AUTHOR'S NOTES: Again, I'm so sorry that this has taken so long, but I had a fair bit of writers block with this chapter - not really sure why - but I think it came out alright. As I said before, I'm not sure how many more chapters there will be of this story (I'm thinking only one or two)

And, I am still updating "Better Than a Dream" and "A Thing Of Beauty Is A Joy Forever" so don't worry about those, plus, I have more stories that will hopefully be published soon(ish) - and they'll be both oneshots and multi-chapter stories!

Anyway, enjoy!


Medicine

As the door opened, Maria let out yet another heavy cough – her chest heaving from the force of it. Her features became twisted in a seemingly permanent wince, but she turned away to hide it from her husband – who was slowly making his way towards the bed. But, she eventually felt the weight of him on the bed next to her and she couldn't deny that it soothed her somewhat, especially when he ran her hand across her arm. It was a great comfort, but, oh, how she wished the physical pain would vanish. Then he lay down and gently wrapped his arms around her waist.

"You're going to catch this if you do that" she warned groggily.

"I don't care"

"Well, I do, what kind of shambles would this household turn into if both the parents end up bedridden with the flu?" To hear the weakness of her voice was practically ripping apart his heart.

"Yes, but how distraught would I be if I couldn't comfort my wife in her time of need?"

She gave a slight chuckle, but the force of the movement caused a fit of coughs to erupt from her chest. Georg just continued to hold her and rubbed her back soothingly until it passed.

"You needn't be such a warrior, you know?" he said softly to the back of her head.

"I've got eight children and a husband living under this roof – all of whom seem to fall apart whenever my services cannot be provided" she teased lightly – but her audience didn't give much of a laugh.

But she couldn't blame him. She knew what this reminded him of…

"How're you feeling today?" he whispered.

"Terrible" she admitted, but instantly regretted it as she feared she'd stirred up his unpleasant memories even further.

"How's the nausea?"

"Not quite as bad as it was a couple of days ago, but I still can't find it in me to sit up for more than a minute…"

"Oh, my love…" Georg soothed as he held her tighter – but was careful with her aching limbs, "…is there anything you want me to get for you? Food? Water? Something for the headaches and nausea?" he asked as he pressed his lips to the back of her neck.

"I'm fine, thank you"

"Please don't hesitate to ask me for anything…anything at all"

"You needn't worry so much, darling, this will pass as soon as it came" she said weakly.

"I just worry about you, Maria…is it really so bad that I want to take care of you?"

She managed to crack a slight smile.

"Of course not"

"Then let me worry"

"But that's just it, I don't want you to worry about me"

"I don't understand" he said with a slight whimper.

Slowly – very slowly – Maria turned onto her other side so that she could face him.

"I know you haven't said anything about it, but I can see it in your eyes…even though this really is a simple case of stomach flu you're – you're thinking about Agathe, aren't you?"

He closed his eyes for a moment – feeling the guilt and sorrow swell in his chest – and Maria watched his expression turn solemn. She hated seeing him like this, stuck with pain he didn't deserve; but she'd always do whatever she could to help him get through it. She let her hand trail gently down his cheek and didn't cease her caresses until his gaze met hers again.

"I know you worry, Georg, and I know that the pain will never truly leave you, but I don't want you to even go there…I'm going to be fine, I promise you"

"I know you are…I think it's just…it hurt so much to lose Agathe and the thought of losing you too is harrowing"

"Don't go there…" she repeated tenderly, "…that's not going to happen to me and I don't want you to suffer because of things that are beyond your control…frankly, none of this is worth suffering over"

"My wife feeling unwell? Of course I'm going to suffer. I hate to see you so low…I'd do anything to take this away from you"

"You really are perfect, aren't you?"

"Yes" he teased, "Now, am I allowed a kiss from my lovely wife, or will she put me in quarantine straight after?"

"I'm sure a kiss is doable"

Georg hovered over her to save her the pain of trying to sit up and he gave her a brief smile before leaning down to tenderly brush his lips over hers. They kept it still and gentle, but the emotions that lay within the gesture were palpable and, if she'd had the strength, Maria would've pulled him closer and let the whole thing deepen. But, alas, she was plagued by the horrendous pounding in her head, the slight twisting in her stomach and the pulsating aches that never seemed to cease. He pulled away after a short while and gave her another soothing smile before brushing some of her hair away from her forehead.

"You've got a terrible fever" he frowned, "I'm going to get you a cold cloth"

"Oh, Georg, you don't have to"

"I won't take no for an answer" he assured before disappearing from their bedroom.

Maria let loose with a slight chuckle, but immediately silenced herself when her head began to throb again and her stomach began to swirl…for a moment, she feared that she'd have to rush to the bathroom, so she curled up tightly – not moving a single inch – and begged for it to pass. She was too weak for it to continue and she doubted if she'd be able to handle it if it got any worse. She whimpered slightly at the multitude of pains coursing through her, but it seemed that nothing she did could sooth it; she tried to envision all the things she loved in the world, her husband, her children, the Austrian mountains that she missed so much or the beautiful American countryside that they called their home…but it was all to no avail.

"Maria?" she heard softly beside her, "Are you okay?"

"Fine" she lied with another whimper.

Georg didn't say another word, instead he sat beside her on his side of the bed and ran a soft hand through her hair and whispered sweet, soothing words to her as he too waited for this to pass. It really broke his heart to see her in such a state, such a contrast to how she usually was; whenever he thought of his wife, he would instantly be greeted by images of her laughing and signing or running through the grounds with their children, she was carefree, passionate and had the most wonderful spirit he'd ever known; she intoxicated everyone with her happiness and – in his mind – made the world such a better place. Yet, here she was, curled up and riding out a torturous illness, barely able to speak, let alone move or do all of the other things that she adored so. He wished with his whole heart that it would be over soon…she didn't deserve this.

After some time, she was free of whatever burst of pain she'd just experienced, but she knew too well that it would return eventually. But she was able to lie normally and stretch out on her back and finally breathe freely as Georg lay the damp cloth on her forehead and pressed a kiss to her temple.

"You, Maria, are the most amazing woman I've ever known"

"Because I managed to contract the flu?" she asked – her eyes now closed.

"No…" he chuckled, "…because you haven't once complained about anything that's happened, because you've taken everything in your stride so wonderfully: becoming a baroness, my wife, the mother to our children, moving away from Austria and even now, when you're bedridden and barely able to move, your foremost thoughts were still dedicated to your family"

"That's just love, dear…nothing to marvel at"

"Don't go selling yourself short, Maria…I don't think you quite realise all that you do and just how incredible you are"

"Oh, you're being ridiculous"

"I do think so, but I shan't argue with my wife when she's feeling under the weather"

"You shouldn't argue with your wife at all" she managed to tease.

"Touché"

"Will you stay with me for a while?" she asked timidly.

"Anything for you" he replied quite seriously.

Georg allowed his wife to snuggled against him to the best of her ability and continued to run his hand softly through her hair or up and down her back, doing absolutely anything to make the whole ordeal less miserable. No words were spoken, he just held her tenderly and hoped that she'd eventually fall asleep and get some much needed rest.

"Georg" she whispered after a while.

"Yes, Sweetheart?"

"You won't lose me"

"I know"


AUTHOR'S NOTES: Nothing else to say really, other than I really hope you enjoyed that, please leave a review and I'll see you soon! xxx