“But Heath –”
“Don't but me, Sara. Your butt's what I'm worried about. You've never earned a spanking like this one, so you don't know what you're asking for. I won't do it tonight, that's for sure. You're worn out just from coming home. Right now I just want you to lay your pretty little head down on my shoulder and rest. If it's still bothering you tomorrow we'll talk a little more then.”
Sara knew better than to argue with him. She laid her head back and rested against his chest. Sitting on his lap with his arms around her always calmed her down, especially when he gently massaged her arm or her back, like he was doing now. She tried to put it all out of her mind and just enjoy being back home and with Heath.
“As much as I love holding you here, Sara, we should be getting you into bed so you can rest.”
“But I am resting.”
“Not like you would be if you were in bed.”
“You're right. I'm resting more here because this is my favorite place in the world, and you know how much it always relaxes me.”
He looked down at the adorable little pixie in his lap and knew she was right. She did always relax when he held her here, which was why he pulled her onto his lap. “Okay, a little longer, because truth be told, I love having you here, too.” He tightened his arms around her and continued to rub her arm just a bit. “Would you like to watch a movie?”
“That sounds good, but I might fall asleep.”
“That's all right. If you feel sleepy don't fight it, that's exactly what you need. If you fall asleep I'll put you in your bed. I'm going to sleep here tonight, with no argument from you,” he added when she started to argue, “so if you need anything at all, just call for me, okay?”
“Heath, you really don't need to do that. I'm not helpless, you know.”
“Honey, I didn't say I was staying because I think you need me here. I need to be here, close to you. I was so scared yesterday that you'd be hurt badly, or I could even lose you. And there wasn't anything I could do about it. Then when I saw your white cell count I saw how hard it all was on your system. I'm a doctor, Sara, I know how weak you are, even if you won't admit it to yourself. I need to stay here close to you for me, so I can see that you're okay.”
She was quiet for a while, and he said, “Let's see what movies are on tonight.”
He reached over to pick up the television remote from the end table, and he felt her arms go around his back. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For wanting to stay here with me. For caring so much.”
He gave her a quick hug and said, “Remember that when you do finally get your spanking. You may not be so glad then that I care so much.”
“I'll always be glad you care so much, Heath. It's a new feeling for me, but it's a feeling I've quickly taken a real liking to.”
He kissed the top of her head and laid her back against his chest as he turned the television on and settled in, making sure she was settled in, as well.
Twenty minutes later she was sound asleep against his chest. He considered taking her into her bed, but knew there was no way he could do that. She was fine right where she was.
When the movie was over he did reluctantly put her to bed. He was glad then that he'd insisted she put her pajamas on as soon as they got home, even though she'd complained. She never woke up as he gently tucked her in and kissed her forehead.
He left her only long enough to go up to his condo and grab a few things and return. After checking on her and finding her still sleeping soundly, he went to sleep in the guest bedroom, leaving both bedroom doors open so he'd hear her if she needed anything.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Heath was fixing scrambled eggs the next morning when Heather and Phil came over. Heath gave his sister a hug and asked, “You survived last night, I take it?”
Heather blushed, but answered, “Yes, but barely.” She rubbed her bottom, until Phil cleared his throat. “I don't plan on doing a lot of sitting at work today. I'm only working until noon, luckily.”
Heath smiled at her and said, “Why just until noon today?”
“The nurse that usually works Saturday morning is on vacation, so I told Ted I'd fill in for her. Since I'll be off early I can come over and stay with Sara, try and keep her in bed.”
“Lots of luck there. Although this time she's so worn out she's not fighting me much.”
“How is she?” Phil was genuinely concerned.
“She's still sleeping, which tells me a lot. She fell asleep last night during a movie and slept all night.”
“Wow,” Heather agreed, “she is worn out.” Looking as contrite as he'd seen her in a long time, she told Heath, “I really am sorry. I should have been able to tell she wasn't up to going out yesterday.”
“Thank you for the apology, Sis, but it's not all your fault, you know. That little dynamo in there can be very persuasive, and she hid how sick she was well. I think she's too weak to hide it now, but I'm sure when she starts improving again she'll be trying to hide it from us again. Only this time we'll know better.”
“This time you'll know better than what?” They all turned to see Sara, yawning, in the doorway. “Good morning, everyone.” She yawned again and totally missed the three upset looks she was getting.
Heath came over to her, kissed her on the forehead, and asked, “Am I going to have to paddle that cute little butt to keep it in bed?” With that, he picked her up and headed back to the bedroom.
Phil and Heather smiled as they heard Sara saying, “But Heath, I just got up. I'm not sleepy. I didn't even get to say anything to our guests.” They chuckled when they heard a swat and Sara say, “Ouch. Heath, that hurt.”
“Come on, Phil, let's go talk to her.”
Holding her arm back, he said, “We will, but give them a couple minutes first. Why don't you finish up their eggs, before they burn?”
“Oh, my gosh, what was he thinking? He didn't turn the stove off under the eggs before he left.”
“What he was thinking was that the little lady he's fallen in love with needs him, whether she knows it or not.”
Heather smiled and said, “Yeah, I think you're right.” As she tended to the eggs she added, “I hope she knows it.”
Phil smiled back as he said, “Oh, I think she does.”
A couple minutes later Phil and Heather carried in two plates of bacon and eggs and toast, along with two cups of coffee. Heather couldn't resist giving her brother a hard time. “You seemed determined to burn the eggs, leaving the burner on and all, but I just couldn't see making the poor eggs suffer, so I finished them for you.”
Heath quickly came back with, “No, I knew Phil wouldn't let them burn.”
“Hey, I'm the one that finished cooking them.”
“After I told you to.” Phil was grinning at his wife. Heather looked from one man to the other, as they smiled at each other and did a fist bump.
“Proud of yourselves, aren't you?”
“Yep,” they both said in unison.
Sara was watching the whole thing, smiling. She loved the camaraderie the three of them had, and felt very fortunate that they were willing to extend it to her.
Heather asked Heath, “So, do you want your breakfast, you big lug, or should I go throw it in the garbage can?”
She turned back toward the kitchen, teasing him, when he took the plate from her hands and said, “Thank you, Heather, for finishing our breakfast.”
Phil handed Sara's plate to her and asked, “So how are you feeling this morning, Sara?”
“Well,” she said a big indignantly, “I was feeling pretty good when I was going out to tell everyone good morning, but now my butt hurts as I'm laying here.” All three of them laughed. “Other than that, though, I feel fine,” she said with a smile.
Heath told her, “Remember that sore butt the next time you decide to get out of bed without permission. Ask yourself if getting up is worth another sore butt. Only next time I won't stop with just one swat.�
�
Her eyes were huge as she asked, “I need permission now to get out of bed?”
“Yes,” Heath quickly answered. His voice softened a bit then as he added, “Until I know you're getting better.”
Sara saw the look on his face, and didn't argue. She merely nodded her head.
Heather said, “I have to go to work, but I just had to stop by and see how you're doing first, Sara. I'll come back this afternoon, so we can talk.”
“Thank you, Heather. I'd like that.”
“I've got to go into headquarters for a few hours this morning and get some paperwork done. I haven't done the reports yet for the job I was on when I got the call from Heather yesterday. I was a little busy from then on. I'll be back over this afternoon, too, and I'll bring us some lunch. Does anything sound good to you, Sara?”
“No, nothing other than a smoothie.”
Ruffling her hair, Heath said, “You and your smoothies.” Turning to Phil and Heather, he said, “Let me walk you out.”
Sara heard them talking softly in the living room before they left and figured they were talking about her, but she was too tired to care. Hopefully they were just asking how she was, and Heath was telling them she was much better. She smiled at that thought. It was more likely that he was telling them she needed to stay in bed for the next twelve months. She smiled even more at that thought.
“What are you smiling about, Honey?”
She told him honestly, “I heard you guys whispering out there, and I was imagining what you could be talking about. My guess was that you were telling them that I need to stay in bed for the next twelve months.”
He laughed as he handed her the plate sitting on the table beside the bed. “You were close, though. They were asking how you're doing and I told them if I can keep you in bed you'll be fine.” He smiled as he said, “But you're exaggerating a bit. I told them I thought six months of bed rest would be sufficient.”
Her smile disappeared instantly. “You're kidding, right?”
“Eat your eggs before they get cold.” He couldn't keep a straight face any longer when he saw the exasperated look on her face. “Of course I'm kidding, Honey. It won't take you that long to recover.”
She finished chewing her first bite of eggs before asking, “How long will it take?”
“That depends.”
“On what?”
“On several things. The more you rest the sooner you'll recover. What you eat and how much will have an impact, too.”
“So no more smoothies?”
“No, actually the smoothies I've been bringing you are pretty good for you. They're mostly fruit, with very little sugar. Some smoothies are full of sugar or ice cream, and I did bring you those when your throat was sore, but since then I've been bringing you the healthier ones. I've been willing to indulge you so often because that fresh fruit's actually really good for you.”
“Oooh, good, I'm glad to hear that, 'cause I love them.”
“And I love you,” he said, leaning over for another kiss. “Now finish your eggs.”
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Phil and Heather brought a healthy, nutritious lunch, complete with smoothies for all. Heather told Sara, “Heath told us how much you like these, so we decided we'd try them and see what we think.”
After lunch Sara asked, “Well, what did you think of the smoothies?”
Heather said, “I see why you like them. These are really good.”
“And Heath said they're good for me, so I can keep having them.”
Phil laughed and said, “Heather may not like them as much now, since she knows they're good for you.”
Sara offered, “He said there's some that aren't as good for you because they have a lot of sugar or ice cream in them.”
“Now, those sound interesting. I may have to try them.”
Heath shook his head. “You'd think being a nurse you'd care more about nutrition.”
“I do when someone's sick, but as long as I'm feeling fine, why fix something that ain't broken?”
Heather and Sara laughed, while the two men just shook their heads.
Phil suggested, “Why don't Heath and I clean up the dishes so you girls can visit a bit? I know you said you want to talk a little, and if I know Heath, he's going to want Sara to rest pretty soon, so you go ahead.”
“Thanks, Phil. I did want to talk to Sara.”
Heath looked at both of them when he said, “Just don't overdo it.” Letting up a little on the stern expression, he said, “Enjoy your visit, then I will want you to take a nap, Honey.”
After the men left, the girls started off by apologizing to each other. They talked about how Sara was feeling, and then they got to yesterday's events. Sara wanted to know what happened while she was at the hospital. Heather started filling her in on everything, walking around the room as she talked.
“Heather, come sit down. Are you nervous or something?”
Heather blushed as she said, “I'll go with the something.”
When she reached around and rubbed her bottom, Sara said, “Oh, no. I'm sorry, Heather. How bad was it?”
“Now, first off, no more apologizing. We agreed on that, remember? It was my fault just as much as yours. But to answer your question, it was bad. But then again, I knew it would be. He warned me before we even went home that he was not going easy on me, so I knew it was coming.”
“Were you okay with that?”
“What do you mean?”
“Even though he warned you and you knew it would be bad, were you ready for it? I guess what I'm asking is how do you wrap your head around knowing you have a horrible spanking coming, and then wait for it, without getting angry?”
“I think I know what you're asking. I've got to tell you, waiting is hard. I don't think I'll ever get used to that. As far as being ready for it, Heath helped me with that last night.”
“Heath did?”
“Yes, he did. Phil warned me what was coming when we got home, and I kind of whined and complained. Heath told me to remember Phil loves me and is trying to protect me. And he did talk the property owner out of filing charges against us.”
“Heath said that?”
“Yes, he did, which was exactly what I needed to hear then. I needed to be reminded that after what we'd done, trespassing and putting your health in jeopardy, Phil still went to bat for us with the owner, and then was taking the time and effort to show me he cares. And he doesn't like doing it any more than I like having him do it.”
“Are you sure about that?”
Heather looked concerned as she said, “I'm sure. Why? Do you think they enjoy spanking us?”
“I didn't know. I mean, sometimes he acts like he doesn't like it, but other times it's as if he doesn't mind it too much.”
“I can answer that for you. They're both the same in that respect. If the spanking they're giving isn't too bad they're okay with it because they know it's for our own good. The harder the spanking, the more it bothers them.”
“It does?”
“Yes. Heath told me one time that the harder he has to spank me the harder it is on him because he knows he's causing me pain. He says he has to keep reminding himself of what could have happened because of what I did. He said it's picturing me laying somewhere hurt, or sitting in jail that gives him the will to finish.”
She could tell Sara was considering her words, so she asked. “Have you ever looked at Heath's face after he spanks you?”
“To be honest, no. I'm usually crying too hard, and when he pulls me onto his lap I bury my face in his chest.”
“Look at his face sometime, Sara, and you'll see. It's not easy on them, either, to cause pain to the lady they spend the rest of their time protecting.”
Sara was looking down as she said, “I hadn't thought of that.” After thinking a while, she asked, “But how do you deal with having to wait? I envy you right now for having a sore butt.”
Both girls burst out laughing at how that sounded. Eventually
Sara said, “I know this is going to be the worst spanking he's ever given me, and I get that. It should be. We could be in jail right now. So I get that it's going to be awful. But I want it over with.”
“Are you dreading it, or are you scared?”
“Well, both, but that's not the main reason I want it to be done. I just need to be okay again. I'm tired and I want to rest, but I can't completely relax because my life's just not on level ground right now. Heath and I aren't right. I love him, and I know he loves me, but it feels like no matter what we do, there's a wall of glass or something between us. After he spanks me I always feel like all's right with the world again, and I feel like we're closer than we've ever been. I want to feel that.” She had tears in her eyes as she said, “I need to feel that.”
Heather came over and gave her a hug and said, “I know what you're saying, Sara. I feel the same way afterward.”
“So why won't he spank me now so we can have that feeling?”
“He wants to wait until he knows you're strong enough. He's afraid of hurting you physically.”
“He wants to be sure I'm strong enough for him to spank me, which is definitely hurting me physically, or at least my butt?”
“Oh, Sara, I know it doesn't make sense to you right now.”
Sara slumped her shoulders and said, “No, I get what he's saying. And I admit I'm pretty weak right now. But I wish he could somehow feel my emotions. I mean, I slept all night last night, probably because I was exhausted, but it wasn't a restful sleep. I woke up this morning feeling like something's wrong. All day I've been wishing I could pay for what I did, and we could share that closeness again. But it's not going to happen yet.”
Heather felt sorry for her friend. She could see how much this was bothering her. “But it will happen, and when it does everything will be okay again. Remember, Heath needs to feel it's safe to spank you, and he doesn't yet. I know you see it differently, but he sees waiting until he feels you're up to it as protecting you.” She blushed a little as she added, “And I don't think you know what it's like to lay in bed on an extremely sore butt for two or three days.”
The Strange Healing Page 20
