She opened her eyes, the sunlight beaming through the windows and blinding her. She shuttered from the brightness before she yawned. It was then she felt the arm draped around her waist in a protective manner. She turned suddenly in bed, her eyes locking with the same sincere, sweet emerald eyes of Jeff's, relaxing her almost immediately.
She smiled sweetly and felt his forehead for a temperature. He grabbed her hand and placed a small kiss on the inside of her palm. Her cheeks grew red at the gesture, as Jeff released her hand and removed the strand of hair from her face.
"I didn't mean to startle you." he replied, removing his arm from around her waist.
"It's alright. How did you sleep?" she asked.
"Better after that sickening feeling went away." he replied.
There was a moment of silence between them as they stared at one another, smiling nervously at the other.
"Thank you for staying over." Jeff said.
"Jeff, don't mention it. I know you had no idea what was going on." she said.
"I was scared. I'll admit it. I didn't know if it was normal or...."
"It is normal. Something about when your body winds down for the day and when you try to sleep. The pills used to keep your body alert and awake even when you slept so every inch of your body is learning to cope without that."
"I know. I just wish this part of it was over with."
"I know you do, but after a couple days, you'll feel better than you have in a while and you can start to get your life back in order."
"I can't wait for that."
"I know. I know." she whispered softly, before starting to get up.
"So, do you do this for all your patients?" he asked, grabbing her hand forcing her to lie back down.
"What's that?" she asked, giving him a confused look.
"Spend the night with them, share the same bed...."
"Only the special ones." she winked.
"So I'm special?" he asked, arching his brow.
"Don't get too full of yourself now." she said, laughing as she watched Jeff lick his lips.
"I'll try not to." he whispered, before kissing her cheek gently.
"You get some more sleep and I'll see you later." she said, rising from the bed.
He yawned and stretched as he closed his eyes. Sleep was an easy thing for him at the moment, as it overcame him. She looked at him resting peacefully and couldn't help but smile to herself. She felt her heart racing as she rubbed her cheek softly.
She knew she was falling faster and faster for the younger Hardy brother and she knew if she didn't stop it soon, it would be too late.
"Good afternoon, sunshine." Matt said, looking at his brothers disheveled appearance as he descended the stairs.
"Yeah, yeah." Jeff grumbled, as he flopped onto the over-sized chair in the living room, kicking his feet onto the ottoman.
"How are you feeling?" Matt asked, leaning forward.
"Like I got my ass handed to me." Jeff replied.
"I know, bro. It'll get better. You just have to fight until that days comes." Matt said, tapping his knee gently.
"I know, Matt. Last night was..." Jeff said, trailing off.
"Scary as hell." Matt finished for him.
"To say the least." Jeff agreed. "What time is it?"
"Nearly 3. I've gotta get...." Matt started.
"In the afternoon?" Jeff asked, sitting up.
"Yeah. Don't worry. Janine left about an hour ago. She told me to tell you it's alright if you miss the meeting today. She said she would be back later on tonight to check on you since I've gotta catch that flight tonight." Matt said.
"What time?" Jeff asked, leaning back in the chair.
"I've gotta be at the airport no later than 7 this evening. I should be home sometime on Saturday afternoon. Will you be alright here...."
"Matt, I'm 31 years old. I don't need a babysitter." Jeff growled.
"I know, man. I just worry about you. Anyway, Janine said she would look after you while I'm gone and dad plans on stopping by, too." Matt said, grabbing his keys.
"Where are you going?" Jeff asked, standing and entering the kitchen.
"I've gotta go pay some bills. I'll be back..." Matt began.
"Let me pay them, Matt. I mean, I'm staying here and you're not asking me to do a whole lot. Besides, it'll give me something to do while you're gone." Jeff pleaded.
"Jeff, I can't ask you to...."
"You're not asking me to. I'm telling you it's the least I can do and I'm going to pay the bills later." Jeff forced.
"Jeff, man..."
"Matt, I won't take no for an answer. Just give me the bills that need paid and I'll pay them later." Jeff said, extending his hand.
"Are you sure?" Matt asked, as he handed him the envelops.
"Yes, I am. It's a way of me helping out." Jeff reassured.
"Thanks, bro." Matt said, slapping his shoulder, as he threw his keys on the shoulder.
"Ouch!" Jeff winced.
"I'm sorry, dude." Matt said, as Jeff slowly turned around.
"I offer to pay your bills and you beat the shit out of me. A simple 'thank you' woulda been fine, bro." Jeff said, smiling.
"I'm sorry, Jeff. I just didn't think. Do you need an aspirin or...." Matt said, trailing off.
Jeff looked at his brother and dropped his head. Matt closed his eyes and sighed as he shook his head, not realizing what he was about to say. He knew things were going to change for Jeff and everyone else around him and he knew he needed to think before he spoke about some things.
"Jeff, I'm...."
"It's alright, Matt. It's going to be a change for everyone." Jeff replied. "Besides, Janine left me two on the night stand before she left. She told me it would be alright if I took them but she would monitor what I took for the next couple weeks."
"Speaking of Janine. You two looked awfully comfortable this morning." Matt winked at his brother.
"Dude, don't...."
"I'm just saying." Matt said, holding his hands up in surrender.
"She's a sweet girl, Matt. She isn't nothing like Beth and for the first time I can remember, I have support from someone else besides you and dad. She would make it easy for someone to fall in love with her." Jeff said, grabbing a coffee mug from the cupboard.
"Did you just say...." Matt asked, watching his brothers movements.
"Did I say what?" Jeff asked, turning to face him.
"That you loved her?" Matt asked.
"No. I said she makes it easy for someone to fall in love with her." Jeff replied.
"So, are you falling for her?" Matt asked, as Jeff poured himself some coffee from the pot before taking a seat at the dining room table.
Jeff thought for a minute as he sipped gingerly from his cup. He sat it on the table and leaned back, Matt watching his moves the entire time. Jeff smiled to himself before looking back at his brother.
"I think I might be, Matt. Just maybe." Jeff replied, trailing off, deep in thought.