He shakes his head. “Don’t think so.”
Leaning forward, I press my lips to his forehead, lingering for a second. “Food and then more sleep, okay? I’ll be right back. Does anything sound good?”
He shrugs.
“Okay, I’ll get you something.”
Even though I’m sure food is the last thing on his mind, he needs something filling with protein and nutrients, so I fry two eggs and warm up two sausage patties from breakfast this morning. I’m not sure he’ll eat all of it, but I also make a piece of toast and slather it with butter and homemade jam before pouring a glass of orange juice, since he seems to really enjoy it.
When I get back into the bedroom, he’s dozing again, but his eyes fly open when he hears me.
“I got breakfast. Let’s get you upright and fed, and then you can sleep some more.”
It seems like it takes all his energy to sit up, and I set the plate and cup down on my desk so I can help him, propping pillows behind him so he’s more comfortable.
After grabbing the plate and glass, I sit down in front of him and hold them out to him. “Here, gorgeous.”
His gaze falls to the plate, and I can tell just from the look in his eyes that if it comes down to him having to feed himself, he’s not going to do it.
“Want me to feed you?”
Drawing his eyebrows together, he shakes his head. “No.”
I frown. “You have to eat.”
“Don’t want you to have to do it.”
Setting the plate on the nightstand, I move closer to him and cup his face in my hand. I lean in, brushing my nose over hisbefore pulling back. “I want to, sweetheart. You need to eat, and I want to help you.”
He blinks exhausted eyes at me. “Too much work.”
“What is? You?” When he nods, I shake my head. “Gorgeous, I woke up three times a night to feed a baby goat. In the cold. If you think I won’t feed the man who’s quickly stealing my heart, you’re wrong. Now quit bein’ difficult.”
I wink, hoping he won’t think I’m being mean, and he nods. “Okay.”
Hallelujah. I cut off a bite of egg and hold it out for him, close enough that he doesn’t have to move much to get it. When he’s done chewing, I do the same with the sausage.
I decide to skip the toast because it’s hard to cut into pieces with just a fork. He’s eaten all but a few bites of egg when he shakes his head. “Done?” I ask.
He nods, so I grab the orange juice and help him hold it while he downs half of it in a few swallows.
His eyes are drooping now, and it’s clear to see he doesn’t have much left in him.
“Alright, sweetheart. I’m gonna take this down to the kitchen, and I’ll be back.”
“Will you hold me?” he asks, finally losing the battle with his eyes as they fall shut.
I press another soft kiss to his forehead. “Definitely.”
When I make it back to the bedroom, I strip down to my boxers and crawl into bed beside Theo before pulling him into my arms. He buries his face in my throat and inhales a deep breath. “Thank you.”
“No need to thank me.”
I sink my fingers into his hair, playing with the strands as he grows heavier in my hold.
“Was supposed to see Luca today,” he mumbles against my skin.
“I’ll text him and tell him you can’t come today.”
