Chapter 4
The next few days go by slowly, but in a routine of sorts. On Wednesday, Jessica began coaxing Seth to get outside now that he had casual clothes and take a walk twice a day around downtown. Refusing to wear the sweatsuit in public, he did wear the more casual trousers and sweater that were bought for him. Strolling slowly arm in arm, they stopped for coffee at local places and did a bit of window shopping. After a mile or so each time, Seth became fatigued and they would return to the hotel.
Jessica took the time to call the towing company and arranged for them to remove all of Seth's belongings from his car for delivery. Calling the insurance company for Seth, she also reported the accident, and was assured that an adjuster would go look at the car this week to certify it was totaled and issue a check for the loss, so that Seth could presumably buy something to replace it. They will also authorize a rental car in the meantime, but she is not sure he will be well enough to drive just yet. She had notified Seth's colleague earlier in the week who he was supposed to meet that morning about his accident, and was assured that they would take care of notifying those who knew him and were wondering what had happened to him at the conference.
The nights also began to follow a pattern, but one that had become exciting to Jessica, as they both engaged in holding each other close, caressing each other's bodies, and kissing before falling asleep. Jessica always moved a little away from him before sleeping, so as to protect Seth from movement if she shifted suddenly. But they did hold hands as they fell asleep each night, and Jessica was having some of the best sleep with him as she had in years.
By Friday, Jessica arranged a taxi to take Seth for a follow up appointment to see Dr. Peterson during his office hours. Since they had stayed in Vermont this week, it seemed reasonable to follow up with him as the treating doctor in the hospital. Friday morning was his first availability and she told Seth after making the appointment earlier in the week. She knew that Seth was anxious to return home to Cabot Cove, but she wanted to make sure he was healing well before traveling even a few hours home.
Seth grumbled a bit about the appointment, but when she arched her eyebrow at him, daring him to say anything, he quieted down.
When Dr. Peterson entered the exam room, he shook both of their hands, before sitting down on his stool next to the desk.
Clasping both of his hands in front of him, as he took in Seth's appearance, he asked, "Well, Dr. Hazlitt, how are you feeling?"
Jessica was standing beside him on the examining table, trying not to fidget. She did not know what to do with her hands, and she didn't want to touch him, as it seemed presumptuous somehow, since they were not in private. It was difficult to be in this situation. She felt that their relationship had shifted this week and they were together, but what right did she have to be here? She wanted to make sure Seth was alright, but she didn't know where to stand or look, yet Seth had asked her if she was coming when they called his name in the waiting room, clearly expecting her to follow him.
Seth answered him, "It hurts to breathe still, but I have weaned off the pain pills as of last night. Just taking ibuprofen now. I don't like taking those as long as I did this week, but I'm not too proud to admit that the pain was fierce at first."
"As a doctor, I know you know all the risks with fractured ribs and you would know if you had any concerning signs of head trauma at this point. All your diagnostics looked good on Monday, but has anything changed that we should discuss?"
"No, strangely enough, I have not had any headaches or nausea, despite the cut on my head."
"That's great. Let's get some chest x-rays first and make sure nothing has shifted and then once we get those readings, I'll come back in and check you over."
He leaves the room and an x-ray tech comes to get Seth, leaving Jessica behind in the examining room. Perching on the one chair against the wall, she waits while tapping her foot. She knows Seth will be fine. He has been resting well, but also taking two walks a day the last few days. But, she is still worried about him. This week has been scary and being alone for the few minutes the x-rays take is unsettling.
When Seth returns to the room, she stands again and when he sits on the table, she reaches for his hand this time. Looking down at her hand in concern, he says, "You're shaking, Jess. Are you cold?"
Shaking her head no, he asks, "What's wrong then?"
"I've just been worried about you, Seth. It's just hitting me being here with you, knowing you could have died…and…I don't know who I am...here."
"What does that mean?" he asks in concern. What an odd thing for her to say.
"We are best friends, but in this medical situation, I'm your emergency contact, yet I don't have a say in anything. I feel odd. I want to ask questions and help, but I am not family. I don't know why I'm here in the room with you, even though I want to be."
"I want you to be here, woman!"
"I'm glad you do, but I guess I just feel out of place."
"Jess, quite simply, you are the most important person in my life. If I say I want you here, that's all that matters."
Nodding her head, she keeps it lowered, but holds his hand tightly.
"What else is wrong, Jess? Tell me what is going on in that head of yours."
"What am I to you, Seth? Your best friend or something more?" she whispers.
Disconcerted, he tilts his head at her, trying to figure out what she means, "Jess, are we having a 'where is this relationship going' talk?" A pause, then he asks when she doesn't answer, "Are you wanting a label for us?"
"I don't know!...I'm far too old to be a girlfriend. And I doubt you want to be called my boyfriend. But we aren't just best friends anymore, are we?"
"No, we aren't, my love. What would you like to call us?"
"I don't know. What are the options?"
"Well, if we don't get married or engaged…" he begins.
"I'm not ready for that!"
"I know that woman, let me finish…please," he adds softly, before continuing, "If we don't rush to the altar, and you don't want to use boyfriend or girlfriend, how about 'partners?'"
"Makes us sound like a law firm."
Trying to hide his smile, he suggests, "'Significant other?'"
"Sounds kind of awkward," she says.
"Well, we aren't exactly lovers…yet. Besides, I can't honestly see you telling the girls at Loretta's that we are lovers once that does happen," he teases her, trying to lighten the mood.
He is rewarded by a smile, with a soft chuckle, before she responds, "No, of course not. That isn't anyone's business but ours."
"Right you are. Then, to get back to the matter at hand…Do you have a better idea?"
"Not really, no."
"Okay, then, for now, you are my significant other, Jess. And you have every right to be here by my side. Alright?"
She nods, and when she does, he tugs her arm closer to have her lips meet his own, kissing her firmly, sealing their bond.
At the sound of a knock on the door, they pull apart as Seth tells the doctor he can come in.
Dr. Peterson walks back in and pulls the x-rays up on the desktop screen to show them. He first shows them the x-rays from Monday. Even to Jessica's uneducated brain, it is clear where the fractures are and she feels her face wince.
"No wonder it hurts to breathe," Seth says.
"Yes, it will for a while. But here are the x-rays from today. Nothing has shifted, so I think you are doing well. Let me feel around now and make sure nothing else is going on."
He helps Seth lean back on the table, as Jessica moves to stand by the wall, but then sees Seth reach his hand out to her, and she moves to grasp it tightly as though it is a lifeline in this room for her.
Finishing, he helps Seth sit back up and asks him if he has any questions. Seth says no, but squeezing her hand, he says, "But I think my significant other does, don't you, sweetheart?"
Startled, she looks at Seth first, seeing him stare at her, in what she can only describe as a loving gaze, and then she looks up to Dr. Peterson who is waiting for her to speak.
"Yes, do you think it is alright for him to travel home?"
"Oh yes, of course. He could have on Monday when we spoke, but I think you were wise to let him have a few days to rest first. But yes, it's no problem to travel home. Just stop once or twice to walk around."
"How long should he wait until returning to work?"
Dr. Peterson looks between the two of them, clearly assessing the dynamic between them, but says after a brief pause, "Well, knowing myself how demanding the role of a doctor is, if you can take another week or so off, I would recommend it, but if you can't, please just go slow."
Seth tried to hide his smile. He could not be angry. He had every intention of returning to work on Monday, but he knew with Jessica hearing that, there was no way on God's green earth she would allow it. He only felt slightly put out by Dr. Peterson's voice of caution. If it won him more of Jessica's attention, so be it.
Returning back to the hotel, after stopping for a light lunch downtown, they sat down in the living area together. Jessica offered to make him coffee, but he said, "Just slow down a minute and sit with me, please, Jess?"
Sitting next to each other on the couch, Jessica on his right, away from the broken ribs on his left, Seth reaches his arm carefully around her body, pulling her close.
"Now, Jessica, you heard what the doctor said. I'm doing well."
"Yes, you are. I'm relieved."
"So, I think it's time we talk about going home."
"Must we?"
Surprised at her reaction, he tilts his head, asking, "I thought you were on a deadline with your book. You were supposed to send it to Vaughn today, weren't you?"
Sheepishly, she says, "In my rush to leave town on Monday, I forgot my laptop. I called Vaughn while you were asleep on Monday afternoon and told him he would have to be patient."
Seth was speechless. As best as he knew, Jessica had never missed a deadline before and the fact that she missed this week's and seemed almost cavalier about it, was startling. It was also not lost on him that she missed the deadline, so she could take care of him. He had never felt so important before. Or loved.
Finding his voice, he said, "Jessica, I don't know what to say."
Squeezing his hand, while placing one hand on his thigh, she leans closer, saying, "You don't have to say anything, Seth. You are more important and Vaughn knows that. In fact, he has called me everyday to check on you."
"Are you sure that's what he is doing and not silently pleading with you to finish your manuscript?"
She chuckles, "It doesn't matter if he were. I can't do it right now. Even if we were home, I wouldn't be working on it. I simply wouldn't be able to concentrate. He will survive. But more importantly, you will survive. And you are my focus."
Finishing her thought, she reached to touch his cheek with her hand softly, as she gazed into his hazel eyes.
Seth felt himself swallow, before he could speak, "Well, I do appreciate that, my dear, but we still need to talk about returning home, don't we?"
"If we must, but I thought we could stay through the weekend. I talked to Mort yesterday and he mentioned that he could pick us up on Sunday when he is off if you wanted to leave then."
"Sunday sounds fine."
"Alright, I can call him tonight and let him know. Seth?"
"When we go home…where are we going home to?"
"We?"
"Yes, we," she says insistently, looking down at their clasped hands. She simply can't make eye contact right now, but she knows they need to talk about this.
"Are you suggesting you come to my house or I go to yours?"
"That is exactly what I am suggesting. I don't want to be separated from you. Maybe not ever again," she adds in a rush, before continuing, "But definitely not until you are well. So, which house do you want to go home to?"
Jessica feels him turn to her, lifting his hand now to pull her face to look at his. She feels the warmth of the blood rushing to her face, at what she is suggesting.
"You want to live together?" he asks incredulously.
"Maybe! I don't know. But at least for another week until you return to work," she says with conviction.
"Alright, well, if you aren't letting me return to work yet," he starts to say, knowing she will interrupt him, pausing for the inevitable interruption.
"You heard Dr. Peterson," she begins.
"That I did, Jess. So, if I don't return for another week, there is no need for us to stay in my cramped upstairs. Let's just go to your house. Is that alright?"
"Perfectly alright," she says almost demurely.
"Glad we got that settled," he responds with a chuckle.
"Are you laughing at me, Seth Hazlitt?"
"Maybe just a little. You are so delightfully surprising sometimes."
"I guess that's better than being predictable and boring."
"Just as long as you are you. That's who I love."
"Oh, Seth, you say the nicest things."
"Well, don't tell anyone! I have a reputation to uphold," he says, while leaning in for a kiss, causing her to smile and meet him readily.
As the kiss deepened, she turned her body to completely face his, reaching up to hold his face in the palms of her hands. Somehow, as they continued their kiss, Seth continued leaning towards Jessica, causing her to fall backwards on the couch, as his arms reached around her body holding her in place. There was a brief pause when Jessica made sure that he was not in pain, before continuing their quest to show each other just how much they desired each other.
Jessica felt his hands glide down her body, caressing her and fondling her lovingly. Even as she moaned in reply, she felt her back arch as she wanted nothing more than for him to take her to bed. But not yet. It could not possibly be safe for him to exert that much physical activity. He must have reached his pain threshold, because as soon as the thought registered in her mind, Seth stopped moving his hands, where they were currently holding her hips in place, as he had moved against her.
"I'm sorry, Jess. I am starting to hurt," he says quietly, moving his head to nuzzle her neck.
Her arms had been moving up and down his back, but feeling him tense in pain, she stopped moving her hands, pulling her face back to see his face.
"I'm glad you stopped when you felt pain. I want you, but not at the expense of you hurting yourself."
His warm hazel eyes softened at her words, even as his left hand moved to cup her face, "I love you, Jessica Fletcher."
"I love you, Seth Hazlitt."
Kissing him once more, she breaks away, whispering, "Are you ready for dinner?"
Both of them sitting back up, and readjusting their clothes, Seth says, "Ayuh, that sounds good, Jess, but can we just order up some room service?"
"Of course, we can."