I finished my day about 3pm, ran on the treadmill about thirty minutes, then showered. Once I'd dressed, I stopped back in to see Hal. Mona got up from her chair and gave me a big hug. The kind of hug you only get from someone who really loves you. I kissed the top of her head as I held her, "good afternoon little sister."
"Good to see you Wam. How ya doin'?" She asked as she pulled back to meet my eyes.
"I'm okay," I replied, "but the real question is, how is Halian this fine afternoon?" I moved my gaze to Hal as I spoke, hoping for a sign that my nephew's original personality was still in there somewhere.
Hal met my gaze, but his affect still appeared expressionless. "I'm okay Uncle Wam. Still tired but okay," he replied.
"Did the Tylenol this morning help your headache bud?"
Hal nodded slightly. Mona returned to her chair at Hal's bedside. I glanced up above Halian's head and noticed someone had placed a dream catcher above the head of his hospital bed. "Mom put that there?" I asked Mona.
Mona laughed before answering, "good guess, but she made me bring it. She insisted Hal needed his dreams protected while here at the hospital." Mona winked at me in an exaggerated fashion and I couldn't help but smile and shake my head.
I leaned down close to Hal and whispered loudly, "we are outnumbered by the women Hal. Us men have to stick together right?"
Hal nodded slightly, but I saw what was the closest to an emotional response I've seen since the accident. The left corner of his lip twitched like he wanted to smile at the teasing. "You, me, and Alec Hal, we three have to stick together or they'll steamroll right over us," I smile and laugh.
Mona pushes my shoulder before exclaiming, "that's enough from the peanut gallery there mister!" Mona appeared far from angry, but made a face like she was.
"That's doctor to you little lady. Maybe..." I said as I moved to the side of the bed opposite Mona, "you and Yank should get to work on making me another nephew. Then we wouldn't be so outnumbered."
As expected, Mona's mouth taped open and she narrowed her eyes at me. "Unless you know something I don't Wam, there is nothing between Yank and I. He is Hal's hospitalist, nothing more," she stated matter of factly.
"Okay, maybe I misread the situation. I apologize. You two just looked awfully cozy last time I saw you together."
"How long ago was that dear brother? I haven't seen him in over a week and nothing happened. Please, let it go," she asked quietly with more emotion than I was expecting. I nodded to acquiesce.
"I just stopped to check on my two favorite people in the hospital. Is there anything I can do for either of you before I leave for the day?" I ask with a smile.
Mona looks at me gratefully with a small smile of her own. Hal looks up at me with a slight shrug before asking, "you'll be back tomorrow right Uncle Wam?"
I smiled and touched the tip of Hal's nose with my index finger. "Of course I'll be back in the morning. Hopefully you'll sleep good tonight. I love you Hal."
His face remained serious as Hal replied, "I love you too."
This increased vocalizing was a good sign, but I was still concerned. I have to remind myself not to expect too much too quickly. Healing takes time.
I walked toward Mona, hugged her, and kissed her cheek. "Good night Mona. I love you.Thanks for staying with Hal while Wanda is healing."
Mona grabbed Hal's hand with hers and smiled at me and then Hal as she said, "it's my pleasure to spend time with my sweet nephew. Have a good night Wam. I love you too."
I was surprised there had been no significant seizure activity with Hal, but maybe the anesthesia was causing all the drugs to take longer to clear his body. Time would tell.
Once in my SUV, I pulled up a map of the nearest restaurants and decided to order a variety of Chinese dishes for Kynlee and I to share. I was looking so forward to seeing her, hearing her voice, holding her, and taking in her scent. Just being near her seemed to have a calming effect on me. I couldn't explain it, but who am I to look a gift horse in the mouth?
Of course if I'm being honest, she has a calming effect on everything but my libido. My yearning to give her pleasure was anything but calm.
One large bag filled with food in hand, I entered the house. Sammy came to greet me and remind me to feed her. Slipping out of my shoes, I walked into the kitchen to set the bag of food on the counter. Talking to Sammy, I placed food in her food dish and fresh water in her fountain. "There ya go Sammy. Eat up because we have company coming. Maybe I'll let her give you a few catnip treats to win you over. Sound good?" I reached down and scratched the top of her head, earning me purrs.
I left the food in its take out containers on the counter, as I loosened my tie en route to my bedroom. I needed to get out of my 'doctor clothes' as Kara calls them. The only time I wear a tie is to work, weddings, or funerals. I guess to court if needed, but luckily that hadn't been necessary in over a decade.
I pull on worn jeans and a tee shirt, leaving my feet bare after wearing dress shoes all day. They may be nice, comfortable, but they were still dress shoes. I sit on the couch and begin to sort my emails when Sammy slinks into the living room licking her lips. "Purrrttt," she says as she jumps onto the cushion beside me. Absentmindedly, I begin to stroke Sam's fur and scratch her chin. She responds by pushing her head and body into my hand and purring loudly.
"It's after 5pm. Our company should be here anytime." I meet Sammy's half closed lids that slow blink at me and return the gesture. If my cat is going to use body language to tell me she loves me, I'm going to return the sentiment. Sammy has been my constant companion since we rescued each other, and that isn't changing for anyone. I hear a knock on my front door. Both my and Sammy's heads snap in the direction of the front door. I stand expediently and can't fight the smile that lifts my mouth as I walk to the front door to.
I pull the door open and notice her dark brown hair is falling around her shoulders. Her lips are a dark pink, eyes dark brown with pupils dilated, and her brows are drawn down. My own brows furrow as I take in the lone bag draped over her shoulder and her arms crossed over her chest. Upon closer examination I notice her teeth are gritted, certainly not drawn into a smile at the sight of me.
It dawns on me something is wrong. "Kynlee, what's wrong? You look upset instead of happy to see me." I step to the side and gesture for her to come into the house. If something is wrong, we will sort it inside, not on my doorstep.
Stiffly Lee moves through the door and stops directly in front of me. I push the door closed, wracking my brain for what could be upsetting her. "Wambleeska Teton," she said as she looked up into my face, "what in the world possessed you to call Sebastian and arrange to pay for the tire, oh sorry...tires before I got there? I thought we discussed this very thing?" She put emphasis on the 's' in tires for effect.
Now was not the time to smile. Lee was cute when she was mad, but smiling would make it so much worse. I cleared my throat subtly before explaining, "I'm sorry Kynlee. It's my car so I figured it's my financial responsibility. I honestly didn't do it to upset you."
It appeared her resolve at staying angry faded slightly as she relaxed her jaw, "don't you think this would have been a good thing to discuss with me Wam?"
Ah, I see where she is going with this. At least I'm Wam again and not my full name. "I did it again didn't I? I'm sorry Lee. I swear it was simply because it's my car. The last thing I wanted was to add more stress to your life. Please forgive me," I took one of her hands and kissed the back lightly.
She looked surprised as her lips parted slightly and her expression softened. "Wam, you need to communicate with me. I know you aren't used to discussing things with someone, but I felt like an idiot. I asked what I owed Sebastian and he laughed and said, 'oh, he didn't tell you?' How do you think that made me feel?" She imitated Sebastian's deep voice when she repeated what he had said.
I pulled her forward into an embrace, but she remained tense briefly before letting out a sigh. She wrapped her arms around my middle and rested her head on my chest. It felt so good, so right to have Lee in my arms again. "I truly am sorry Lee," I apologized as I rested my chin on the top of her head. I could stay like this forever and die a happy man, but I heard her stomach grumble. "I bought a variety of Chinese dishes. I hope you're hungry?"
Lee perked up in my arms, "yes, I'm very hungry."
I released her from the embrace and led her by the hand to the kitchen to dish up. I watched Lee take in a deep breath through her nose. She must have liked the aroma that drifted over her olfactory senses, because she closed her eyes and tilted her head back slightly with a slight, "mmm," slipping from between her lips.
I couldn't help but smile as I unloaded the cartons of food from the bag. "I'm not sure what you like, so I got a variety. Hopefully something will taste good."
"It smells delicious. If it tastes even half as good as it smells, I'll be happy," Lee answered with a huge smile.
"I missed your smile," I mentioned as I handed her a plate. I put serving ware in each container and stood back as she dished up her food. I was surprised how much she took. Either she really likes Chinese food or she is really hungry. Maybe both?
We took our plates to the dining table and enjoyed a nice meal as we talked. That easily, I seem to have been forgiven. Thank goodness. I was looking forward to a quiet evening at home with just the two of us. "Meow," was heard from near my feet. Okay, the three of us.