Page 84 of Stolen Kisses

I take the coffee and step onto the front porch. We sit in comfortable silence for a few moments, enjoying the quiet of the street, sipping on hot coffee. “How are you feeling? Are you in any pain?”

Bright green irises meet mine. “I feel pretty good at the moment. They gave me some pain meds before I left the hospital and we picked up my prescription for more on the way home.”

“That’s good. If you need anything,pleaselet me know.”

She nods. “Thanks. You don’t need to worry about me though. I’ve got my family to help me out.”

I don’t respond,quietlydrinking my coffee. I think actions will be more powerful than any words I can offer her at this point. She doesn’t trust me to stick around, which is fair enough after what I did. I’llshowher instead of giving her promises. Sitting next to her like this feels like a fucking privilege that I won’t take for granted. Not now, not ever.

After a while, I notice Emma’s hand slacken, threatening to drop her cup. Her eyes are closed and her chair’s still. Carefully, I remove the cup from her hand, place it on the table between us, then situate my chair, so I can use my foot to keep rocking her gently as she sleeps. Watching her like this gives me peace and I know I’m prepared to do everything I can to show her I’m here foras long as she will allow.

–emma–

I can’t believe I fell asleep in my rocking chair with Theo sitting right there. I hope I didn’t drool or talk in my sleep. I’ve been finding I’m so tired since my surgery. It seems I can’t get through the day without a nap—it makes me feel so old. When we arrived home, Mom didn’t even let me go inside my own home. She sat my ass down in my favorite rocking chair and brought out a hot cup of coffee for me. It felt like heaven to be sitting outside enjoying the fresh air. Then I thought I’d really died and gone to heaven when Theo rocked up with not one, but three bunches of flowers, looking as delicious as ever in worn jeans and a sweaterthe color of the ocean.

“Sorry I fell asleep. You must think I’m so rude.” I sit forward too quickly, pulling my stitches and catching my drainage tubes. Theo leaps forward, eyebrows scrunched low over Caribbean-colored eyes, as I gasp at the jarring sensation.

“Youokay?” he asks, the heat from his hand burning through the fabric of my cardigan.

“Yeah. Just moved too quickly. I need to move like a trucking geriatric and I keep forgetting.” The sun’s disappeared behind the clouds and a chill has settled in the air, leaving goosebumps. “I think it might be time to move inside. What time is it?”

“It’s just after two. You must be feeling hungry. Dad’s preparing a Greek feast for everyone tonight, but I can make you a snack to tide you over until dinner.” After two! Sheet, I must have slept longer than I thought.

Hang on, what?

“What do you mean, your dad’s preparing a Greek feast for everyone?” I really wanted tospend a quiet night alonewith my boys. The disappointmentat my plan being disruptedis overwhelming and I sag back into the chair.

“Is that okay? He offered and I thought you’d enjoy some decent food after eating hospital food all week. I checked with your family and they thought it was a good idea. It’s an early dinner, so we can enjoy the restof the nighthanging out with the kids.”We?Have I woken in the twilight zone?

Theo gets up from his chair to help me stand. I take careful steps inside with Theo at my side, ready to open the door for me as though I’m an invalid. He helps me lower to the couch, making sure I don’t squash my drainage tubes. “I can cancel Dad if you would prefer.”

He’s probably already made half the food. It would be incredibly rude of me to cancel and he’s trying so hard to be sweet. I give him a smile I know is weak at best. “That’s okay. It’llbe nice to catch up with everyone at once. Plus, your dad’s cooking is delicious.”

He huffs out a laugh. “Would you like me to make you a sandwich? Or I can get you some cheese and crackers?”

“If we’re having a big dinner, I’ll just have some cheese and crackers for now. Thanks, Theo.”

He disappears into the kitchen to make my snack. Working my body carefully, I manage to make myself a little more comfortable on the couch. The areas where the stitches are feel so freaking itchy, now that he’s out of the room I can scratch my boobs. Not that I can actually feel myself scratch, so I need to be careful not to get carried away. The nurse warned me to be gentle because I wouldn’t be able to feel if I hurt myself.

“How are you feeling after your nap?” Dad sits on the cushion beside me.

“Better. I’m a bit sore though. I think I was in an awkward position when I fell asleep.”

He pats my thigh. “When are you due for your next meds?”

I look at the time on my phone. “Probably now.”

“I’ll get them for you, Honey.” He kisses the top of my head, moving into the kitchen to sort out my pain relief.

Dad and Theo step into the living room at the same time, Mom hot on their heels. “We need to go pick up the kids. Will you be okay here with your father for a little while until we get back?” Theo places my snack on my lap and Dad hands me a glass of water with my meds.

“Sure. That’d be great.” I smile at Dad. He barely gets a word in when Mom’s around.

Mom kisses my cheek as she leaves the room, bustling about as though she’s in the middle of doing a million things. Theo bends forward, brushing my bangs out of my eyes before laying the gentlest of kisses on my forehead. I swear I melt every single time he does it. It’s a kiss full of care and concern. It’s a kiss that makes me feel warm inside. He’s been so attentive with little touches and kisses here and there. I secretly love it, but I can’t let him back in. I would have to be an idiot to go down that road again.

“Thatman’sgot something to prove.” Dad points out once Theo and Mom leave. He gets comfortable on thecushionnext to me. “He worked tirelessly tidying up your yard before you came homefrom the hospital.”

My mouth drops open and I’m sure my eyes are as wide as saucers. I assumed my family had done everything to make my yard look so good. “Really? I thought you guys did everything.”

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