Took a bit of a break but I'm happy to be back! Here's another chapter featuring Lucy and Flynn still trapped in 1920s Montana. Thank you so much for all of your feedback!
Flynn grinned as he walked into their small kitchen and saw Lucy framed by the sunlight shining through the window above the sink. His smile quickly turned into a frown as he noticed the paleness of Lucy's skin and the beads of sweat forming on her forehead. He watched as she walked into the sitting area and sat down on the couch, a hand raised to her head.
"Lucy, are you feeling okay?" he asked as he moved to her. She dropped her hand and looked up at him with a smile that didn't quite meet her eyes.
"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine," she assured, her smile brightening to hide any doubts. He noticed her slight tremor as she stood.
XXXXXXXX
It was the middle of the afternoon and although they were experiencing the first days of winter, the sun was brutal as it beat down on Flynn. He worked on the fencepost in front of him, choosing the fence work instead of fieldwork in order to maintain a closer proximity to the house. He wanted to keep a close eye on Lucy, especially during the first cold front of the year.
Twenty minutes later, Flynn's ears perked up as he heard what sounded like the shattering of ceramic. He turned towards the house.
"Lucy? Everything okay?" he called out. He waited a heartbeat m, but received no reply. "Lucy?" he called again, more loudly as he got to his feet. He was greeted by silence once again and immediately broke into a trot towards the house only fifty meters away.
Flynn's heart leaped somewhere into his throat as he cleared the stairs and burst through the open doorway of their tiny abode. He froze for a second as his eyes landed on Lucy's body next to the broken ceramic plate on the ground.
"Lucy!" her name escaped his lips in a desperate gasp as he slid to his knees next to her.
Lucy's eyes were half-closed and the paleness and sweating had only increased.
"Lucy? Lucy!" Flynn's voice was full of terror as he gently shook her. She let out a low groan.
"I'm fine," her words were soft and slurred. He lifted her into his arms quickly and carried her to their bed. He pulled back the sheets with one hand and laid her down gently.
"You're not fine," Flynn said forcefully, his hand pressing against her forehead. She was burning up. He took in her fever and fading consciousness and made a decision. "You need Doc Henderson," he muttered more to himself than to her. She reached for his hand.
"Don't leave," Lucy's voice was a soft plea that nearly broke him. Flynn squeezed her hand, temporarily torn between wanting to stay with her and getting help. She was too sick...she needed a real doctor and he couldn't waste time. He knelt next to the bed and gently caressed her cheek.
"I have to, Luce, you need a doctor," he explained. She didn't seem to hear him as she closed her eyes. This pushed him into action. He took off his jacket and heavy long sleeve shirt, leaving him with only his undershirt, pants and shoes. He moved to Lucy's bedside once again and pressed a rushed kiss to her forehead.
"I'll be back," he whispered the promise.
Without further hesitation, he ran out the doorway and jumped from the front porch in a run. Flynn picked up speed as he hit the dirt road leading into town. He couldn't afford to waste time on the hour-long walk.
As he pushed his legs faster and felt his lungs burn, he regretted not buying them a car or a phone. They hadn't needed one before but he should have taken emergencies into account. Realistically, they couldn't really afford the luxury of the phone or car, but he would give anything to get back to Lucy sooner. He hated that she was alone and suffering. His mind flickered through all of the horrible illnesses of the early 20th century and the lack of proper medicine. She couldn't die from some horrible disease that was curable in their time...he wouldn't allow it. He wouldn't lose her. Not to any disease or any person...not even to fate.
XXXXXXXX
Twenty minutes later, Flynn burst through Doc Henderson's office sweating and breathing heavily.
"My wife-Lucy is ill," he gasped out, his heart beating fast in his chest. The older man immediately stood, his actions quick as he read the fear and desperation on Flynn's face. Plus, Flynn was quite a sight with sweat dripping down his face and dirt covering the bottoms of his pants.
"We will take my car," Doctor Henderson said and Flynn felt a flood of relief.
XXXXXXXX
Doc Henderson plucked up his bag and affectionately patted the blanket over Lucy's hand before turning to Flynn.
Doc Henderson could see the deep worry in the younger man's brow and in the way his eyes never left his wife. It had been a long time since he had seen such dotting behavior from a man to his wife. Then again, it had been a long time since he had seen a married couple as in love as the Flynns. They were somewhat reclusive with their little farmhouse outside of town, but when they made their weekly trips into town they were sociable and friendly...Lucy especially. Her ability to make friends with anyone was clear and Doc Henderson found even himself entranced by the delightful young lady. It pained him to see her in such a state.
What fascinated Doc Henderson more than Lucy's bright and infectious demeanor was her intellect. He could tell she was well-educated and her knowledge of history astounded him. He looked forward to her weekly stroll into town as it was normally followed by a warm visit to his office.
"How is she, Doc?" Mr. Flynn asked, his hand gripping his wife's gently.
"She has the influenza...a severe version formed from the early winter and her body's reaction to a new environment. A few more days of close observation and she will be fine," Doc Henderson smiled in reassurance. He handed Mr. Flynn a few bottles of medication and issued strict instructions for their application. "If Mrs. Flynn gets worse at any point in time, call for me again-or I suppose run for me," Doc Henderson teased with a smile.
Mr. Flynn let out a huff of laughter and ducked his head sheepishly.
"We will be getting a telephone," Mr. Flynn said.
"I think that would be for the best," Doc Henderson grinned.
Before he took his leave, he paused for a moment to study the house belonging to the Flynns. It was small and quaint, but packed full of warmth. The entire house smelled of cinnamon and honey. He smiled at the large bookshelf in the living room and the matching slippers near the couch.
It was clear that the Flynns were not a rich couple (this was especially notable as Doc Henderson was sure Mr. Flynn had run all the way to his office because of their lack of vehicular transportation), but anyone could see they were a happy couple.
Doc Henderson exited the small home, Mr. Flynn not paying him any attention as he knelt by his wife's bedside and whispered to her softly. Doc Henderson smiled as he placed his hat on his head and looked out over the open land in front of him. It was a truly spectacular view as the Flynns' small farm stretched wide beneath the setting sun.
A thought struck him that maybe the Flynn were not reclusive, but simply so happy with each other that other company was not needed. The thought made him smile as his mind drifted to his own wife and the thought of returning home.
XXXXXXXX
Flynn crouched next to the bed, his hand slipping into Lucy's once again as he pressed a cold rag against her forehead. She gave him a weak smile, her eyes dark against her pale skin. Her lips were chapped and her skin burning hot. He had already given her all of her medicine for the day and could only pray that it worked. Although Flynn had his doubts about small town medicine, he trusted Doc Henderson. The older doctor seemed knowledgeable in his practice and seemed to hold a fondness for Lucy.
Flynn lifted Lucy's fingers to his lips and kissed her knuckles as he slowly moved the rag against her forehead.
"You're going to be okay, Sweetheart," he murmured, squeezing her hand. "Just a day or two more and it'll be over," he promised. He hated seeing her in pain.
Lucy smiled weakly and lifted her hand to lightly tap his brow with her index finger.
"Stop worrying that pretty little head of yours," she murmured with a weak smile that was only really identifiable through the glimmer in her eyes.
"Pretty?" he chuckled.
"Mhmmm," Lucy dropped her hand and flicked her finger down his nose. "Cute as a button," she teased lightly.
A moment later, Lucy's smile disappeared as she broke into a fit of coughing that made Flynn's chest tighten unpleasantly. He needed to be closer to her.
Flynn tugged off his shoes and changed into clean clothes quickly. Lucy's eyes only half watched him with a smirk.
"I don't want to get you sick," she murmured as she watched him pull back the sheets slightly.
"I'm immune," he joked as he slid into bed next to her and wrapped his arms around her. "Doc Henderson says you need to stay warm anyway," he added. Lucy sighed contently as she relaxed into his embrace, her head resting in the crook of his neck.
Feeling Lucy's steady heartbeat against his calmed him, but he felt the need to hold her as close as possible for fear of her slipping away. She seemed to sense this thought.
"I'm not going anywhere," she murmured softly against his neck, her tone both teasing and serious.
There were so many things Flynn wanted to say to her...mostly that he couldn't do any of this without her and definitely couldn't live anywhere or in any time without her. The depth of his feelings for her gripped him suddenly and tightly and three words slipped from his lips naturally.
"I love you," his voice was a hoarse whisper against her hair. He could feel her falling asleep against him as her breathing deepened and worried briefly that she didn't hear him.
"Luv you too, -'Cia," her voice was a slight slur as she remained half asleep. She nestled closer to him and slipped her arm around his waist. He grinned broadly as his heart filled with love and warmth. She had spoken the words so naturally as if she had spoken them a million times before.
Flynn felt the urge to repeat the words as a hum of pure joy rolled through his body. He stopped himself...knowing he had the rest of their lives to shower her with love.
Flynn glanced up as he heard Walter, their loyal pup, make his way to Lucy's side of the bed. Walter placed his head on the bed and pushed his nose under Lucy's free hand, looking up at her with complete devotion and love shining in his eyes. Flynn let out a huff of laughter.
"You and me both, pal...you and me both," Flynn have Walter a knowing look as he held Lucy's other hand.
