***Conrad***
It has been a rough week. I was the first one in bed sick, and now Maya is sick in bed. It’s less than two weeks until our wedding. Fortunately, this is happening now, not next week. However, it’s been challenging, especially with the wedding preparations. I haven’t even had time to get my tuxedo or for the groomsmen. I had planned to go yesterday, but I couldn’t because I needed to stay home and look after Maya. It has been rearranged for next week. It is cutting it close, but I will make it work.
If we can get through the next two weeks without issues or sickness, we can get married. I was hoping for a break from all the crap, but it seems like that’s not happening. We’ll find a way, as we always do.
I feel guilty for leaving Maya alone while I attended a meeting. I’m heading home now with crackers, ginger ale, chicken noodle soup, and medicine. She took care of me when it was me. It is my turn to do the same for her.
She was still in bed when I left, but that doesn’t guarantee she’ll still be there. When I walk into the apartment, she’s sitting on the sofa, wrapped in a blanket and holding a mug of tea.
I raise my brow and cross my arm over my chest, “Maya, what are you doing out of bed?”
“I needed to move around. However, I’m regretting my decision now because I lack the energy to return to bed.” she whimpers.
It seems to have hit her harder than it did me. The sickness and tiredness seem to be taking a toll on her. I believe that the pressure of planning the wedding is only making things worse. It doesn’t take much for her to become stressed.
“Wait a moment, love. Let me put these things down. Then I’ll take you back to bed.”
Without even attempting to argue, she simply nods. I placed all the items in the kitchen.
“Come on, angel, let’s get you back into bed. Are you feeling any better?”
“A little. It’s more just the fatigue and sickness, that hasn’t changed. My stomach is calm now, and my headache is gone.”
“Hopefully that means you are on the mend, and it will pass within a couple of days,” I say with a smile.
I scoop her into my arms and carry her back through, settling her back under the covers. I stroke the hair away from her face and feel her forehead. She doesn’t seem as warm as she was this morning.
“I’ve brought you some soup. I understand you’ve been having trouble keeping food down, but can you please attempt to eat it with crackers?”
With a sigh, she says, “I’ll give it a try.”
I gently kiss her forehead and say, “Thank you, then try to get some rest.”
I ensure she is covered, and her pillows are fluffed before going to get her soup. It should still be warm. I don’t give her too much. If she manages the first bowl, then I will give her more. For the last couple of days, she’s barely had a bite to eat. In order to regain her strength, she must eat. It’s difficult for me to witness her being sick. I would rather I had it longer than her to get it at all. I won’t be working until she recovers. Anything important can be done from home.
****
Maya is fast asleep beside me in bed. She managed to eat a decent amount of soup. I use her sleep to my advantage. I am looking for a wedding gift for Maya. The gift is a house. I have been looking at them for the last couple of weeks in secret. I’ve checked out a few, but none met my expectations. I needed the perfect house for us. It’s the place where we can build a future together and raise a family. Some have been inside the city, while others have been outside. She has no idea. I plan to share the details and keys with her on our wedding night. However, as it approaches, I worry about finding the right place in time.
I want to provide her with a proper home she has never had. Next week, there are a couple more viewings planned. My mom has been helping me with it. She suggested that she and my father buy us one as a wedding gift, but I declined because I wanted to do it myself. A sweet gesture, yet not the right one.
I came across a couple more places and jotted down their phone numbers and emails to contact them tomorrow. Maya stirs from next to me, so I quickly cross the windows out in case she wakes up and sees, ruining the surprise.
Her eyes flicker open and fall directly to me. “How long have I been out?”
“A couple of hours. Sweetheart, go back to sleep—it’ll help you feel better.” I say softly and tickle the small of her back.
She shakes her head. “Not right now. Soon. If I get too much sleep now, I’ll struggle to sleep later.”
I move my laptop away and pat my chest. She slowly scoots closer and rests her head on my chest. I slip my arm around her and tickle the small of her back.
She buries her face in my neck. She will most likely go back to sleep if she’s snuggled into me.
“Were you doing some work?” she asks.
“I’m just responding to emails. Nothing interesting.”
She manages a small yes and only minutes later, she is sound asleep again. I knew that would happen. I’ll resume house hunting for us. We have plenty of choices, but none that are the right fit for us. I even considered locations outside of New York but ended up changing my mind. If Maya wants to leave NYC someday, we can revisit the situation.
I plant a kiss on her forehead and whisper, “Sweet dreams, my love.”
She will have an irregular sleep pattern for the entire day and night, but I will be here.