Chapter Ten:

Brady's P.O.V

Lunchtime arrived and there was still no noticeable improvement in Lela. She slept the entire morning away, and when she finally did awaken she commented that she only felt worse.

Mack made everyone sandwiches for lunch. Tanner took his over to to couch/bed and smuggled up next to Lela, offering her half of his salad sandwich. Obviously, she declined. He lowered his head.

"I know you don't feel like eating but you have to. You'll only get worse if you don't." He insisted.

Mack and I strolled over and sat on the end of the flip out bed whilst Chee Chee and Struts sat on the armrests, Butchy and Lugnut sat in the armchairs, Giggles sat on Butchy's lap and everyone else sat on the rug on the floor.

"He's right Lela." Mack agreed. "You'll only get weaker if you don't eat."

Lela slowly sat up and gave a weak smile, extending out a trembling hand, grasping half of her boyfriend's sandwich.

She took a tiny bite and took a long time to chew it, then finally swallowed it and nodded.

"I actually think food may help a little." She admitted.

She took three more large bites, then her face fell. She place the uneaten remains of sandwich back on Tanner's plate and pressed the back of her palm to her mouth. She waved her other hand around wildly and muttered an "uh oh."

In one quick, sharp movement, Lela scooped up the old rag towel Mack had gotten for her and held it under her chin. I couldn't help but cringe as I watched the tiny bit of food she'd put in her stomach come straight back up into the towel. When she was finished chucking, Lela wiped the her mouth and tossed the soiled towel in the bucket Mack had also brought. Lela immediately turned to Mack, her chocolate eyes coated with guilt.

"Mack I'm so sorry!" She squeaked. "I've made a huge mess. I'll clean all this up."

She made a move to try and get out of bed but Mack just laughed and instructed her to stay where she was.

"Lela." She giggled. "You don't have to apologise for being sick. You're the one suffering here. And besides, you got all the puke in the towel and put that in the bucket so all I have to do is throw this out. I think I can handle that."

"Thankyou Mack. That's really sweet of you." Lela smiled.

Just as Mack was picking up the bucket the home phone rang.

"Could you get that please Brady?" She asked.

I hoped off the couch and moved over to the phone on the wall, tapping the green answer button. The only people that ever called Mack's home phone were her family, and pretty much Mack's entire family knew me, so I was certainly no stranger to answering her phone for her.

"Hello. Mackenzie's house, Brady speaking." I said to the person on the other end.

"Brady? It's me."

I automatically recognised Mack's grandfather's voice.

"Hey Grandpa, what's up?"

I can't remember the exact time I started addressing Mack's grandfather as grandpa, but it was ages ago. Ever since we'd started dating I'd spent more time at her place then my own. He might as well adopt me.

"I tried calling Mack's mobile but she wouldn't answer." He started. "The friend I came here to mourn, their family's in quite a state. Could you ask Mack if she'd be alright with me extending my visit to two weeks instead of five days? Only if she's ok with it of course. Not that she really needs me. I mean, she's got he's big brave boyfriend right?"

"Right." I agreed with a laugh. "I'll let Mack know and I'll call you back."

"Thanks Brady. Bye now."

"Bye Grandpa."

"MACK!" I screamed out as I walked down the hall.

"In here!" She screamed back from the laundry.

I briefly told her what her grandfather had told me and she commented that that was fine and she'd call him back later.

"Actually Mack." I began to add as she washed her hands and went to find a fresh towel for Lela. "There is something else I wanted to ask you."

Mack nodded and signaled for me to follow her as she tucked the clean towel into Lela's blankets.

"Sure. What's up?"

I sighed.

"I'd actually like to do this alone if you're okay with that?"

Mack cocked her head for a moment, trying to read my expression, but, clearly getting nothing, she told Lela she'd be right back and we went into her bedroom.

"So, I just had this really crazy thought, and feel free to tell me I'm insane." I continued.

"You're insane." She giggled sarcastically.

I rolled my eyes.

"Wait until I've told you the though first. Anyway, they came here a day after we got home right?"

"Yes." Mack confirmed, not really seeing where I was going with this.

"Well, the storm would have passed by then. So how did they get here?"

She thought for a moment.

"I guess it doesn't necessarily take a storm, just a really big wave to transport between worlds."

"And the waves are pretty huge around midday here right?"

"Right." She confirmed, a little more suspiciously this time. "Brady, if you're suggesting we go back to Wet Side Story-"

"No no no." I cut her off. "I just thought that maybe since your grandfather's going to be away for two weeks now…"

I could see it in the way she sat up straighter. I could see it in the look in her eyes. I could see it in the way all the muscles in her cheeks and her lips fell.

She understood where I was taking this.

"Brady, no!" She hissed.

"Come on!" I pleaded. "Admit it. You're enjoying having them here. And there loving it as well!"

"Lela's on the couch unable to hold down any food!"

"She probably just caught a bug or ate something bad or whatever. And besides, that's even more reason for them to stay another week! She'll waste a few valuable days but she'll be better within three or four and then she'll have a whole other week to make up for lost time. And they aren't hurting anyone by being here."

Mack chewed the end of her pinky, lost in her own thoughts.

"Fine." She sighed after a few long, awkward, silent minutes. "They can stay for two weeks. But they have to be home the day before my grandpa. Understood?"

"Absolutely."

Ok guys what's wrong with Lela? All will be revealed next chapter so keep the guesses coming! Xxxx thanks for reading!