They slept deeply and hardly moved during their sleep because when he awoke, Steve found Kate still asleep in his arms. He was happy to just lie there at first, letting Kate continue to doze until the need to pee forced him out of bed. Unwrapping himself as carefully as he could from her, he extracted himself from the bed and headed to the bathroom. Kate had murmured to herself a little as he moved and Steve hoped she would just roll over and go back to sleep.
It unfortunately didn't happen and when he reentered the room after also having a shower she was fully awake. "You coming to work?" Steve asked. It was Friday and he was going to have to go in.
Kate shook her head. "Still feel knackered," she explained. "Think I'll rest today. Go in on Monday,".
"That's fine. You can stay in my bed if you like," Steve offered. "I can help you change your sheets this evening,".
"Sounds good," Kate agreed as she stretched and rolled over, looking forward to day of undisturbed rest.
There was no sign of Kate when Steve returned from work although judging by the plate of crumbs that was in the kitchen, he noted that she had at least got up and eaten something at some point that day.
He walked quietly to his bedroom and found Kate fast asleep again in his bed. He wanted to change clothes and Steve decided to risk it and do it there in his bedroom. His shirt went in the wash basket and his suit and waist coat placed in a bag for him to take to the dry cleaners. Dressed only in his boxer briefs, he searched for something to wear as quietly as he could, not wanting to disturb Kate.
He realised he was being watched as he pulled a T-shirt over his head. "Hi," he said, embarrassed at having been caught undressed.
"Hi," Kate replied. She liked what she had seen. All the physio, wheel chair and mobility aids had helped tone Steve's upper body and muscle definition. The lower half of his body bore the recent scars from his surgery, but they were healing nicely.
"You done much today?" he asked.
"Nope," Kate admitted, unashamed at her laziness as she stretched.
""Fair enough," Steve said. "You look better after all the rest you've had,".
"I feel better," Kate agreed happily. "You got my birthday presents? Think I feel up to opening them, now,".
"That's good," Steve replied. "I can go get them and bring them back here if you like?" he suggested, guessing Kate was quite happy to stay where she was at the moment. Kate smiled and he knew he had been right. "Hang on a minute," Steve said as he grabbed his crutch and disappeared, still only in his T-shirt and briefs. He returned with a few wrapped boxes and cards under his free arm. "Can I join you?" He asked, indicating the bed. It was a cold November night and if Kate had been in bed all day then it would be nice and warm under the covers.
"Of course," Kate replied, keen to get opening her gifts.
Steve hopped under the duvet before giving her the boxes and cards.
Like Steve had done on his birthday, Kate opened her cards first before moving to one of the boxes. The first was from Steve's parents. She hadn't expected anything from them being as she had only really got to know them recently. She ripped open the wrapping paper and found she had been gifted a set of deluxe shower gels and bath foams. Steve's parents had obviously remembered Kate mentioning her love of bubble baths.
She reached for a bottle and opened the lid, inhaling the scent. "Oh my god," Kate said. "That smells amazing," she declared, looking forward to being able to use it soon. Steve was glad his parents had chosen well.
Kate reached for the other box. It was from Josh. He had sent the box to Steve's address, knowing his mum was staying there at the moment. Kate opened the box wondering what her son might have given her and was pleasantly surprised to find a lovely silver photo frame with a picture of Kate and Josh they had taken of themselves during a day they had spent together.
"That's a nice photo," Steve commented.
"Yeah," Kate agreed. They had their arms around each other and were smiling happily into the camera.
Steve reached over to his bedside table and opened the top drawer. Taking a deep breath he removed a thin small box, that looked as if it had been professionally wrapped. "And from me," Steve said as he placed the box in Kate's lap.
Kate took her time opening it, her heart hammering in her chest as it looked like he had bought her some type of jewellery. "Oh my god, Steve!" she exclaimed once she caught sight of the contents. She had guessed right. It was jewellery. A matching necklace, bracelet and earring set containing small red and clear stones in a white gold chain. She took the small information leaflet that was in the box. Rubies and white sapphires. "Jesus, Steve! This must have cost a fortune," she said, embarrassed. She had only given him a waist coat, tie and socks for his birthday.
She read on. It was an infinity tennis necklace signifying unending love or friendship. What was Steve wanting it to represent she wondered?
"You like them?" Steve asked.
"They're beautiful," Kate commented as she ran her fingers over the delicate chains. She wasn't one for jewellery usually, but this was nice and elegant.
"Thought you could wear them to mum and dad's anniversary thing," Steve explained. Being as it was their ruby anniversary there was going to be a red colour scheme with all guests having to wear something red.
"Yeah," Kate agreed. "It's too much though," she declared. "I should get you something else,".
"Kate, you've been amazing these last couple of months. I would never have done so well with my rehab without you. I can never repay you for any of that, so just accept them please,".
"Thank you," Kate said. "Can I ask a question?".
"Sure,".
"It says you give infinity necklaces as a sign of never ending friendship or love. Which one is it?".
"Friendship. Definitely friendship," Steve stated confidently. "But...maybe...hopefully...love, one day?".
Kate smiled. She felt the same way. They leaned toward each other and gently kissed. Soon gentle caresses were added to the kissing and Kate felt Steve's arousal against her thigh. She pulled back. "I can't do this tonight," she said apologetically in a mirror of Steve's words the last time they kissed. Steve looked puzzled. "On top of everything else, my period decided to come today," Kate explained. "Sorry,". She hoped that Steve would understand that with the cramps and feeling bloated she really didn't feel sexy at all, without having to voice her concerns.
"It's fine, Kate," he replied, although slightly disappointed, but he wasn't a fan of period sex either.
"Not great timing though," Kate admitted and Steve nodded in agreement.
A firework exploding in the sky outside, broke the moment. Kate's birthday was at the start of November and often would have firework displays on her special day as a result.
"Back in a minute," Steve said as he got out of bed, grabbed his crutch and left the room after an idea had formed in his head. Kate wondered what he was doing. She didn't have long to think before Steve reappeared with two champagne flutes and a bottle of Prosecco. "Bought these as well," he declared. "You feeling ok for a bit of alcohol?" he asked as he opened the curtains in the room. Being winter it was already dark outside and from his flat he had a good view of the city skyline.
"Absolutely," Kate replied enthusiastically.
Pleased at her reply, Steve got back in bed before opening the bottle and pouring them both a drink. "Cheers," he said as they tapped glasses together. "Happy belated birthday!" he continued before they snuggled together under the duvet to watch the fireworks and finish their drinks. Lots of people were getting in the spirit of bonfire night and brightly coloured lights and loud bags filled the sky for a while. "Glad you're feeling better," Steve murmured as he kissed the top of Kate's head. Although they weren't going to be intimate that evening, having her in his arms came a very close second and he enjoyed every minute of it.
"Speaking of your parents anniversary, we are going to have to get their present this weekend," Kate reminded Steve after the displays had finished. Their party was the following week.
"Yeah," Steve replied. He wasn't looking forward to it as he no idea what on earth to get them and was envisioning endless wandering around the shops. His idea of a horrible way to spend his time off.
"Have you done your speech yet as well?".
"Shit!" Steve replied. He'd been ignoring that particular task as he wasn't looking forward to it at all.
"Steve!" Kate scolded her friend. He was going to have to get a move on. Now she was better she was going to have to take charge and make sure he made a start in it immediately.