Keys to Happiness - Chapter 5

Elizabeth woke to find Jason gone, but a not baring his hand writing on the coffee table within view and within easy reach.

Elizabeth,

I've gone to run a couple errands; mainly to get a bed and to

talk to Courtney. As fond as I know we both are of that couch I have

no intention of letting you sleep on it while you are recovering. The

floor is also out of the question. Don't worry about the space issue

I've already taken care of it, by the time you are able to paint you

Won't have a bed in your way. There will be no arguing on this, I've

already arranged it and there are no refunds. I'll bring you back

Something to eat so don't move from the couch. On the coffee table

is a glass of water, antibiotics and pain killers. Take an antibiotic

now and a pain killer if you're in pain. Beside those you'll find your

sketch book, pencils and a couple of other books. I don't know if

you can draw with your wrist, but just in case. Remember Don't move

off the couch. Be back soon.

Jason

Elizabeth was smiling when she reached for the sketch book and pencils. She didn't know if she could sketch with her wrist in the cast, but Jason's note had left her feeling inspired. Sketching with your dominate wrist in a cast can be a challenge and a bit awkward but Elizabeth was up to it. It took her a little while but she did get the hang of it. The image that emerged slowly through her pencil stokes was the likeness of someone dear to her heart. Her sketch was of Jason; his back was turned toward the viewer and his face half visible as he stared out a window over the city on a dark, rainy night. Encouraged Elizabeth sketched a few more pictures of Jason. One showed him leaning over a pool table lining up a shot; another showed him fixing something on his bike; and yet another showed him asleep on a couch, half covered by an afghan, an infant asleep on his chest. Of all the sketches she made the one of Jason and the infant touched her the most and was her favorite because it put on display a hope she head never let see daylight. She had admitted that she wanted children, but she had never admitted that she wanted to have Jason's child. She fell asleep, thoughts of a baby floating around her mind.

Jason found her asleep, with her sketch book open in her lap. Setting the bags of food down on the counter Jason made his way over to the couch. He hated to wake her up, but he knew that the mattress would be delivered soon. Easing the sketch book out of her hands Jason moved to place it on the coffee table when the image on the paper caught his eye. While he couldn't make out the entire image he could make out bits and pieces.

Elizabeth opened her eyes to see Jason's frown as he concentrated on piecing the sketched image into a picture in his mind. Reaching out she laid one hand over his and with the other traced the lines of the sketch, explaining and showing him the image the paper held. As the picture emerged Jason was struck by a wave of longing. He wanted a child, but not just any child with anyone, he wanted a child with Elizabeth. Looking into Elizabeth's eyes Jason saw the same desire mirrored there.

There was no thought as his hands came up to cup her face or as his head dipped to catch her lips with his. The kiss was slow and gentle, awakening feeling of desire inside them both. The next kiss was hot and rode the border between hot and rode the border between wild and gentle. Things would have progressed from there quickly if not for the loud banging on the door announcing the arrival of the mattress. Groaning Jason broke the kiss, swearing at the delivery man's bad timing. Elizabeth watched in amusement as Jason stomped to the door.

Once the door was open Jason rejoined Elizabeth on the couch as the mattress, box springs and bed frame were set against the wall at his instruction. When the delivery men were gone Jason wanted nothing more than to return to what he and Elizabeth had been doing, but Elizabeth's stomach chose that moment to let out a loud grumble reminding Jason the he had yet to feed her.

Scowling as Elizabeth giggled Jason stood and grabbed the bag and a couple of bottles of water before returning to sit on the floor by the couch. Handing Elizabeth her Styrofoam box of food Jason opened his to reveal a cheeseburger and fries. Elizabeth opened hers to see a cheeseburger and soup. Spying the soup Elizabeth started giggling, thankful that Jason was too sweet to force gallons of soup into her as she had done to him.

"I still don't like soup." Was all Jason said on the subject but it was said with a smile that made Elizabeth giggle even more.