Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 2

holding his head still, trying to soothe him, encouraging him to relax.
    "Easy Rico, don't try to move. You need to be still until the paramedics arrive. Don't try to move, just be still for me okay? Relax babe, I've got you. "
    Rico loved listening to Dan's voice. He could have been reading a phone book and Rico wouldn't have cared. He could feel a little smile tugging at his face as he drifted off listening to Dan.
    "Rico!" Dan yelled as he closed his eyes. "You need to keep those big brown eyes opened babe. You need to stay awake and keep me company."
    Rico blinked again and tried to lick his lips.
    "Damn it Rico, I want you to look at me all sleepy and barely focused because I just fucked you through the mattress, not because you're hurt."
    Rico managed to raise his eyebrow a bit. He still wasn't up to talking but he was beginning to feel pain throughout his body. He guessed that was a good thing since he wasn't going to die.
    A little moan made its way out.
    "Keep your eyes open Rico. It won't be long now; I know how tired you are."
    The sounds of voices and scraping metal could be heard nearby and Dan sighed in relief. "The cavalry's here babe. Just a little longer and you'll be in a nice hospital with all the pain meds you can handle and you can get some sleep."
    Dan moved carefully out of the way when a rescue worker climbed down the rock and leaned over Rico. He heard murmurs and felt gentle hands on his body as his eyes closed and he finally lost consciousness.
    ****
    Rico was fidgeting in his hospital bed. It was making him crazy that he couldn't get up to re-arrange the room and make it more orderly.
    The need to organize things was making his skin itch even though he was feeling better. The worst of the headache from the concussion was gone and his wrist had merely been sprained. The ache in his side, however, made it very clear that he wasn't ready to do anything more active than get himself to the bathroom, maybe. It was his third day in the hospital and he hoped the doctors would let him go today, he really missed being in his house.
    Mickie's head popped in the doorway, checking to see if a nurse was in his room. Mickie and the nurses had developed a love/hate relationship and he took care to stay out of their way if at all possible. Grinning hugely, Mickie stepped into the room.
    "I brought you something," Mickie sang at Rico as he walked into the room.
    Mickie had told him that he felt terribly guilty for what had happened and kept bringing him funny little presents as apologies. This time, he brought a large bowl wrapped in red cellophane out from behind his back.
    Rico smiled. "Thank you Mickie."
    Mickie set the bowl on his tray table and removed the cellophane. The entire bowl was filled with M&Ms! Plain, peanut, almond, dark chocolate and peanut butter.
    A huge grin lit Rico's face. He winced as he tried to pull the tray table a little closer, so Mickie dumped the M&Ms onto the table and moved it for him.
    He was busily sorting when Dan walked into the room. Rico never even looked up.
    Dan shook his head. "Mickie, that's just mean," he chided.
    "Oh please, he's happy," Mickie countered and pointed. "Look at him."
    "I am, Mickie," Dan murmured softly.
    Mickie's eyes opened wide as he watched Dan watching Rico. Dan shot him a warning glare and returned to watching Rico with his M&Ms.
    Rico glanced up as he felt the weight of both men staring at him. "What's wrong?" he asked curiously.
    "Not a thing," Dan said easily.
    Dan stared at him as he eyed the large pile of candies. "You aren't going to eat all of those are you?"
    Rico laughed.
    "I love chocolate, especially dark chocolate, but I only need a few small pieces at a time. Before they started selling those mini candy bars, I used to drive Uncle Russell crazy because I would have all these different candy bars with a single bite out of them. I would wrap them and leave them in the refrigerator for a week or two before I took the next bite. He was forever grumping at me about having candy and not eating it."
    "Yeah," Dan leaned against the unoccupied chair. "He's always been a sucker for chocolates."
    They were all smiling a little at that.
    "Oh, I passed the doc on the way in," Dan said. "He said he'll be by in an hour or so and if everything looks good, he'll release you today."
    "Oh thank god." Rico's relief was heartfelt. "I can't wait to be home."
    "Well, you're not going home just yet."
    Rico narrowed his eyes at Dan, "Why not?"
    "Try