CHAPTER 13
When Aaron entered the kitchen after doing as Benjamin had suggested and took a break, it was to find Candy cuddling Amie against her chest as Jeremy and Benjamin worked at the stove. He noticed that a sheet had been tacked to the wall in the back of the stove and strings had been tied to the hanging pot rack and attached to the other end of the sheet to make a make-shift tent to capture and semi-direct the steam from the pots on the stove. Understanding the intention behind the make-shift tent, Aaron nodded;
"She breathes in more of the camphor without having to overwhelm her by holding her over the steam; right?"
Nodding, Benjamin explained;
"Yes, but when she starts trying to cough up the infection we still need to hold a pan under her so she inhales as much as she can, within reason, it will break it up that much faster. And, hopefully, once we have that under control her fever will break."
Motioning towards a glass of water that Jeremy was offering him, Benjamin ordered;
"You're going to want to drink that, Aaron. Trust me, this isn't going to be easy, if you thought it was hot earlier, it's going to be even more so now."
Taking the glass, Aaron offered;
"Thank you, Jeremy."
Draining the glass of its contents, Aaron turned to Candy expectantly as she laid his daughter in his arms. She couldn't help but notice how, despite how ill the infant was, she instinctively seemed at ease once she realized she was in her father's arms. Candy realized that her thoughts must have betrayed her as she glanced at Jemma, sleeping on her pallet, before turning back to find Aaron shaking his head as he ordered firmly;
"No, Candy."
Jeremy, unaware of the silent exchange, demanded;
"What are you talking about, Aaron? Why are you telling my wife 'no' when all she is trying to do is help?"
Narrowing his eyes before letting them slide in Jeremy's direction before returning to pin his sister in law with a look that conveyed his unspoken knowledge, Aaron motioned his head towards his brother in law before demanding;
"Do you want to tell your husband, or should I?"
Clasping her hands together, she offered;
"Aaron, you know that she'll be..."
Lifting his head as he squared his shoulders, Aaron issued determinedly;
"Candy, I appreciate your point of view, I truly do. And, I thank you for everything you're doing, but I stand by the decision that I made; she is exhausted and there's more to consider here then just her being mad or upset with me over making this decision on my own. Have you considered just what consequences it would have if she were to become ill where nursing our children is concerned?"
Shaking his head vehemently, Aaron ordered;
"If she wakes up on her own that's one thing, but I DO NOT want anyone waking her up."
Placing his hand on his granddaughter's shoulder, Benjamin offered;
"Poppet, Aaron is her husband and responsible for her, just as Jeremy is your husband and responsible for you. I'm sure you'd want his wishes respected just as you should respect Aaron's."
Glancing over to study her sister in law, she could see just how right Aaron was given the exhaustion and worry that showed on Jemma's face, even as she slept. Facing Aaron, Candy lowered her eyes as she offered quietly;
"I'm sorry, Aaron, I had no right, and you're right. I didn't realize before just how tired she must be, but, even asleep, I can see how exhausted she looks."
Aaron offered her a slight smile as he patted her hand;
"It's alright, Candy, I know that your heart was in the right place and I know that it was done out of love and concern for my family."
Motioning towards the makeshift tent, Aaron questioned;
"Are we ready?"
Ducking under the crude structure, Benjamin dropped a bit of camphor into each pot and gave it a few moments before sniffing the air and nodding;
"Alright, Aaron, there's a good steam going, make yourself as comfortable as you can."
Glancing down into his daughter's tired face, Aaron tried to soothe the infant;
"Okay, princess, I know that you aren't going to like this very much, but it's for your own good."
Settling himself in the rocker Aaron bundled his daughter up against his chest as the aroma from the camphor began permeating the canopy. It wasn't hard to see just how irritating the concoction was to the infant as she began squirming and whimpering her displeasure at being forced to breathe in the noxious fumes from the steam. Aaron had to fight himself not to take her from under the canopy at the sight of just how uncomfortable and miserable she truly was. Seeing the man's misery at having to subject his child to such extreme discomfort, Benjamin sympathized;
"I know just how you feel, the first time I had to do something like this to help my son get better I don't know which one of us felt worse about it; me or him. But, when he was up and playing a day or so later I knew that it was worth the sacrifice."
Bracing himself in his determination to do whatever it took to help make his daughter well, despite how uncomfortable or unpleasant. Holding her against his shoulder, he offered in a sympathetic voice;
"I know, baby girl, I know, but it's for your own good, angel."
Patting her back gently, Aaron's brow furrowed in worry as he felt a slight rattle against his palm as Amie's breathing got a bit raspier. Nodding his approval, Benjamin offered;
"Good, it's working. Now, we just need her to cough it all up."
No sooner had he words left his mouth then Aaron noticed how Amie was squirming and wriggling against his shoulder before lifting her head slightly as she began coughing, although the sound was more like a slight gurgle. Jason hurried to take a steaming pan from the stove to place just under Amie's face as Aaron laid her across his arm before patting her back, however, he knew there was a difference as she seemed able to expel more infection then what she had beforehand. Candy rushed over to hold a cloth under her niece's mouth as the infant coughed up more and more fluid. Glancing over her shoulder to her grandfather, Candy's eyes widened in stunned amazement;
"Grandpa, she's coughing up a lot."
Nodding, unsurprised by Candy's declaration, Benjamin advised;
"I know, Poppet, and unless I miss my guess, it should be clearing up shortly."
Seeing that Aaron was about to shift Amie, Benjamin shook his head as he ordered sternly;
"No, Aaron, let her keep coughing. The camphor is breaking the infection up and she has to get it up or she can easily choke; I know that it's heartbreaking to see your child suffering like this, but just remember, this is to help her get better."
Although he knew that what he was doing was for his child's benefit Aaron's shoulders slumped in frustration with seeing his daughter in such distress as he continued patting her back in the hopes that she would soon find relief. He soon found his determination rewarded as a slight smile lifted the corners of his mouth as Jason offered;
"Aaron, it's clearing up."
Taking the clean towel that her grandfather offered her, Candy disposed of the cloth she had been using as she offered;
He's right!"
Placing her hand gently on the back of her niece's head Candy encouraged;
"Come on, Amie, you can do it, sweetie."
Just when Aaron wondered at just how much his child could take, a loud rasping sound that took all present by surprise emanated from deep in Amie's lungs just before a loud hacking cough that found her expelling a large amount of infection which soon found her laying across her father's arm, her exhaustion obvious. Benjamin held his arms out as he asked;
"May I?"
Handing Amie over into Benjamin's care, Aaron waited, breathless, as the old man placed his hand over the baby's chest just before lowering his ear to the same spot. Although it was only a few moments, it seemed like an eternity before he lifted his head, a smile of satisfaction on his face, to nod;
"She may cough a bit more, but nothing like she was and the rattle is barely there. Not to mention..."
Shifting Amie so that she was now laying in his arms, Benjamin pointed out;
"Look, she's breathing a good deal easier now."
Aaron nodded in thankfulness as he watched his child's chest rise and fall, although it was a bit heavier than normal, it was nowhere near the struggle that it had been earlier. Taking his daughter back from Benjamin, Aaron took the cool, damp cloth Jeremy offered him and began trying to cool her to make her more comfortable. Once he had finished trying to cool her, Aaron placed his lips against her forehead, something that found his eyes widening as he quickly placed the palm of his hand against her forehead before holding her closer;
"That's my girl! I knew you had your mommy's stubbornness and determination."
Puzzled, Jason asked hesitantly;
"Aaron?"
Motioning towards his daughter, Aaron ordered;
"See for yourself, Jason."
Placing his hand on his niece's brow, Jason breathed a sigh of relief as he nodded;
"Thank the Lord, her fever broke."
Following Jason and Aaron's example, Benjamin touched Amie's forehead before nodding in satisfaction;
"Thank the Lord is right, Jason. But now that she's gotten most of the infection out of her lungs and her fever's broken, I think it's safe to say that after some rest this little girl will be just fine."
As if to confirm Benjamin's observation, Amie opened her eyes just enough to look up into her father's face and convey her displeasure by offering a slight cry of frustration. Happy to hear his child being so vocal about her frustration, Aaron couldn't help but chuckle;
"I know, princess, if I'd of been through what you have, I would be pitching a fit too."
Nodding towards Amie, Benjamin suggested;
"I imagine that she's a pretty hungry little girl right about now. I'd suggest feeding her, changing her, and then letting her rest as much as she wants, but I think that it might be a good idea if we put a steaming kettle near her bassinet while she sleeps, just to make sure. But, I think we can take this canopy down and restore some order to Miss Jemma's kitchen now."
Before they could take action, the kitchen door opened as Josh and Julie entered the room. Seeing Jemma still sleeping, they made their way quietly towards the group assembled as Josh hugged Candy and Jeremy before demanding;
"When did you two get back?"
Noticing Benjamin, Josh's face registered surprise as he greeted;
"Mr. Pruitt, what are you doing here?"
Shaking his head as motioned towards Amie, Benjamin suggested;
"There's plenty of time for that later, Joshua, right now, I think that we should tend to first things first."
Nodding her agreement, Julie approached her brother to place her hand against her niece's brow before noticing how much easier she was breathing, a fact evident in her cries, although not very loud they were still stronger then what they had been before she had been sent to rest. Looking into her brother's eyes, Julie could see the relief she felt mirrored in the dark depths as Aaron offered a slight smile;
"We owe Benjamin more than we could ever pay, he knew just what to do to clear the infection out of her lungs and to break her fever."
Suddenly, remembering his manners, Jason offered;
"Darling, I'm sorry. This is Benjamin Pruitt, Candy's grandfather, he came back with Jeremy and Candy."
Turning to the elder, Jason introduced;
"Benjamin, this is my wife, Julie."
Bowing his head slightly in gesture, Benjamin acknowledged;
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Bolt."
Shaking her head as she approached the old man and placed her hand over the top of his, Julie advised;
"Julie, Mr. Pruitt, as far as I'm concerned, what you did for Amie and being Candy's grandfather, you're family."
Benjamin couldn't help but feel a wave of appreciation from those gathered, something that Jason noticed slightly embarrassed the older man. Seeing to help ease his discomfort at the show of emotions, Jason turned to more practical matters as he turned to his brothers to venture;
"Josh, Jeremy, I think that we should clear this all away while Aaron helps Pixie tend to Amie and then if the ladies wouldn't mind, I think we could all do with a good hearty meal."
Eager for the sanctuary of routine activities such as cooking, especially after what had taken place over the past two days, Julie eagerly seized upon the opportunity;
"I would love to do something as routine as cook breakfast."
Shaking his head at the speed with which their family tried to return to normal after such a crisis, Aaron approached where his wife was sleeping to see to Amie's feeding. The thought suddenly struck Aaron that, given just how light of a sleeper Jemma tended to be, he found it odd that she had not been awakened by the presence of so many people around her, although he simply chalked it up to her need for sleep. Kneeling by her pallet, Aaron cradled Amie in one arm as he used his free hand to push his wife's hair behind her shoulder and away from her face as he called gently;
"Jemma, sweetheart, I think someone is eager to see Mommy."
Furrowing his brow, Aaron placed his hand against her shoulder as he gave her a slight shake;
"Jemma love, I know you're probably still tired but Amie, at least, needs to nurse. I'll help you, darlin, but you need to wake up for me."
When he still received no response or any indication that she was waking, Aaron felt his panic rising as he glanced over his shoulder to order;
"Julie, take Amie."
Once he had placed his daughter safely in his sister's arms, Aaron focused all of his attention on his wife as he slipped an arm under her shoulders to lift her to a reclining position as he patted her cheek gently;
"Jemma, darlin, wake up."
When he still received no response, Aaron's panic became almost palpable as he begged;
"JASON!"
Hearing the fear in his brother in law's voice, Jason hurried to his side;
"What's the matter, Aaron?"
Jason found himself hard-pressed to keep his own panic from rising as his brother in law shook his head, his voice breaking with fear;
"I don't know, Jason, she won't wake up."
Kneeling next to the couple, Jason began patting his sister's cheeks as he tried rousing her;
"Pixie, sweetie, come on wake up now."
When there was still no response the two men looked at each other in fear, something that was becoming contagious as everyone else gathered around, Aaron and Jason's fear and worry reflected in the eyes of all present. Before anyone else's panic could reach the level of Aaron's, the back door opened as Duncan and Holly hurried in, only to stop short at the sight before them. Placing her hands on her hips, Holly demanded sharply;
"Well, what the heck is going on here?"
Noticing the center of everyone's attention, Holly rushed over;
"What in the world happened to Jemma?"
Crossing the space in quick strides, Duncan knelt next to his nephew and Aaron as he took his niece's wrist in his grasp before placing his fingers against her neck, his brow furrowed in worry. The look of severity eased as he ordered;
"Would one of ya mind tellin me just what it is that's takin place in ma absence?"
Julie quickly explained the events of the past two days with Amie and just what Jemma had dealt with until Aaron and Jason's return. Placing his palm against his niece's forehead as well as her cheek, Duncan breathed a sigh of relief as he ventured;
"Well, she has no fever, of that I'm quite sure."
Narrowing his eyes in contemplation, Duncan turned to his niece in law;
"Julie, how long would ya say she spent suffering the heat, not to mention how long did she go before sleeping?"
Julie stopped for a moment to consider Duncan's inquiry as Aaron theorized;
"I would say that she was up, easily, at least twenty-four, or more, hours and she's only catnapped since I got back. As far as the heat, from what I understand she only came out from under the quilt to nurse or tend to the babies."
Tilting her head to the side in consideration, Holly offered;
"Well, shoot, I can tell ya what the problem is. She's just plumb tuckered out; she's worn herself to a frazzle tryin to do everything herself and as hot as she got, I betcha she's got herself a case of heat exhaustion, especially if she didn't drink enough; plus she's nursing two babies and that takes a lot outta a girl you know."
Although Holly's theory made sense and it was one that, both, Aaron and Jason were familiar with, given the nature of their work, neither could help but feel at a slight loss. Dealing with a burly logger or mill worker was one thing, but seeing their wife and sister in such a condition was something completely different. Aaron found his mind racing until he heard Jacob's cries of hunger mixed with Amie's weaker cries of the same nature; hearing his children in need and turning his mind in a practical direction, he made his mind up as he scooped Jemma up in his arms before turning to the three women gathered;
"Julie, you bring Amie and follow me upstairs. Candy, would you please get Jacob and join us in our bedroom, and Holly, come with us, please."
Hurrying up the stairs to their bedroom, Aaron placed Jemma in their bed before turning to Holly to demand;
"Alright, Holly, all modesty aside, I need your help. Jemma is exhausted and I think you're right, she has heat exhaustion; I know she needs to rest but do you think that..."
Already guessing his concern, Holly shook her head;
"Nope, as a matter of fact, I think that it'd be a good idea if you let the younguns nurse. Even if she ain't awake doesn't mean we can't help her you know"
Turning to Candy as she entered the room, Holly took charge as she ordered;
"Alright, first thing's first. Aaron, you open all these here windows and let some breeze and air into this room. I swear if she had to spend all that time in that oven of a kitchen no wonder she ain't waking up, she's probably baked herself into exhaustion."
Pointing to a doorway, Holly demanded;
"I'm going to assume that there's the washroom, is there a hand pump in there too?"
At his silent nod, Holly stalked to the door as she issued;
"Good."
Disappearing behind the door, she returned a few minutes later with the basin and a full pitcher of water as well as towels and a washcloth. Seeing that he had finished with the windows in the room, Holly waved her hand towards the bed;
"Aaron, can you lift her up off the bed for a second?"
Casting the woman a look of wry amusement, finding the first bit of humor in the past couple of days, Aaron quipped;
"I'm sure that I can manage, Holly."
Once he had lifted his wife from the bed to cradle her in his arms, Aaron found himself impressed by just how quickly and efficiently Holly had managed to spread a sheet and several towels over the bed to protect it before motioning;
"Alright, I know that you don't mind that particular chore, but right now, I think you need to head on downstairs since Duncan said something about takin care of some vittles for everyone and we'll take care of Jemma and them babies. You, get a shirt on and get yourself downstairs and get some decent food in ya. Me, Candy, and Julie will make sure she nurses those two real good and then we'll make sure Amie's all clean and comfy so she can rest and the men are gonna see to keeping Jacob occupied."
Seeing that he was about to argue, Holly held her hand up to stall any argument he might have offered;
"Look, Aaron, you're worn out too, but the difference is that, with tending both babies and as little as she is, she just pushed herself to the point that she can't push herself anymore. Now, you haven't reached that point just yet and if you're smart, considering that you got a wife and two younguns that need ya, you won't; so, take yerself downstairs and get some food in yer gut while we make her more comfortable and help her get them younguns nursed. We should be done by the time you are so when you're finished head on back up here and we'll skedaddle so's you can get you a bath and get some rest too, and I ain't takin no back sass from ya about it either. Now, scoot!"
Even though he knew that he shouldn't have been, Aaron found himself amazed at just how efficient the Bolt clan truly was; when he entered the kitchen and any signs of the earlier struggle to help see Amie past the crisis had been removed and the windows had been opened to allow the heavy odor of the camphor to dissipate from the room. The only remaining traces of the smell was coming from a small kettle that Benjamin had prepared to place near Amie's bassinet once she returned to the kitchen. Despite his earlier opinion that food was the last thought on his mind, once he saw the generously laden platters of ham, bacon, eggs, potatoes, and even biscuits sitting on the table, Aaron's hunger seemed to kick into overdrive as he heard and felt his stomach grumbling, something that didn't go unnoticed by his brothers or uncle in law as Duncan turned from the stove as he finished dishing up a bowl full of gravy to wave towards the table;
"Well, dinna stand there with yer mouth hanging open, man. It's yer house, have a seat and fill yer plate and yer stomach; besides I'll not have that little spitfire that yer married to takin a piece of ma hide because I didna make sure that you were properly fed, Aaron."
Shaking his head in amusement, Aaron complied with the elder's dictate as he gave in to his hunger pangs and filled his plate as did the Bolts gathered around the table. Nodding towards his middle brother in law, Aaron offered;
"Josh, I don't know how you managed to get past that stubbornness of hers, but thank you."
Shrugging, Josh admitted;
"We haven't exactly worked things out, Aaron, but I wasn't about to let her stubbornness and my stupidity stop me from helping when I was sure that I could. Amie was sick and she was scared and I wasn't letting her deal with this alone, and I told her so."
Confused by his brother's statement, Jeremy demanded;
"What do you mean by, 'your' stupidity, Josh?"
Sighing heavily, Josh confessed to his younger brother what had taken place on his and Candy's wedding day, sparing himself no blame or excuse in his narrative. Finally, when he was finished, he wasn't surprised to find Jeremy's eyes fixed on him, his gaze a narrowed one full of anger as he issued in a low and dangerous tone;
"Joshua, do you mean to tell me that, knowing just how much she's dealt with, thanks to Helen and Maude, not to mention her worry over being accused of having ulterior motives for marrying Aaron, and you, of all people, are the one to say such a thing to her."
Shaking his head, Jeremy turned to his brother in law;
"And you didn't take him outside and beat some sense into him?"
Finishing his sip of coffee, Aaron offered;
"I wanted to, more than you'll ever know, but I also knew how Jemma would feel if anything happened to spoil your and Candy's wedding day. And, THAT was the only thing that saved him."
Sighing heavily as he mulled the situation over in his mind, Jeremy faced his older brother;
"Josh, all I'm going to say about it is this; Candy doesn't know, although how long THAT will be the case I'm not sure since I'm fairly certain that Julie will end up telling her. And, dear brother, if she learns what you said to Pixie, she's liable to make you wish that all three of us had just taken you out back and beat the hell out of you rather than for her, Julie, and Lottie to get a hold of you. Not to mention, I'm pretty sure that, despite it being the middle of August, you've gotten a rather serious case of frostbite from our baby sister's cold shoulder. I STRONGLY suggest that you find a way to make this up to Pixie and work this out."
Pointing his fork at his nephews and nephew in law between bites, Duncan ordered sternly;
"All of that can wait until we have Jemma lass back on her feet, Benjamin here was tellin me that he agrees with Holly's opinion about the heat exhaustion."
Hearing the underlying tone of worry in the man's voice, Aaron set his fork on the table before placing his forearms against the top to lean forward as he demanded;
"Benjamin, considering that you saved my daughter's life, I trust your judgment. I know what heat exhaustion means for the men at the mill, but, somehow, I don't think my wife would appreciate me dousing her with a bucket of cool water. So, what do I do in this case?"
Setting his coffee cup back on the table, Benjamin ventured;
"I would say just what you're doing, Aaron. The women are making her comfortable and, in her case, I think that her problem is more because she was physically exhausted, she's nursing two babies, and, more than likely, I'd bet that she didn't take in enough fluids or nourishment. The heat certainly didn't help her but once she gets some rest she'll be just fine. Although I surely wish we could get our hands on some oranges."
Curious, Jason asked;
"Why, Benjamin?"
Sighing heavily, Benjamin explained;
"Because if we had some oranges we could squeeze the juice from them and that would help put back what she's lost, a lot faster than water will."
Aaron began wracking his brain, something he soon found unnecessary as Jeremy's eyes widened as he exclaimed;
"CLANCEY!"
Turning to his youngest brother in law, Aaron demanded;
"What about Clancey?"
Nodding, Benjamin offered;
"That's right, the good captain brought back bushels of oranges that he picked up in San Francisco."
Both having the same thought as they turned to each other, Aaron and Jason nodded as Jason ordered;
"Josh, you and Jeremy go find Clancey and you tell him we need, no, you tell him that Pixie needs those oranges. GO!"
Placing his hand on his brother in law's arm to stall him momentarily, Aaron issued;
"And, Jeremy, if that reprobate gives you two a hard time about giving you the oranges, tell him I'll buy the whole damn load from him. Now, do as Jason said; GO!."
Shocked by his declaration, Josh wondered;
"But, Aaron, what are you going to do with THAT many oranges?"
Shaking his head, Aaron challenged;
"As far as I'm concerned they can rot or everyone can toss them into the sound if they want, just as long as my wife has what she needs out of it. Now go catch that scowl captain before he leaves port."
Josh and Jeremy ran at breakneck speed to the Shamus to find Clancey barely awake as he was indulging in his spiked coffee. Seeing the two youngest Bolt brothers, Clancey grimaced;
"Oh, now come on boys! I've not even had me mornin coffee yet can't ya see. And, judging by the way the two of ya's came rushing up in here I know it can't be anything good."
Remembering Jeremy's hasty departure when they arrived a few hours before, Clancey's face became a mask of worry as he took Jeremy's shirt in his fist to demand;
"It's not the wee little girl, is it?"
Shaking his head as he pried the fabric of his brother's shirt from Clancey's fist, Josh shook his head;
"No, Clancey, Amie is actually much better, thanks to Benjamin. No, it seems that Pixie has a case of heat exhaustion from trying so hard to break Amie's fever; she wore herself out."
Shaking his head in concern, Clancey couldn't help but mutter;
"Oh, the saints bless the little darlin; so how can ole Cap'n Clancey help the little dear?"
Placing his hand on the weathered old sailor's shoulder, Jeremy ventured;
"Benjamin said that if we could get her to drink some fresh orange juice that it would help her faster then having her drinking water will."
Without a word to either brother, Clancey slammed his cup on his desk before snatching the cabin door open to order;
"MCNAB! GET IN HERE!"
Glancing to each other in curiosity, both brothers simply shrugged as they waited to have their curiosity answered. When the first mate appeared the puzzle was soon solved as McNab greeted;
"Sir?"
Motioning towards the hold, Clancey ordered;
"McNab, I want you and a few of the men to get at least three bushels of the best oranges that we brought back from San Francisco and I want them taken to the Stempel house. And if anyone there says they need more you come back here and get whatever they ask for, is that understood?"
Nodding, the mate simply offered;
"Aye, aye, sir."
before heading off to fill Clancey's orders. Once he was sure that his dictate would be followed, Clancey hurried to dress as Jeremy furrowed his brow in puzzlement;
"Clancey, what are you doing?"
Hurrying, Clancey finished dressing as he opened the cabin door before challenging;
"Do any of ya landlubbers happen to know how to properly squeeze out them there oranges and get a proper glass of juice without choking that poor dear with the seeds?"
Seeing the twin looks of shock on the brothers' faces, Clancey nodded;
"I thought not. Come on, let's go."
Aaron found himself amazed at just how quickly and efficiently Clancey had managed to have a pitcher of juice ready, not to mention the suggestion of diluting it for Amie as well, something that Benjamin approved of heartily. No sooner had he thought of his children then Julie and Candy appeared, followed closely by Holly who advised;
"Alright, them two younguns are fed, burped, and changed; we even gave little miss there a bath."
Seeing the worried look Aaron wore, Holly jumped in before he could ask;
"Jemma's just fine, she slept through the whole thing, we sponged her off to help make her comfortable and put a clean gown on her. Now, you spend a few minutes with them babies, especially Jacob, then you high tail it upstairs and get yerself a bath to get rid of that camphor smell and then you crawl into that bed and get yerself some rest too."
Any doubts that he had as to whether or not his children missed him when he was absent were answered quickly as Candy and Julie drew closer and both infants extended their arms in anticipation of being held by their father. Taking his son and daughter in his arms, Aaron turned to Jacob to venture;
"I'm guessing you're a little irritated, aren't you, son?"
He couldn't help but laugh as the infant stuck his fist in his mouth as if thinking about his answer before offering a happy, lopsided grin as he began kicking his legs and giggling in glee. Hugging his son closer to him, Aaron placed a kiss on his forehead before offering;
"As much as I would love to sit here and hold you two all day, I suppose that I need to do as Aunt Holly said and go get some rest. Jacob, you make sure that you behave and don't give your uncles too much trouble, at least not any more trouble then what they used to like to give your daddy, son."
Seeing the wry looks of amusement on Josh, Jeremy, and Duncan's faces, Aaron chuckled as he passed his son into Jeremy's waiting arms. Turning his attention to his daughter, Aaron cradled Amie closer as his voice softened;
"And you, princess, you get some rest and mind your aunts. And don't you ever scare any of us like that again, especially Mommy and Daddy."
Although he had gotten accustomed to the habit, Aaron still felt his heart swell as his daughter took his finger in her grasp to hold it tightly before cooing slightly as she laid her head against her father's chest. Clearing his throat in an attempt not to let his emotions overwhelm him, Aaron placed a kiss on his daughter's brow and felt infinitely grateful to find it cool as he handed her into Julie's waiting arms. Turning he issued;
"Wake me up if..."
Shaking her head vehemently, Holly challenged;
"The only time you two are getting disturbed is ifin them two younguns need feeding and that's it; ain't nobody waking you two up until you wake up. Now, GIT!"
Raising his hands in surrender, Aaron offered a slight chuckle;
"Alright, Holly, alright. I'm going, I'm going."
Hurrying through the kitchen door Aaron found Jason standing in indecision; guessing the reason he ventured;
"Let me guess, Holly ran you out too?"
Nodding, he confessed;
"Yes, but it was my wife who had the ultimate say."
Facing his brother in law, Jason demanded;
"She's your sister, can't you do anything with her when she gets in that determined frame of mind?"
Finding the first bit of humor to be had in the past few days, Aaron couldn't help but laugh as he offered his brother in law a smirk;
"I have just as much influence in controlling MY sister's stubbornness as you do in controlling YOUR sister's stubbornness."
Shaking his head in defeat, Jason found himself grinning in good humor;
"I just knew that was going to come back and haunt me one of these days."
Turning serious, Jason offered;
"Aaron, if you'd rather, I'll take Julie's suggestion and stretch out upstairs, just in case But, to be honest, I was going to go check in with the camp and, if you'd like, I'll check in at the mill too and then head home to get a little sleep."
Giving the offer some thought, Aaron ventured;
"I think everything will be alright, Jason. Amie's past the crisis and she has no fever and she's barely coughing; Candy, Julie, and Holly are taking care of her and Lottie and Allen are due back today so, outside of Jemma's, those are the best hands for her to be in. Josh, Jeremy, and Duncan are going to keep Jacob entertained and there's Molly and Christopher to help; no, you go on ahead and just tell Harve business as usual that I won't be in today."
Nodding, Jason was about to walk away when Aaron put his hand on his shoulder;
"And, Jason, thank you for everything that you did to help mine and Jemma's baby girl."
Shaking his head as he returned the gesture, Jason pointed out;
"Aaron, she's my niece and I don't take that lightly. Her last name may well be Stempel, but she's half Bolt too and that means she's family; just like her father."
Speechless, Aaron stood at the foot of the staircase and watched as Jason opened the front door and left. Despite the years of animosity that he and Jason had experienced between them, Aaron could never and would never deny that he had come to consider Jason more than a brother in law; he considered him a friend, a fact that he was infinitely glad about considering just how much easier their camaraderie made things for Jemma and Julie. Climbing the stairs to his bedroom, Aaron realized just how inviting the idea of a bath and the chance to lay down next to his wife for some much-needed rest sounded right then. Opening the bedroom door he stood for a moment, watching his wife sleep, grateful for their mutual determination to share their lives together. Despite the feelings that he had felt for Ellen before her death, Aaron knew that those feelings were nowhere near as strong as the feeling he possessed for his wife. Moving quietly he made his way to the washroom, eager to do more than freshen up as he had earlier; although he knew it wasn't logical, Aaron couldn't help but hope that, just maybe, by washing the sweat and grime of the earlier struggle to help his daughter get well, he could wash away the nightmare of the past couple of days.
Even though he had never been one to dawdle when it came to bathing, Aaron found himself enjoying the soothing feel of the water as it rinsed away the soap and stress. He couldn't help but find amusement as he remembered Jemma's first experience with the tub just after they were married. Realizing that she wouldn't have to worry with emptying the tub, that he had engineered it so that the water just ran down a pipe and drained outside, her eyes had widened as she laughed;
"Had I known that I could have enjoyed my baths without all that work, I would have agreed to marry you the first time you proposed."
Just after he had finished drying himself off, as he was towel drying his hair, he heard a strange sound coming from his bedroom. Worried, Aaron muttered;
"What the hell?"
Slinging the towel over his shoulder, Aaron hurried from the washroom.
Jemma opened her eyes slowly before looking at her surroundings in confusion until she realized that she was in her and Aaron's bedroom. Her confusion soon gave way to panic as she saw no sign of Amie, Jacob, or Aaron, not to mention no recollection of how she came to be in her own bed considering the last thing she remembered was falling asleep on the pallet in the kitchen just after she finished nursing Amie. Quickly, Jemma pushed the covers aside to rush from the bed but found that what her intentions were and what her body seemed willing to allow were at two different ends of the spectrum as the room began spinning when she rose from the bed. Despite trying to gain her balance, Jemma found herself stumbling just before she fell to the floor. Taking long deep breaths she gave a slight shake of her head as she tried to clear it as she tried to push her panic down in an attempt to rationalize her situation, something she realized was impossible as she found herself on the verge of hysteria when the washroom door opened as Aaron entered their bedroom to find her in the middle of the floor. Tossing the towel he was using to dry his hair to the floor, Aaron hurried to his wife's side;
"Sweetheart, what happened?"
Closing her eyes as she laid her head against his shoulder when he scooped her up from the floor, attempting to stop the room from spinning, Jemma demanded;
"Never mind that, where are my babies?"
Noticing his wet hair and realizing that he had bathed, she lifted her head long enough to accuse;
"You're taking a bath? At a time like this?"
Settling her in his lap as he sat on the edge of their bed, Aaron issued;
"Calm down, love. First thing's first; now the most important thing, Amie is fine. Her fever broke, she's been bathed and she's still coughing a little but what she's coughing up now is clear. You nursed both her and Jacob and she's sleeping under her two aunts' and Molly's watchful eyes while Christopher, Jeremy, and Benjamin Pruitt are keeping Jacob entertained. I was told, in no uncertain terms, that I was to put you to bed for some real rest and that after I had a bath I was to join you."
Giving a slight shake of her head, Jemma argued;
"I want to see my children, Aaron. I've neglected poor Jacob, he probably thinks that I don't love him anymore and I want to see that Amie's alright for myself."
Jemma attempted to rise from his lap, something that didn't work out very well given that she found herself swaying before falling back into her husband's lap as she shook her head roughly before demanding in frustration;
"What in the world is wrong with me, the room won't stop spinning?"
Taking a deep breath, Aaron shifted her slightly before standing with her cradled in his arms. Once he had her settled in their bed, he poured her a glass of water from the pitcher by the bed before ordering;
"Drink, love, you need it."
Taking the glass Jemma found that the more she drank the more thirsty she became, a fact that didn't escape her husband's notice as he gently eased the glass from her hand;
"Easy, sweetheart, I know you're thirsty, but too much at one time can make you sick."
Relinquishing the glass, Jemma looked into her husband's eyes, worry in her own;
"Do you PROMISE that Amie is better, her fever REALLY broke?"
Nodding, a satisfied smile on his face, Aaron vowed;
"Sweetheart, would I be up here, and this calm, if I wasn't sure our baby girl was alright and in good hands; not to mention that our son was being well cared for? Besides, Holly and Duncan got back a bit earlier so they're overseeing helping with the kids, and Benjamin Pruitt came back with Jeremy and Candy and I thank God he did since he's the one we have to thank for saving our little princess."
Seeing the questions in her eyes, Aaron began relaying the events that found his estimation of Candy's grandfather rising in his book, the events replaying in his head in intimate detail. Once he had finished explaining the events, she couldn't help but shake her head in frustration;
"My children needed me and I wasn't there for them."
Staring at her in disbelief, Aaron placed his finger under her chin to lift her eyes to meet his as he admonished;
"Sweetheart, you did everything possible and would have continued doing even more if I hadn't of made you lay down on the pallet in the kitchen. I won't apologize for making you rest, love, but I do apologize that I didn't consider that you might have heat exhaustion and done more for you. As far as you not being there for them; part of the reason you're in the shape that you're in is because you pushed yourself to take care of our babies; darlin, believe me, I promise you that, even though you were in and out of sleep at that time, you made sure, both, Amie and Jacob were cared for. Now, stop kicking yourself and just be thankful that our little princess is on the mend."
He could see that she was mulling over his words, but, given her stubborn nature, Aaron wasn't surprised when her lovely features took on the all too familiar look of stubborn determination that he knew from experience meant she couldn't be swayed. Despite his hope that she wouldn't, he wasn't surprised when she threw the covers aside to rise from the bed, despite the slight swaying he noticed, something he attributed to the dizziness he knew she must be suffering, to stand in front of him as she folded her arms over her chest in that familiar Bolt habit that he recognized to state;
"I'm very thankful for the fact that our little girl is recovering, God knows I said enough prayers begging for just that. However, I want to see our son and our daughter, I don't want them to think that I'm neglecting them."
Staring at her in disbelief, Aaron tried reasoning;
"Darlin, I promise they are just fine; I held them both for a while before I was sent up here to get a bath and some sleep. Even Amie has perked up a little bit, she's just a little tired."
Shaking her head adamantly, Jemma stood her ground;
"YOU held them and while I'm glad that you did, that's not the same as me holding them. I'm glad they know that Daddy loves them, but they need to know that Mommy does too."
Despite his familiarity with how fixated she could become on a course of action when she became determined to see that course through, Aaron found himself shocked as she stepped around him to approach the bedroom door. Bewildered by her actions as he stood rooted to the spot, staring in disbelief, Aaron's immobility soon changed to swift action as he noticed her swaying just before placing her hands against the wall to find her bearings as she gave a slight shake of her head before hanging it as she closed her eyes. Closing the distance between them in a few strides, Aaron shook his head as he admonished;
"Jemma Elysia, the only thing that stubborn nature of yours is going to accomplish in this particular instance is to find you falling down those stairs if you try to go down them in the shape you're in. Sweetheart, you have heat and physical exhaustion and you need to rest, once you do and we get some more fluids into you, as well as some food, you'll be good as new. But, in the meantime, you have got to rest."
Just as he was about to lower her into their bed, Aaron felt the full force of a pleading gaze from his wife's emerald eyes as she placed her hand against his cheek. Feeling his resolve weakening, Aaron gave a slight shake of his head;
"Jemma, love, that's not fair and you know it."
Her bottom lip quivering slightly, Jemma begged;
"Aaron, darling, please. Please, just for a few minutes, let me at least hold them so I know that Amie's alright and so Jacob knows I love him and I'm sorry I couldn't pay as much attention to him as I normally do because his sister was sick. I promise, if you'll just let me hold them I won't give you any more arguments about resting, eating or anything else; at least not until I'm back to normal."
Already knowing he couldn't deny her, Aaron demanded;
"Do you PROMISE that you won't give me or anyone else any argument until you're well."
Making a crossing sign over her heart, Jemma nodded as she held her hand up solemnly;
"I swear, I will not argue, at least until I'm well."
Shaking his head as he placed a kiss on her forehead, Aaron lowered her to the mattress before settling her as he muttered;
"I must be out of my mind."
Hurriedly, Aaron searched through the drawers of their dresser before glancing over his shoulder to issue;
"Jemma darlin, you are the ONLY one who could get away with what you're about to."
Aaron hurried into a pair of pants and jerked his shirt on before throwing the door open to make his way to the stair railing before bellowing;
"JULIE, CANDY, HOLLY!"
When they appeared at the bottom of the stairs, Aaron continued buttoning his shirt as he directed;
"Ladies, would you please bring Amie and Jacob up here so that their mother can see for herself that they are alright? Thank you."
Glancing to each other; their eyes wide with shock, Julie broke the silence;
"Ladies; I recognize the look that we just saw in my brother's eyes and, combined with Jemma's stubborn nature, I strongly suggest we take the children upstairs to put their mother's mind at ease."
Within ten minutes Aaron found his frustration with his wife's tenacity dissolved as he studied the picture she made holding their son and daughter. He couldn't help but find himself astounded by the fact that, no matter how often he saw it, he never grew tired of the sight of Jemma holding their children as she was now, or the pleasure he felt in the way her eyes had lit up as Amie and Jacob realized they were being held by their mother and cooed and giggle in glee before smiling brightly at the prospect. He found his thoughts interrupted as there was a soft knock on the door, opening the portal he found Clancey and Benjamin standing there, a picture of fresh orange juice in Clancey's hand. Stepping aside, Aaron waved his hand in invitation;
"By all means, gentlemen."
Clancey hurried to the bedside to place his hand against the young woman who he considered to be something akin to a daughter's cheek as he offered a fatherly smile;
"Ah, now that there's more like it. You and that little angel of yers scared ole Cap'n Clancey right and proper ya did now."
Shaking her head, she admitted;
"I promise, Clancey, it was in no way intentional."
Glancing down at her daughter, her eyes filled with love, Jemma offered softly;
"On either or our parts."
Noticing Benjamin, Jemma shifted Jacob slightly to offer the elder her hand as she ventured;
"Mr. Pruitt, my husband explained that we have you to thank for our daughter's recovery."
Finding herself becoming emotional as she remembered the fear she felt at the possibility of how tragic Amie's illness could have become, Jemma swallowed hard as she cleared her throat slightly to push the tears back;
"You have no idea how grateful we are, Mr. Pruitt. I had no idea how...well, let's just say that there's no way we can ever thank you enough or pay you back for what you did for our baby."
Taking her hand in his, Benjamin patted it in a fatherly way as he offered;
"Actually, Miss Jemma, there are two things that you can do for me if you'd like to thank me. First; I'd like you to call me Benjamin, you and your family have taken to my grandchildren as a family and I'd like to think of you all in the same way. Second; just let me be able to spend some time around those two little blessings of yours and that's more than thanks enough."
Jemma couldn't help but laugh as she tilted her head in consideration as she nodded;
"Alright, Benjamin, but since we're family I'd appreciate it if you called me Jemma."
Noticing the pitcher that Clancey held, she couldn't help but look from one to the other as she demanded in puzzlement;
"What in the world is that? It looks like orange juice, but how in the world..."
Nodding as he took the glass from the nightstand to pour half a glass, he explained;
"It is orange juice, M...Jemma. You see Captain Clancey had a shipment of them on his ship and kindly brought some so we could make you some fresh-squeezed orange juice, this will help you be able to put back what you lost from the heat much faster than just drinking water will."
Aaron had thought that she might try to be stubborn, but he realized that, once she heard it would help her recover faster, he should have known better. Although he had to caution as she brought the glass to her lips and began drinking it quickly;
"Easy, love, you can't drink too fast, you'll make yourself sick; you have to pace yourself."
Nodding her understanding, Jemma slowed to just sipping from the glass until she had finished the juice. Benjamin took the glass as he praised;
"That a girl!"
Noticing that her son and daughter were becoming fussy as well as the tightness in her chest, Jemma demanded;
"Given that, I wasn't awake for it, would someone give me an idea when my children were last fed please?"
Glancing to the mantle clock, Aaron nodded;
"I'd say that it's about time, love."
Placing the pitcher on the bedside table, Benjamin advised;
"Aaron, I'd have her drink another half glass once she finishes feeding them and then have her get some more rest."
Nodding as he held the door open in invitation for them to leave, Aaron offered;
"Thank you Benjamin, Clancey, you have no idea how much I appreciate it."
Stalling Clancey for a moment, he inquired;
"Clancey, the minute that Lottie and Allyn get back please ask them to come over. I'd feel better if Allyn checked, both, Amie and Jemma over and considering how stubborn she can be, I may need Lottie's help to keep her in bed until she's fully recovered."
Nodding his understanding, Clancey promised;
"I'll take care of it for ya."
Once the door had closed behind Benjamin and Clancey, Aaron turned to his wife to advise;
"Alright, love, once those two have nursed and been taken care of and you've finished another half glass of juice, I think that it's time we got some rest. I know I'm exhausted and, Lord knows, if I am then I know you have to be."
Despite her fatigue, Jemma was as efficient as ever as she quickly finished nursing her son before placing him in Aaron's waiting arms as she took Amie in her arms to satisfy her daughter's hunger. Once she was certain that her baby's hunger was satisfied, Jemma laid Amie against her shoulder to pat her back, hearing the slight gurgle followed by a small giggle as she shifted her daughter to study her as she ventured;
"You have no idea, baby girl just how happy Mommy is to hear your giggle like that."
Cuddling her daughter closer, Jemma offered softly;
"I don't think you know just how very much Mommy and Daddy love you and your brother."
Although he hated doing so, Aaron motioned for Candy to take Amie as he placed Jacob in Julie's arms before offering;
"Ladies, thank you for all of your help with these two. Please don't think that I'm being rude, but I'm exhausted, and, once she finishes her juice, I think Jemma could use some more sleep too."
Shifting Amie into her aunt's arms, Jemma pinned Candy with her eyes as she asked worriedly;
"Candy, Julie are you sure that you don't mind taking care of these two. I mean especially considering that you just returned from your honeymoon, Candy, and Julie, you were up with me helping take care of them before Aaron got home. I can always..."
Both shook their heads vehemently as Julie admonished;
"No, you cannot, Jemma Bolt Stempel. You are not to get up out of that bed until you have fully recovered."
Glancing down into her nephew's face, Julie offered a slight smile as she admitted;
"Besides, Candy and I are more than happy to have a chance to spoil these two."
Nodding as she shifted Amie in her arms, Candy chastised jokingly;
"That's right, not to mention this gives us a chance to practice for when we have our own, so you just enjoy your husband spoiling you while Julie and I spoil these two."
Shaking her head in amusement, Jemma gave in;
"Alright, and I'd be lying if I said that I wasn't still a little tired."
Jemma watched as her sisters in law left the room, pulling the door closed behind them to leave her and Aaron in privacy, she wasn't surprised when Aaron held a glass half-filled with juice to her;
"Remember, you promised, love."
Heeding her husband's earlier advice and sipping the juice slowly, Jemma, noticing the expression on Aaron's face, came straight to the point;
"Go ahead, honey, I can see it in your face, there's something on your mind and until you get it out in the open it's going to eat away at you."
Taking the glass to set on the bedside table, Aaron sat on the mattress to face her as he took her hand;
"Jemma darlin, we have a lot to be thankful for and one of those things is the love and support of our family; ALL of our family."
Heaving a sigh of resignation, Jemma nodded in agreement as she offered softly;
"I know. And, I also know what you're referring to, love."
Seeing the look of incredulous disbelief on her husband's face, Jemma couldn't help but laugh slightly as she pointed out;
"Aaron darling, you amaze me. If I'm not able to hide how I feel from you because of how much you love me, do you REALLY think that you can hide how you feel from me considering how much I love you? You may well be able to keep everyone else in Seattle guessing with that stoic expression you tend to wear more often than not, but..."
Placing her hand over the center of his chest, Jemma's lips turned up at the corners in a loving slight smile;
"You forget, I know what's behind that mask of indifference that you're so fond of. Just like you told me, my darling husband; 'you might well be able to hide what you're thinking and feeling from everyone else, but not from me.' So go ahead and say what's on your mind."
Keeping his tone as neutral as possible, Aaron expressed his point of view;
"Love, I know that what Josh said at Candy and Jeremy's reception was something that you found very hurtful and I know WHY you found it so hurtful. The fact is that had anyone else said it, you might have been mad as hell, but it wouldn't have hurt you, not as it did coming from Josh."
Although she never came out and said he was right, Aaron knew that he had hit right on target, especially when she lowered her eyes to stare at the pattern on the quilt and remained silent as he pressed;
"Sweetheart, I know that you're close to each of your brothers in different ways. Your and Jason's relationship is more like a father and daughter, and you and Jeremy are more like friends and protectors. But, your and Josh's is a good bit different, you two are a combination of all of the above. Think about it; Josh was the first, outside of Lottie, to figure out about us and a good bit of the reason for that is because you two know each other so well. It would have hurt had it come from Jason or Jeremy, but not nearly as much as it did coming from Josh."
Shaking his head, Aaron stated his position;
"Now, I'm not happy with what he said, not in the slightest, but you, yourself, said that something is going on with Josh. Thinking about it, there has been since Jason and Julie got married, but it's gotten more intense, especially since just before Candy and Jeremy's wedding. Jemma, darlin, your brother's know that temper of yours and, despite that, as soon as Josh found out about Amie and knowing that Jason and I were in Tacoma, he was willing to risk you taking a piece of his hide off to help make sure that you and Amie were taken care of. You know that he did that out of love, not out of a sense of obligation, and I know that what happened has been eating away at him. Just like it has you, the only difference is that he didn't bother trying to hide it the way you did."
Aaron knew that she wouldn't remain silent for long and he was proven correct when she sighed in frustration as she admitted;
"Honey, I know that you're right, and I know that I need to talk to Josh and work this out, I don't want things to continue like they are between us."
Placing his hand on her cheek as he searched her eyes, Aaron opened the door for her to continue;
"But?"
Seeing the pleading look she wore, he wasn't surprised when she admitted softly;
"But I don't want to deal with it right now, I know I need to and I want to resolve this but it's just that..."
Nodding his understanding as he began twirling the loose curls of her hair about his fingers, Aaron offered;
"You've been through enough the last couple of days or so and you're tired?"
At her slight sad nod of agreement of his theory Aaron stood and motioned for her to make room for him as he stretched out next to her before taking her in his arms and settling her against his side as he kissed the top of her head to venture;
"Do you know what I think, sweetheart? I think that we both need to get some rest, especially you, and once you've had a chance to get back to normal this can be dealt with then. Josh knows you've been through a lot the past couple of days and he knows you need time to get back to normal, he understands, love, I promise."
Trusting in her husband's judgment, Jemma snuggled closer against Aaron's side as she lifted her eyes to gaze into his before stroking his cheek with the back of her fingers as she admitted;
"I know it's only been a couple of days, but it seems like forever since we've been able to just enjoy holding each other like this."
Capturing her hand to bring it to his lips, Aaron kissed her palm before holding her hand against his chest;
"Do you know something, darlin? If I were given the choice between a strongbox full of gold or the chance to hold you like I'm doing now, I'll take you every time."
Giggling, Jemma ventured;
"Darling, you realize that there are those who would never, in a million years, believe that you would feel that way."
Aaron pulled her closer as he shifted to claim her mouth, lifting his head he reminded;
"There are also those, Jemma darlin, who never in a million years thought I would take a wife, let alone that it would be you if I did; and yet, here we are. So, to those nonbelievers, I say; 'to hell with them.' I know EXACTLY how I feel and WHAT I feel for you, love."
Jemma found the concerns she had regarding the situation with her brother pushed to the side as she felt Aaron's mouth against the side of her throat. Despite the embers of her own passions igniting, Jemma reminded;
"Not that I'm not enjoying this, but I thought that you were worried about me getting enough rest and that you were tired."
Lifting his head to gaze into her eyes as he lightly traced a path over the skin of her neck and chest with his finger, the corners of Aaron's mouth lifted in a seductive smile as his tone of voice took on a silky quality as he offered suggestively;
"I am worried about you getting enough rest, sweetheart, which is exactly why I want to make sure I help you relax as much as possible, not to mention relieving my own 'stress'."
What little resistance she had found her pointing out in a voice full of desire;
"But, Aaron darling, if someone should come to the door..."
Placing a kiss on her cheek, Aaron brought his lips to her ear as he ventured casually;
"Then, Jemma darlin, they damn well better knock or prepare themselves for one hell of a surprise if they're stupid enough to open that door without being told to."
Jemma's giggles of amusement were soon turning to gasps of delight as her husband''s hands and mouth traveled the paths over her body that he knew would turn the embers of her desire into a roaring blaze of passion. In the back of his mind, Aaron was kicking himself for his selfishness, he knew that she was still exhausted and needed the rest just as he did. But, more than rest, after the fear he and, he knew, Jemma, had felt as they struggled to help their daughter through the crisis they had just overcome, what Aaron knew he needed most, outside of the certainty that Amie would fully recover, was to be able to hold his wife in his arms as they lost themselves in each other.
Although she, no more than Aaron, would ever deny the pleasure and passion they enjoyed in the intimate aspect of their marriage, Jemma knew that what was now taking place between her and her husband was more than just a case of their passion and desire for each other surfacing. Even as she gave herself up to the euphoria that she felt as Aaron fueled the fires of her passion, in the recesses of her mind, Jemma knew that what was happening was more because of their mutual need for each other after the ordeal of the past couple of days. She, as much as he, needed what they were experiencing now to help replenish the strength they had spent in their battle to see their child safe and past the point of crisis. Despite the haze of bliss she was experiencing in her husband's arms, Jemma knew that they were drawing from each other what they needed to refill what had been drained in the mutual battle they had both fought so diligently.
Aaron found his guilt ebbing as he felt her hands spread wide across his shoulders just before she arched in pleasure as if she were offering herself to him. Sliding his arms under her to hold her closer against him, Aaron covered her mouth with his as he sought to fill the hunger for her he knew would never be satiated. Sliding his mouth from hers to her ear, he begged;
"Dear Lord in Heaven above, Jemma darlin, do you have ANY idea of just what you do to me? No matter how much of you I have, it's never enough, the more of you I have the more I want."
Given the rapturous waves of pleasure that were building upon each other, Jemma found the only response she was able to offer was that of her whimpers as the tidal wave of sensations she was experiencing threatened to drown her. His own portion of control spent, Aaron's hold on her tightened as he became consumed by the same wave that had his wife so firmly in its grip; something that found both crying out in delight as they reached the apex of their mutual desire together. Trying to bring his heavy breathing under control, Aaron lifted his head to leave a trail of kisses across her cheeks and lips before shaking his head as he admitted;
"Sweetheart, I should apologize for being selfish, but, given how you responded, I have the feeling that you needed this as much as I did and for the same reasons."
Looping her arms about his neck as she brushed her lips against his, the corners of Jemma's lips curled in a serene smile as she ventured;
"First, you have nothing to feel guilty about. And yes, I did need this as much as you and if the reason is that you needed me as much as I need you, then you're absolutely right."
Kissing her gently in a way that neither demanded or expected anything, it just simply expressed his love and adoration, Aaron pushed her hair away from her face as he admitted softly;
"Jemma love, I will ALWAYS need you until my last day on this earth and even after that. To be honest, you've always been what I needed, I just didn't know it until I had you."
Jemma couldn't help but gaze into his dark eyes as she nodded;
"Good! Because I need you more than I ever thought it possible, not to mention just how much I happen to love and adore you. I guess there's just no help for it, my love; we're stuck with each other."
Rolling to his side before pulling her close against him as he situated the bedclothes, Aaron shook his head as he corrected;
"No, sweetheart, we are not 'stuck', we're both here by choice and I wouldn't have it any other way."
Kissing the top of her head as she snuggled closer to lay her head on his chest, Aaron issued;
"Now, I think that the wise thing for us, both, to do is to get some rest."
Jemma couldn't help but notice the boyish grin on his handsome face as she turned her head before lifting one eyebrow sarcastically to venture;
"I'm guessing that you've worked off your 'stress'?"
Nodding, Aaron laughed;
"Oh, most definitely, love. But how about you; are you 'relaxed' enough to go to sleep?"
Sighing contentedly as she made herself comfortable against his side, Jemma nodded as she closed her eyes and yawned;
"Oh, I think I can manage a nap, especially with such a comfortable pillow. Sweet dreams, love"
Holding her in the circle of his arms, Aaron found himself yawning as he ventured softly;
"As long as you're in them, Jemma darlin, they always will be."