Kayla stretched and slowly opened her eyes. A quick glance on the clock told her it was just after 8:00 a.m. She was somewhat surprised she had slept that late, but she figured her body needed the rest after readjusting to twelve-hour shifts at the Trauma Center.
Thanks to Neil, the transition to the Trauma Center had gone seamlessly. Kayla was now working three twelve hour shifts, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., per week. Neil had also arranged for Kayla to be placed in the position of charge nurse for her shifts. That meant a salary commensurate with what she had made in the lab.
It also meant a little extra paperwork and, even though this was her day off, Kayla knew she would need to go in for a couple of hours to finish the paperwork from her last shift. There had been a multi-car accident the previous afternoon caused by the icy winter roads and Kayla had decided to complete the paperwork today rather than miss dinner with her family.
But just because she had to go in for a little while didn't mean she couldn't enjoy the morning. Rolling over, Kayla snuggled up next to Steve and softly kissed his chest. She smiled as his arms automatically circled around her and he held her close.
She lay still for a moment, content to listen to his deep breathing and steady heartbeat. But it was not long before her body began to assert its own ideas. Gently, her hand stroked his strong, muscled chest. Kayla shifted slightly so that she could reach more of his chest with her lips, and her leg intertwined with his.
Her actions had the desired effect, as she felt her husband begin to stir. His hands moved slowly up and down her back and she heard him moan as her hand slipped lower. Raising her head, she saw him staring at her with a half-lidded eye.
"Did I wake you?" Kayla asked innocently, as her hand continued to massage him.
"Baby, that's the best kind of wake-up call there is," Steve said, closing his eye and emitting another moan.
"I'm glad you think so." Kayla slid her body so that she could find Steve's lips. "Because I'd hate to think I'd lost my touch."
"You could never lose your touch, Sweetness," Steve huffed just before he kissed her. The kiss was slow, and deep, each taking their time as they tasted each other.
Suddenly, Kayla felt a wave of nausea wash over her. She sat up quickly, taking deep breaths, trying to control it.
"Baby?" Steve's voice held a note of concern. "Are you okay?"
Kayla took another deep breath, feeling the wave pass by. Then she nodded. "I think so. I just didn't feel so good there for a second."
"I guess I need to work on my good morning kisses."
Kayla leaned back down and kissed him again. "There is nothing wrong with your kisses, morning or otherwise." Her hand resumed it's slow strokes below the sheet as she whispered. "Now, where were we?"
"Right about here." Steve's lips crashed onto hers again. Then they began the slow journey down her jaw and neck, finding the spot that never failed to drive her crazy.
Kayla could feel her body reacting to his lips and to his hands which were now fondling her breasts. She closed her eyes, reveling in the emotions and feelings that flowed through her body.
Suddenly, her eyes popped open again as another wave of nausea hit. Kayla knew instantly that this one was not going to pass. Without a word, she pushed away from Steve, rolled off the bed, and ran for the bathroom.
She made it to the toilet just as her stomach emptied its contents. She vaguely heard Steve talking to her as she continued retching. When she was finished, she leaned her head against the rim, trying to catch her breath.
"You okay, baby?" Steve asked, as he knelt down beside her. He ran a cool cloth across her forehead and the back of her neck.
"Just peachy," Kayla replied, trying to decide if she was finished, or if this was just a rest period between rounds.
Steve chuckled at her response. "Sorry, I guess that was a stupid question." He placed his hand on her forehead. "It doesn't feel like you have a fever."
Kayla took a deep breath and raised her head. She sat back on the bathroom floor and leaned against the tub. "It's flu season, but I don't have any other symptoms, so I don't think that's it." She shrugged. "Maybe something I ate last night just didn't agree with me."
Steve brushed the hair away from Kayla face and palmed her cheek. "You're going to blame my cooking for this?" he asked teasingly.
Kayla remained silent for a moment. There was a little voice in the back of her head that was ready to offer another suggestion, but she was not ready to listen to it just yet. Just because she had been tired for a few days and had been nauseous a couple of mornings did not mean anything. It probably was just the flu.
"Sweetness?" Steve prompted. "Maybe we should have Marcus take a look at you or something."
Kayla shook her head. "I really don't think that's necessary. I feel better already. Like I said, it was probably just something disagreeing with my stomach."
Steve stared at her for a moment, the concern clear in his eye. The he sighed and said, "Okay, if you're sure. But I think we should get you back into bed and let you rest."
Kayla stood and walked to the sink. She ran the washcloth over her face and brushed her teeth, trying to get the rancid taste out of her mouth. Already, she was feeling 100 percent better.
She turned and faced her husband. Until now, she had forgotten he was naked, clearly having rushed from the bed to help her. His state of undress reminded her of what they had been about to do before her stomach had rebelled. She couldn't help but giggle.
Steve raised his eyebrow at her giggles. "Between you running to the bathroom when I'm trying to make love to you and giggling at me standing here naked, you're being kind of hard on the male ego this morning."
Kayla laughed harder and threw her arms around his neck. "I'm sorry, baby. I was just imagining how awful I must have looked bolting away from you like that. Especially when I was the one who woke you up this morning."
Steve joined in Kayla's laughter and wrapped his arms around her. "I'll forgive you this time, but don't go making a habit of this, okay? I think I stripped a couple of gears going from 100 to 0 that quickly."
Kayla light slapped his chest. "Poor baby. I promise I'll make it up to you." She guided him out of the bathroom and towards the bed. "As a matter of fact, I have a little time right now."
Before Steve could respond, the baby monitor crackled with the sounds of Stephanie calling for her parents. Steve chuckled and offered a wry grin. "Apparently both my girls are conspiring against me this morning."
He kissed Kayla's forehead and then reached for his sweatpants hanging on the chair by the vanity. "I'll go get our daughter and get her breakfast started. Why don't you go back to bed for a little while? I want to make sure you're not sick."
Kayla shook her head and grabbed her robe. "I'm fine. I promise. You go get Stephanie and I'll get started on breakfast."
They left the room together and Steve kissed Kayla's cheek as he stopped in front of Stephanie's room. "You sure you're up for cooking?"
Kayla smiled broadly. "Absolutely. I hope you are hungry because I feel a big breakfast coming on. For some strange reason, I'm suddenly starving."