Author's notes: Thanks to the reviewers of the last chapter. I really appreciate every one. And thanks for the follows and favs. It's always good to hear your views and to know it's being enjoyed. Hope you like this one.
Patrick reaches in to the cupboard and brings down two mugs, in one placing his tea bag. He lifts the pot of the coffee machine and pours the brown liquid into the second cup. The Kettle sings and he fill up his cup, Once they are both ready he places them on the breakfast tray, on which there are a plate of eggs and a muffin and a glass of orange juice. He picks it up and carefully makes his way down the hall to the bedroom. With a little difficulty, he manages to open the door.
"Woo ooh wakey wakey, breakfast."
He smiles as Lisbon blinks and then stares at him with waking confusion in her eyes.
"Morning sleepy-head, sit up and move over, you are a bed thief, do you know that. I'm certain that when we start sharing a bed I'm going to end up on the floor nearly every night."
Lisbon sits up and scowls at him.
"What's wrong Teresa, it's a beautiful day."
He carefully lays the tray across her lap and takes his drink. He picks up her coffee with his other hand, and hands it to her.
"Here take a sip of your morning leveler, you know you'll feel better."
Teresa obediently takes it from him and takes a sip. She knows that the caffeine hasn't really hit her system yet but feeling the liquid slide down her throat is all she needs to bring her equilibrium up. Patrick gently lowers himself on the bed beside her. She looks at the tray.
"Thank you for breakfast but you shouldn't have done it, you need to rest."
Patrick nods towards the tray.
"Eat up before it goes cold."
Teresa takes up the fork and scoops up some of the eggs. As she puts them into her mouth, she almost moans from their creamy texture and delicate flavour. She's spent years with Patrick obsession with eggs until she lost all desire to eat any, but after much badgering she finally tried a forkful of his and reluctantly declared them divine.
"How are you feeling today? Are you in much pain?"
"I'm good Teresa, very good. The pain is down to just a twinge."
He reaches out and strokes her hair.
"Stop worrying. I'm fine. The operation was a success. There's been no problems with my recovery, I've been a good boy…"
Teresa splutters out the egg she's just put in her mouth, she also inhaled some, causing a coughing fit. Seeing that the coffee nor the orange juice will do the job, Patrick puts down his tea and moves quickly to the bathroom and returns with a tumbler of water. He hands it to her and she takes some sips while Patrick rubs her back. Once she feels able to speak she looks at him, her face is red, her eyes are watering and her voice comes out croaky.
"A good boy? You done nothing but whine."
Patrick passes her a tissue and puts on a good hurt expression.
"Now that's not true. First I gave you the four days I promised and I haven't whined too much, and I haven't done anything to risk my recovery."
Teresa reluctantly has to agree to that.
"I guess you haven't, you've just given me sore ears and stretched my patience."
"And I'll make it up to you. But you need to stop worrying."
"I'm not worrying."
"Yes you are, you're scared that something else will go wrong."
As Teresa opens her mouth to protest, he stops her.
"Yes you are, and it's understandable, you've seen me suffer a lot over the last few months, but I'm well, and a few more weeks I'll be back to normal. Doctor Polly's an excellent doctor, don't you agree?"
"Yes."
"Then trust her. I look good, don't I?"
Teresa looks at him and she has to admit, his colour is good, the paleness of when he came home's gone, and so has the strain and tension caused by the pain.
"Yes, you do. I'm sorry have I been hovering?"
A small smile crosses Patrick's face as he traces his fingers down her arm.
"Just a little, but I love you for it."
Patrick picks up his cup and swallows the rest of his tea. He puts the cup back down and claps his hands.
"So what are we going to do today?"
Teresa looks at him suspiciously and he beams at her.
"You already have something in mind."
"I confess, I do if you haven't got a better idea, and I know you didn't have one last night."
Teresa can't resist returning his smile. It thrills her to see him smile even as it fills her with foreboding as well.
"I think we should change plans."
Teresa looks at him suspiciously.
"The 'you going back to work at the end of the month' plans."
"Those were your plans Patrick, I haven't made any such plans."
He smiles even wider.
"That's even better."
He leans over and gives her kiss. He takes the finished breakfast off her lap.
"You get dressed."
Before Teresa can protest he's gone. She flings back the covers and makes her way to the bathroom. Patrick isn't in the living room when she's ready, he answers her call from the kitchen. She enters to find a map laid out on the kitchen counter. Patrick is putting dots on the map with a black marker pen. Teresa smiles at the sight of his tongue peeking out, showing his concentration.
"I don't think you're quite up to world travel at the moment Patrick."
He straightens up and comes towards her, grabbing her by the hand and pulls her towards the map.
"No, but I think by the end of the eight weeks of allotted recovery imprisonment. I'll be.."
He uses he fingers as quote marks.
" 'Up to' a honeymoon."
Patrick smiles at the look of shock on Teresa's face and as she starts to protest he holds up a hand.
"Here me out. It seems ridiculous to start back to work and then be off again in a few months for our honeymoon, why not get married now and take it before we go back to work. It'll be easier to organize the wedding now, rather than, in between cases and I want to celebrate my clean bill of health as your husband."
Teresa frowns.
"It's a lot of work, organizing a wedding, this short notice."
"It's a lot of work organizing a wedding period, and when will you have a better time to do it."
Teresa is scanning the map.
"Are these your suggestions for a honeymoon?"
"Yes, mark the places you've always wanted to go and we can take it from there. Plan our route."
Patrick hands her a red marker pen, she takes it and begins studying the map.