Four Hundred Sixty Two

Four Hundred Sixty Two
Jonathan kisses the top of my head and smacks Heather against hers.
"Hey"!
"I think he is planning to make your room some romantic scene".
"I wouldn't doubt it. I can't wait to shower and change. I feel so gross".
"You look very pretty", she blushes. "I was so scared Alicia. You're my only real friend. Like what was I gonna do without you"?
I draw her into a hug.
I don't plan on going anywhere. Ok"?
"Okay".
.....
"I knew it! I knew you were gonna deck out my room".
"Well flowers and your cards and balloons are from everyone. My actual gift to you is in the bathroom".
He helps me out of the wheel chair and leads me into the bathroom.
"Do you feel out of breath"?
"No. Just tired".
"It's not much, but I figured these would make you feel a little better".
He points to a black wicker basket that holds my body wash and a few loofah sponges.
Jonathan even made sure to get me black towels along with a black hair brush, a pack of black hair ties, and a black tooth brush.
"It's cheesy".
"No, it's not. It's very thoughtful".
I head for the sink and brush my teeth. I wash my face and stare at my reflection. My face is a bit thinner and I have circles under my eyes. I'm a bit pale.
I will be reading if you need me .
"I need you. I feel a bit wobbly".
"Well then if you're sure... I will be happy to help you".
He shuts the bathroom door and turns on the small shower.
He carefully helps me out of my hospital gown.
"Do you need me in the shower with you?
I can get Heather if you'd prefer. If you'd be more comfortable with a female. Or Ican grab the nurse".
"I want you to help me".
He takes off his clothes and helps me get into the shower.
'If you get tired just hold onto the rail. I got you".
He detaches the showerhead and wets my hair.
"Is it too hot"?
"No. It feels good". He hangs up the showerhead. And lathers my hair. Him massaging my scalp feels amazing and I lean my head back onto his shoulder.
"That feels nice", I sigh.
He rinses my hair and works the body wash on my back.
I brace the wall and he positions me under the spray to wash away the suds.
"Are you okay"?
"I'm fine".
"Almost finished".
He turns me around to my front and works the suds across my neck and collarbone, my breasts, torso, and stomach... He moves down to my thighs, between my legs, and both legs. He rinses away the suds.
"All done", he smiles.
"Thank you". I grab his hands and place them on my hips. I wrap my arms around his neck. He leans down and kisses me.
"Fuck!" he laughs.
"I don't think you should. We should"...

I deepen the kiss and he backs me against the wall.
"As tempting as you are, I don't want this to happen in a hospital bathroom", he sighs.
"Yeah. You're right".
He rests his forehead against mine and kisses my cheek.
"Lets get you into bed".

........

"Christmas is soon. Like... a week away! I haven't done any shopping.... and Estella's birthday is three days afterwards.
Alicia gives me a weak smile. " I need to get your gift, Jonathan".
"I don't need a gift I'm fine".
"Oh come on. How can I not get you anything for Christmas"?
"We can just have a quiet dinner at home. I really could care less about Christmas, Alicia".
"But the kids... they deserve the best Christmas ever. We can go shopping and"...
"Honey, I don't think you being in crowded ass stores with rude people and germs"...
"Ok well how about you take me to the outdoor Christmas shops"?
"Or you can give me your list and I can literally go to Macys and pick up the gifts" I laugh.
"I wouldn't even know what to get anybody", she sighs.
"Why don't we just make it simple? A doll house, some bicycles a play kitchen and maybe like a model airplane and one of those ride on cars"?
"I guess".
"The only thing I really want is for you to come home and feel better.
And I know you love having our friends and extended family over, but I really just would like it to be us and the kids".
"I'm just afraid I will be stuck in this hospital".
"I will just have to break you out of here", I shrug.
'So your ideal Christmas is literally staying at home and doing nothing"? she asks.
"Exactly".
"There must be something you want"?
"You can dress in a sexy elf outfit or nothing at all".
"Ugh! You're impossible".
"You asked''.
She chews on her bottom lip and gets quiet. "I don't want this huge dinner. I want hot Turkey sandwhiches with mashed potatoes and cheesecake".
"Okay".
"And for us to have matching pajamas, and we watch a Christmas movie, but like an unconventional one".
"So Dominic and I can watch Die Hard"?!?!
"No silly"! She throws a pillow at my head.
"I mean like a low budget B movie that's ridiculous, but not really scary".
She draws her knees to her chest and smiles. "We can drink white hot chocolate and have lavender cookies. You can make Pizza and Avery can make popcorn.
We can build a ginger bread house, exchange Christmas stockings on Christmas eve and"...
"Whoa"! Slow down woman.
"It's too much"?
"No. I think it's perfect".
"For Estella's birthday... We can get her a huge cake and ice cream... and we can order in her favorite foods! Jonathan? What are you doing"?
"Writing all of this down".
"We can write letters to Santa.
"I love your imagination. You're extremely cute do you know that"?
"Cute"?
"Yes". I sit on the bed and hold her hand. "I don't even really like Christmas but hearing you describe what you envision is making me feel happy."
"I just..... I got too carried away. All of these ideas, and I haven't a clue what you want for Christmas?"
"I just want to be with my family and I want us to be happy", He nods earnestly.