Eventually, he too fell asleep with his love snuggled up on his chest, his hand still in her hair. He was awoken hours later by the sound of Gwen retching yet again.
Gwen sat on the cold bathroom floor for the second time that day. It was bright outside so at least she had gotten some sleep but it didn’t feel like it. Her entire body was trembled and she felt like she was sitting in the freezer instead of the bathroom. She looked up as Cole once again came to check on her. “I’m so sorry. I ruined our wonderful night together.”
“This isn’t your fault. When you are feeling well enough, we will head back home and I’ll call to have a doctor come and check you out.” Cole squatted in front of her as she turned to press her back to the wall again.
“No. That’s ridiculous. I’m sure I’ll be fine in a day or two. I’d rather not have a doctor poking me.” Gwen pleaded with her eyes at him. “Please. I’ll be fine. Just give it a day or two to pass.”
“Fine. If you aren’t better in three days, I’m having him come over.” Cole’s voice held a finality to it that Gwen knew she wasn’t going to change his mind.
“Ok. Let’s get a move on. I’m feeling ok now. I want to get to your place before it hits again.” Gwen breathed deeply a few times before trying to push herself up from the floor. It took all her strength to get to her feet and she swayed, but a hand on the wall kept her up.
Cole quickly gathered together their few belongings while Gwen very slowly made her way out of the bathroom. Once she made it to the bedroom again, Cole stopped what he was doing and looked at her. “Baby, you sure you are ok?”
“Yes, I’m ok. I just want to get home.” Gwen’s voice was soft but it was as loud as she could force it. She just didn’t have the strength for more.
Cole walked over to her and pulled her close to him. He laid a tender kiss on her forehead and then another on her cheek before speaking softly into her ear, “You are still completely naked. Not that I mind watching your sexy ass walk around like that, but I don’t think the hotel staff should be allowed to see such an amazing sight.”
“Huh? Oh. I suppose not.” Gwen blinked up at him. She had barely heard what he said. Cole swiftly moved into the bathroom. He slipped a new soft terry cloth robe over her arms and up her shoulders, tying it around her waist to keep it closed.
“Fuck this.” Cole picked up the hotel phone and spoke quickly to the hotel staff before scooping Gwen up in his arms. He sat with her in his lap on the edge of the bed. Her head rested against his shoulder. “You are kind of scaring me here.”
“I’m just so tired. My body feels so heavy. I just need to rest. I’ll be fine, really. Stop worrying. Just get us home so I can rest.” Gwen kissed the side of his neck before lying her head back down.
When there was a knock on the door, Cole shifted Gwen in his arms to open it quickly and let the bell boy in. “Please carry those bags down to my car. My girlfriend isn’t feeling well.”
“Absolutely, sir.” The bellboy quickly lifted the few bags that contained all the special treats Cole had the staff prepare for their night together, most of which had been left untouched since Gwen had fallen asleep earlier than anticipated.
Cole with Gwen in his arms along with the bellboy made their way down to the lobby, where Cole’s driver was waiting. Cole had sent him a message last night right before slipping into bed with Gwen after her first bought of sickness, knowing they would want to get home as soon as possible when she was up again.
Three days had past and Gwen was still in bed. She had barely moved from the bed other than to use the bathroom or get sick. Cole refused to let it carry on and called a doctor he knew that made house calls. Cole would have to pay quite the hefty fee but it didn’t matter. He needed to know what was going on with her.
“What did he say?” McKayla asked from the armchair she was sitting in, watching him after he hung up the phone.
“He will be here in an hour or so.” Cole said. McKayla had gotten back the night before and was just as lost as Cole about what was going on with Gwen. Gwen slept or at least lay in bed and spoke very little to either of them. She wasn’t eating much, and that which she did eat, usually came back up shortly thereafter. “I’m gonna help her get a bath before he gets here.”
“Let me know if I can help at all.” McKayla frowned as Cole left the room. She felt completely useless. Gwen had fallen ill while she’d been gone and now Cole was taking care of everything that she normally helped with.
Cole quietly opened the door to his room. Gwen was still lying in the bed with her back to him. He sat down behind her and gently rubbed her back. “Baby, I want to help you get a bath, ok?”
“Mmm.” Gwen moaned and grumbled unintelligible. Cole rubbed his thumb over her cheek before pushing his hand into her hair, pulling it back from her face carefully.
“Gwen. Honey. Can you wake up just a bit so we can get you in the bath? It’ll make you feel better.” Cole spoke a bit louder this time. Gwen rolled onto her back and looked up at him, a smile instantly sliding onto her face.
“Hi, handsome.” Gwen stretched her arms out over her head. “You want to bathe me? I think that sounds like a good idea. I think I can get there on my own. I think a shower would be a good idea. I don’t want to fall asleep in the tub. I feel a bit better today.”
“Good.” Cole kissed her tenderly on the lips before helping her from the bed and into the bathroom. He started the shower before returning to her. Slowly, he pulled the silk tank top from her body. Then knelt to pull off her silk shorts and panties.
“I swear you could make anything romantic.” Gwen laughed softly as he held her hand in his as she stepped into the shower.
“I have no idea what you are talking about. Just helping my sick girlfriend wash off the stink.” Cole shut the door behind her as she laughed softly. “Well, I can come in there and help you if you need an extra pair of hands.”
“I think I can manage. If you come in here you’ll only start something I don’t think I’m quite up to yet.” Gwen laughed again, but she moved as quickly as she could to wash her hair and condition it before washing her body. She didn’t feel steady enough to shave her legs, but they were really starting to need it. Maybe she could convince McKayla to help her later. Cole didn’t need to see her hairy legs, that’d be completely be not sexy and she didn’t want that.
As soon as Gwen shut off the water in the shower, she opened the door to find Cole waiting with a warmed towel. He wrapped her up in the towel and wiped away all the beaded water from her skin before helping her slip into a clean pair of panties and a silk night gown that fell to her knees.
“Thank you. Really I can dress myself, you know.” Gwen was thoroughly enjoying the attention he was pouring on her. But she knew things had to return to normal at some point. “I think I’m up to sitting on the couch for a bit, does that sound ok? You can work on your laptop and I will just rest there.”
“Or you can go back to bed. I have a doctor coming by to check on you.” Cole watched as Gwen dragged a brush through her hair and then as she brushed her teeth. She stopped to look at him with her toothbrush in her mouth. The look was enough for him to know she wasn’t fond of the idea. “Look, you said three days and this is the most I’ve seen you move in three days so I called him before I came and woke you up.”
“I’m fine. Call and cancel. I don’t want random people poking me. I’ll be fine.” Gwen rolled her eyes at him. Sure she still felt less than 50% but she wasn’t going to tell him. She was feeling slightly better now and she’d do her best to get out of the appointment with the doctor.
Chapter 16
As much as Gwen had tried, she was unable to convince Cole to cancel the doctor check up. It seemed like they had just entered the living room when the bell rang announcing an arrival. Cole moved to get the door while Gwen cuddled with McKayla on the couch.
Cole returned with a handsome older gentleman, who Gwen would guess was in his late 50s. “This is Doctor Pau. Doc
tor, this is Gwen.”
“Nice to meet you. Let’s get right to the reason I am here. I know you are quite comfortable out here, but I would really prefer to speak one on one with you, Gwen, for our first visit.” Dr. Pau spoke with a surprisingly soft and comforting voice.
“Of course.” Gwen stood, squeezed McKayla’s hand then led the way down the hall to Cole’s bedroom. It was the closest bedroom and the one she was spending most of her time in since getting sick. She gestured at the table that was in the corner, taking one seat while the doctor took the other seat at the small wooden table. “Now we have complete privacy, not that both of them don’t know everything about me anyway.”
“It is just easier this way. Thank you for being so understanding.” Dr. Pau spoke as he set down a small bag filled with the tools of his trade. He pulled a small pad of paper from the bag and a pen before turning towards her. He asked her all the general health questions and about how long she’d been sick along with what her symptoms where while taking notes. After taking a moment to read through his notes, he looked up at her and set the pen down. “Well, there are two options I think that would most fit your symptoms. One being pregnancy…”
“No.” Gwen cut him off quickly. “I’m not pregnant. I know that for a fact. I had my tubes tied years ago. I had it tested multiple times to make sure the operation was a complete success.”
“Well, then I would have to say, you have an extremely bad flu.” Dr. Pau made more notes on his pad. “All we really can do it make sure you have a lot of fluids and it should pass in the next week or so. If it hasn’t, I would like for you to call me and make a follow up appointment where I can run some blood test to get a better idea of what else this could be.”
“Ok. I’m sure I’ll be fine in a few weeks. I’m feeling much better today anyway. Cole was just being overly worried.” Gwen tried and failed to not roll her eyes at the over bearing man in her life. “But if by some chance I’m not better in a few weeks, I’ll be sure to call you again.”
“Now be sure to get a lot of rest and really keep the fluids up. It’ll help more than you think to help push the virus from your body.” Dr. Pau stood. He placed his pad and pen back into his bag before shaking her hand. “I look forward to hearing from you in a few weeks. Please, be in touch whether or not you are feeling better so I can make note of it.”
“Will do. Thank you, Doctor.” Gwen followed him down the hall back to the main room. She returned to the couch with McKayla, who opened her arms in greeting so Gwen could cuddle back up to her.
“So, what did he say?” McKayla questioned as soon as Cole had returned from showing the doctor out.
“Just the flu. Rest, hydrate and wait it out.” Gwen got out before a yawn slipped from her mouth. “See you two worry for nothing. I’m just sleeping to give my body energy to battle the germies.”
“Ok. Then let’s get you back to bed then.” Cole walked over and held his hand down for her.
“I’d like go to McKayla’s room this time.” Gwen smiled softly at him. “That way you have some time to get a good night rest in too.”
“Ok.” Cole scooped her up under her knees and back and carried her past his bedroom to McKayla’s room. He gently laid her on the bed. “I’ll miss you, but I know McKayla needs you close too and with you sick we aren’t all sharing a bed, no matter how big. You need to sleep as comfortable as possible.”
Gwen reached up and brushed her fingers over his cheek and into his hair. “You are almost too understanding.”
“I’m just happy to have you when I can get you.” Cole tracked his thumb over her cheek softly. “Now rest and I’ll come by later to check on you.”
“Ok. Love you.” Gwen made kissing noises until Cole laughed and bent to give her a soft kiss.
“Love you too.” With that Cole left the room, leaving the door just slightly opened. He found McKayla in the kitchen filling a glass with ice water.
“She tucked in?” She asked over her shoulder when she heard him enter the room.
“Yep, all ready to snooze away the day.” Cole rolled his head from one side to the other trying to alleviate the headache he was getting from stress. “At least it’s just a cold. The doctor told me she should be feeling much better in a few more days.”
“Great. I feel so bad with her being so sick and not feeling well. Plus, I’m not used to being home so much. I’m going a bit stir crazy barely going out except to work the last two weeks.” McKayla picked up the glass and turned to leave the room.
“I’m sure she wouldn’t mind if you went out. I’ll be around for most of the next week. I’ve made it so I can work from the house except a few meetings that I can’t get out of.” Cole leaned back against the counter, shoving his hands in the pockets of the dress pants he had on.
“Yeah okay.” McKayla shrugged and went to her room. Gwen was sleeping deeply facing the door. Setting the glass of water on a coaster, she kneeled next to Gwen. She kissed her forehead and said, “I miss the old days. Back when you relied on me for everything.”
When Gwen opened her eyes hours later, she was alone in McKayla’s room. She slowly sat up and looked around the room. Gwen had figured that McKayla would come and lay with her, but she was not there in the bed. Frowning, she climbed from the bed and treaded down the hall to the living room. It too was empty. There were noises coming from the kitchen, so she made her way over to the doorway to the kitchen. But it was only Alina, making what Gwen assumed was dinner. She didn’t notice Gwen so she slipped out without a word.
“What are you up to sneaking around?” Cole’s voice had her turning towards his bedroom door. He stood with his arm bent, resting on the door frame. His dress shirt was unbuttoned at the top and rolled up on his forearms. He must have been working. Gwen smiled at him and made her way through the living room to the door that led to Cole’s suite of rooms.
“I was looking for everyone.” Gwen spoke as Cole enveloped her in his arms, her head resting on his chest and his hand in her hair. He kissed the top of her head.
“McKayla went out for a while with some friends. She was going stir crazy sitting around here all day. She hasn’t had any work in a week. I was just working out of my room since it’s quieter that way.” He stepped back and looked down at her. “How are you feeling?”
“Ok. I have a bit of headache and my back hurts, but that’s probably just from lying in bed so much. I’m feeling a bit hungry though.” Gwen smiled. She really was starting to feel a bit better and for the first time in weeks she was getting a bit of an appetite.
“Well, let’s go see how long until dinner is ready.” Cole scooped her up again, causing a squeal to come from Gwen.
“Seriously, I can walk. I just walked all over this side of your monstrous apartment perfectly fine by myself.” Gwen laughed but clasped her arms tightly around his neck.
“I know. But I’m enjoying getting to show off my brute strength when I can.” Cole wiggled his eyebrows at her. Gwen just laughed and shook her head.
“You are so crazy. Men aren’t really supposed to carry women around. And I know perfectly well just how strong you are.” Gwen laughed grasping the back of his head and pulling his head down to kiss his cheek.
Cole set her down on one of the unused counters in the kitchen and turned to Alina. Gwen scooted back and folded her legs in front of her. “How much longer until dinner is ready?”
“Any minute now, sir.” Alina spoke just as a timer started to go off. “Perfect timing. How are you feeling, Ms. Gwen?”
“Better. Slowly getting there.” Gwen smiled at the sweet woman.
“That’s good to hear. Now chop chop, get in the dining room and I’ll bring it in to you.”
Gwen slowly slid off the counter. Cole held her hand as they moved to the dining room, sitting next to each other at the massive table. Gwen had never bothered to actually count them, but it was bigger than most dining room tables. She looked over at Cole after he tucked her chair in for her then sa
t next to her. She smiled weakly. “I don’t know how well this is going to go. I’m already feeling drained.”
“Let’s get you back to bed then.” Cole started to stand but Gwen grabbed his hand and shook her head.
“No. I want to try. I think it might help me feel better. I’m so tired of those smoothie things, I would much rather eat normal food.” Gwen shuddered thinking about the high nutrition drinks that she’d been drinking since she couldn’t keep much of anything down. Cole sat back down and put a hand on Gwen’s thigh as Alina brought in two steaming plates of food. She set the plates down in front of Cole and Gwen before retreating for their drinks and silverware. Alina returned with them and was gone again.
Gwen looked at the plate of steamed broccoli and baked chicken. At least her stomach didn’t immediately roll. She could do this. Gwen smiled as she gave herself a pep talk. Cutting the chicken into tiny bites, she finally took a bite. It was juicy and flavorful. She carefully ate little bites until she’d finished half the meal.
She sat watching Cole eat, but her stomach rolled at the thought of putting anything else in it. She pushed back from the table. “I’m gonna go lay down on the couch. I want to wait until McKayla gets home before going back to bed.”
“Are you okay?” Cole stood when she did.
“Yeah, just want to lay down.” Gwen smiled weakly, kissed his lips softly then left the room. She laid on the couch on her side with her eyes closed. Her stomach rumbled and rolled. Gwen started thinking maybe it wasn’t such a good idea to eat. She turned to face the back of the couch, hoping the new position might make her stomach feel better.