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Chapter 41 - Chapter 41 - Talking in his Sleep

Karen woke up that evening, laying in her and Samuel's bed. The window was open next to her and welcomed the breeze in from the ocean. She opened her eyes and looked to see the moon and stars over the sea.

Samuel had brought her home from the funeral and shortly afterwards, his Dad had showed up. She was so upset that all she could do was hold onto Samuel and cry. She remembered John putting his finger to her forehead and ….had he pushed her to sleep? Like he had Samuel?

Where was Samuel? She sat up and looked around the bedroom. "Samuel?"

She heard him hum, "Hmm?"

She asked quietly, "Samuel? Where are you?"

He replied slowly. "I'm here."

She pulled back the duvet and noticed that she was wearing some silky pajamas that they had gotten on Plentitude. She was surprised to see herself wearing them.

She walked over to the end of the bed and saw the strangest sight. Samuel was floating, upside down, with his arms crossed. His eyes were closed and he appeared to be asleep.

She knelt down in front of him. "Samuel?"

He didn't open his eyes. "It's okay, Karen. I'm here."

She sat on the floor and looked at him. He was wearing a pair of his jammy jam's, without a shirt. There was a mat underneath him that glowed a light blue. She put her hand over it and felt her hand become weightless.

She pulled her hand out and looked at the mat. This had to be something from the ship.

She whispered, "Samuel?"

Samuel spoke in his sleep. "Check in. Younger children. Secured."

Karen ran her hand through his hair.

He continued to talk in his sleep. "John is working on Tony Tyler's shoulder again. Starks are secure. School is secure."

Karen listened to him speak.

"A card game."

Karen whispered, "Samuel?"

He slowly opened his eyes as he woke up.

"Are you alright?"

He looked at her and smiled. "You're awake."

"What are you doing? You look like a bat."

He grinned, "I'm Batman."

She giggled. "You are crazy."

He put his hands down on the mat. "Move over a bit. I'll get down."

She slid over on the floor. He moved his legs to the floor and stood up, stretching his back. "Oh, that always works."

"Is your back hurting?"

He helped her stand. "It's fine."

She sighed. "Will you please just tell me?"

He bit his lip and put his hands on his hips. "It was hurting. I brought the weightless mat down so I could sleep. It always seems to work. It gives everything a break."

"Samuel. Have you spoken to your Dad about it?"

"He figured it out. He took the pain blocker out of my back and asked if I wanted one put back in."

"It may not be a bad idea. If it's causing you pain."

"That's what he said, too. I just….don't want to depend on that thing. I want to give it time to heal. Properly."

"What if you just had it until it healed?"

Samuel shook his head. "No. No no. It will be fine."

"Not if you are in pain-"

"Karen, it's fine. I put my stress, everything, goes there. It's alright."

She took his hand and smiled at the immediate tingling that began. "This has gotten so strong."

He smiled at her. "I'll figure out what it is."

She threaded her fingers with his.

"Are you hungry? Or is Halley?"

"We're fine. Well, maybe a bit thirsty."

He grinned and pointed at the table beside the bed.

She turned and was surprised when she saw the drink, presented just as it had been on Plentitude. The tall, narrow glass, with the purple, sparkly liquid and the odd purple cherries that she loved so much inside of it. "Samuel!"

He laughed, "And it worked! I'll try not to act surprised."

She smiled as she walked over and picked up the drink. It was perfect, just as she remembered it. Cold and sparkly. "Samuel, this is amazing!"

He walked over and sat on the bed next to her. "How are you?"

She nodded, "Okay. Did your Dad put me to sleep?"

He rubbed his eyebrow. "Yes. I asked him to. Just for a few hours. You were so upset, I didn't know what else do to. I'm sorry."

She put her hand on his thigh. "Samuel. It's okay. All of this has been….so hard."

"I just feel like there's more I could do. Should have done-"

"No, Samuel. You have been…amazing. I am so thankful for everything you've done."

He shrugged his shoulders. "Karen, I haven't done anything-"

"Samuel, you've done everything. And, thank you."

He smiled in relief. "Yeah?"

She sipped the drink. "I'm sure I'll be upset some more, but….just….these last few days. I don't think I could have done it without you."

He kissed her lips. "You don't have to ever do anything without me."

She sipped her drink. "And how is Mom?"

"She's alright. Papa is with her tonight. And some friends. She stayed in Florida with all of them. In the old house."

"And she's safe?"

He nodded, "Of course. All of the ladies are enjoying playing with baby Arles. Papa is getting a break. He has about four guys there with him. Hang on."

She watched as he typed something on his bracelet. A map displayed and he read it. "Yep. Four guys."

Karen sipped the drink. "What have you been doing while I've been asleep?"

He scratched his chin. "I slept for a bit. I was exhausted and Dad threatened to put me to sleep otherwise. Then, I went up to the ship. Worked on my experiment. Dad stayed here with you while I sorted that."

"No success, huh?"

"No. But these things take time. I returned and took a shower. Dad went home and I went to sleep."

"At what point, did you change my clothes?"

"Oh, right after I popped you up here. I wanted you to be comfortable. But, I didn't look!"

She giggled. "I don't mind if you did."

He smiled, "Good, because I peeked. A bit. A proper glance."

"Oh, you looked." She teased.

He smiled back at her. "I did. Such a beautiful woman? I had the thoughts of how could I possibility be such a lucky man."

She giggled and sipped her drink.

He smiled at her. "Legate and Genie are taking the ship out tonight. Do you want to go with them?"

"The new ship?"

"Yes. Legate asked if we wanted to join them, but you were sleeping."

"Where are they going?"

"Just….out. For a spin. What do you think? I'll give you a flying lesson."

"You know how to fly a ship?"

"Phhh. It's not hard."

She smiled. "I'd like that. Yes."

He tapped his bracelet. "Friday. Please tell Legate that we'll join them."

Friday spoke from his bracelet. "Your message has been delivered."

Legate's voice spoke from the bracelet. "Brilliant! Bring a deck of cards. I don't have one up here."

Samuel stood up and shook his head. "Hell, I don't have a deck of cards. Karen, remind me to get a deck of cards next time with the shopping."

Karen finished her drink and sat the glass next to the bed. "You were talking in your sleep."

Samuel walked over to the closet, "What, Karen?"

She crossed her arms. "You were talking in your sleep. Just now."

He pulled on a pair of jeans and grinned. "I don't talk in my sleep."

She joined him in the closet. "Honey, that's what it looked like. Your eyes were closed."

He sat down and pulled on his socks. "What did I say?"

"Umm. Secured. That Tony Tyler was having shoulder surgery, again."

He shook his head. "Tony Tyler isn't back. I was dreaming."

"That, someone was playing cards?"

He stood up and smiled. "Space is cold. Bring a jumper."

She sighed. "Samuel, you did-!"

"I didn't!" He insisted.

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