“I love her, too.”
Tabi sings “Be Our Guest” fromBeauty and the Beast. She sits on the counter, and her legs sway back and forth as she sings. At her massive smile, my eyes blur with tears.
“You have to sing, too,” she demands, “and don’t forget the voices. You’re really good at the voices. You read the best bedtime stories.”
“Even better than Scott’s?”
“Way better. He tried to do the voices in the car when I was sick. The Beast sounded like when grandad tries. Yours are better than everyone’s.”
Niki grins as he sings, and they bring the song to a crescendo as he plates the food.
“I’m going to check on your mummy once we’ve eaten.”
“We can do it together if you’re scared,” Tabi asks.
“Yes please. I still worry I might get ill. But I want to look after her. She’s cared for me.”
“’Cause she’s your Disney princess?”
“Because she’s my angel.”
My cheeks are wet from tears, but I stay quiet because the scene in front of me is like a fairytale. I don’t know what the future holds, but I’ve found my family. I will make it work if Niki drives for a team. He gives me what I didn’t believe I’d ever have. He turns up when no one else does.
My stomach rumbles loudly, and Tabi shouts, “Mummy, you’re up! But you’re crying. Mummy’s crying, Niki. What’s wrong?”
I shake my head as Niki rushes over.
“Wait,” Tabi shouts, and he runs back to her. She squeezes sanitiser on his hands, and he puts on his mask before lifting her off the counter and returning to me.
He stutters, “Are you hurt, Rosie? You shouldn’t be out of bed. You haven’t eaten in days.”
He tucks his arm under me to help me back to bed, but I grip his waist. “I’m okay. Famished but okay. Watching you two got to me. I love you so much.”
“I love you, too, baby, even though you smell like me and Connor used to after celebrating an F1 podium.”
He pushes my tears away with his thumbs as Tabi hugs me at the waist. “Ewww. You smell gross, Mummy.”
“Let’s get some bland food in you, if you’re okay to eat?” Niki says. His eyes pinch, but he can’t hide the worry that’s etched across his face.
I nod.
“And then we’ll get you showered,” he adds.
And even though my body is broken, something about him doting on my girl and taking care of me sends a shot ofarousal to my belly. “I like the sound of that,” I whisper and attempt a wink.
“I’m not taking advantage of a sick woman. I shall be very respectful when I wash you,” he replies quietly. “And if I enjoy the view of your…” He looks at my breasts covered by my Niki T-shirt and back to my eyes, “…then so be it. But no touching.”
I laugh, although it makes my raw throat sore.
“Tabi, get the biscuits we bought yesterday and bring them to Mummy’s room. I’m going to help her back.”
Tabi nods like he’s given her an imperative mission. “And water?”
“Yes. You’re so clever,” Niki adds.
“Where’s Sasha?” I mumble as he helps me to my room.
“She’s ill. She called me on Tuesday morning, and I came over with Graham. She’s with her parents. It didn’t hit her as hard as it did you. Tabi recovered quickly. I expect I’ve worked you too hard and messed up your immune system. Worst boss ever.”
