The tired doctor returned to Kayce’s room and dropped heavily into the chair. With both hands he firmly rubbed the weariness from his face before stretching his upper body. It was going to be a long night.

For awhile Rudy sat holding Kayce’s right hand as it rested limply near the edge of the bed. His eyes took in her relaxed, angelic features, the paleness of her usually pink lips blending into her stark white face. He took a deep breath and whispered, “You have to fight Kayce. Please don’t leave us yet.” The silence that filled the room made the heart monitor sound strangely loud. Keeping his eyes on her still face the brown-haired physician sat back and let his mind wander back to all the good times he had in Kayce’s presence. She was fun and witty. There was never a time she didn’t say or do something unexpected that would leave him laughing or smiling.

He was so glad when she married Steve. His longtime friend deserved a normal life that always seemed just out of his reach. For years it was the doctor’s secret dream that Steve would marry and have a family. It seemed like an impossible dream when Steve was so badly injured in his plane crash. Emotionally and psychologically he was almost destroyed. It took years for him to even consider dating, always feeling less than a man with his bionic parts. Yes, Kayce was good for him, strong, intelligent and just as stubborn as Steve. They complimented each other perfectly.

His thoughts were interrupted when the nurse informed him of a phone call she thought he should take for Kayce. The call was from Sara trying to get in contact with Kayce. She was concerned when she didn’t hear from the little boy’s mother since this morning. Rudy apologized for not contacting her then went on to give Sara the sad news. The child’s care giver was troubled, telling Rudy she needed to go back to work and wasn’t sure what to do with Kyle. The doctor assured her he would have a close friend of Steve’s take the child until Steve or Kayce could be discharged. After finishing the call he dialed up Jaime’s hotel. She was excited to go pick up the little boy, getting her mind off the recent events. On the way to Sara’s residence she began her list of things to do. Kyle loved to swim so a few hours in the hotel’s indoor pool would be a must and of course a trip to the toy store would be a definite.

It was just before midnight; Rudy had dozed off in the chair, when he heard a soft moan. He immediately stood over his patient hoping she would awaken. Her head moved ever so slightly before her heavy eyelids slid half open. He called to her but she didn’t respond. He wondered if she was even lucid enough to talk.

Kayce became aware of someone standing over her. Initially she thought the blurry image with brown hair was Steve but soon the mustache registered and she knew it was Rudy. She closed her eyes for a moment and was overcome by the overwhelming feeling of hollowness, an emptiness that she quickly defined. She knew what had happened without Rudy saying a word. She took a deep breath and in a raspy voice asked the question, “My baby girl is gone isn’t she?”

The doctor frowned slightly and nodded. Taking a breath and swallowing the lump in his throat he asked her in a soft tone, “How did you know it was a girl?”

She sighed and mumbled her reply, “I guess I just knew.” It was all the strength she had and she quickly fell into a deep healing sleep. Rudy sat back down curious how she knew about the baby.

Steve awoke feeling a firm hand on his left shoulder. The familiar voice called him out of his deep slumber, “Steve.” The eyelids fluttered open and they looked up a Rudy Wells. “Steve I need your help.” The doctor stated calmly.

“What time is it?” He asked in a raspy voice seeing the bright sunlight already flowing through the window.

“Almost 11:00.” Steve face register panic, he didn’t intend to sleep that long. He flipped the blankets off his legs as they swung over the bedside. “Whoa, slow down Steve!” He chastised, grabbing his patient at the shoulders.

“Is Kayce alright? I didn’t want to sleep that long. Is she awake? Does she know about the baby yet?” He quickly fired his thoughts at his friend while trying to get his body to adjust to an upright position, the dizziness gradually dissipating.

“Steve, take a deep breath and slow down. Kayce’s condition is stable. She came out of her coma around midnight.” The icy glare from the battered face instantly held the stern brown eyes, “And you didn’t come get me?!” He stood up with the intention of going to his wife’s side.

“Steve wait!” The battered man stood still, allowing the pain in his body to dissolve the remaining sleepiness from him. “She was only awake for about 10 seconds before falling into a deep sleep. It wouldn’t have done any good for me to come and get you. Besides you need sleep as much as she does.”

“You said you needed my help, for what?” He asked softly.

“Sit down.” Rudy said gesturing to the edge of the bed the patient just vacated. Steve hesitated wondering if more bad news was on its way. He complied with the doctor’s request and held his breath, hanging on every word the doctor spoke.

“I was there when she regained consciousness. She just looked at me and said, ‘my baby girl’s gone isn’t she?’ I don’t know how she knew already, mother’s instinct I guess. Then she fell asleep. Early this morning I went to examine her. I found her awake, lying on her side curled up in a ball. It took several minutes for me to get her to let me check her over. After that she curled back up onto her side without a word and hasn’t moved since. She won’t talk or even make eye contact with anyone. It’s been five hours and she just stares into space with no emotion on her face barely even blinking her eyes. I’m worried about her”

Steve stood instantly, feeling the intense need to hold his grieving wife. “I need to see her.” He slid on his robe and headed out the door with Rudy close behind. Before opening the door to his wife’s room Steve felt Rudy’s hand on his shoulder. “There’s one more thing Steve that might be causing some of despondency.”

Steve eyed him waiting for him to elaborate. “She mentioned to me briefly that things were… not well in your marriage… something about you and Jaime…” The doctor didn’t continue the shocked look on Steve’s face told Rudy what he thought all along. Steve had feelings for no one but Kayce.

Steve’s expression turned to one of serious thought. “I messed things up but Kayce and I worked through all that and things were good. I don’t know what could have happened to change that.”

“I don’t know either she didn’t go into details. I just thought you might need to know that before you see her.” Steve nodded his gratitude and understanding before entering the room.

From the doorway between the observation area and room Steve could see Kayce’s back was towards them. She looked so small in the bed, curled up into the fetal position. He ambled slowly, painfully, to the other side of the bed where she faced. Rudy stayed at the door with bated breath hoping Steve could pull her from her catatonic state.

Gently sitting himself on the bed’s edge he spoke softly, “Kayce? He waited a few seconds then tried again when she didn’t respond, “Kayce, can you hear me?” He reached forward and caressed the side of her face, moving the errant strands of blonde hair from her face. He didn’t know if it was his quiet voice or his familiar touch but she turned her head to look at him. In an instant she sat up and he caught her in his strong arms. The sobs heard from the grieving mother were heart-wrenching causing Steve to tighten his grip and let his own tears flow silently down his cheeks. She whispered her thoughts about losing the baby, apologizing profusely, feeling it was something she did to cause it. He whispered reassurances in her ear that none of this was any fault of her and that he loved her more than life itself. There was nothing in the world that would ever change that.

Rudy could see the death grip she had on Steve and knew it was probably causing a significant amount of physical pain for the grieving father but he just continued to hold his wife, providing the comfort she so desperately needed. After several minutes Kayce exhausted herself and her husband tenderly lowered her back to the bed.

Leaning over her with his weight on his outstretched arm he offered a weak smile and wiped the remaining tears from her cheeks with his thumb. “It’s going to be okay Kayce, I promise.” He saw her barely keeping her eyes open. “I think you need to rest for awhile then I’ll come back in a little bit and we can talk okay?” She gave a weary nod and swiftly drifted off to sleep, her hand that was gripping Steve’s left arm went lax and slowly slid down to her stomach. The handsome man leaned forward with much effort, his ribs protesting the movement, and placed a loving kiss on her forehead.

Rudy saw his patient stiffly stand from the bed and went to his side. “I knew she just needed to see you.” He said proudly.

Steve didn’t reply, using all his mental energy to just place one foot in front of the other. He stopped just outside the door and leaned against the wall. The few moments with his wife had depleted all his energy. “Are you okay?” Rudy asked seeing the light perspiration on his face. “Yeah, I just need a little break that’s all.”

With his body screaming for rest and a soft bed he finished the journey. Rudy helped get his battered body into bed and covered him up. “Rudy please come get me when she wakes up okay?”

“Sure Steve I will.” Steve grabbed his arm. “I mean it Rudy. Promise?”

“I promise, as soon as she wakes. Now get some rest.”

“No problem. My body feels like it was hit by a train.” He mumbled as he finally gave in to sleep.

It was to Rudy’s relief that both of his patients slept the rest of the day and through the night. He, too, was finally able to grab six uninterrupted hours of precious sleep himself.

In the morning he wandered to Steve’s room, coffee cup in hand, hoping his patient wasn’t giving his nurse too much trouble over breakfast. Swinging the heavy door open he was greeted by a disheveled bed in an empty room. He smiled knowingly and traveled across the hall.

From the observation area he found his missing patient lying on his back on Kayce’s bed. Kayce was side-lying with her head in the crook of Steve’s neck, her left arm draped over his torso. Steve’s arm was securely wrapped lovingly around his wife. The doctor looked down at the nurse at the desk. “Any problems?”

She shrugged as she answered with a smile, “None whatsoever. Steve asked that his breakfast tray be brought in here. They both ate then fell asleep.” She looked at the dozing couple and added, “I think Kayce’s doing much better today.”

“Good. I think Steve is the best thing for her right now.” Rudy replied before he went back to his office to make some calls knowing Oscar and Jaime would be anxious for an update as would Dr. Coughlin.

Steve awoke first and, not wanting to disturb his wife, remained still while his mind replayed every moment he could remember since his mission started. Why were things between him and Kayce back off track? Why was Kayce second guessing his feelings for her? Nothing stood out in his mind so he decided he would not leave the room until Kayce gave him the answers he needed.

His gaze came off the ceiling when she stirred, her sleepy sapphire eyes looking up at his crooked grin. She always resembled a little girl when she woke up, another trait that endeared her to him.

“Hi.” She said with a quiet tone.

“Hi yourself. Sleep well?”

“Uh huh. What time is it?” She glanced around but there wasn’t a clock in sight.

“I’m not sure, probably around 11 o’clock. Why, do you have a date or something?”

She gave him a smile but he noticed immediately it didn’t reach her eyes. “How do you feel?” He inquired with genuine concern watching her sit up on the side of the bed.

“Fine.” She answered unconvincingly before heading slowly to the bathroom. Steve took a few moments to stiffly walk to the nurse sitting in the observation area. She nodded her understanding to his request that they not be disturbed and he closed the door between the rooms as he ambled slowly back to the bed.

Kayce exited the bathroom and slid back under the covers, immediately cuddling up next to him careful of his injuries. After hearing her tired sigh he spoke, “Kayce are you up for talking?”

He heard another sigh before she answered his question, “Sure, as long as it’s not about the baby. I can’t….yet.”

“Okay.” He responded then thought for a moment on how to pose his question so not to start an argument. “Kayce, it was brought to my attention that you still think there’s something between Jaime and me. Is that true?”

The young woman remained silent and still. Her emotions were all over the place as the pregnancy hormones were still flowing wildly in her system. Steve began to think she fell back to sleep until he heard a sniffle. He looked down and heard a simple, “Yes.”

He laid his head back on the pillow, forcing himself to remain calm, forcing the frustration down. He knew he needed to hear her perspective on the whole situation. “Kayce, please tell me why you think that. What happened since I left?”

She wasn’t sure where to start. Some of her thoughts almost bordered on silly. “Kayce?” He asked again.

She turned her head to look at him. “I’m not sure it will make sense to you, you may not understand…”

He placed a finger against her lips to silence her. Making direct eye contact he ordered her, “Then make me understand. This needs to be dealt with once and for all so we can bury it.”

Resting her head back down she thought a moment, trying to find the moment the questions or insecurity began. “When Oscar told me they had located you and you were being held in an abandoned prison I wanted so much to go and get you. Oscar agreed with me that a bionic female operative was the perfect choice but he refused to let me go. When I found out Jaime was not only going instead of me but she was bionic too…I…I guess I was shocked that you never told me…like you and she shared this secret. I don’t understand how you could keep something like that from me.” She looked up at him and asked, “Why didn’t you ever tell me?”

“Because it is a secret. I guess I didn’t want to betray Jaime’s confidence.”

“Does she know I’m bionic?”

Steve froze, unsure how she would take the information. “Yes.” He said softly and waited. He saw the questioning look on her pretty face and explained how Oscar wanted him to talk her into becoming bionic and how he didn’t want to do it, afraid she would hate the strings that would be attached. He told his wife how he went to speak with Jaime. Kayce interrupted his explanation when she asked why he needed to talk things over with her.

Steve stared off at the far wall and told the story of how Jaime was so gravely injured that it was him who had to make the life altering decision for her. As his story progressed Kayce began to understand why the two were still so close even after they broke off their engagement. She suddenly changed the subject.

“Steve, why didn’t you marry her? Did she hate you for the decision you made to save her life?”

He nodded negatively and in a quiet voice told her the second part of the story. The one where guy proposes to girl, girl almost dies only to recover without any memory of their relationship with the sad ending of guy must let girl go to live her new life.

Kayce’s head lifted from his chest to look at his face. It held a sadness all its own. At that moment she realized what a strong man he was and the depth of his character. “Steve, I’m so sorry. It must have been incredibly difficult for you.”

“It was but after awhile I guess I just convinced myself that the Jaime I fell in love with really did die on the operating table. The Jaime I see now isn’t exactly the same woman. Besides a higher power knew there was something better down the road.” He leaned down and gave her a tender kiss on her forehead before she lay back down against him. “So because I never told you about Jaime’s bionics you think I’ still in love with her?”

“No there’s more…When you were brought back here you were very sick and feverish. When you started to regain consciousness you became very agitated. I tried to calm you down but you couldn’t hear me or if you did you didn’t recognize my voice.” She paused as her chest ached with sadness. “You kept calling out for Jaime…I don’t know why…Then Jaime came into the room, sat on your bed and called to you. You immediately recognized her voice and relaxed. I guess I figured in you semi-conscious state you were less able to hide your true feelings for her….” She wiped the tears that began to fall. “It hurt so much to hear you call out to her and not recognize my voice. I felt useless…only she was able to help you.”

He began rubbing her back with his hand feeling guilty for something he had no control over. “I’m sorry Kayce. I didn’t mean to hurt you. I don’t know why I called out for her. I don’t remember any of that.” He let out a sigh. “I’m sorry.”

She took a deep breath to get her emotions under control. He pushed further, having a feeling there was more, “What else happened?”

She chuckled, “The rest is just silly.”

“So, I want to hear it.” She stared at him unsure if she should tell him. He could see her indecision so he tried to lighten the mood, “Tell me, I could use a laugh.” She smiled at him and lay back down, unable to look at him.

“When Rudy gave us a report on your condition we were in his office, Oscar, Jaime, Dr. Marchetti and me. Rudy explained how the repairs and improvements he made after you plane crash had protected you…the Vitallium plates on your skull, the Vitallium ribs … I never knew any of that but apparently everyone else in the room did, even Jaime. Then when Rudy said your right kidney was damaged I asked why your left couldn’t do the work of both. Everyone looked at me shocked that I didn’t know you only had one kidney. Steve, I’m your wife but I felt like an outsider. I had no idea how much of your body had to be repaired after your plane crash. I thought it was just you legs, arm and eye. The fact that Jaime had all this personal knowledge about you and I didn’t made me feel like she was closer to you then I am.” She looked up at him again. “I told you it was silly.”

Steve considered her words. “It isn’t silly and I’m sorry. I figured it wasn’t that important. I mean it was so long ago.” The couple sat in silence when Steve confessed his true feelings in just above a whisper, “I guess I didn’t tell you because I didn’t want you to know how much of me wasn’t me.”

The two continued to lie together. Steve finally broke the silence. “Anything else?”

“No. I told you it was silly. It was probably just the pregnancy hormones making me so irrational.” Steve took notice how she almost choked on the word pregnancy.

“Kayce, whatever you are feeling would never be silly to me. I love you and when you feel hurt or even just uncomfortable I want to know about it.” He felt her gently squeeze his middle and he smiled. Running a hand through her hair he cautiously pondered, “Kayce I know you don’t want to talk about the baby but I just want you to know that I always feel there is a reason for everything. We may not know why right now but maybe in a while we will. Just like Jaime and me not getting married. There was a good reason for her to lose her memory of me. If she didn’t I wouldn’t of been single when I met my soul mate.”

She smiled up at him. “Besides I know our baby daughter is being well taken care of by her grandparents.” His comments sparked Kayce’s memory.

“Steve when you were unconscious did you have any dreams?”

“Why?” He asked concerned he nay have talked of his parents and Kayce would think he had lost his mind.

“Well, one day I noticed you had tears running down your face. Rudy said he wasn’t sure what those experimental drugs would do to you mind. I was worried you were having a nightmare and couldn’t wake up.”

He took a deep cleansing breath thinking it might give Kayce some peace of mind if she knew what happened to him. He told her of his spiritual experience and both parents knew their baby was with her grandparents in a very happy place.

Dr. Coughlin arrived to exam Kayce. Steve relocated himself to the bedside chair and held her hand, offering support, until it was over. The Obstetrician explained what he had done in surgery and that they should have no problems conceiving in the future. Steve and Kayce were relieved after all their questions were answered fully. When Dr. Coughlin left, Steve smiled at his pretty wife. She stared into his eyes and saw the tiredness his physical discomfort was causing him. She was sure he had been refusing most of the pain medication in order to spend time and talk with her. She reached out and touched his rugged face.

“You need to get some sleep Steve. You look exhausted.” He gave her a crooked grin knowing she would argue with him if he tried to deny it. “Okay but we have a date for dinner in about 5 hours okay?”

“Okay but I’ll meet you in your room. I don’t think you should be moving around so much.”

They shared a sweet kiss and Steve ambled out of the room.

Steve was resting in his bed thinking of his talk with Kayce. He knew there was a lot more sadness under the surface then she was letting on. He was sure she was trying to protect him in his injured state. Then an idea hit him, reaching for the phone he made a quick call. When he was finished he contacted the guard at the gate and used his authority to put his plan in motion before the medication caused him to doze off.

Sara stood in the doorway of Kayce’s room until there was a lull in the conversation between doctor and patient. The two turned to the voice that gave a pleasant greeting. Kayce immediately introduced her best friend Sara Carpenter to Dr. Wells. He then excused himself, allowing the two women to talk privately. He, too, hoped Kayce would be more relaxed talking with a girlfriend. He silently wondered how Sara got clearance to enter the restricted building.

It took some time but Kayce finally opened up a little about her overwhelming sadness at the loss of her child. ‘Steve was right,’ Sara thought, ‘she is protecting him.’ The dark haired young woman provided her friend support, a shoulder to cry on, like only a girlfriend can.

Rudy received a message that Steve wanted to speak to him so he immediately headed that way. A half an hour later the doctor left his patient to follow through on his friend’s request, unsure why the information was needed. Calling Linda at his lab he delegated the chore to her.

In the early evening Kayce awoke and sat up against her pillows when the nurse brought her dinner. Before the woman could set the meal down Kayce saw the large Manila envelope with her name on it sitting on the tray table over her bed. She quickly removed the item that was placed there while she had been napping allowing room for her food. After politely thanking Donna, her nurse, and watching the white uniformed woman leave Kayce settled back with a furled brow, wondering why this was left for her.

She slowly broke the seal and pulled out the 1/2-inch thick file. The handwritten note paper-clipped to the front got her attention immediately. It was in Steve’s hand writing.

“I hope this helps. Love, Steve.”

She began reading the words, while her heart warmed a smile grew on her face. Steve had a condensed copy of his medical record compiled for her which started with his plane crash and ended last month. It only contained the high points but she quickly became overwhelmed at the extent of reconstruction and her smile transformed into a frown, tears filled her eyes. She began to understand why he held back from telling her all of it.

She placed the file back into the envelope, tucked it under her arm and headed to his room with her dinner tray. Opening the door she saw her handsome husband dozing lightly, the pain medication finally having its desired affects. Padding up to his bed he slowly opened his eyes and let out a heavy sigh, sensing the presence of someone near him.

After setting her meal on the table next to his she sat on the edge of the bed and stared deeply into his blue eyes. He glanced down and saw the package in her hand and knew why she looked like she had been crying. “I’m sorry.” He said softly. “I didn’t mean to upset you. I just wanted you to know I don’t want any secrets between us.”

She took his hand and smiled. “It’s okay. Thank you for trusting me enough to show me this.” He began to shift restlessly, a little uncomfortable, physically and emotionally. She was the first person, outside of Rudy and Oscar, to view the whole record. She instantly noticed the behavior, “Steve, I don’t care if every part of you is artificial as long as your soul is intact. I will always love you, totally and unconditionally.”

He reached to her face, bringing her lips to his, deepening the kiss as the seconds ticked off, the passion behind it causing her to lean gently against his chest. The tender moment was instantly shattered by the doctor’s knock on the open door. He gave them a devilish grin and announced to the blushing couple that they had company.

“MOMMY! DADDY!” Kyle came running into the room. Kayce swooped him up onto the bed and into her arms. She hugged him tight then allowed Steve to have his turn. Dr. Wells explained Jaime had stopped by to see Michael and thought they would like some company. He left the Austin’s time to visit.

After the short dinner Steve, seeing Jaime by the door, excused himself and ambled into the hallway. Kayce knew where he was going and continued to talk with her son, knowing Steve wanted to set things right with Jaime.

“Jaime can I talk to you for a minute?”

“Sure.” She said cautiously as he guided her by the arm to an empty lounge. He shared with her his knowledge of her being in love with him. She was surprised but let him continue the mostly one-sided conversation. He tried to explain how his strong emotional bond with Kayce could never be broken and that soon she would find someone who would share that same kind of bond with her. She didn’t like hearing his words but understood and assured him she would bury her feelings. They both chuckled at the irony of the situation and suddenly Jaime had a much better understanding of what Steve went through when she lost her memory. Now the situation was simply reversed. They hugged and agreed to remain close friends. Before they left the lounge they were joined by Dr. Marchetti.

“So when are you being tuned down? You know, now that Oscar knows it didn’t cause you any harm he may just draft you back into service if you aren’t careful.” Steve joked.

“Well actually I’m considering staying tuned up and working as an operative again.” She saw the look of shock spread across his face.

“You aren’t kidding are you?” His asked with a voice deep with concern.

She nodded and Steve’s eyes immediately went to Michael’s face. “Michael you need to find a way to talk her out of that.”

The handsome doctor slid an arm around Jaime’s waist, “Well you of all people know how she can be once she gets her mind set on something. But….I’m going to try my best.” He smiled at Jaime, feeling confident he could win her affections starting with their planned date the following week. Five years had passed and he had a feeling this time around would be different from their first attraction when Jaime was more his patient then anything else.

“Well I hope you are successful.” Steve winked at Jaime before heading back to his family.

Rudy joined the Austin’s to share some good news. The final results of Steve’s tests were in and he was being discharged the following morning along with Kayce. Of course both were ordered to take it easy and the couple eagerly agreed.

Into the night the two stayed together in Steve’s room talking excitedly about going home. Kayce had an idea in her head and wanted to get her husband’s opinion since it involved their son.

“Sara stopped by today.” She stated without preamble. With her head on his chest she couldn’t see the knowing look in his eyes. “Did you two have a nice visit?” He inquired subtlety while his hand played with her hair.

“Yes.” She let out a sigh. “I feel a little better since seeing her.” Facing away from him she couldn’t see the slightest hint of a smile on his lips or the twinkle in his eye. Kayce sat up, already sure he was the reason she showed up so unexpectedly. It made her feel so loved that he could anticipate what she needed sometimes before she knew what it was she needed. Only Rudy or Steve would have gotten her access to the building. She smiled at his innocent expression. “Thank you.” Was all she said before lying back down. He ran his hand through her soft silky hair. “I figured you needed a girlfriend, someone who could understand, maybe better than I can.”

“It’s funny. During her visit I don’t know who comforted who more.”

“Why’s that?”

“Sara was permanently laid off from her job and has been unsuccessful finding another, you know with the economy so bad right now. She doesn’t have enough left in her accounts to survive another month.” She sat back up to look at him, “I was thinking….since she loves Kyle so much maybe we should hire her as a nanny. With your parents gone and Jaime can’t be expected to jump in at a moment’s notice whenever we need someone. That way if we are both …incapacitated, like now, we know he is in good hands.” Steve thought on it for a moment. He really liked Sara and he knew Kyle adored her. He was about to approve of the idea when he saw her eyes sparkle. “You already asked her didn’t you?” He asked with a smile.

“Yes.” She said apologetically then rambled on. “Steve, she was so excited…you should have seen her. You know how much she loves children and she always wanted to live in California! Please say ‘yes’.”

He hugged her, “I think it’s a great idea. Besides you know I can never say no to you.” He kissed her head and she giggled. They both knew Kyle would be ecstatic to hear Sara was coming to Ojai to live with them.

Three months passed and everyone returned to there usual routines as Sara enjoyed living in the large apartment above the detached two-car garage and being Kyle’s caretaker when she was needed. During the late hour one night in their shared bed Kayce cuddled closer to Steve. They rested contently after the physically expression of their love left them feeling very relaxed and mellow. They talked softly of their family and friends. It was at the mention of Jaime that Kayce jolted upright, “Oh gosh I forgot!” She yanked the sheet back and slid her nude form gracefully from the bed.

Steve let the small smile on his face grow into a grin. He thoroughly enjoyed watching his wife walk around unclothed, her tousled, sun-bleached blonde hair atop her tanned body so perfectly proportion and toned that he had trouble keeping any train of thought. She bent slightly at the waist to rifle through her purse that was perched on the corner of the mirrored dresser. Finding her prize she smiled then quickly returned to the warmth of the bed, sliding smoothly back under the sheet.

She handed Steve the small postcard while snuggling against him. “What’s this?” He asked lying on his back, his arm wrapping around her.

“It came in the mail today. I almost forgot to show it to you.” He stared at the scenic picture on the glossy side, “Venice?” He whispered.

“Read the back.” She urged and he turned the card over. Taking a breath he read the neatly written words aloud.

“Dear Kayce and Steve,

We are having a wonderful time in Italy. The food is wonderful and the scenery breathtaking. On my first gondola ride through the city, under the moonlight, Michael proposed and I said yes! See you soon.

Love, Jaime

P.S. Steve, now I know what you were talking about.”

Kayce watched a lopsided grin grow on his lips. Her curiosity was growing. “So what does she mean, ‘I know what you were talking about?’”

He reached over and deposited the note on the nightstand. “Oh nothing.”

She smiled mischievously and lifted up the sheet, rolling her trim body on top of his nakedness. With her forearms flat on his muscular chest she rested her chin on her hands and eyed him closely. “Nothing huh?”

Steve couldn’t stop his normal male reaction to her position and he chuckled knowing she would use it tease him mercilessly until he told her what she wanted to know. “Okay maybe I told her something about you that would make the idea of me being married to you instead of her a little easier to swallow.”

“I’ve just moved past curious and into intrigued.” She said in a sultry voice, her pelvis moving slightly against his, knowing how it would torture him.

She could feel his need for her growing but she ignored it, wanting to hear the rest. “Well?”

He let out a long breath and slid his hands over her slender shoulders, down her silky smooth back to rest on her bare buttocks. “Okay, I told her when she and I were together I honestly thought it was real, true love. Then I explained that since I fell in love with you that, well, no one could give me the same feeling of completeness or soulfulness that you give me.” His hands came up and pushed her hair behind her shoulders then held each side of her face. He leaned forward and placed a tender kiss on her forehead.

She remained quiet thinking of his heartfelt words and his voice dropped to a whisper. “I love you more then anyone I’ve ever met Kayce. Sometimes I love you so much it hurts.”

She saw the glaze in his eye and recognized it. “I feel the same way about you.” She whispered in reply.

He smiled, a feeling of urgency coming over him. He swiftly rolled both of them over as one and gave her his familiar lopsided grin. “And if I don’t make love to you right now it will hurt more then you can imagine.”

She giggled as her arms went around his neck, “Well, we can’t have that now can we?”

His mouth instantly claimed hers and she returned the affection enthusiastically as they once again joined with the most perfect love that could exist between two people.