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"Love you back," she said. Then she closed her eyes. I stood there, listening to the sound of the monitors, the steady beep beep of the ECG monitor comforting.
She was breathing on her own and her heart rate was steady. She was conscious.
I hoped the worst was over.
We left the room and removed our protective gowns and masks, discarding them in the trash, and then went to speak with Luke.
He was standing at the window watching Candace.
"She's doing much better," her mother said. "She wants to have a sleep now, but she'd like to see you later when she wakes up."
"That's good," Luke replied. "I'll be happy to wait. She needs the rest."
"I'm going to go sit in her room and wait," she said, glancing between us. "I'll be flying out in a few days if things look good enough. I want to spend every moment with her that I can."
"Of course," I said. "We'll be in the cafeteria if you want a break."
We left her and went to the cafeteria for a light supper. I hadn't eaten since early morning and was finally feeling hungry, now that the doctors were cautiously optimistic that the new antibiotic was working out.
We got trays and stood in line at the hot food display and my appetite had returned enough that I had the meatloaf and mashed potatoes and mixed vegetables.
"You must be hungry," Luke said when he saw my plate.
"Meatloaf is Candace's favorite," I said. "And one of the only meals she can prepare herself," I added. "She used to make it when we lived together in the apartment. She always added hot sauce to hers."
I smiled at the memory of Candace standing over the kitchen counter, mixing hamburger and onions and her 'secret ingredients' as she called the spice mixture.
Luke helped himself to the same and we sat down at a table. I reached over and took Luke's hand, so glad that he was here with me to face this challenge. He gave me a soft smile and squeezed my hand.
He was definitely a keeper.
Chapter Four
Luke
We stayed at the hotel for the next few days while Candace recovered. Alexa wanted to help Candace’s mom since she was in a wheelchair and had a hard time getting around in a big city like Manhattan. She needed someone to assist her getting to and from the hospital. Plus, it had to be lonely for her being in a big city she didn't know.
After spending some time at the hospital seeing Candace, we returned to the hotel and said good night to each other. Then, Alexa and I made up for lost time.
Once we were alone, with Candace’s mom tucked securely away in her suite, I pulled Alexa against my body. "I've been deprived of you for almost three weeks. It's been hell. John is great company, but nothing compares with you."
We kissed and I felt my body warm from the press of her breasts against my chest.
"Hmm," I murmured against the skin of her neck. "I don't know if I can be quiet long enough not to wake Candace's mother. Maybe we should get a separate hotel room..."
"Luke," she said and pulled back. "We can be quiet if we need to."
"I was kidding," I said and tickled her under her arms. "I can be as quiet as a mouse if I need to. I may have to bite the pillow, but that'll do."
Over the next few days, Candace improved steadily and when she was well-enough, and was cleared of the infection, Candace was discharged home. I bought a recliner for Candace to use, and it was delivered the day before she got out of the hospital. Alexa and I brought Mrs. Carter up, and got her situated in the apartment, and then we brought Candace up in the elevator. When she got inside, hobbling in on crutches, she laughed when she saw the recliner.
"Oh, my God, I'll become an old lady if I sit in that."
"You can sit in it and watch reruns of Game of Thrones all day," Alexa said, helping her over to the chair.
Candace sat in it and used the lever to recline the chair. She exhaled happily, and I knew it was the right decision.
Over the next few days, Alexa and Jan got into a routine of getting Mrs. Carter up to Candace’s apartment and then Candace out of bed and into the recliner where she spent the rest of the day, watching television.
