by A. E. Murphy
“So did you find out from the doctor how long until we can bump the nasties?” I add for extra gross effect. Sylvie puts her hands over her ears and says la, la, la, la whilst Marie cackles like a witch. “Only you could still have a libido at a time like this.” She snorts and nudges Jacob whose laughing so hard no sound is coming out of his mouth.
“I’m so totally not talking with you right now,” James grumbles and hides his face in my neck. “Sorry mom.”
“Has she stopped?” Sylvia asks and uncovers her ears.
“And then he said four fingers? Are you crazy? You’re going to be gaping by the time your thirty,” I say with mock horror pretending to continue a non-existent conversation. “And then I said…”
“La, la, la, la,” Sylvia chants her hands back over her ears and Marie and Jacob laugh so hard Jacob falls off his chair. James’ body shakes with silent laughter, his warm breath tickles my neck.
“Gaping…” gasp, “Thirty,” Jacob pants as he climbs back on his chair. “Christ James, how do you handle this?”
James kisses me on the cheek, “There’s never a dull moment when she’s around that’s for sure.”
I try to press my morphine button discretely but of course they all see. “Sorry, it’s starting to hurt.”
“I’ll get going so you can rest,” Jacob smiles and stands from his chair. He reaches over and shakes James’ hand. “Can I give anyone a lift?”
“No, I’ve got my car, I’m going to drop Sylvia off and go home myself,” Marie smiles and give him a hug.
He kisses my hand and winks, “You get better soon.”
I nod and squeeze his warm fingers, “thanks so much for coming Jacob. I’ll see you soon.”
I say goodbye to the three of them and snuggle into my bed. James stays, I notice there’s a bed in the corner where he’s probably been sleeping. It brings me a little relief to know he’s not sleeping in that awful chair.
“I’ll be off in a minute babe,” I say quietly and stroke his hair. “You should get some rest.”
When I wake up James is nowhere in sight. There’s a kind Indian woman, my new doctor for the day I assume. “Hello Mrs. Freeman. How are you feeling?”
I use the button to sit me up a little, “I’m ok. I actually have a favor to ask.”
She looks at me from over the chart. “What’s that dear?”
I point to the underside of my left arm, “My implant. I’ve had it in nearly three years. Any chance you can take it out. I’m supposed to be going to the doctors next week.”
She smiles and nods, “I’ll have someone come and do it for you shortly from family planning. Eager to start trying for a family?”
I shake my head a little frantically, “Oh no, definitely not. Not for another ten years. I’ll be swapping it for something else, possibly the injection or the pill. Though I’m a little hare brained at times, I doubt I’ll remember the pill.”
“Oh, my mistake,” she smiles. “It’s good to see a young girl with her head on her shoulders.”
“That’s what I said, my husband wants a baby. It’s like he’s the female in this relationship,” I giggle and she laughs with me. “Thank you, doctor…?”I drag the word out in question.
“I apologize,” she slaps her hand to her forehead. “Call me Amelia. If you need anything at all just press this button. It’ll notify me personally.”
“Thanks,” I smile and she waves before leaving.
I pick up my phone which is charging on the desk beside me.
Maya: Where are you bitch? I’m hungry, thirsty and my male slave has disappeared.
James: On my way up now princess. Who you calling bitch…? Bitch.
Maya: Sorry what was that bitch? I was too busy thinking how much of a bitch you are to pay attention to the text.
James: You aren’t funny…
Maya: The pain in my side when I laugh disagrees.
The door opens and James saunters in, he’s clean shaved, wearing light blue jeans and a white button up. His dark hair is waxed back and he smells divine. My favorite aftershave.
“Oh god, you can’t come I here when I’m ill looking like that!”
His eyes widen and he looks down at himself, “What? Do I look stupid?”
I narrow my eyes at his idiocy, “Baby, you look too fucking edible. Christ I’d fancy you if you’d rolled around in shit. Nom. How long until we can have sex again?”
“Until you’re better.”
“Hey I was thinking,” I say to change the subject. “I’m going to get a tattoo over the scar tissue when it’s fully healed. What do you think?”
He shrugs and sits beside me in the chair, “Whatever you want baby.”
I grin and a blonde haired woman walks in in green scrubs. She has a tray with her. “You wanted your Implanon removed?”
James eyebrows shoot to his hairline. I know what he’s thinking so I quickly add, “And I want the injection straight after.”
The woman chuckles and holds out her hand, “I’m Doctor Roth, unfortunately we can’t put you on the injection immediately, we’ll give your body time to adjust. Have you thought about the pill? You can start that as soon as your next period starts.”
I shrug, “The pill will be fine.” I turn to James. “You’ll just have to wear a jacket for the next few weeks.”
He grunts but says nothing as Dr. Roth gets to work. I look away as she cleans my arm, cuts and pulls the little clear rod out with tweezers. She stitches the tiny hole and cleans it again before wrapping that part of my arm in a bandage and leaving with a smile. Not forgetting to provide me with the pill and directing me on how to use it.
“We can’t have sex for the next few weeks. Or do you keep forgetting?”
I wink at my husband, “Oh baby, trust me. I’ll find a way that doesn’t hurt.”
Ignoring my husband’s protests I work from the hospital, I use his laptop to check my emails and make all the required calls. My interior designer has visited our new place and has given us an estimate on the price. When I show James he nods but says he wants to oversee it, make sure it’s tasteful. I tell him to go nuts, as long as he keeps his shit out of my closet.
Sylvia, Marie, Summer, Jessica, Tony, Chris and Jacob all visit. They arrive during visiting hours at six. I can see my husband doesn’t like Jacob very much. Not that I blame him, I wouldn’t like him hanging out with someone he said he would sleep with. Yet as little as I know of Jacob I can see us all becoming great friends.
They leave at about ten after watching a movie, I feel too drugged up to pay full attention. I ended up giggling at almost everything.
James is sitting in the corner of the room on his laptop. I watch him work for a while, loving the way he holds his tongue between his teeth and the way his brow furrows as he concentrates. He looks up and sees me watching, smiles flirtatiously and gets back on with it. He’s done within an hour and plods back over to me.
“Hey baby,” I say softly and press my button for the wonderful drug. “I’m really sorry for scaring you.”
He looks at me with sad eyes, “From now on. Even if it’s just a twinge in your finger. Promise me you’ll take it more seriously. The doctor doesn’t understand how you was walking about. She says you must have been in serious agony. Most people collapse before the appendix ruptures.”
“I’m stubborn as a mule,” I sigh, attempting to lighten the mood. “It was pretty bad but I genuinely thought it was my period because I hadn’t had one in so long. When I actually got my period that kind of confirmed it for me so I just dealt with the pain not wanting to make a fuss.”
“You could never make a fuss, I almost lost you,” his voice is a low whisper and his green eyes are dim with sorrow. “Promise me. You’ll tell me next time, if anything is making you feel even a little uncomfortable.”
I nod and pull him to me for a slow kiss. “I love you.”
“Say it again.”
“I love you.”
“I love you too
,” he whispers and turns out the lamp. “Get some sleep.”
“Babe, go home. Sleep in bed, get back to work. I’ll be fine here.” I say through the darkness.
His hands cup my face and his lips touch my own with such sweetness it brings tears to my eyes. “I’m not leaving you. Not now, not ever.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Its two whole weeks before I can go home. Two fucking weeks! The infection made me a bit ill and vomiting when your stomach has been mauled by a bunch of doctors is bloody painful. Fortunately the antibiotics are working, I still feel a bit iffy but my wound is healing brilliantly. I just had my stitches out and it’s actually not as big as originally thought now the swelling has gone down. They say if I’d gone in before it ruptured they could have done it so small I would barely have noticed the mark. Keyhole surgery or something like that.
Sylvia was not impressed when I asked if I could take my appendix home in a jar. The doctor thought I was funny. James’ eyes rolled as per usual.
I’m constantly being pampered, constantly in bed. James won’t let me walk anywhere until I’m one hundred percent. Marie got me a little bell and she’s been staying with us to help out. In reality I think she’s just scared to lose me and this is her way of coping. I keep her busy by sending her shopping for me and she’s been going into the office to check on works progress. It’s apparently finished and ready so she’s sneaking me out now while James is at work so I can surprise him.
Work has begun on my new house, I’ve looked at the plans and cannot wait to see the ending result.
“You ready?” Marie says as I hobble out to the car. I nod and she helps me into the passenger seat before running around to her side.
I’m terribly excited, like bursting at the seams excited. I’ve gotten all dolled up as it’s the first time since the explosion in my stomach that I’ve gone anywhere and I want to look beautiful for my husband. Marie chats, and chats, and chats, all the way to the building. She’s so funny at times.
As soon as we step onto the sidewalk the security from inside the building rush out to greet me, asking me if I’m ok and congratulating me on a full recovery. I wave them off and cling to Marie as we hobble to the elevator. I’m knackered already.
“Watch this,” she giggles and holds the close doors button and the number floor my office is on. “The doors won’t open for nobody.”
I laugh as we sail up without stopping at a single floor. When I step onto my floor I squeal at the sight of the desk to the left, it’s Carlos’ workspace. I follow it round and there’s a small waiting area with plush leather couches and a few potted plants strategically placed. The gray blinds are open and light is spilling into the small space.
I touch the door leading to my husband’s office, there’s a gold name plate on the front. It reads James E. Freeman.
“Oh my god,” I squeal and pull out my phone as Marie gets to work sticking a huge red bow to the door right above the name plate. “James.”
“What’s wrong?” he says sounding a little out of breath.
“Nothing baby, can you come to my office for a moment? I need your help with something.”
“What the hell are you doing out of bed?”
“I… umm… Just come here,” I stammer and hang up. If I could bounce painlessly I’d be bouncing right now. My nerves are ruling over all other emotions. “What if he doesn’t like it? What if he prefers his office?”
Marie rolls her eyes and puts her arm around my shoulder, “He’ll love it. I guarantee it.”
The elevator dings a few minutes later and I hear James calling my name. We step forward so we’re in sight next to Carlos’ desk and James eyebrows shoot up. “What’s going on?”
I hold out my hand and he steps forward, encasing my hand with his large palm and fingers. “Follow me,” I grin and tug him around the bend. He releases my hand and gasps, I watch him nervously as he steps to his office door and touches the nameplate with his fingertips. “Maya,” he breathes and turns to grin at me. “What’s this?”
I hand him the gold key, it comes with a key ring housing a picture of us on our wedding day. I’m scowling at him for pinching my ass. He laughs when he sees it and puts the key into the lock. It makes a tiny click and swings open slowly under the pressure of his hand.
“Fuck,” he murmurs as he steps inside. I haven’t seen it yet but jealousy just reared its ugly head.
“Oh hell no!” I yelp and lunge for the key. “We’ll swap!”
He laughs and walks around the large open space, “Mine. I can’t believe you did this!”
I smile affectionately and frown at the huge room with a gorgeous desk at the far end. There are bookcases, shelves, fancy wooden filing cabinets, gorgeous artwork on the walls. The windows are like mine but his seem better because I’m totally jealous right now. There’s a set of switches on his desk like mine but better. I motion for him to follow and flip a switch, the blinds close. I flip it back and they open. Another switch drops a large projector screen from the ceiling. There’s one for the temperature as well and a built in intercom for Carlos. Even his computer is brand spanking new!
I lead him to the door by his desk where the second key goes and reveal a room with a fancy double bed and a small closet. He grins and follows me through the last door which leads to a shower room with toilet and essentials. Already loaded up with his favorite soaps and such.
“What do you think?” I smile and sit on the couch by the window. “You like?”
“Baby,” he breathes and sits in his new leather spinning chair. He spins twice, and stops himself by slapping his palms on his new desk. “Thank you. It’s… absolutely perfect.”
He rushes to me and wraps me gently in his arms. “I’m glad you like it. We’re turning your old office into the conference rooms that were here before.”
“Why though?” he says curiously and sits us down. “Why’d you do this?”
I shrug, “Well, you spend so much time here and your office is small and not very comfortable at all.”
Marie steps in and swears. “Fuck, this is ace. Sorry you two have had your moment, my turn to ogle.”
I giggle and turn to James, “Check your top drawer.”
He smiles, it speaks volumes, he’s saying, “What have you done now?” Without even talking. I can see the excitement in his eyes as he crosses the room and pulls open the drawer. He gasps and flicks through the stack of papers. “What’s this?”
“Well, you run my fathers portion of the company, it’s thirty percent of the company. If my father didn’t have you that’s the sum of money he’d be receiving. It’s only fair you get that,” I smile and slowly make my way to him. “You’ve been underpaid for too long and you don’t have the rights you should have so it’s your new work contract. I trust you to make bigger decisions where the company is concerned. It also means you can hire someone to take your place so you can have more time off. Just a thought.”
He blinks up at me and starts mauling me, smothering me with kisses and hugging me tight. I laugh and push him away. “I should get home, I hurt,” I tell him honestly and rub my stomach. “I’ll leave you to it baby.”
“Maya,” he says as I drag Marie away. I stop and look at him behind his desk. “Thank you.”
“Go nuts,” I grin. Just as I step out of the door I click my fingers and turn back to him. “There’s a mini fridge under your desk as well.”
I laugh as he dives for the cupboard under his desk and starts rifling through it.
“You did good girl,” Marie grins and we head home.
At lunch time I’ shocked to see my phone light up with a text from the in law.
Sylvia: Just been to see my son’s new office. To think you did this before you were ill. I really misjudged you. What you’ve done and the extra trust you’ve put in him is an amazing thing Maya. Thank you.
Maya: I’m still not having a kid :P
Sylvia: Sigh…
I laugh and relax back in
bed with Marie both of us eating popcorn and watching the vampire diaries. I’m proud of myself for relinquishing power of thirty percent of our business to James capable hands. My father would have wanted it, it’s what he’s been training James to handle. I’m still nervous though, he has free reign now even if I do own the company he can make drastic changes but I trust him to come to me first. James is one to gamble.
The screams that come from me and Marie are ridiculous when we see my new male model come on TV. Our sensitive shaving foam and other products for men are advertised. Me phone beeps.
Jacob: Did you see me? Did you see me?
Maya: Yep! It’s perfect. Thank you Mr. Stone!
Jacob: Ha, my mom called me when it came on… screaming. I hung up and texted you. She’s calling now. Blast my bleeding ears.
Maya: Dude, this is smalltime compared to most of the stuff you do. I dread to think how she reacts when you star in a movie.
Jacob: It’s not pretty… trust me. So how are you feeling?
Maya: I’m so much better. Still hurts to walk and I tire easily but I’m great otherwise.
Jacob:That’s good. As soon as I’m back in the city I shall come see you!
Maya: I look forward to it xx
“Why does he like you so much? You’re married!” Marie sighs, pouting like a petulant child.
I shrug, “Maybe that’s why. I’m a female that doesn’t want to use him. A female he can trust.”
“I reckon he wants in your knickers,” she says with a determined nod. I giggle and nudge her, “Don’t be ridiculous. Although he does like to play with my hair. I don’t think he realizes he’s doing it. Did you see him in the hospital and when we went for dinner the first time?”
Marie shrugs, “I wasn’t paying attention. Seems like an odd thing to do.”
