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“Do you smile while you’re doing surgery?”

“What?”

“You were smiling the entire time you went up and down and around this yard,” CeCe said.

“There is a sense of balance and precision to following the lines,” Alexis replied. “It gives me a feeling of contentment. To answer your question, no, I am not always smiling while I’m doing surgery. I’m concentrating. It’s like solving a puzzle.”

“Or taking things apart and putting them back together again?” CeCe asked.

“Yeah, it’s kind of like that.” Alexis smiled.

CeCe reached for Alexis's hand and pulled her down into her lap.

“I’m all sweaty!” Alexis exclaimed.

“Do you know what else you take apart and put back together?”

“What?” Alexis replied, curling her arm around CeCe’s shoulder.

“Me. That’s kind of what it feels like when we make love. You take all the problems or the bad of the day away and there’s only goodness. You make me a puddle of love in your arms then you put me back together,” CeCe explained.

Alexis smiled. “We haven’t done that in a few days, but seeing your smile can erase any bad part of my day. That’s why I like to begin and end each day with you. I was so excited to have lunch with you the other day because I didn’t have to wait until the end of the day to see you.”

CeCe wrinkled her nose. “Sorry that didn’t work out like we planned. I’ll have lunch with you next week. I set my own schedule.”

Alexis tilted her head. “I didn’t think about that. We could have lunch every week.”

CeCe nodded. The delight in Alexis's face made her heart melt.

“Our very own lunch date.”

“Babe, it’s just lunch. No rooftops. We have to go back to work after,” CeCe pointed out.

Alexis chuckled. “Oh, now you really have my mind thinking.”

“You know,” CeCe said, raising one eyebrow, “when I was in the ER it didn’t escape me that you could’ve snuck into the supply closet with any of those nurses or doctors. Maybe that’s why the nurse was so surprised when I said you were my girlfriend.”

Alexis tightened her hold on CeCe. “You know my past, but it has been a very long time since I did anything like that at the hospital. A very long time,” Alexis repeated.

CeCe laughed. “It doesn’t matter because you’re mine now.” CeCe pulled Alexis down into a firm kiss. “I’m feeling much better.”

CeCe pushed Alexis up and she got out of her chair. She took Alexis's hand, led them into the house and to the bathroom. CeCe reached in and started the shower then turned to Alexis. She began to take her clothes off and threw the sweaty garments into a pile. “Let’s get you nice and clean.”

Alexis stepped into the shower and CeCe pulled off the T-shirt dress she was wearing and shimmied out of her undies. She walked into the shower and began to wash Alexis's hair.

“Ohhh, it’s been so long since you washed my hair.” Alexis groaned with pleasure.

“I can’t tell you how much it means to me that you wanted to mow the yard and not pay someone to do it,” CeCe said, continuing to massage Alexis's scalp. “Lean back and close your eyes.”

While she rinsed Alexis's hair CeCe said, “I’ve been thinking, my dad is gone and I’d rather do something new with you. Would it be all right if you had your lawn people mow and trim my lawn and we will take care of the flowers?”

Alexis raised her head and looked into CeCe’s eyes. “Are you sure? I don’t mind doing it with you.”

“I know you don’t, but it doesn’t sit right with me to watch a person of your talents mow a frigging lawn. I’d rather us get our hands dirty together in the flower beds.” CeCe took the bath sponge and squirted body wash on it and began to soap Alexis's skin. “These beautiful fingers and hands,” she said, working the suds between them, “are for more important things than pushing a lawnmower.”

Alexis grinned. “Let me show you what they love to do most.” CeCe felt Alexis slide her soapy hands over her breasts.

“I know what they love,” CeCe said. “Turn around.”