Sue and Jack arrived at his apartment. She had her things already packed in the trunk of her car. She went to the passenger side and helped Jack out. The pain was on his right side, so he placed his left arm around her shoulder and she placed her hand around his waist. He leaned into her as she helped him into his apartment. It was a good thing his building had an elevator. When they reached his door she helped him inside and then eased him onto the couch. She then helped him off with his jacket. 'O.K.?' Sue signed.
'O.K." Jack signed back as he rested a bit until he was able to speak. "Thanks Sue, that wasn't so bad."
Sue nodded at him. "Okay, I'm just going to get Levi and our stuff. I will be right back." Jack smiled at her before she left.
When Sue got back she noticed Jack asleep on the couch. Levi made himself comfortable on the floor beside the couch. Sue brought in her bag and Jack's. She looked over at Jack, he was resting peacefully. She grabbed the throw blanket that was on his side chair and placed it over him. She looked at him tenderly, the love shining in her face. She leaned over and placed a gentle kiss on his lips.
Some time later Jack began to stir. A delightful aroma filled the room as he slowly opened his eyes. It smelled like a home cooked meal, he couldn't remember the last time he had one. He tried to move but a sharp pain over took him and he cried out. Sue had just turned as she was setting the table, then she noticed Jack's pain stricken face. "Jack, what's wrong?" She was at his side in a moment and held his hand.
"I think the pain medication has worn off. It really hurts." He groaned.
"I'll get you more." She got up and grabbed the bottle of pills along with a glass of water. She came back and handed it to him. He gulped it down and took a breath. "Just rest, it will subside." She soothed.
After a while Jack was feeling better. Sue didn't want him to get up from the couch, so she fixed him a plate and brought it to him. "Sue, you didn't have to cook. We could have ordered in."
Sue smiled at him. "Well seeing as it was your first night back, I thought I'd make you something special."
Jack looked at the plate and smelled the food in front of him. "Mmmm….. Tuna noodle casserole." He smiled up at her.
"I remembered how much you liked it the last time."
"Yeah, it was great. Thanks Sue!" Jack ate his meal as if he was a starving man.
When they were done eating Sue cleaned up and came to relax with Jack in the living room. She sat in the side chair while he was stretched out on the couch. They watched a movie together and soon she noticed Jack's eyes were getting droopy. "Jack, I'll help you get to your bed."
"No you take the bed I can sleep here."
Sue didn't like where this was going. She planned on sleeping on the couch while Jack slept in his room. "Jack you are the patient you need to sleep in your own bed. I will take the couch."
"No Sue, I can't let you sleep on the couch. It's not that comfortable and I will never forgive myself if you slept here every night while I was sleeping in my bed."
Sue was having a hard time convincing Jack. She knew this was a battle that she wasn't going to win easily. "Jack, your injured and you need to sleep in your bed." Her stubborn streak shining through.
Jack let out a desperate sigh. "I'll sleep in my bed on one condition."
"What's that?" She asked.
"That you come with me."
Sue's face turned a bright shade of pink as butterflies began to float in her stomach. Her mouth fell open, and she tried to think of reasons why she shouldn't . "But what if I roll over or I end up against your side. I don't want to hurt you." She thought this was a good way out.
Jack shook his head. He had a better idea. "We can put pillows down the middle. It's a big bed Sue, it will be alright."
Sue knew that there was no way she was going to win this argument so she relented. "Okay Jack, you win."
Sue wasn't going to get much sleep and she knew it. At least Jack had the pain medication to knock him out. She laid down in the bed next to him. The only thing separating them were a few pillows she placed down the middle. The room wasn't totally dark as they left the hall light on so she could read him if needed. She looked over at him as he slept. He was so handsome she thought, she took this time to slowly gaze at his every feature. She dreamed of being married to him and sleeping next to him each night.
Her mind drifted to the letter she had found and read. She knew how much he loved her, but was he ever going to tell her. She wanted to tell him about the letter. She felt guilty for having read it and now keeping it a secret. The sooner she tells him the better she thought. She hoped he wouldn't be angry at her. Sue quickly put these thoughts out of her mind as she yawned. Not long after she drifted off into a deep sleep.