The next few days were a whirlwind of excitement, drama, and success. Michael and Catherine spent their mornings and afternoons with Lucas, bringing him a variety of delicious, yet nutritious food to help his recovery and add a little joy to the process.
The rehabilitation specialists had begun working with him every day on physical, comprehension, and speech tasks. The progress was coming along at a usual pace, but they could see Lucas’ frustration as he struggled with things that were once effortless. They gave him words of encouragement and support, and little by little he inched closer to his old life.
While the procedure may have been over, Catherine and Michael now worked to bring the abilities of this new invention to the medical field. Catherine had been working on her report to be published in multiple health outlets, and Michael was speaking with a number of journalists every day, along with other investors and manufacturing companies.
The word had spread about the success of Lucas’ procedure, and worldwide the industry was responding. Michael would talk excitedly every night over dinner about the procedures he had been contacted about, everything from spinal surgeries to eye operations. Catherine would beam at him, give him words of encouragement, and add her opinion on the possibilities this machine could assist with.
“Do you think we could get this in every surgical clinic in the States over the next five years?” he mused as he dug into his breakfast.
They had spent all the day before at the hospital and warehouse, visiting Lucas before heading to the lab to meet with a few doctors who had flown in from the UK to see the machine and talk to the two of them. The conversation had been a good one, and their optimism had excited Michael at the thought that this could become as common as a scalpel.
“That’s a lot of machines, could manufacturing keep up?” she replied as she took a bite of her eggs.
He nodded. “I’m thinking since the rights will be open for bidding, we’ll have a lot of these things being made by multiple manufacturers. So, as long as other companies are interested, they can build and keep up with demand.”
“That’s true, I think it’s possible. It would be ideal for surgeons to have this at their fingertips for any procedure.” She replied as she took a sip of her juice.
Michael paused for a moment as he sipped his and then looked back to Catherine with curiosity. “Not that I want yo u to head back anytime soon, but how long do you think you’ll want to stay on this project?”
She chewed and tilted her head. “I honestly haven’t even thought about it.”
“Well, how would you feel about staying on this for the next year?” he asked cautiously.
She gave him an earnest look. “Honestly, Michael. I really don’t want to go anywhere anytime soon. I’m loving the work here, plus the company isn’t half bad.”
He felt her leg rub his under the table and smiled back at her, “That’s good to hear, you’ve become essential to this team. Really couldn’t have pulled this thing off without you.”
She leaned in and kissed him, reaching up to stroke his beard before slowly releasing from the kiss.
“I know,” She quipped sarcastically, as he stared at her hungrily..
He smiled back. “Do you now?”
She nodded. “Mhmm, I’m a one-woman show.”
They shared a laugh and continued to enjoy their breakfast. A short time later, the sound of little paws greeted their ears, and Catherine looked to the hallway to see Rascal and Alberto. Over the past six weeks that they had been there, Alberto had taken Rascal into his personal care. The terrier went everywhere with Alberto, riding in his classic car, the window rolled down and his tongue lolling out. He was having the time of his life on the tropical island.
“Evening, Alberto, how was Rascal for you this morning?” Catherine asked as the older gentleman took a seat at the table.
“Oh, he was a good boy, as always. We played fetch on the beach for well over an hour. My arm gave out before he did. Such a strong, feisty little fella.”
“That sounds about right. What do you two have planned for today?”
“We’ll be heading down to the market to do some shopping, a beautiful woman there has her eye on him, though. I have to chase her away.” He chuckled as he picked up Rascal, the pup snuggling into his arms and relaxing after the long session of play.
“Hmm, sounds like she might be after more than Rascal,” Michael joked as he clasped a hand on Alberto’s shoulder.
The older man let out a hardy laugh. “Oh, a man can dream,” he sighed and then turned his eyes back toward Catherine.
“How is Lucas’ recovery going? He looked good when I saw him last week.”
“Bit by bit he’s building his strength, I’m thinking he’ll be back home in the next three weeks. He’s not too happy he has to stay, but I’d rather be safe and give his fragile brain plenty of time to heal.” She nodded and looked to Michael.
He sighed. “Yeah, he’s really not happy about it. But I’d rather him be cranky than suffer a postsurgical incident.”
Alberto smiled, “Oh, he’ll be alright. Healing is a thing of patience.”
The three of them took a moment to let the words sink in. Catherine’s gaze fell to where the sun came streaming in through the tall windows. A smile broadened across her face as she looked back at Michael and found him grinning back at her. This had become her life—sitting at breakfast with a man she now saw as her closest friend, her dog, and a new friend who loved him as much as she did. Add to that work that was taking her to new heights and making history, and the possibilities were endless.
***
The next three weeks went by without a glitch. The team was constantly blown away by the progress Lucas was making—his speed of recovery exceeded expectations, and his abilities were almost back to one hundred percent. He was eager to leave the confines of the hospital. The constant surveillance had made him a bit irritable, but all in all he had been a complete saint about the entire ordeal. He knew this was all going to research for their life’s work, and that in order for him to have the best chance at a problem-free recovery, it was best to stay where they could monitor him.
The day had finally come for him to be discharged, and a tangible excitement was in the air throughout the entire clinic. The team members buzzed, and a party had been set up in the cafeteria with an entire lunch buffet, desserts, and a giant cake that read, “Congratulations Lucas!”
Michael was standing beside the table waiting for his brother when Catherine walked toward him, having just wrapped up her report in the lab. He gave her a playful push as she came up beside him. “It’s the big day, you ready to see this guy walk out to his freedom?”
“So ready! I’ve been waiting for this day since I met him.” She looked to the doors where he would be coming from then turned back to Michael. “Did you have a chance to see him this morning?”
He shook his head. “Not yet, I wanted to let him have the time to himself so he could do his own thing, Seemed right.”
“Not a bad idea,” she agreed. “I’m sure he is ready for loads of his own space and time, after sharing it nonstop with everyone here over the past four weeks.”
He chuckled. “I’m sure he didn’t mind the attention quite as much as he led on.”
She rolled her eyes. “Oh, you two, how have you not murdered one another before this?”
He shrugged. “I’m a responsible big brother.”
“Mhmmm, I’m sure.” She gave his shoulder a squeeze, and then turned at the sound of the team’s applause as Lucas swung open the doors.
The room erupted in cheers and whoops, and the entire staff—doctors, nurses and tech team— made their way to shake his hand and offer their congratulations. A giant grin lit up his face as he spoke to each individual, and he didn’t miss a beat, the hours of therapy showing with each shake of the hand. Black fuzz covered his scalp where the hair had started to return, concealing all but a small bump where the incision had healed. Michael and Catherine looked at one another happily, their hands clasped together, knowing this was the day they had waited a very long time to see.
Lucas approached them as the cheers died down. He held up his hand to bring silence to the room, gave the two of them a wink, and then turned back to his horde of supporters.
“I just want to take a moment to thank every single one of you who have been involved in my case. Truly, thank you. I wouldn’t be standing here today without you.” He paused and looked to the faces of the crowd. “Let that sink in, everyone. I wouldn’t be alive today without your hard work, so really… Thank you.”
The team clapped again, and he nodded then continued as they fell silent.
“And I want to give huge thanks to my big brother, Michael. Without his energy to finish the robotic assist in time, I would not have been able to be the first to have this operation, I guess I owe him one,” he joked as he gave Michael a jab.
“Last, but definitely not least, I want to offer a heartfelt thank you to Dr. Catherine Ruby.” He turned to her now, his eyes welling with tears as he gave her a small smile. “Not only have you brought me a second chance, but you have become like family to me over the past six weeks. You’re a beacon in life that we had no idea we needed here, thank you for all your work…” he paused as he wiped away a tear, “and for saving my life.”
The roar of applause and cheers was almost deafening in the small room. Catherine glanced around at the team members as they looked at her with smiling faces and teary eyes. She felt her own tears well and reached up with a laugh to wipe them away. This had definitely been a journey for all of them. Today was a celebration of life, and all of them felt it together, as a family. Lucas grabbed her in a tight bear hug, and she squeezed back, closing her eyes and taking it all in. He had made it—he had survived.
They pulled back, and she lightly pecked his cheek. “Thank you, Lucas. I couldn’t have asked for a better patient.”
He nodded. “Damn straight.” He gave her a wink. “I owe you one, doc.”
The party continued for hours. Cake and ice cream were served, and everyone chatted about the procedure and where this work might lead in the future. Lucas was presented with gifts from the staff and a card signed by all the members who had worked on his case. Michael surprised them all with a gift—each of them would receive a large bonus for their extra hours and hard work, along with a paid vacation over the next two weeks. The excitement in the air was tangible, as the staff laughed and exchanged their time-off plans.
Catherine approached Michael and handed him a slice of cake. He took it eagerly, scooped up a bite, and dug into the sweet dessert.
“That was very kind of you, treating the team to bonuses and some time off,” she told him as she dug into her own piece.
He shrugged. “Hell, the least I could do for the group of people who worked their asses off to save my brother.”
“Still, I know they appreciate it,” she replied.
“They do, one of the best parts of my job isn’t only helping people in need, but providing for people who want to help others.”
She gave him an exaggerated sigh and a smile. “Such a hero.”
He gave her the same wink Lucas had. “And don’t you forget it.”
***
Late that night, they returned to the house and collapsed onto the bed in exhaustion. There had been an after party at the bar down the street, and they had indulged in many drinks, now feeling the buzz of alcohol brew in their minds. Many team members had stayed until closing, and Alberto had picked the two of them up as the place was closing its doors.
Catherine giggled as Michael tickled her neck with his scruff, his kisses covering her as he ran his hands down her back.
“No! Your beard is so scratchy!” she gave him a playful shove as he only moved closer.
“I can’t resist you, I’m sorry,” he told her, as his lips traced her collarbone.
She caught his face in her hands and brought it up to her lips. Their eyes met, their intensity and desire grew, and she pushed herself closer to him as his hand tightened around her ass. She kissed him gently at first, but as she felt his tongue trace hers, the need grew. Their motions became more desperate, and they pulled at each other’s clothes.
Her eyes blazed as she looked at him and demanded, “I need you.”
He gave her a coy grin. “Do you now?”
She let out a groan and nodded desperately.
“Well, I think I might need you to work for that a bit tonight,” he growled, pulling down his pants and revealing his throbbing cock, his hands tracing it as he watched her with fiery eyes.
She pouted and traced his chest with quick kisses, her tongue flicking out to explore his skin and taste his salty sweat. Her hands couldn’t get enough of him—they squeezed and grabbed at his sculpted shoulders and broad chest. He just felt so damn good beneath her. Her black hair fell over quivering, brown eyes as she looked up at him, then she gave him a smirk as she dipped down to suck his pulsing dick.
He let out a deep moan of pleasure as her lips teased at the head, then light, wet licks caressed his shaft. He watched breathlessly as lips, tongue, and hands worked in unison over his sensitive skin. Each stroke brought him closer to the edge. He could feel the tension building in his groin as he shivered with delight. He grabbed a fistful of hair in his hand and gently guided her to look up at him. Her eyes shone brightly and she took him deeper still; with a hiss, his dark, blue eyes rolled back, and he lay on the bed as she worked him over.
Catherine felt big hands reach down, grab her hips tightly, and pull her up toward him, laughing and squirming. She brushed the hair from her eyes and looked down at him as she sat on his chest, naked and breathless.
A smirk fell on his lips, and he raised his brow at her. “Your turn.”
Effortlessly, he pulled her hips closer to his lips and brought his tongue to her aching clit. Sensation rippled through her body, and the buzz in her mind seemed to inflate it with each tantalizing lick. She rolled her body with the motion and let herself slip into a perfect rhythm, each blissful stroke building the well of energy in her middle. Her thighs shook in anticipation as she felt a slick, warmth of lust grow between her legs.
She grabbed his hair now and pulled him from her soaked pussy. “I need you,” she whispered avidly.
He looked up at her with glimmering, cerulean orbs as he still teased her twitching clit. His warm breath was enough to make her long for him to push himself deep inside her.
“You want me to fuck you?” he growled with an animalistic sneer across his glistening lips.
She nodded quickly. “So bad.”
“Mmm, how bad?” he teased as another flick of his tongue slowly circled her swollen, trembling tip of pleasure.
She grabbed his hair a bit harder and leaned down close to his face. “Until I scream for you.”
Without another word, he grabbed her waist and hauled her onto his pulsing, dripping wet cock. He slid inside her, and she groaned in relief at the sensation. Her eyes rolled back, and she started rocking quickly as he filled her with blissful satisfaction. She was so turned on and wet for him that within seconds of him pushing deep inside her, she felt him hit her just right.
“Right there.” She gasped as both of them picked up the pace, their bodies riding the waves of pleasure in unison.
She looked down at him as he bit those perfect lips. His eyes pierced hers as he took in the sight of her hourglass figure and full breasts bouncing heavily just for him. He reached up and squeezed them, rubbing the peaks until she whimpered for more. Every inch of skin was ablaze with the sensation of gratification, and as she thrust one more time she felt the explosion of the orgasm send her into euphoria. She screamed at the top of her lungs until her throat burned and she heard his corresponding grunts of pleasure. Bodies twitching, they found themselves intertwined in a synced moment of complete sexual ecstasy.
Moments passed, and the raw energy subsided, replaced with flutters of relaxation that both felt throughout their entire beings. She rolled off him and into his arms. Then with a lazy kiss, she laid her head on his chest and fell into a deep, perfect sleep.