The Deal

He woke up with a start when one of the nurses came into the room, going over to check Blair's vital signs and blood pressure. She was one of those cranky nurses who obviously was not a morning person. There was no friendly chatter or questions as to how Blair was feeling as she went about checking her. When she was done and walked out he went and sat on the bed next to her.

"Wow, that's one cold nurse."

Blair rolled her eyes. "Maybe she needs a good fuck," she said, then covering her mouth she giggled.

He liked this humorous side of her and was glad to see she had some color in her cheeks. "I hope you aren't expecting me to do the job."

"No, she would faint if she saw how big you are. I'm sorry, that wasn't very lady like of me." She blushed at the mention of his manhood. She let out a sigh of relief when the doctor walked in, saving her the embarrassment of trying to explain her statement.

"Well, Mrs. Cooke I've gone over your chart and although your blood pressure is still high it has gone down some. So I will let you go home as long as you follow the conditions I laid out last night."

"I will," she answered, anxious to be leaving the hospital.

Austin brought the car around to the entrance and went back inside to get her. He helped her into the car and then got in behind the wheel. A big part of him was thrilled that she was coming home, which gives him ten days to win the love of his life back. He pulled into his driveway and when they got out of the car he picked her up into his arms.

"Austin, I can walk."

"Hey, I'm following the doctor's orders, you are to take it easy. I'll put you down when we get to our room."

"You mean my room," she said, wondering if he was expecting her to sleep in the bed that they once shared.

He let out a chuckle. "Yes, sorry it was a slip of the tongue." He carried her up to the spare bedroom and laid her down. "Would you like me to help you into your nightgown?"

"Nice try but I'm sure I can handle it myself."

"OK, just trying to help," he said, handing her the nightgown. "Helen will be up soon with something for you to eat. I have to run an errand but I'll be back soon."

"Don't you have to work today?"

"No, I'm taking it off. If you need anything just ask Helen, I'll see you soon." He left her and going downstairs had a talk with his housekeeper. He wanted her to be aware of Blair's situation and that she was to stay in bed. He then went to visit a certain man by the name of Patrick.

He parked his car outside of the hotel and waited for Patrick to come out. An hour later he saw him leaving the building with a sexy blond. He gets out of his car and walks over to them, he saw the fear creep into the jerks eyes when he recognized him.

"Austin, what are you doing here?" He was sure Austin found out that he was the one who told Blair about the shares.

"I'm here to tell you to stay away from my wife, she's not interested in you."

The blond looked at Patrick. "What is he talking about? Are you fucking around on me?"

"No baby, this man is crazy."

"Why don't you tell your girlfriend that you've been trying to get back with Blair." He looked at the blond. "Has he not told you my wife is an ex-girlfriend of his and he's been stalking her, going to her place of business, sending her flowers and calling her?"

"You bastard," she said, turning to Patrick and after slapping him she walked away.

As no one was around and the girl was gone he grabbed Patrick by the collar and pushed him up against the wall. "I'm only going to tell you this one last time, stay away from my wife or you will regret it. I can make your life a living hell." Letting go of him he punched him as hard as he could in the stomach. He leaned in and whispered into Patrick's ear. "Piss me off again and I'll be your worse nightmare." He walked away, feeling good about punching the jerk, he only wished he could have beaten the shit out of him. ********************************

Blair had just got settled into bed when Helen knocked and walked in carrying a tray of food. "Hello Mrs. Cooke, I made you something to eat," she said, putting the tray over Blair's lap.

She looked down at the salad, sandwich and bowl of fruit. "Thank you but I'm sorry to be putting you to all this extra work."

"Not at all dear, I'm happy to do it. I'm also happy to know that you and Mr. Cooke are having a baby. It's good to have you back home."

"You do know it's only until I get better then I'll be going back to my home?"

Helen gave her a warm smile. "All I know is that today, for the first time in weeks your husband looks happy. For weeks he has been mopping around, barely eating and drinking more than usual. Oh dear, I shouldn't have said that. It's not my place."

"It's alright, I won't say anything."

"I'll leave you to eat and I'll be up later to get the tray."

Being hungry she ate everything that was on the tray, then set it on the table by her bed. She laid back down and rubbed her stomach, she thanked God for sparing her baby. For her baby's sake, she was going to forget about work and concentrate on getting better. She was so tired, her body ached and soon she drifted off to sleep.

When she woke up she found Austin asleep in the chair next to the bed. She watched him as he slept. Though he was a strong, handsome man he looked like a little boy when he was asleep. She imagined that if they had a son he would look just like his father. The smell of fresh roses in the room had her turning her head to the table beside her. There was a crystal vase with red roses and she smiled, he was always giving her flowers.

"I know flowers can't make up for everything I put you through, but I know how much you love red roses and I thought they would cheer you up."

Looking over at him she smiled. "They're lovely, thank you."

He gets up and goes over and sits on the bed next to her. "Blair, I know how much I hurt you, how I betrayed you and if I could go back and change things I would. All I can do now is try and gain your trust back. I know you still want a divorce but give it some time, and when the baby comes and you still want the divorce I'll give it to you."

"Do you promise?" she asked. "You have made promises before and never kept them."

"I will from now on, just think about it."

She laid back down. "I will on one condition."

"Anything," he said, feeling relieved.

"Get me some chocolate chip ice cream and I'll consider it."

He smiled. "I'll go to the store and get some now, I'll get gallons of it. You get some more rest and I'll be back soon."

She smirked when he left, as tired as he was he still went to get her the ice cream. It was actually kind of sweet the way he was willing to do anything for her. Maybe it was time to have some fun with him, see how far she could push him. She laid back down, smiling as she closed her eyes. A little over an hour later she heard the door opening and it was Austin with a bowl of ice cream.

Sitting up she took the bowl and thanked him. "I'm really tired but I can't sleep without my favourite nightgown."

"I don't recall you having a favourite nightgown," he said, frowning.

"Well I do and since I've become pregnant I get a better sleep when I'm in it."

"Where is this nightgown?"

"Back at my place. Would you go there and get it for me?"

He looked at his watch. "It's almost eight o'clock at night and I'm tired too."

"Alright, never mind, I'll just stay awake all night," she said, taking a spoonful of the ice cream and ate it."

He rubbed the back of his head, turned to look at her. "Alright, which one is it and where can I find it?"

"It's the short pink one with the matching robe. While you're there could you grab some of my lotions, creams and shampoo? Hand me a piece of paper and I'll write down everything I need."

He hands her the paper and pen, watching as she made out a long list. "Do you really need all this?" he asked when he saw she also had items that she would never use while staying in bed. He raised his eyebrow, a smile crossed his face. Now he knew she was playing with him but he wouldn't let on. He was hoping that if he did whatever she wanted she would realize he would do anything to make her happy.

"Thank you," she said when he walked out.

After getting everything on her list he decided to go to the store and stock up on snack food and pickles, he had a feeling she would be asking for it thinking there was none in the house. Yes, he was on to her game. By the time he got home, he was exhausted and going to her room he found her fast asleep. Taking out the nightgown she asked for left it on the bed and headed to his own room. He thought about waking her up but decided against it, he had to appease her, make sure she didn't get upset.

He went right to sleep, not even bothering to take off his pants, that's how tired he was. The sun was just starting to rise when he opened his eyes. Taking a quick shower he dressed for work and went to check on Blair, she was just waking up.

"Morning," she said, sitting up. "I guess you're on your way to work."

"Yes, Helen is here and she'll be making you breakfast." He went and sat next to her. "How are you feeling today?"

"OK, I guess."

He cupped her chin in his hand. "Something is bothering you, tell me what it is and I'll fix it."

"I just don't know how I'm going to lay here every day for ten days. I'll go stir crazy with nothing to do."

He smiled. "This I can fix. I'll make a call and have a TV brought in and hooked up to all the channels, that way you'll have something to watch and I'll pick you up some books and magazines."

"Thank you, I appreciate it."

"Alright, well I need to get to the office so I'll see you tonight." He leaned over the bed and kissed her forehead. He would rather have kissed her on the lips but he didn't want to push his luck.

After Helen had brought up her breakfast and she ate it she went back to sleep. She hadn't realized how long she was asleep for until the housekeeper brought her some lunch. She was not alone, a man carrying a TV followed behind her. Helen stayed with her while the man hooked everything up. Blair was thrilled to have something to watch and once the man left she started flipping through the channels.

Later she did call Rachel and when she started asking about work she was cut off.

"I'm sorry Blair, I gave Austin my word I wouldn't talk business with you until you are better and back to work. I'm sorry, but it's for your own good. I will tell you that everything is running smoothly and if a problem pops up that I can't handle I will let you know." ****************

Back at Austin's office, he was putting some files into his briefcase when Harry walked in.

"So you heading home?"

"Yup, it's been a long day," Austin answered. "I want to get home and see how Blair is doing."

"I'm so happy that she and the baby are alright. I remember when my wife lost our first baby, it was devasting, something you never get over. So how are things going with her being back home, any chance of you two patching things up?"

"I'm working on it. Last night she was playing games with me, had me running out to run errands. I didn't really mind, I'll do anything to prove to her how much I love her and if going along with her little games will get her to see that, then I'm all for it." He stopped what he was doing and looked at Harry. "You should have seen her when she thought she was losing the baby, it would have broken your heart to see that look in her eyes. I need to make sure that she takes it easy and if keeping her at my place is what I need to do then so be it."