Katherine turned her head and kissed his rough palm. "Jensen, you need to rest," she said.
"I'm not letting you out of my sight, Kat" he growled, then grinned ruefully as he realized he must. "That little general gave me two minutes before she kicks me out" His expression stilled into one of urgency.
"Katherine, you mean everything to me. I can't explain how I feel" he said gruffly. His grin returned slowly. "Will you give me a kiss to sleep on, honey?"
"Just put your bearded face where I can reach it, darling" Katherine said.
His breath touched her face. Familiar scents drifted about her. A new softness marked the swift brush of his lips to hers. "Are you all right, Kat?" he whispered.
Katherine didn't reply at first. She showered tiny kisses on his parted lips. "Are you?" she asked him instead.
His tongue trailed around her mouth. "Not until I can hold you again, and you know that you are mine. But that monster of a nurse would probably put me in chains" he said.
As if on cue, the sprightly little nurse appeared. "Now, Mr Packard" she said. "I said two minutes. And don't crush my patient like that"
Jensen straightened reluctantly.
"Go on now. Shoo" the nurse said.
"You can be replaced," Jensen threatened. "I hired you, remember?"
"Oh come on now, Mr Packard. Of course I can be replaced" she replied cheerfully. "But you demanded the best, and that I am. Now off you go"
Jensen's stormy eyes sought Katherine's before he shook his head. "I will miss you, love, " he murmured. "I will be back soon"
--------------------------
"He is back" the nurse stated ominously. "He has been pacing the waiting room like a panther. He sent this package in for you" She set the big ribboned package on Katherine's lap.
"Shall I open out dear?" the nurse questioned after Katherine looked helplessly at the wrapper. When Katherine nodded, the nurse carefully untied the huge bow. Layers of tissue paper unfolded to reveal a ruffled pink satin bed jacket with tiny sprigs of embroidered flowers.
The nurse swept it out of the box and held it before Katherine. "Goodness," she said. "isn't this pretty? Here, lean forward and I will help you put it on, dear. We will want to wear this for our visitors, Miss Kavell. *
" It's pretty, isn't it? "Katherine whispered as the nurse helped her with it, amazed that Jensen had chosen something so feminine and delicate.
Jensen entered the room, looking somewhat like a displaced yard dog, uncertain of his territory, but refusing to surrender it. A huge bouquet of flowers was strangled in his hand, his eyes defensive as he faced the nurse squarely.
"How is she?" he questioned, his glance flickering to Katherine.
"Our patient is just fine, Mr Packard." the nurse replied. She swept the flowers from him. "I see you shaved that ghastly beard. Aren't we in a better mood this afternoon?"
Oblivious to get chatter, Jensen feasted his eyes on Katherine. "Hello, Kat" he murmured as he walked slowly to her bed.
"Hello Jensen" she returned. The beat of her heart accelerated under the pink satin bed jacket. "thank you for the present"
"I thought it looked like you," he said. "Not nearly as nice as that nightie you wore that one night though" he added lightly. His face neared hers. His kids brought the scent of soap and the touch of tenderness. "My lady Katherine," he said. His raspy whisper brushed her cheek. "I have missed you"
"I have missed you too" Katherine answered, aware that her mother, Tim and Jonathan had entered the room.
He frowned, revealing a flicker of frustration at the interruption. Katherine placed her arms about his neck and drew him to whisper in his ear "Don't look so disgruntled, darling" she said. "I promise to give you the best kiss I can manage when they leave. Sit by me, Jensen?" she asked quietly.
He glanced uncomfortably at her family, then back down at her. "I'm afraid I will hurt you"
"Sit down, Jensen" she ordered crisply, smiling. "Now"
He eased down on the bed, big and dark and strangely at odds with the whiteness of the room. Katherine placed a bandaged hand over his thigh. She felt his muscles harden for a moment, then relax.
She turned her attention to the door, her eyes fell on Tim and he forward and hugged her gently while Jensen greeted her mom and Jonathan.
"Mom," Tim said, his eyes sad. "How are you? Are you feeling better? They didn't want to tell me where you were. I knew something was wrong when you didn't come pick me from Mrs Bennet's"
"I know, honey. I'm so sorry" Katherine said as she kissed his forehead and cheeks so many times he had to smile.
"Stop mom" he said.
"I'm so sorry honey" Katherine said. "I didn't want you and grandma to worry"
"I have missed you," Tim said.
"I have missed you too, honey" Katherine replied and kissed his cheek again.
"Hello, mom... Jon" she said as she released Tim who went to talk to Jensen.
"Kathy, honey" Delia murmured slowly, her gaze traveling Katherine's body. "Why didn't you want them to tell me, sweetie?"
"Because I didn't want you to worry," Katherine replied. "I didn't want to see this look you have on your face right now l. You have already been through so much and because of my carelessness, I added to it"
"Nonsense," Delia said. "I don't care. I love you and you are my daughter. You should never keep things from me again. Do you understand?"
"Fine I understand" Katherine said smiling. "Thank you, Jon" she said and Jon nodded.
"I'm glad you are feeling better sis" Jon said. "You really scared us all. I couldn't keep it a secret from mom any longer. Somehow she always finds out when we are hiding something from her"
Katherine smiled. She understood.
Delia's gaze traveled from her daughter to the man sitting on the edge of the bed. "Jensen," she said. "Thank you so much for looking after my daughter. You should come over for dinner when she is fine and comes home"
Jensen smiled and nodded. "Sure," he said. "Thank you Delia".
Delia turned and kissed her daughter's cheek. "Are you sure you are feeling better, Kathy?" she asked.
"Everything is still here mom" Katherine replied. "I'm just a little bruised. That's all"