Steve and Catherine arrived around 11 am to pick Bexley up from the hospital. Danny had offered to bring her home but the Camaro was a bit low and Bex did not need anyone witnessing her trying to get in or out of the car. Danny walked them downstairs while Steve was pulling the truck around. Catherine was on the phone with Bex's Dad letting him know she was being released and going home.

"So, maybe text me when you're back at the house and settled? Let me know you're doing okay?" Danny asked hesitantly.

Bexley was a little hurt, if she was being honest, she was hoping Dannys overprotective streak would continue, even after she was discharged from the hospital. "Yeah, sure. I'm just going to climb in bed and binge The Sopranos."

Danny audibly gasped and threw his hand over his heart, "Without me? The man who is from New York?" The sarcasm was not lost in his voice.

Bex laughed, "You can join me if you want. I may be in and out of sleep but I wouldn't hate the company."

"I'll be there in an hour." Danny kissed the top of Bex's head right as Steve pulled up in the truck. He leans over, kisses her cheek, "See you in a bit kiddo."

"Bye handsome." Bex whispered back to him. Danny's heart may have literally skipped a beat. He was falling fast for this girl and it scared him senseless.

Steve jumps out of the truck as Catherine as Catherine hangs up with Luke, Bex's father.

Catherine takes Bexley's bags off the back of the wheelchair and throws them in the bed of the truck while Danny and Steve help Bex out of the chair and into the truck. Each of the men taking hold of Bex's arms.

In the most persuasive tone she could muster up Bexley pleaded, "Guys, I'm fine, seriously. I'm just really tired and really sore."

Steve laughs, "Whatever you say little one."

Bex settles into the back cab of the truck and relaxes against the headrest as soon as Steve shuts the door. She struggled massively with accepting help from others, you never met more of a Capricorn than Bexley Kensington. She said a silent "thank God" when Steve and Catherine finally hopped in and started driving home. Her anxiety was already through the roof thanks to her iatrophobia and being in the hospital and she just wanted to go home. She would never be comfortable around doctors or hospitals, they just oozed bad juju and even worse memories.

Thirty minutes later Bexley was home and comfy cozy in her bed, she finally started to feel the stress and tensions dissipate from her neck and shoulders and she snuggled lower under her comforter and on to her down feather pillows. Catherine knocked on her half open door, "Can I come in?" she asked.

"Since when do you ask?" Bex chuckled.

"Since you scared the shit out of me by collapsing in a diner…" Catherine spat back as she walked into the room and sat on the edge of Bex's bed.

Bex turned scarlet covering her face with her hands, embodied by embarrassment, "Ugh, please do not remind me. The fact that Danny still wants to be associated with me after the past two days is some sort of miracle."

"I told you, he's a good guy." Catherine's tone was reassuring and sincere. She patted Bex's legs, "I'll let you be, I just wanted to tell you to please try not to do everything yourself. Steve and I are heading to the store to grab some groceries. Anything you want us to pick up for you?"

"Diet Coke and Sour Cream & Cheddar Ruffles would be amazing."

"You got it."

Bex lowered her hands and smiled at Cath, "Thanks Cath, for everything."

Cath returned her smile, "Get some rest lady," Cath walked out, closing the door behind her.

Bexley fell asleep shortly after Catherine left, a combination of the drugs still in her system and literal exhaustion. She woke up to a soft knock on the door. "Come in she choked out sleepily."

Danny slowly opened the door, poking his head halfway in, "Hey kiddo, thought you'd like some company."

Bex silently cursed to herself. She had no clue what the current state of her appearance was, she hoped she didn't look like a crazy person. Her girl next door charm only took her so far.

"Shit I woke you up didn't I?" Danny cursed.

"No, well I mean, yes, but it's good. If I sleep too much during the day it will throw me way out of whack tonight and I'm already a night owl as it is." She waved Danny in and patted the spot next to her on the bed. "Come sit, I promise it is much more comfortable than the hospital chair."

Danny entered the bedroom, shutting the door behind him. He was carrying a small duffle bag over his shoulder. He put the bag down on the armchair in the corner and sat down on the bed. He immediately scooted up against Bex, extending his arm over her shoulders and pulling her into his chest. The smell of sea mist and sandalwood hit her like a mack truck. It couldn't just be coincidence that his cologne or body wash were her two favorite scents. Deciding to ignore any sense of fear she was feeling, she nuzzled his collar bone with her nose anyway and moaned, "Mhm, you smell good."

Danny silently smiled to himself, "Yes well, not all of us are neanderthal's that have been using the same body wash since 1999."

Bexley laughed, "What? You mean you don't love the smell of Irish Spring and Axe? Because I got to say, girls went crazy for Axe when I was in high school."

"Which was what? Two years ago?" Danny asked hesitantly, not sure if this was a conversation he was ready for. He had to have a good twenty years on her.

"Promise you aren't going to freak out?" Bexley had not known Danny long but she had heard stories from Cath about Danny's infamous speeches.

Danny tightened his hold around Bex's shoulders and leaned over to kiss the top of her head, "I promise."

Age truly did not mean much to her. She always felt that if you connected with a person that is what was important. Was Danny sixteen when she was born, sure, but even with the difference in age they had both had similar life experiences. And she liked Danny. A lot.

Bexley closed her eyes tight, "2013, I graduated seven years ago." Bex held her breath, not daring to move. She felt Danny stiffen but a moment later relax.

"My mother is going to murder me when she hears about this."

Bexley let out her breath, "Danny if our age gap bothers you I completely understand and we can totally be friends. Just tell me now okay? I really like you but I get it. It's a lot. I'm closer to Grace's age than yours and that's odd to a lot of people and I don't want there to be this weird animosity between -"

Danny cuts her off, "Can you uh, can you just shush for a second." He chuckles. He scooches back and sits up against the headboard so that he can look Bex in the eyes. "Yeah, it's uh, it's something I think about but I'm not totally against it."

Bexley lights up, "Really?!" She asked enthusiastically.

Danny, still facing Bex, leans forward using his free hand to stroke her jaw and cheek before leaning in and whispering, "Really," and then bringing his lips to hers.

Author's Note

More kisses! Not going to lie, I have had some writers block with this story but it seems to be lifted. Hoping to have chapter ten soon!

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