"Mi amor, if you're not feeling well, we should probably take you to the doctor," Frederick said softly, rubbing my back as I groaned, turning to face him. Every little movement was difficult, and I wondered how my sweet husband had dealt with this after his attacks. Surely it had to have been this bad, if not worse.

"But I married a doctor," I tried to tease, but I was cut off by my own wince that the change in position caused. Frederick frowned as he stroked strands of hair off my forehead. I cuddled closer to him, nuzzling into his palm.

I could feel the cool touch of his wedding band, a shiver running through me. I forced a smile, knowing how much my sweetheart worried. Looking up at his face, the smile became genuine as I saw him without any of his prosthetics or makeup, completely bare. I was the only one he let see this way.

Deep affection for him came through me as I looked at his sad emerald eye. So much emotion in just one look-one filled with nothing but concern and love.

His broken milky eye, unfocused as it no longer helped him see, looked sad as well. I reached an arm up to to stroke his cheek, a whimper slipping from my lips at the unexpected twinge of pain.

"Mi vida, we need to take you to the doctor," Frederick said more determined now, moving to hover over me, pulling back the covers. "Where does it hurt?" He asked softly.

His brows furrowed as he touched over my stomach, searching for the source of my pain. I grabbed his hand and pulled it to my lower abdomen.

"Here," I said, letting out a cry as he pressed down gently. Even the slight pressure hurt, I closed my eyes and bit my lip as the pain washed over me. I could hear my husband gasp, feel his hand no longer pressing but resting on my stomach. His hand shook.

"It's got to be something I ate, you know my stomach," I moaned, looking back up at him and clutching unto his hand. Frederick didn't respond right away, which was unusual for him. I was starting to get nervous.

"It will be all right," he whispered trying to calm me even though his voice trembled. I wanted to comfort him, but my will power was slipping. He kissed my forehead before jumping up and throwing on pants, grabbing my sweater and hobbling to my side of the bed. I could feel my heart beginning to race.

"Can you get up amor?" He said once he reached my side, sitting close to me and opening his arms for me. I almost scoffed, surely I could.

As I started to get up, I found an acute pain as my reward, falling back to the bed. "No," I said, tears starting to prick at my eyes. "What's happening Freddy?" I whimpered.

Frederick placed his hands under me as I started to cry, truly afraid now.

"Esta bien mi vida, I think we need to get you to the ER. I think it's your appendix," he said lifting me with some effort.

I started to sob, the pain in my abdomen more intense as he moved me. I pulled myself close to him, wrapping my arms tight around his neck as I was enveloped by his embrace.

"Frederick you can't lift me," I cut myself off with a sob of pain that was so intense I had to bite back a scream.

"Shhh, I'm fine, it's okay sweetheart," he cooed, as I buried my face in the crook of his neck.

I just wanted the pain to stop, and squeezed my eyes shut as I felt him carry me out of the house. I whimpered as he placed me in the passenger seat of our car, opening my eyes to see my poor man wracked with worry as he buckled me in. He forced a smile, kissing my forehead again before hobbling to the driver's side. Soon he was squealing out of our driveway.

"Freddy, I'm scared," I sobbed, shivering. He reached for my hand, and I grasped it, holding on tight. He intertwined our fingers, placing a kiss to the back of my hand.

"Make it stop," I said, whimpering.

"I will, oh sweetheart, I know. It's going to be okay, I promise. I have you amor," he said, and I could hear the emotion catching in his throat.

I just nodded, pulling our joined hands to my lap, not wanting to let go. "It hurts," I sobbed, looking over at my husband.

From the corner of my eye I saw his pained look. It was as if he was on the verge of tears himself. "I know honey I know, I'm so sorry we're almost there. Esta bien mi vida," he cooed.

I shut my eyes tight, feeling nauseous, and held tight to his free hand. I could feel the car pulling up to the hospital. It seemed the pain only increased, and I could hear myself sobbing. I almost felt outside myself, like someone else was crying. I was feeling dizzy as my vision blurred. I felt the car stop and Frederick pulling me out of the car, as I clung tight to him.

It was as though I was underwater, drifting further and further away. I could hear his voice saying my name and asking for help. I could swear I heard my love crying but I didn't have the strength to speak as everything faded away.

Later

All I could see was light so bright I winced, and someone speaking, though they sounded far away. I heard a loud noise at my side, and tried to open my eyes. I opened my mouth to speak, but all I could hear was a squeak. My head felt heavy, as though I was coming out of a fog.

"Hey, it's okay, I'm here," I heard next to me, and felt my sweet husband squeezing my hand. I relaxed a bit, so comforted in having him near. He always took care of me, my Freddy.

"Hey, you're alright darling," he said again, as he came into focus, caressing my cheek. I couldn't really remember most of what had happened. But I could tell he had been crying, his eyes red as he leaned over, placing a lingering kiss on my forehead. I sighed, closing my eyes again a moment.

"I love you so much sweetheart," he whispered against my skin, and I whimpered in reply. I would be lost without him.

As he fussed over me, I started to remember the earlier events of the day. I felt a bit sore, but nothing like before.

Before. Shit.

My eyes flew open again, and I looked at Frederick, feeling a panic come over me as I remembered. "Am…I …going …under?" I stuttered, struggling to articulate myself. "Freddy," I cried, clutching to him as my fears overrun my frame. My eyes began to fill with tears. I have never been under anesthesia, and I had always been afraid at the thought.

To my great surprise, Frederick chuckled softly, sitting on the side of my bed and cupping my cheeks in his palms.

"They already did amor. I was right here, waiting for you. Everything's fine, I have you darling," he said, smiling at me. "Your appendix is gone, everything went smoothly. They have you pretty heavily medicated so you've been in and out of it," he said, pulling me gently into his arms.

"It's over mi amor. You did so great," he said, stroking my hair as I let out tears of relief, burying my head in his chest.

"Freddy," I whimpered, clutching tightly to him.

"Shhh…" he hushed, rocking me in his arms. "We will get to go home very soon. I'll take care of you, it's alright," he whispered.

I pulled back slightly, smiling at my love. "I love you so much Freddy," I said, pressing my lips to his in a brief kiss.

"I love you too darling," he said, sighing into the kiss. "More than anything," he whispered.