"I don't think it's a good idea right now, but I do appreciate the offer" Tim replied into the phone as he stood in front of the kitchen window.  "Thanks again, Jeff. Talk to you soon" he said before placing his phone back in his pocket.

He felt her hand upon his back and turned slowly, "hey" she said softly while sliding her arms around his waste, placing her head against his chest. He wrapped his arms around her, "feeling a little better" he asked before kissing the top of her head.

"Yes...and..no" she replied "it's only a dull pain now...but I feel like it's never going to end" she replied discouraged.

"It will get better...you're still recouperating from the treatment...you need to rest in order to heal...which has not been the case the past two days" he reminded her.

"I just want my life back...our life back...be back to normal" she said holding him tighter.

"Patience, my love" he replied holding her head gently to his chest.

"What did Jeff want" she asked as he leaned his back against the sink.

He was hoping she hadn't overheard the conversation, he wasn't going to mention he offered him another gig, especially because it was for a week long trip again. But, he wouldn't lie to her either. "He asked if I'd join them again for another roadtrip. Another week long trip. I refused" he told her.

"Because of me" she commented sadly.

Tim held her back a bit, lifting her chin slightly " No, because of me. I can't...I don't want to be away from you that long... I need to be with you".

"Promise me something" she asked.

"If I can" he replied.

"Please, don't ever give up your dream. You're good Tim, really good. Don't waste it because of me, ok" she asked of him.

"I'm not wasting anything" he said looking into her eyes "I'm putting it on hold until WE (he emphasized) can enjoy it, together."

****
Tim sat in bed, checking his email among other things while Caroline slept next to him. He convinced her to go back to bed early after dinner so she could get the much needed rest she needed. He was looking at resort areas to take her on vacation when she regained more strength when a notification popped up he had another message. Thinking it was just spam because he didn't recognize who it was from he simply deleted it. A few seconds later another, then another and yet another. 'What the hell' he thought before finally opening them. Each one said "I'm watching you, your every move. You're on my list and soon you'll be crossed off!" The uneasiness from earlier had returned 'who, why' he thought as he got up and locked all windows and rechecked the front door. He looked out the window to be sure no one was outside and decided to leave the front light on just in case anyone tried to break in. He decided he would ask the landlord to check the security cameras in the morning, just to be sure no one was lurking around. He wasn't going to tell Caroline any of this, she had more than enough to deal with, she didn't need any more added stress. He made his way back to their room and laid down next to her, pulling her close.