Thank you again to everyone who read and reviewed the first two chapters. I loved reading your responses to this story. I apologize for the delay. I had planned on posting this chapter days before, but I had some unexpected things come up in the past few weeks and needed to turn my attention elsewhere.
This final chapter is more of an epilogue. I wanted to give everyone lots of Careese love in it. I figured we and John and Joss deserved it. Enjoy!
All John wanted was the guarantee that life would be different this time around. That living on wouldn't mean continuing with the same empty lonely existence he had known before. That his relationship with Joss would no longer be one of suppressed longing and restrained friendship, where deeper feelings were only implied in looks and clipped words.
Once Joss realized this assurance was all that was needed to revive him, she poured it on thick. Showering him with love and affection. Diligently staying at his side, ready to help in anyway required. Never leaving without a kiss on the cheek, peck to the lips, or squeeze to his hand. Even if she planned to be gone only a few minutes.
And whenever he asked, she never failed to repeat the three words that made each new breath worth the taking.
She was spoiling him. John's lips lifted in a mischievous smile. And he was loving every minute of it.
His eyes slid to the side of the bed where Joss sat in the nearby chair. Her head came down nearly an hour ago to rest on the mattress and she drifted off to sleep soon after. Her hand still wrapped in his. Her bent elbow resting against his thigh.
His heart melted at the sight of her. She had been working hard to take care of him. Wearing herself out in the process. Tonight, he needed to be unselfish and let her go.
He tugged at her hand. "Joss. Honey wake up."
She stirred instantly. "Hmm. You need something?"
John brushed his knuckles against her cheek. Touched that once again her first thought was of him.
"Yes. I need you to rest in something other than that chair. Go to the other room. I'll be fine here by myself."
Joss's eyes ran the length of him in seconds. Her face showing her reluctance to go. "I don't want to leave you."
"Honey," he tried again, enjoying the freedom to use the endearment. "I'll be fine. I promise. But you need to rest. In a bed," he stressed. "I'm doing better," he admitted even as he dreaded the moment she would be out of his sight. But the thought of seeing her again would make him look forward to another sunrise. "I need you to start taking care of yourself again."
The hesitation didn't leave her face.
Joss knew he would be alright. The gleam in his eye was a sure sign he was far from death's door. Even with that assurance she didn't want to leave him. Being near him these past few days had been as good for her as it had proved to be for him. And selfishly she wasn't finished drinking her fill of his presence.
The tightness in her shoulders and tension in her back however begged her to heed his words and find a bed to sleep in. Then a thought occurred. After a moment she stood to her feet.
John kept a straight face as she rose. "Goodni-"
His words fell short when Joss climbed in beside him. Her arms slipped around him and with the perfect blend of gentleness and strength, she shifted his body until his head rested against her heart.
Joss plunged her hands through his soft hair. Her body melting at the contact. Boy, was she glad she took his suggestion. "Goodnight John."
John lifted his hand. Wrapping it around her forearm. For a moment they were silent in the darkened room. John closed his eyes with a sigh. Memorizing the feel of her arms around him, the softness of her body beneath his head. The alluring flow of her fingers running through his hair.
"Tell me again," he whispered suddenly.
He felt her lean back, before her fingers slid beneath his chin, tilting his head upward to look into her eyes. She pressed a slow kiss to his lips. Their eyes locked again when she broke the kiss. "I love you."
"I love you too," he returned, placing a kiss to her jaw. "Always."
Her smile appeared and she snuggled against him.
John closed his eyes. He had never been so in love with her. Nor so in love with life and living.
Holding onto each other, John and Joss waiting in sleepy anticipation to get through the night and soon see another day.
