To my fans, both of you: I'm terribly sorry it has been so long since my last submission. I have not forgotten, but the vicissitudes of life have prevented earlier posting. If you have not read the preceding parts recently, it might be a good idea to refresh your memory before getting into this portion of the story. If you have not read the first four parts, you will want to do so, or you will not understand a number of references to prior events.
Thank you for your patience, and I hope this story is worth the wait.
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For the next week and a half, until I got the cast off, Lynn did not sleep on the couch, although she always rumpled the sheets over there to make it look like she did. She also didn't wear her nightshirt. It was a little crowded with two of us in the one hospital bed, but she put up the rail to be certain she didn't roll off the edge. She knew I wouldn't fall out the other side. I also didn't have to worry about my morning bath, because she washed everything, and always paid particular attention to what became her favorite area. Every morning she finished off my bath with a kiss to the head of Little Toomas, and a couple of times gave me a hand-job during the bath.
Lynn's demeanor changed drastically, too. She became the happy-go-lucky person she had been before Shawn interrupted her life, and bounced about the room with a song, humming as she went. She also quit worrying about the other girls teasing me, but would give me a grin and a wink if she saw Little Toomas tenting the sheets. We didn't have sex every night, either, but she made certain I didn't show any signs of blue balls. Neither did she act as if it was something she had to do because she owed me. Each time we coupled she would cuddle on my chest afterward, with me still inside, and she would whisper in my ear, "Toomas, I love you, and you are mine. I don't care about the other girls, because you are mine." Then she would kiss me right behind the ear, where she knew it tickled, and she knew I would get goosebumps all down my side.
Deidra was the first to pick up on the change, and she waited only long enough for Lynn to be out of earshot before asking if we were sleeping together. Not that I thought it was any of her business, but I knew she would not be upset. I nodded, only slightly embarrassed, but I needn't have been.
"Good. She needs you, and you need her. You'll be good for each other."
I looked up at her in surprise.
"What? You don't think I notice things? I wouldn't make much of a psychologist if I didn't, would I?" She leaned down and kissed me. "You know I love you, but you know I'm not in love with you. And you know I'll still tease you, but because I like to tease you. Just please don't hurt her."
I nodded, solemnly, touched by Deidra's concern. I took her hand in mine and held it tightly. "You know I love you, too, and I always will. You have a very special place in my heart that no one else will ever take. But, as much as I love you, I can't say I'm in love with you either."
"You couldn't be. You're in love with Lynn."
I was flummoxed. I knew I had strong feelings for Lynn, but to call it love, as in being in love with her?
Deidra gave me a big grin. "That's the way it happens. It just sneaks up on you all of a sudden like this, and you don't even see it coming. Don't worry, though. Lynn has been in love with you for a long time now. That's why she started dating Shawn in the first place, to try to get you out of her head."
"But . . . but . . . but I'm way too old to be in love with her. There's no way that can work."
"Don't try to tell me. Try to tell Lynn, if you dare. Trust me, Toomas. It's the truth, and you know it deep down inside. I think it's a good thing." Deidra leaned down and kissed me again, but this time the little minx slipped me a little tongue just for spite, and then walked to the door. After looking outside to be certain no one was in the hall, she lifted her shirt and showed me one breast. "You'll have to say goodbye to these, now." With a laugh she turned and walked out.
I lay there in the bed, stupefied. Me in love with Lynn? How could that possibly be? She's the same age as my youngest daughter. If I was her father, I'd be looking for my shotgun when I got the word. Surely, it was just hero worship on Lynn's part. As for me, sure, I really liked the girl, but love?
Lynn swept into the room and came immediately to give me a kiss. "I just got off the phone with the doctor's office, honey, and we have the ambulance coming to get you at nine-thirty tomorrow morning. Your appointment for getting your cast off was moved up to ten-thirty instead of three-thirty. Then we get to start you on some physical therapy, and we'll have you back on your feet again."
"Honey?" Did I really hear her call me "honey?" My mind was whirling so much I didn't really hear the rest of her comment.
"I'm sorry, did you say 'nine-thirty'?"
"Um hmm. I'm so glad! You'll be able to get back on your feet again, and back to normal."
Suddenly, her face fell, and she went quiet and turned away.
"What is it, sweetheart? What's wrong?"
A tear trickled down her cheek when she turned back to me, and her chin dropped to her chest. "You'll be going back to your room, and you won't need me anymore."
It was then that I knew Deidra was right. I was in love with Lynn. "Sweetheart, I will always need you."
"Do you really mean that, or are you just saying it?"
"I mean it, sweetheart. I love you."
A bright smile spread across Lynn's face. "Does that mean I can move in with you? Oh, but no one's ever going to love you like I love you!" Lynn leaned her head down and kissed my cheek, then nestled her head next to mine. It had to have been uncomfortable, leaning over the bed that way, but she just sighed and nuzzled my ear. "I was afraid you wouldn't want me anymore, once you were up and around again. I don't think I could have handled that."
I hadn't really thought about her moving into my room with me, or the ramifications with the team if she did so. "I'll have to talk with Coach Thorson to be certain it won't disrupt the team, but there is nothing I would love better. We might have to wait until the school year is over, but would you like to stay and live with me after graduation?"
Lynn lifted her head, and then sat on the side of the bed and grasped my hands. "You won't have to talk with Coach. I already did, and I told her I planned to move in with you, and she doesn't care." Her smile was the widest I've ever seen. "And don't worry, I talked with Kat, too, and she has no problems with it."