"Take this off." Jenifer pulled at Bruce's semen stained gown. "I'd better get you a clean one."
"I think you're right," said Bruce. Feeling awkward in unfamiliar emotional terrain, he added, "Thank you."
Jenifer kissed the tip of his nose, and smiled with a self-satisfied quirk to her lips. "I thought it might take your mind of things and relax you." Dismounting from his lap, she held out her hand. "You'd better get back into bed... unless you want to sit naked in the chair."
Bruce laughed, and said, "I think I'll get back in bed." He took her hand, and with a little assistance, stood without unbearable pain.
She smiled up at him, and said, "I can't believe I fell in love with an uptight prude. Turn around."
He complied, but the comment jarred him. "Prude? Is that how you really think of me?"
Gently, Jenifer ran her hands across his shoulders and down his back to the first bow.
"Well, let's just say I've loosened you up considerably."
She deftly untied the three knots that held the gown in place.
"Take it off."
Her hands cupped his bare bottom and squeezed while he shrugged it off.
"I love your butt. It's so cute!"
"Thanks... again," he said, as his face warmed with this new intimacy. But she was his wife, after all. She had exclusive rights, and he began to warm to the mystery marriage concept. That meant he had exclusive rights to her, as well, and wondered if she would be as accepting of his explicit fondling. Apparently they had a very satisfying sexual relationship, something he'd always wanted with a wife. Would she be as happy with him now? Would he meet her expectations? She said she liked being his first lover, which meant she must have been more experienced to begin with.
Breaking into his thoughts, she said, "Let me help you to bed, Sweetie."
Turning to face Jenifer, Bruce felt a twinge of embarrassment. She seemed so unaffected by his nudity, the feeling quickly disappeared.
Tucking him in, she said, "I'll be right back. Don't go anywhere."
"Don't worry. I'm too tired. You wore me out."
She grinned, and answered, "I'm very good at that, Lover."
Bruce fell asleep, and didn't awaken until lunch was delivered. His empty stomach rumbled at the sight of just a sandwich. The meager offering looked delicious, including the green Jello. An hour later, strength began to return to his limbs.
Restless and tired of bed, he said, "What are you doing?"
Jenifer looked up from her phone, and said, "Nothing. Just reading the news. The weather is going to be cool and dry tomorrow. I'll have to bring you warm clothes to go home in."
"I think I'd like to get up and walk down the hall."
Jenifer smiled, popped up out of her chair, and said, "The nurse told me you should walk, so they gave me two clean gowns. Stand up. I'll help you dress. You don't want to distract the nurses with your cute butt hanging out."
She sandwiched him between the two gowns, and helped him slip on nonskid socks.
They linked arms, and stepped into the hall.
Bruce looked both ways. "Why is there a cop sitting there?"
"I don't know. There must be a prisoner in the room."
They turned and walked in that direction. As they passed the door, Bruce looked inside. A man lay on his side, staring out through the door with unseeing eyes. A gloss of sweat coated his skin.
Jenifer gasped, and said, "That's the man who shot you."
Hearing her comment, the officer looked up from his magazine, suddenly wary.
Bruce stopped and stared back at the man in the room for long seconds. "I don't remember... anything."
The man in the room blinked, and his expression changed to one of recognition.
Bruce thought, 'he looks crazy,' and took a step closer.
Suddenly, the man yanked on his hand cuff and started to thrash angrily.
The officer stood and looked in the door. "Knock it off, or I'll have you strapped down." He turned to Bruce, and said, "Glad to see you up and around, Mr. Baxter. Don't worry about him. He's not going anywhere. But please move along. He's going through drug withdrawal. I'd like to keep him calm, so I can stay outside the room. Otherwise, I'll have to sit inside and close the door." His nose wrinkled when he said, "He stinks."
"Sorry officer." said Bruce, as they continued down the hall.
"You're an animal!" shouted Jenifer over her shoulder.
Bruce smiled at his mystery wife's outburst, and thought, 'She's a fighter. I like that.'
They walked quietly to the elevators, and Bruce felt the tug of freedom. "Let's sneak out. Take me home now."
Laughing softly, Jenifer hugged him sideways, and said, "Aw, Baby. I like that idea, but let's not rush it. I don't want to risk your health. Tomorrow will be here before you know it."
"You must be bored, just sitting around."
"Not when I'm with you." She kissed his cheek.
"Oh yeah, I'm the most exciting prude in the world." Reluctantly, he turned around and headed back to the room. Even the short walk drained him of energy. He moved to the handrail lining the wall for additional support. "Would you do me a favor, Mrs. MMW?"
