Chapter 34

"It still means I will be flat on my back for days or…" he looked to Father to fill in the other amount.

"If you need surgery, then it could be a few weeks Devin," Father confirmed his fears.

"Weeks!"

"That's better than a broken back while would have meant the rest of your life," Rebecca tried to cheer him up.

"Vincent, when Catherine returns from Above, can you find out when we have to return the X-ray machine? If possible I would like to use it again when Devin's swelling has gone down."

"I will be sure to ask her Father." At a sound in the hall Vincent added, "It sounds like lunch is arriving. Maybe Devin would like to eat without so much company?"

"I will stay and feed him," Father stated.

"Father, Rebecca already promised me she would do that. Why don't the rest of you go off to the dining hall?"

Rebecca gave him an odd look since she had made no such promise, but she also didn't contradict him as the other three left the room. As soon as they were alone she asked, "Why did you lie about me Devin?"

His glance didn't meet hers as he replied, "It was because you didn't make me feel like a helpless baby when you were feeding me before. You just talked about normal everyday stuff as you stuffed food in my mouth."

"I did not stuff food into you!" she protested, a bit hurt.

"Aw Rebecca you know I didn't mean anything bad about it! I was just making a point about how great you are."

Pleased at his words, she blushed a little, but hid it by turning away to put food on a plate for him. "Devin now that things have somewhat settled do you think that you can behave enough that I could untie the restraints on your hands?"

Startled at her comment, because his thoughts had only been on the wonderful smelling meal William had prepared for him, Devin gave her a huge smile as her question registered. "Rebecca that is so amazing! You can be sure that I will not misbehave if you release me! I might even give you a hug if you come close enough for me to do so!"

"I don't need a hug," she told him as she freed one hand and then the other. "I will put them back on if you break your promise to me Devin!"

"Hey! I will be good! Don't you worry about that!"

"Okay then, let's get some food into you."

Vincent felt Catherine nearing the tunnels as well as the weariness she was feeling. He excused himself from the chess game he was playing with Father, promising they would find the time to finish it soon, and headed for the tunnel entrance under her apartment building.

They arrived at almost the same moment and this gave Catherine another reason to be grateful of their Bond. He was able to steady her as her legs almost gave way as she stepped off the ladder. "Catherine are you alright?"

"Just very tired Vincent. I was planning on a nap as soon as I got to our chambers."

"I think that is a very good idea. I shall come with you and tuck you in."

"That sounds very nice."

Vincent put his arm around her waist lending any support she might need along the way. As they neared their chamber he asked, "Catherine, Father wanted to know when he needed to return the X-ray machine. He wanted to take more films in a few days and was hoping to have it that long."

"The machine is his Vincent. He never needs to return it. I had forgotten about Devin's X-rays! How did they go? Is he alright?"

"His back is not broken, but Father and Peter couldn't tell if he has a pinched nerve or if was the swelling that is causing Devin's paralysis."

"Oh, well, at least the best news was possible to see in the X-rays and the rest they should know soon right?" she asked as she started removing her Above clothing.

To be continued…..