He chuckled and kissed my head.“More.”
I shook my head weakly.“How many are there?”
He laughed and sat his hand on my hip.“You can count them when you're better.”
I was almost asleep when I thought I heard him whisper, “I'll kill him for hurting you.”
Or, I might have dreamt it.
4
Francesca
Iheard retching.
But for a change—it wasn't me.I couldn't count the number of times I was up and down to the bathroom in the night.
Each time Stefan helped.He even brought me a big silver mixing bowl because he said that's what Giselle and Eve used with the kids.
But this was definitely not me in the bathroom.I was lying in a sweaty puddle in the bed.My fever still hadn't broken.Even with the pills Stefan gave me.Nothing was helping.
A moment later, I heard the toilet flush.Then Stefan walked out of the bathroom, sweat running down his handsome face.
“Oh, no.It got you, too?”I said over my sore, dry throat.
“Yeah.But I'm okay.”He got into bed but stayed on his side.
I rolled over even though my head was still spinning.My hand touched his forehead.“You're fevered.”I informed him.
Stefan let out a sarcastic laugh.“I know.”
Something inside me spiraled.I sat up and said, “I'll get you some pills.And a water.”
Stefan's hand grabbed my arm, not letting me get out of bed.“I'm fine,” he stated and pulled me to him.“You need to rest.Come here.”
I had no choice in the matter.Even sick and fevered, Stefan was still stronger than I was.
“But you're sick.”I sighed, unable to do much more than that.
“I'm fine.Go to sleep.”
And so—I did.
5
Francesca
“This will help.”I heard a familiar voice say.
“Are you sure?”Stefan's worried voice asked.
What was he so concerned about?I opened my dry eyes to see Dr.Vitale and Stefan looking down at me.“Why are you here?”I asked, except no sound came out of my dry, raw throat.
“Mrs.Sovrano,” the doctor said.“You're dehydrated.We're giving you some fluids.”
I frowned and looked down at my hand where someone had stuck an IV catheter.Then I noticed a small piece of cotton and tape in the crook of my arm.“Did you take blood?”I frowned and couldn't remember waking up to get blood drawn.
“Yes,” Dr.Vitale said.“You slept right through it.”Her eyebrows rose.
