Hannah watched the news coverage of their lavish wedding from the day before. Seeing the Sawyer familyโs embarrassed departure filled her with immense happiness.
Suddenly, a knock sounded at her door. Hannah hurried to open it.
โMadame,โ the maid said respectfully, โMrs. Wells requests your and Mr. Wellsโ presence downstairs for lunch.โ
โWeโll be down shortly,โ Hannah replied, closing the door. She glanced at Oscar, still in bed, and said, โLunchtime.โ
Oscar remained motionless. Hannah approached him. โOscar, wake up.โ
He lay still. Hannah was speechless. Why was he sleeping so soundly? Was it the lavender?
With a sigh, she moved to his side and gently nudged his shoulder. โWake up, your motherโAh!โ she cried out in surprise.
Oscar had suddenly pulled her towards him, spinning her into the air before pressing her beneath him. The swiftness of his action left Hannah momentarily stunned. As realization dawned, she felt his soft lips on hers.
โHmmโฆโ Hannah attempted to escape, wondering at his sudden ardor. She squirmed, her efforts only intensifying his passion.
โHmm!โ she moaned softly. His excitement grew.
After a while, he released her. Hannah, lying beneath him, blushed furiously. Whether from shyness or anger, her eyes were wide, her expression likely irritated. This only seemed to increase his desire to kiss her. He lowered his head again.
โCan you be more serious?โ she exclaimed, exasperated.
He kissed her palm. Hannah quickly withdrew her hand.
Oscar grinned. โIn the future, you can wake me up like that.โ
'I won't!' Hannah mentally vowed.
Oscar moved away. Hannah composed herself as he dressed and opened the door. She followed him out.
As they stepped into the hallway, Hannah screamed. A white figure lunged toward her face. She saw a white ragdoll cat about to strike. Instantly, Oscar intercepted the cat with his arm, his force flinging it several feet away, landing at a womanโs feet.
The cat cried out. The woman, panicked, scooped it up.
Hannah's concern shifted to Oscar, who had shielded her and appeared injured. She tugged at his sleeve, revealing two long scratches, bleeding slightly.
โOscar, are you okay?โ she asked.
Oscar glanced at her, then at Karen, who held the trembling cat. His anger was evident.
Karen shook her head. โPamela didnโt mean to,โ she explained, revealing the catโs name. โSheโs docile; she must have been frightened. Oscar, Hannah, Iโm so sorry. Iโll teach her a lessonโฆโ Her face flushed.
Hannah intervened, sensing Oscarโs growing anger. โDonโt blame yourself. Just call the doctor for Oscar.โ
Tears welled in Karenโs eyes. Hannah, fearing further blame, took Oscarโs hand. โLetโs go downstairs. We can get your doctor to check the scratch and see if you need a rabies shot.โ
She led him away. Once they were gone, Karen, appearing harmless and innocent, smiled grimly, stroking the cat. "Good cat," she murmured sweetly.
News of Oscarโs injury spread quickly. Venus summoned the doctor. After treating the wound, the doctor produced a rabies vaccine.
โWait,โ Oscar interrupted.
The doctor chuckled. โMr. Wells is still afraid of needles.โ
โI just want a more comfortable position,โ Oscar denied, though his expression clearly betrayed his fear.
Nancy teased, โOur hero is afraid of needles!โ
Oscar ignored her, consumed by his fear. Suddenly, a small hand covered his eyes.
He heard Hannahโs soft voice. โIt doesnโt hurt if you donโt look.โ
Hannah, having shared a childhood fear of needles, remembered her mother's advice. She pulled Oscar closer, her unique scent filling his senses.
โAlright, done,โ the doctor announced.
Hannah released him. A flush stained Oscarโs cheeks.
Nancy quipped, โNewlyweds are sweet. Our normally unflappable Master Wells is blushing!โ
Hannah blushed, too, glancing at Oscar.
โIt hurt,โ Oscar claimed, though his words contradicted his telltale blush.