Broken Wings

Part Fifty Five - dealing with the rest

"You stay there gawping, I'll get the door!"

She laughed as he buzzed the delivery man up, then handed him a few notes as he took the box and placed it on the dining table.

Washer on, Julia was grabbing plates and napkins when she felt his warm body press up against her. His lips pressed to her neck as he trapped her against the cupboard door, "what's that for?"

He chuckled against her skin, "dunno, maybe you checking me out made me a bit horny?"

She twisted to meet his eyes, "you're like a frisky teenager!"

Her voice was warm, pleasure filled, despite her words, she really liked the playful side of him, and chats with Adele over the weekend made her aware that it was a rarely seen side of him, she wanted to bring that out in him, wanted to see it more.

He responded with a devilish wink that made her insides melt, and for a long moment she forgot about the pizza, instead focussing on the hardness pressing into her back, and what she knew it was capable of doing. With a sigh of resignation, or maybe pleasure, it seemed like such a fine line, his lips fell to her shoulders, his teeth sinking gently into her flesh. Then it was her turn to moan.

A shrill ring disturbed them, just as she was about to turn his arms, move things on. He groaned against her lips, trying to ignore it.

"You should hgt it, it could be important."

He sighed, "nooo."

But she nudged him away from her, and he reached for his phone on the table beside the pizza, as he looked at it, he visibly paled, then crossed the room, the phone at his ear.

Julia reached for the glass of juice she'd just poured and watched him as his shoulders hunched and his head dropped.

When he hung up, he stood in that position for a few too many seconds.

"Aaron?"

When he finally turned he looked devastated, his eyes welling with unshed tears, she'd never seen him look so broken.

"What is it?" She rushed over to him.

His eyes finally met hers, "Kitty...."

Her heart pained for him, the old lady was a good friend to him, he thought of her as a grandmother, more than just an old neighbour.

"Shit."

He nodded, "she had a stroke about an hour ago. She's in the General Hospital in Providence....they don't give her long."

"You have to go...." he nodded an answer, so she added, "do you want me to come with you?"

He shook his head, "You've got work, you can't miss it, aren't you meeting some VIPs tomorrow?"

She shrugged, "you don't look fit to drive."

"I'll call Patrick..., he'll drive me....I can collect the dogs from Carrie..." he was thinking as he started to move across the room. "I'll call you as soon as I get there..."

"Go get dressed, I'll wrap up some of that pizza for you."

Four and a half hours later, Aaron found the ICU ward that was the last place for poor Kitty. The doctors allowed the dogs in, and he was grateful. Even if she wasn't aware of him, she'd sense them, she was sure.

"Hey Kitty," he sat beside her, took her hand. She was attached to machines and even his limited medical experience told him that they were barely registering her vital signs. A nurse approached.