"Your daddy is coming home today," Karen informed her swollen belly as she rode the elevator up to her husband's room. It had been a month and a half since the shooting and Derek was finally being released from the hospital. Doctors had delayed his discharge when soon after he regained consciousness he experienced sharp pain followed by numbness when he attempted to use his left hand or put pressure to stand on his left leg.
Unable to determine the cause due to the lingering swelling in his neck, the doctors wanted to be cautious. It wasn't until a week ago with the swelling reduced did they confirm via an MRI that no structural damage had been suffered to the spine. As a result, Derek had undergone a rigorous week of therapy and was already seeing improvement. While his left hand remained weak, the numbness to his left upper and lower extremities was gone.
Lost in her thoughts it took Karen a moment to realize she had reached her requested floor. When she exited, she smiled to the hospital staff and made her way to the nurses' station. She had bought a gift basket filled with an array of gift cards and treats in appreciation for the support they had given her during Derek's stay.
"Hi Stephanie," she greeted the young nurse stationed at the desk. "I wanted to leave this here for everyone. All of you have been so great and I'll never be able to fully repay the kindness you've shown us. Several other nurses who noticed the actress approach gathered around.
"Oh, that is so nice of you. Mr. Wills really has been one of our better patients. The fact he hardly complains or takes his frustration out on us, makes our job easier." She replied. "And you have been so sweet. I'm glad everything worked out."
Another nurse on duty by the name of Ryan added "You'll have to come by when the little one is born. I want to be able to say I got to be one of the first to hold the prince or princess of Broadway." She smiled.
Karen blushed at the comment "I promise to come by once I've delivered." She exchanged a few more pleasantries with the girls before saying goodbye. "I better go find my husband before he sends a search party out for me." She waved.
"He's anxious." Ryan answered. "He changed and is watching television hoping the doctor will come soon."
"Sounds like he's getting back to himself," Karen teased as she made her way to her husband's room. She gave a gentle knock.
"Come in," she heard in a familiar British drawl. As soon as she poked her head into the room a smile appeared on her husband's face. "Hello Beautiful," he greeted in a raspy voice. Doctors had told him the raspiness may not improve.
"Hello to you Handsome." She replied with a kiss to his lips. When they pulled away for air he leaned forward to kiss her belly.
"How are you two feeling today, Love?" He asked.
"He or She is active this morning." She laughed. She grabbed his hand and placed it across her stomach where he felt a strong kick. Knowing that his child was growing inside of Karen was still a marvel to him.
"Here sit down," he moved over in the bed. Karen moved to sit next to her husband "I've missed this," he stated. Karen turned her head to look at his face "holding you." He replied to her unasked question.
"I've missed it too." She responded. "I was so scared seeing you hooked up to all the machines." She confessed. The cracking in her voice betrayed her emotion.
"Shh, it's alright. I'm not going anywhere, I promise." Her husband soothed. He held her close and it was in that position that the doctor found them. She smiled as the actress tried to compose herself.
"I know this has been and extremely stressful time coupled with your pregnancy so please don't feel the need to hide your emotions." She assured. "I have good news though. I've looked at your chart and progress notes from therapy and I do believe you are ready to go home." She smiled. "I just want to give a quick exam and go over a few things and then you are on your way." After checking the director's vitals and providing instructions for cleaning the director's incision; Derek was released.
Once situated in the backseat of the cab, the director pulled his wife into a sweet lingering kiss. Sensing the desperation from lack of intimacy during the past weeks, both found their hands freely roaming the other's body. It was Derek's hand on her bare skin however that brought Karen back to reality. She pulled away and gave a shy smile "I don't want to give the cab driver a show." The comment making her husband finally realize his hands had been removing her shirt.
"I'm sorry, Love. I didn't.." Her lips cut off his remaining thoughts.
"I want it too." She seductively cooed grazing his thigh dangerously close to his manhood. "Not long now." She informed. The rest of the ride home was spent in comfortable silence with the couple enjoying the feel of the other's innocent touches. When the driver finally pulled up to their home it was all the couple could do from stripping at their front door. Karen struggled to unlock the door as one of Derek's hands cupped her breast and the other her swollen belly from behind her.
With her back pressed against his chest, he whispered into her ear "you're gorgeous." After a few minutes the door opened and once inside their home with the door shut Derek wasted little time pushing his wife against the nearest wall.
"Derek," she questioned. "Are you sure you're feel strong enough?"
"Think of it as therapy," he smirked. "Besides, the doctor gave a clean bill of health." He added.
The couple had yet to make their way into the living room "what do we do?" Ana whispered.
"I don't know about you; but if they are doing what I think, I don't want to see it." Kyle said.
"I agree," Julia added. "We should probably let them know we're here."
"Okay," Ana cringed at the reaction they might receive. The group had thought it would be a nice surprise to welcome the director home. They hadn't considered the couple might have other plans for celebrating. Taking a deep breathe the actress called out "Uh, guys!"
At the unexpected voice the couple startled. Karen whose chest and belly were already exposed immediately moved to grab her blouse. "Ana?" she questioned.
Derek who was still in a daze immediately adjusted himself trying to distract his mind from the actions he had just been partaking in. "Yeah, it's me but I'm not alone." She replied. "I'm so so sorry. We thought we would surprise you guys with a welcome home party." She informed.
The brunette straightened her clothes and gave a weary smile to her husband. Making sure they were both presentable, she led him by the hand into the living room. With her face a deep red she greeted their guests. "That's really nice of you guys." She nudged her husband who was still trying to regain his bearings.
"Yes, the gesture is appreciated." He smiled. "It's good to be home." He followed his wife's lead and moved to greet his friends with hugs and kisses. After enduring a brief period of teasing regarding their prior actions, the couple along with their friends settled into a relaxing afternoon. Looking out to the balcony Derek caught sight of Jimmy. The director discreetly moved away from the group to check on the young man. He had noticed his friend in a somber mood.
"Do you mind if I join you?" He asked. Jimmy looked at his friend and shook his head in response. "Is everything alright; you seem rather serious?"
Jimmy looked out at the view of the Statue of Liberty trying to avoid making eye contact. The older man could see Jimmy was conflicted but he knew better than to try and force him to talk. Finally, unable to stand the silence Jimmy replied "aren't you mad?"
Derek was caught off guard. Of all the things he anticipated Jimmy to say or ask that question was not one of them. "What do you mean?"
"It was my fault." Jimmy replied. "You and Ana both asked me to give the guy what he wanted and I didn't listen." Hearing the explanation Derek understood the underlying issue. Jimmy felt guilty over what had transpired the night of the shooting.
"The shooting wasn't your fault. It was an accident." Derek answered. "No one could have predicted happened."
"Even Ana looked at me different for a while. If I hadn't grabbed the gun it …"Derek cut him off.
"You have to stop with the "what if" it will drive you crazy. It could have easily been you rather than me." He informed. "And as far as Ana; I highly doubt she blamed you. Have you ever thought she was upset over the prospect that she could have lost you?" He inquired.
Jimmy looked at Derek. "When I saw you lying covered in blood and Karen crying, I never felt so afraid. Aside from Kyle, you have been the closest thing I've ever had to a real brother. Kyle, he stands by me but he is always so afraid to upset me. But you, you hold nothing back. You push me. I owe so much to you and Karen and in that moment I thought I had lost it all. I'm tired of being a screw up."
"I'm not that easy to get rid of," Derek joked. "But I understand what you are saying. I consider you, Kyle and Sam to be little brothers as well. You understand who I am and I value that." He smiled. "Now what do you say we go back in before the women get suspicious."
Jimmy chuckled "Thank you." He said. "For everything," Derek nodded in acknowledgment. As the two men entered the living room Karen made her way over to her husband.
"Hey you okay?" She asked while lightly pressing a kiss to his lips.
"A little tired but not enough to get you off the hook from earlier," he replied in a husky voice loud enough for only her to hear.
"I didn't think it would." She answered. "You what they say, pregnancy makes the pleasure of sex intensify." Derek tried not to flinch at the reaction her comment gave him. He knew one thing, he was defiantly glad to be home.