For example, Dax has not touched me sexually since I got out of the hospital. I understand his reticence. He is new to learning the limits of what I can and can’t handle due to my illness. What I would have liked to do this morning as I walked into the kitchen in my bathrobe after having just gotten out of the shower was to go and drape myself across his lap and give him a kiss that might prod him to do something. The fact Willow is sitting across the table totally nixes that idea.
With the coffee pot in my hand, I swivel and hold it up. “Anyone need a refill?”
Both shake their heads.
I set about making a couple slices of toast with some butter and jelly. While I make my breakfast, I ask Dax, “What are your plans today?”
“Going to get a quick workout in and then come home to do my laundry for the road trip. We have a light skate at noon followed by a team lunch, then I will probably just stay at the arena.”
Dax has a game this evening, which means he’d normally get to the arena around four or so. I’m really looking forward to going to the game tonight. But then he’ll leave with the team tomorrow morning for six days to cover three away games.
I’m totally going to miss him, but that’s part of this business. As a kid growing up with Lance as my guardian, it was the same… having someone I care about travel for fifty percent of their work year. It’s definitely something that has to be adjusted to.
I grab my plate with toast, then head over to the table. As I sink onto the chair, I tell Dax, “I’ve got your laundry covered so don’t worry about that.”
Dax shakes his head. “I want you to take it easy. I’ll do all the laundry today, yours included.”
I push my plate forward, crossing my arms on the table. Leaning slightly toward my dear husband, I give him a small shake of my head. “You see… this isn’t going to work.”
His eyebrows shoot upward. “What do you mean?”
“I mean you coddling me when I don’t need coddling,” I say gently. “I feel really good. I’ve got strength. I can do laundry. And Dax, I need you to let me do it.”
Strangely, Dax doesn’t reply immediately but instead shoots a look across the table at Willow. She just stares at him, giving away nothing on her expression. It’s almost as if they were talking about this very thing and Dax is waiting for her to say, “See… I told you so.”
Reaching out, I touch his arm to get his attention, sucking in a breath when he focuses on me. God, I love that face, even if he is completely irritating me this morning. “I am fine. I promise. Now, in addition to the laundry, is there anything else you need me to do to get you ready for the road trip?”
Dax is completely adorable as he tries to fight his own annoyance and alpha tendencies to want to take control of the situation. His jaw is locked tight and there’s a slightly hard glint to his eyes, but he eventually nods and gives me a smile. “We’re out of headache meds, and I always like to have a bottle with me when I travel. Do you think you can swing by the drugstore and get me some? That will save me a trip.”
I grin broadly, giving a squeeze to his forearm just before reaching for a piece of my toast. “I would love to.”
“Are you excited about starting your new job today?” Willow asks.
I nod before taking a sip of coffee. “I’m not actually starting. Just going in to fill in the employment paperwork. They’ll show me around, maybe have me shadow one of the nurses for a little bit. But I don’t technically start until next Wednesday.”
I had actually been given a formal job offer from the pediatric office I had applied to the week prior. It was a good thing I had been honest and upfront with them during my interview about my PNH, as they had wanted me to come in right away to fill in the employment paperwork so everything could get processed for me to start next Wednesday.
Of course I couldn’t because I was in the hospital, but they were very understanding. I know exactly how lucky I am to have such a compassionate employer. Frankly, though, their business model makes it so I shouldn’t put any hardship on them. They have several part-time nurses who rotate a schedule, and there is usually always somebody willing to cover if somebody is out sick. They assured me it wasn’t a problem, so we made plans for me to come in today.