Estella: Fuck. I’m so sorry. I was worried about that. The twins started running a fever as soon as we got home and now, they’re both puking.
Erica: You’re the reason I will never be able to enjoy a s’more again. I hope you’re happy, you monster.
My stomach rolls again, but there isn’t anything left in it, so I’m dry heaving out the side of the car when Archer comes back with a new bag and a pack of peppermint gum for me.
“Not feeling any better, I take it?” He asks as he hands me my care package.
“No… My nieces brought the plague with them yesterday apparently.” I croak out, my voice hoarse from puking. “I really hope you don’t get this.” I take tentative sips of the soda he got me.
“I’m sure I’ll be fine. I have a strong immune system.”
“Famous last words.”
And then I vomit again.
Chapter 36
Archer
Ellie insisted on sleeping in one of the guestrooms when we got home. When I asked if I could do anything to help, she mumbled something about Jess, so I found Jess in her phone and texted her explaining the situation. She responded almost immediately and told me not to worry about anything. That Ellie’s team will take care of everything and just take care of Ellie. She’s been so sick. She had to call off the past three days from work.
Lucky for me, I seemed to have managed to escape the plague. Fish and I have just been bonding while Elle hides away in the guestroom. I like to think we have our own language. He meows; I scratch his fluffy head. I click my tongue several times and he comes running for pets. Like I said, our own language.
Fish is weaving around my legs while I’m making my grandma’s Italian Penicillin Soup when Ellie emerges from her sick bay.
“Hey. How are you feeling?” I ask as I stir the soup.
“Like death.”
“Do you want to try to eat something? I called my mom and got my grandma’s recipe.” I say, not waiting for her response as I ladle her a bowl. “This always helped when I was sick with a stomach bug.”
Ellie blows on the soup before gingerly taking a spoonful to her lips. She then sits and waits to see if it decides to make a reappearance.
After several minutes she deems it safe to take a few more spoonfuls.
“This might be the best meal I’ve ever had.” Her voice scratchy.
“Yeah?” I smile. “When you’re finished eating, I can run you a bath and you can soak in there while I clean up everything from dinner and then we can watch a movie in bed. That is, if we’re allowed to share a bed again.” I come behind her and rub her shoulders.
“I haven’t puked in twelve hours so I think we can snuggle.” She continues to slowly eat as I rub her shoulders. “I took tomorrow off again; I will wash everything in the guestroom and sanitize the crap out of the adjoining bathroom.”
“I can do that.”
“No, I can do it. My germs, my responsibility. That’s how the saying goes right?” A small smile graces her lips.
“Sure, it’s something like that.” I confirm. I place a kiss on the top of her head and grab her some water to sip on.
I let her finish her meal in peace as I go and run a bath for her. Once it’s ready, I guide her into the bathroom where I picked out one of her new bath bombs and the fluffiest towels I could find. Her favorite candle is burning on the vanity and the lighting is low. I grabbed her kindle and put it beside the tub in case she decides she wants to try to read. She kisses my cheek in thanks, and I go to clean up the kitchen.
Ellie emerges from the bath about an hour later and she looks like she feels much better, color has returned to her cheeks and she’s in a pair of Wolves pj pants and one of my sweatshirts. It dwarfs her small frame but she looks comfy as hell.
“Feel better?” I ask as she settles beside me on the couch.
“Yes, and now that I’m not puking my guts out and praying for death, I need to start the search for a new apartment.” She sighs as she opens her laptop.
“Why not just stay here?”
“What?”
