Husband With Benefits

"You know I finally understand now why those old homes had odd paintings on the ceiling. If a person had to spend so much time looking at the blank space there, they’d probably go crazy..." Olivia murmured as she continued to stare at the plain white ceiling! She’d give anything to find something interesting up there. At this moment, she’d even accept a creepy crawlie insect over there, thats how bored she was. Her days in the hospital had been alternating between staring at the white ceiling or the white door. She wanted to see Seb. But he was avoiding her. And that made her want to cry. So, she decided that she would have to look at the cieling. No crying. She’d cried those first two days when she’d realized that their babies were safe. He’d held and they’d both cried tears of relief. Being alive was one of the biggest blessings.

In that moment, she’d realized that they’d come closer than ever. She’d been thankful for his presence, his generous unconditional love for her. But something she’d said had somehow set him off. She knew what it was, of course. She’d felt something was off the moment he had the expression on his face and had raced out of there as if he were a thief. But all she’d said was how lucky her and their babies were for having him in their life.

She wanted to cry again but shook her head. She couldn’t let the hormones get the better of her. The children were alive and kicking and that was all she wanted. As for Seb’s problem, she would figure it out.

Looking at the time told her that Seb would be here any moment now. And she realized that she needed a battle plan. She needed to get the Seb who was with her the first two days. Oh no. She wanted the one who was as raw and worried as she’d been.

Just then the door opened and a nurse spoke up," He’s here. Get ready."

Hurriedly, Olivia closed her eyes and pretended to sleep. She’d bribed the nurses today so that they would inform her of when he arrived. He’d been tkaing care of her diligently, visiting her during lunch and dinner, spending the nights, etc. A perfect husband. But she knew that he was also doing things to avoid them talking alone. And he was hiding something from her. She just needed to know what.

She heard the door open and took a deep breath. She was to be asleep. She heard him pause and knew the moment he started to tread carefully, making sure to not make a sound.. It made her feel smug and soft on the inside at his thoughtfulness for her, though she had to be very careful not to show it on her face.