She nodded and heaved into the toilet again.
I draped her robe around her and held her hair back. After a few moments, the vomiting ended. I reached out, flushed the toilet, and offered her water. She took it, rinsed her mouth, then took the mouthwash I offered. When she was done, she rested against me tiredly.
“Let’s get you cleaned up, medicated, and rested, OK?”
She nodded, and I got up and went to the shower. I turned it on before I went back to her. Carefully, I helped her up. Her robe fell off, leaving us both naked again. I’d never showered with a woman before, so this was my first time.
I helped her under the spray and joined her. She rested her head against my chest, and I held her tightly, the warm water raining on us.
We stayed that way for a long time before I took her favorite soaps and began washing her. I got her body cleaned, finished her hair, and then quickly washed myself. I helped her out and got her robe on her before she was back at the toilet, vomiting.
I winced and went down next to her, holding her hair once more.
“It’s OK,” I murmured, remembering when she was pregnant with Ellis. I’d been there to hold her hair then too when the guyscouldn’t be. Not that it was often, but there were a few random moments.
When she finished, she brushed her teeth, and I helped her back into bed after changing the sheets.
“I hate this,” she mumbled.
“It’ll be OK, Red,” I said gently as I sat next to her, holding her hand. “We’ve been here before.”
“I know,” she mumbled.
“Rest, OK? I’ll get your meds so your stomach can get settled.”
She nodded, and I untangled myself from her before going out to the kitchen to get her a drink and her meds that she’d left on the counter. She said she’d only been taking them here and there, but it looked like it needed to happen more. I didn’t know much about this stuff, but I was a quick study.
There was a knock on the door, and I frowned. I went to it and peeked through the peephole to see Cole standing there, looking exhausted.
I sighed and pulled the door open. I didn’t want to deal with his ass today. Rosalie needed rest, and by the looks of him, so did he.
“Hey, now isn’t a good time,” I started.
“Why?” Cole demanded immediately.
“She’s having morning sickness?—”
I didn’t get to finish my sentence because he pushed past me and went straight to the bedroom.
I groaned and followed only to find him in my spot, holding her against him as he rubbed her stomach.
I said nothing and placed her meds on the bedside table before catching her eye. She gave me a sad look, but I smiled at her.
“I’m going to do some errands,” I said. “I’ll be back soon. Call me if you need me.”
“Ry… Thank you,” Rosalie whispered.
“Of course, Red,” I replied.
Cole said nothing as he doted on her.
I left moments later, letting out a big breath as I stepped outside the apartment.
Well, shit. Being a secret certainly fucking sucked.
49
COLE
