Chapter 1
It was time to go back and see him. He had a tube down his throat, IV, and monitors everywhere. It wasn’t easy to see him like this.
“Tracy, what is all this?” I asked her.
“Plainly speaking, it’s life support, doll,” she answered.
“Oh my God! He’s that sick?”
“His oxygen levels are dangerously low. They’re just trying to get them back up.”
“What’s that tube coming out of his stomach?”
“A feeding tube.”
“Tracy, please don’t leave me!”
“I already took tonight off.”
I sat by his bed holding his hand as the pill I took slowly lulled me off to sleep. A nurse came in and woke me up to give me the message that dinner was in the lounge and my future in-laws were back.
“How is Dan?” I asked her.
“His fever is going down and his O2 is coming back up. He’s doing a little better,” she replied.
“Thank you so much. Where’s Tracy?”
“Out in the waiting room.”
I kissed Dan’s forehead and went out to greet our family.
Marie greeted me with a feast prepared for the masses. I sat down to eat with Tracy while Dan’s parents went back to see him.
“Off-topic, I know but I think I found the perfect dress for the wedding. You did say we could pick our own, right?” Tracy asked.
“Yeah, we’ll go see it once Dan gets discharged. If he gets discharged. Well, I guess if he doesn’t there’s no need to…” I started crying again.
“Hey now, come on eat. He’s going to be fine Morgan. Let’s talk about something else.”
Dan’s parents brought me everything I might need for the next few days. I got comfortable in his room, turned the TV on but ignored it. I was talking to him as if was awake. The doctor said he would hear me. I fell asleep at his bedside, holding his hand.
“Mr. Nardino?” The doctor woke me up. “Hello. I’m Dr. Gallo. I’m the attending taking care of your husband. As you know we were concerned about his breathing but now we got his oxygen levels up and his fever is gone so we would like to start weaning him off the ventilator today.”
“Are you asking my permission? Because I don’t even know what any of that means.”
Tracy woke up and said, “It’s a good thing, Wild Child. It means Dan’s doing better. His parents have to give the consent though.”
“Oh, hello, Miss Carter. I didn’t realize you were here.” Dr. Gallo said to Tracy.
“Yeah, these guys are my friends so I’m going to need you to take extra special care of them.”
“Of course.” He answered before looking back at me.
“I’m sorry, it says in Dan’s chart that you are his spouse.”
“Soon enough I will be. Thank you though. It was nice to be called Mr. Nardino.”
He made Tracy and me leave while they took the tube out of Dan’s throat. Out in the family room, Dan’s parents waited with us. Tracy explained the procedure to us all and explained that he won’t be able to talk at first and may still be very sleepy. No matter to me. I just want to see him breathe on his own and open his beautiful brown eyes. I need to tell him that I love him and to know he heard and understood me.
He started to wake up as we all piled into his room. I see them! I can see his eyes are open. I went over to him, bent down to carefully hug him, and kissed his poor, dry lips through the mask they made me wear.
“He needs chapstick!” I demanded.
“I’m on it.” Tracy went out to the desk to get some.
“I love you so much, baby! Thank you for getting better.”
He answered me with his eyes. I know he loves me too and doesn’t want me to worry. Like I could stop. I stepped back and let his parents at him while I sat down and thanked whoever his Gods are!
A beautiful bouquet of red white and blue carnations came with an American flag and a toy rocket on them. They also had a card attached that said,
“I’m very sorry I got you sick.
We pray for you every day.
Get well soon Sergeant!
That’s an order!
Joe and Lisa Connors.”
I was touched by all the well wishes. I had cards, flowers, balloons and even a teddy bear from some people at work, friends, even Morgan’s coach sent something.
I motioned for a pen to write a note.
“Baby, go home and get some rest. I’m going to be fine.”
“I will when you’re home with me.” He looked at me and smiled a forced smile.
“I love you! Kiss me.”
“I love you too.” I kissed his mask covered lips and he whispered, “Thank you for not leaving me. Never leave me, Dan!”
I shook my head as if to say never.
They put me in a regular room the next day. Morgan stayed by my side every minute. It killed me to see how tired and drained he was but he seemed so happy to be taking care of me. I’ll admit, it felt good to be so taken care of.
“When we get home baby, I’m going to cook you a feast!” I strained to say.
“No. You’re going to rest! Your mother already has your welcome home dinner planned out.”
“I feel fantastic and I’m dying to get back in my kitchen!”
“Soon, my darling. Soon.”
Discharge day finally came and I was so looking forward to being in our home and resuming our wedding plans. My parents were waiting for me at home and my mother was making one of my favorites for dinner. Potato soup. Delicious!
Morgan held my hand the whole ride home.
“Baby, thank you for staying with me in there.” I said to him.
“You don’t have to thank me for that. I was happy to be the one taking care of you for a change and until you go back to work I’m going to spoil you rotten!”
“I look forward to it!”
“Do you think you’ll be up for sex soon?”
“I’m up for it now. Pull over!”
“Dan, your parents are waiting for us.”
“Fine but I insist on being inside you in the next 24 hours.”
“You got it, babe!”
The next day, Morgan brought me breakfast in bed. He had a tray of instant oatmeal, a bagel, orange juice, and coffee with a flower that he picked from our yard.
“Good morning my love! How do you feel today?” He asked me.
“Wonderful and very much in love!” I responded.
“Oh yeah? With who?”
“Come here, you!” I grabbed and kissed him.
“Eat up because you’re getting a bath next. Do you want bubbles?”
“I want you!”
“After your bath and meds.”
As I finished up my breakfast and took my pills, Morgan was filling a tub for me. I’ve never been so pampered before. I’ve never felt so loved before. I can’t wait to be his husband! He came in and helped me to the bathroom.
“Baby, I can walk myself. I promise I’m all better.”
“Please just let me care for you. I want to do this!”
“You’re going to be an amazing father someday, babe.”
He washed me from head to toe and even sang to me while he was doing it. I was in paradise!
“You know, you’re looking particularly sexy today.” I told him.
“As are you! Especially now with you being all soapy, wet and naked!”
“Oh really?”
“Yes, very much!”
“Come here!” I pulled him in the tub with me while he was still in his pajama pants.
“Babe, we’re going to make a mess. Look, we got the floor all wet.”
“Screw it. It’ll dry. I miss you and I need you right now. I can’t wait another minute!”
There was no sound except the gentle splashing of water as we gazed into each others eyes, kissed, and softly made love.
It was a very profound moment. It had never been so tender. The love had never been so palpable. The sex had never been more intimate. A defining moment in our relationship reminding us of how we belong together and how right together we are.
