courageous husband reduced to nothing, once again. But you fought, like a true Addams! You conquered that anaesthetic like a toreador in the ring, in the heat of battle!
Gomez
Querida… you're so thoughtful.
Morticia
So are you, dear. Thinking of us in your time of plight.
Gomez
How could I think of anyone else?
Morticia
You could think of yourself.
Gomez
Nonsense, cara mia. I think only of you, my beautiful, black orchid.
Morticia
Oh, Gomez. You are an angel.
Morticia swoops in, and kisses Gomez on the forehead.
Thoms shifts uncomfortably.
Thoms
So. Uh. I'm still here.
Gomez
Ah, yes.
Morticia
Oh, Dr. Thoms! My apologies. I'm just excited. And dear Gomez does tend to get a bit carried away.
Morticia and Gomez smile at each other, their eyes twinkling. Thoms clears his throat.
Thoms
Well, Mr and Mrs Addams, I'm glad we could provide adequate care. But there's going to be a bit of a learning curve attached to having a colostomy bag in place. Should be much easier than a bowel programme, though.
Morticia
Oh, thank heavens.
Gomez
Ah, that blasted programme! Took up far too much time of our day, old man! I'll be glad to see it gone!
Morticia
Me too. We have toiled and cried over that awful thing one too many times.
Gomez
Besides – Tish.
Gomez smiles wickedly.
Gomez
It means we can cuddle in the mornings.
Morticia lovingly sighs, envisioning spending mornings sleeping in with Gomez again rather than immediately having to clean him. Plus, she's just over the moon to have him back communicating after a very emotional couple of days.
Morticia
Oh, Gomez. You dear, sweet, beautiful man.
Thoms
Excuse me.
Gomez and Morticia both look back at Thoms.
Thoms
So I thought I could talk the two of you through what you need to do.
Gomez
Oh, yes. Fire away, old boy!
Morticia
Yes, do go on, doctor. I do apologize. I'm just so relieved.
Gomez's eyes briefly become sad for a moment, as he feels a guilty twinge.
Gomez
Oh, cara mia! To have scared you like that, and the children too! It crushes my soul!
Morticia
Ssshhh, Gomez. You are not to apologize, under any circumstances. You have done nothing wrong. Isn't that right, Doctor?
Thoms
Ah, yes. No, I can't say you did anything wrong, Mr Addams. Just a fact of life. It's like that sometimes. Stuff we can't control happens to us, and we deal with it. Like you did. You've dealt with it. You woke up – you did that yourself, we just waited.
Morticia
Now, dear, do you hear the good doctor? You did it all by yourself.
Gomez feels a bit better now. He smiles, sort of bashfully.
Gomez
Well, I suppose I did.
Thoms
So – will you let me speak about the surgery, or…?
Gomez
Ah, yes.
Morticia
I am sorry. It's just that dear Gomez and I haven't spoken in a whole week, and I have so much I must tell him.
Thoms groans.
Thoms
Like what?
Morticia leans in, and gets right up in Gomez's face, looking into his eyes.
Morticia
Gomez…
Gomez
Yes, cara mia?
Morticia
Gomez…
Gomez
Oh, Tish.
Morticia
Gomez…
Gomez
Tish…
Morticia leans in close enough to kiss him on the mouth, and does so. His mouth movement (and whole face movement) is still a bit encumbered by the drowsiness, but he manages to kiss her back weakly. To Morticia, this means the entire world. She spends a few moments just staying close to him, taking in his presence. She was secretly so afraid she was going to lose him – if not to death, but to coma or a vegetative state. But now she feels silly for doubting him.
Thoms
PLEASE. I'm just going to start talking, and hey – if you wanna listen and learn about how you take care of the bag, fine. If you wanna be romantic, be romantic. But I'm just gonna do my job here.
Gomez
A well-performed surgery is so romantic, my dear.
Morticia
Oh, I know, darling. Maybe now the worst is over, we can begin to enjoy it.
Thoms
So, I'm just going to show it to you, Mr Addams. Don't be alarmed.
Gomez
Alarmed? I'm positively ecstatic, old boy!
Thoms pulls the covers off the bed. Gomez is still wearing the white shirt Morticia placed on him, but every button bar the first two are undone, leaving Gomez's chest exposed. Gomez takes a look at the colostomy bag, which has been fitted to his abdomen.
Gomez (again, smiling, impressed by what he can see of his torso, and then looking at Morticia)
Great Scott, it seems I've amassed quite the collection of scars, haven't I, my dear?
Morticia
My battered, battle-scarred, wounded love. You wear them so bravely.
Thoms presses a button on the bed, and it automatically rises up, putting Gomez into much more of a sitting position. Before, he was really lying down horizontally with his head raised up the slightest bit. Morticia moves the computer back in his line of sight as the back of the bed rises. Gomez can now get a better look at the results of the operation.
Indeed, there's a wound, with a clear bag affixed to it. Gomez looks at the doctor, very impressed.
Gomez
Exquisite knifework, doctor! You did that like a swordsman!
Thoms
I really hope not.
Gomez is beaming, and laughs a little. It still kind of looks like a spasm or convulsion when he laughs, but Morticia knows the difference, so isn't worried in the least.
Gomez (grinning)
Just fooling, old man. I gotcha that time, didn't I?
Thoms
Oh. Yes, very funny.
Gomez
Besides, with all this blood, you're far more like an assassin! Or a samurai!
Morticia
Or a slaughterhouse worker!
Gomez's eyes go wide and he turns his head as much as he can to look at Morticia, struck by inspiration.
Gomez
Tish – that's it! I look like the butchered carcass of a pig, fresh from the abbatoir! You are a poet.
Morticia
Oh, Gomez, you flatterer.
Thoms looks faint. He shakes it off as best as he can and continues to walk Gomez through the results of the operation.
Thoms
So, Mr Addams, uh… you see that bag?
Gomez
Unless we're both suffering from hallucinations!
Thoms
So that's not going to be the same type you'll be using on a day to day basis. This is a post-surgery bag. Now – your stoma – which is the hole we cut in your abdomen, has actually already started working while you were under. So we're very satisfied on that front.
Gomez
It has?
Thoms
Indeed.
Gomez
Another triumph of the Addams spirit, querida mia! My body, adjusting, as my mind still slept!
Morticia
How thoughtful of it, darling.
Thoms
Yes, well – uh. It started working. So that's really good. You can see, though it might be unsightly, that stool is draining into it.
Gomez (beaming)
Positively disgusting, old man!
Thoms
Yes, well, we'll be switching you to an opaque bag as soon as you're discharged. So you don't have to see it.
Morticia
I know you and I don't mind, Gomez darling, but think of poor Aristotle.
Gomez
Tish, you're right. He's such a sensitive octopus. The sight might upset him.
Thoms
Well, look. Due to your… reduced capacity…
Gomez
That's putting it mildly, old man!
Morticia
Indubitably.
Thoms
Well, yes – it is euphemistic, I suppose – but please, do pay attention.
Gomez
Ah yes.
Morticia
Do go on.
Thoms
Due to your reduced capacity for movement, the task of changing and cleaning out the pouch will go to Mrs Addams.
Morticia
A responsibility, that for my darling Gomez, I am honoured to take. After all, I must – who else could stomach it?
Gomez
Cara mia, such wisdom.
Thoms
Will I show you how, or…?
But before Thoms can even finish his sentence, the door opens. Fester comes in first. Thoms hurriedly puts the blankets back over Gomez's body. As Fester enters, he's followed by Wednesday and Pugsley.
Wednesday and Pugsley take a second to process what they're seeing. Their father is awake and the eyegaze computer is on. The duo become very excited very quickly.
Wednesday
Father! You didn't die!
Pugsley
I was worried!
Gomez
Ah, children!
Pugsley
Hello, father!
Gomez
Wednesday! Pugsley! My heart aches! I want nothing more, than to take you! And hug you both!
Wednesday
Can I sit on the bed?
Morticia
Can she, doctor?
Thoms
I mean… okay?
Thoms seems a bit defeated.
Fester picks Wednesday up and sits her on the bed, next to her father. Wednesday hugs him as best she can. Morticia sighs, happily.
Morticia
Ah, my beautiful family. So tender. So loving.
Gomez (smiling devilishly at Morticia)
They get it from their mother.
Morticia
And their father.
The two of them just look into each others' eyes, passion flowing from them.
Wednesday
Mr Thompson across the street said you were good as dead!
Gomez (incensed)
He said what?!
Morticia (shocked)
How uncouth!
Gomez
How dare that scoundrel utter such a thing to my children!
Morticia
He's the same Mr Thompson who told you there were no witches or Santa Claus, isn't he?
Pugsley
Yes.
Gomez
Well, children – that's three for three lies that fiend has told!
Morticia
You must not listen to a word that dastardly man says. He has no business saying your father's "good as dead". No one has the right to say such an awful thing.
Fester
No one's got the right to, but I can see his point. Ya did look very dead while ya were under, Gomez.
Everyone looks at Fester.
Morticia
We're not listening, Fester, you mustn't encourage the thought.
Fester
Gee, I'm just tryin' ta be nice.
Morticia
Dear Fester, a deathly pallor is only desirable when one can be totally certain that death is not a real danger! Any other time, and I'm sure Gomez would be delighted by your compliment.
Gomez
It's true, Fester, old man.
Fester
Fine, fine. I'll zip it.
Fester sighs.
Fester
Gotta be honest with ya – I missed your tellings off, Gomez. Glad ta have ya awake again.
Gomez
Glad to be awake!
Wednesday
I'm glad too.
Wednesday squeezes Gomez into an even tighter hug.
Morticia
Dear Wednesday, don't hug your father too tightly. He's just had surgery in that exact spot.
Gomez
Not to worry, my dear! I can't feel a thing!
Thoms
The painkillers are very strong. But yes, uh, Miss? Maybe don't hug your father that tightly. Wouldn't want to burst the stitches now, would we?
Wednesday
That sounds fun!
Morticia
Oh, and usually, my darling, it would be. But not while your father recovers. We ought to wait until the stitches are ready to be removed, and then you can pull them out yourself. How does that sound?
Wednesday
Alright!
She hugs him slightly less tightly.
Pugsley
Father, when can you come home? Mother said you can move your fingers a bit now!
Gomez
She's right, my boy! Watch this! Tish, show them my hand!
Morticia gently takes Gomez's arm and hand out from under the covers, and holds it up. Gomez moves his fingers as much as he possibly can. It's just a miniscule amount of movement, but it's undeniably there. Enough for him to type on a keyboard and enough for him to press a button.
Pugsley
You'll finally be able to blow up the train I saved you!
Gomez
Pugsley, I'm delighted. We'll do it as soon as I get back!
Morticia
Which will be?
Thoms
In a day or two. Now he's awake, all we really need to do is go over the process of caring for and managing his bags, Mrs Addams.
Morticia
Oh, how wonderful.
Thoms
Which I would love to get out of the way, so if your uncle and your children could just give us a half an hour in which to explain/
Fester
/If it means he comes home sooner, we'll scram! C'mon kids, I'll show ya around the head trauma room.
Pugsley / Wednesday
Yay!
Fester leads the excited kids to the door of the room, and winks at Gomez and Morticia as he leaves.
Morticia (mouthing this)
Thank you, Fester.
Gomez
We'll see you in a half hour, kids! Say – when you get back, I'll read you a bedtime story.
Wednesday
But it's only 4 o'clock!
Gomez
Saves your mother telling one later!
Pugsley
Sounds good! Let's go! I wanna see brains.
Morticia
What do you say to your father!
Wednesday
I'm glad you didn't die!
Morticia
And?
Wednesday / Pugsley
We love you!
Morticia
See you later, dears.
Gomez
Don't get into too much trouble!
Fester leads the two kids out of the room. Thoms looks a little bit traumatized.
Morticia
Oh, dear. They're so happy to see you awake.
Gomez (the computer voice that says it is unemotional, but Gomez is smiling, full of fatherly love, shaking his head in an "oh you" sort of way to underscore it)
Ah, what little monsters they are, Tish!
Morticia
Moments like these reassure me we've raised them well. Now. Dr Thoms – what was it you wanted to say?
Thoms
Ah, yes. Finally. Well, it's about how to care for your husband now he has this bag in place.
Gomez
Now, wait just one second, old man, I have a question.
Thoms
Yes?
Gomez
One more day here, or two? I've already been here a week, isn't that enough?
Thoms
I mean, if you're this responsive, you'll probably need only one more day here, because your stoma is working just swell right now.
Morticia
And it was swelling just swell after the operation, too.
Crickets from Thoms. Gomez chuckles, again, looking like he's spasming, but Thoms gets that his patient is laughing this time. He doesn't understand some types of people.
Thoms
But yes – it's looking like one more day unless something goes catastrophically awry.
Gomez
Sure hope nothing does, Thoms!
Gomez looks at Morticia, the devious grin still plastered on his face.
Gomez
I miss our bed.
Morticia
Oh, I do so hate sleeping alone in it.
Gomez
Forgive me, cara mia. I hate to leave you lonely.
Morticia
Now, what did I say about apologizing!
Gomez
Ah, yes.
Thoms
Can I teach Mrs Addams or not?
Gomez and Morticia both stare.
Morticia
Why, of course you can!
Gomez
Why didn't you say so?
Thoms
Fine. Fine. Let's just… right. Mr and Mrs Addams, please pay attention. First thing I think I should say, is that there's no need for this tube in your nose anymore, Mr Addams. We'll take that out in just a moment. It was in before to prevent vomiting, and it did its job. We don't think there's much of a risk of that anymore.
Morticia
Oh, how wonderful. We can take that unsightly thing out of your nose at last. It must feel so sore.
Gomez
It does feel rather like one of Pugsley's worms is up there, slithering away.
Thoms
And once we take that out, the next thing is going to be you taking food by mouth again. Your wife told me you had recently started swallowing soft foods again?
Gomez
Right you are, old boy!
Thoms
Well, the sooner we can get you back to that, the better. And beyond. I'm sure you miss solids.
Morticia
Poor dear hasn't had his favourite – eye of newt – in so long.
Gomez
But soon, querida!
Morticia
Very soon, to a man of your prowess.
Thoms
And that will come with repeated mouth physiotherapy from Dr Harvey, my colleague. Okay. That leaves changing and cleaning the bag.
Dr Thoms points to a plastic bag in the corner of the room.
Thoms
This contains everything you need to change the bag. Now, I'm going to do it first, and walk you through it.
Thoms pulls back the covers again, and exposes the stoma and bag.
Thoms
As I said, this isn't the kind of bag you'll usually use on him on a day to day basis. This is clear so we can monitor everything. Let me show you a better example.
Thoms goes over to the plastic bag, and starts pulling things out of it. He shows Morticia and Gomez an opaque bag, that's otherwise identical to the clear one.
Thoms
This is more the kind of bag you can expect to be using from now on. So, let's change the bag. Is it alright if I do that, Mr Addams?
Gomez
Knock yourself out, old man!
Morticia
Well, I wouldn't advise him go that far.
Thoms
Now. First thing. This bag is cut to size already. Not all of them will be. Mrs Addams, you may have to cut them to the proper size yourself, or get the delivery guys to do it when you get a new shipment of them. Most important step in the beginning – wash your hands.
Thoms goes over to a bedside sink and washes his hands in the way that medical professionals are expected to.
Thoms
Getting all of this so far?
Thoms looks up, and sees Morticia writing with a peacock feather quill on an ornate scroll, which seems to have materialized out of nowhere. Gomez is watching diligently.
Thoms
I… y'know. I'm not even gonna ask. Anyway – next step after you wash your hands. Let's just line the area around his stoma with some tissues, in case there's mess.
Thoms pulls some tissues from the dispenser, and places three or four on Gomez's abdomen around the stoma. Thoms then pulls out some adhesive remover spray and some dry wipes from the plastic bag next to the bed. He sprays the adhesive removal spray, and then slowly and carefully begins to peel the stoma bag back, and equally very carefully places some of the dry wipes over the top of the bag where he peeled it back from, to prevent anything leaking from the opening. He takes the stoma bag, and with his other hand, he reaches into the plastic bag, and pulls out a disposable sack. He puts the bag in the disposable sack and back into the plastic bag.
He wets the wipes, and then begins to clean around the stoma, and then dries the area using the wipes he didn't wet. He gently pats the area to clean and dry it. Then, he reaches back into the plastic bag, drops all the wipes into the disposable bag, and when he's done this, moves over to the opaque bag. He pulls out a few more sprays from the plastic bag, and makes sure to coat the skin a little bit with some of these sprays, before ensuring the area is dry.
Thoms
All good so far, Mr Addams? Are you in any pain?
Gomez
Not at all!
Thoms
Excellent. Now. This is where we put the new bag on.
He lines up the hole on the new bag with the stoma, and from the end of the bag, rolls it over the stoma. He presses gently down on the wafer, which is the bit that sticks to the skin. He presses down to ensure everything sticks as best as it can, and when he's satisfied, he steps back. He then takes a bunch more opaque bags and empty disposable bags out of the plastic bag, and places them on the bed.
Thoms
I'll get rid of all the trash in this one.
Morticia
Thank you, doctor. This has been very helpful.
Thoms
You think you can do it now?
Morticia (smiling pleasantly)
I suppose we'll just have to wait and see.
Thoms's eyes go a bit wide.
Thoms
Okay… uh. Well, I'll be back tomorrow and I can do it for you again myself. Or you could try changing his bag tonight, before he goes to sleep. Make sure you have a nurse on hand, though. But the sooner you get used to doing this for your husband, the better.
Thoms clears his throat.
Thoms
Well, that's enough from me. Since the two of you are so… eager… to speak with each other – and I suppose I can't really blame you, he's been out of it for a week – I'll leave you to it.
Morticia
Thank you, doctor!
Gomez
You're a class act!
Morticia
A consummate professional!
Gomez
Such integrity!
Morticia
Do be careful out there!
Thoms
I will.
Morticia
And what do you say to Mr Addams?
Morticia and Gomez forget briefly that he isn't one of the children, and Morticia just reflexively asks the question out of habit.
Thoms stands there, very confused.
Thoms
"I… love you?"
Gomez
No need to go that far, doctor! Nonetheless, I'm flattered.
Morticia
Gomez, dear, that was my mistake. Do be on your way, doctor!
Gomez
Don't let us keep you!
Thoms
I certainly won't.
Thoms slips out the door.
Morticia and Gomez are left alone. The two of them look at each other, lovingly and tenderly.
Morticia
Gomez… my dear, darling Gomez.
Gomez closes his eyes, smiling again, before looking back at her.
Gomez
Ah, Tish. What a comfort it is to know you're in such good hands.
Morticia
That doctor Thoms is excellent, isn't he?
Gomez
Querida mia – I meant you!
Morticia
Oh, Gomez.
Gomez
Yes, my dear?
Morticia
There's something I've wanted to say to you. Though, I wanted to wait until everyone else had left.
Morticia smiles coyly.
Gomez smiles back, wider still. His smile is getting remarkably close to normal now.
Morticia
That charming smile, Gomez. So beautifully askew.
Gomez
I do my best.
Morticia
Listen closely, darling.
Morticia leans in right next to Gomez's ear. She speaks barely above a whisper.
Morticia
Je t'aime, mon cher. Tu es mon amour, toujours.
Gomez's passion goes into an immediate, frenzied overdrive. He turns his head as much as he can. He manages to turn it enough that he meets Morticia's cheek. He kisses it weakly, but Morticia smiles, still coyly, as she keeps going.
Morticia
J'adore, bubeleh.
Gomez keeps up with the weak kissing – moving his head as much as he can to kiss as much of her face as he can. But Morticia leans in herself, her forehead against his, and they make intense, passionate eye contact for just a second, before Morticia presses her lips to his, and they kiss, properly – passionately. In this moment, for them, all is right in the world.