Ch. 21: Babied
He was cold; his body quivered despite the heat he was offered not only by the blanket, but also by the woman near him. He grumbled, only in the effort realizing the irritation of his throat and how his head was throbbing and his nose was stuffy. He pulled Pamela closer to him and for a moment he was alright, the presence of the woman almost enough to lull him back asleep, but he felt her shift.
"Jon, you're really warm."
He groaned and mumbled something he wasn't even sure of, burying his head into what he realized was her chest. He just wanted to go back to sleep, exhaustion still plagued him. He felt her gentle fingers press to his cheek. Then they ran through his hair.
"You're burning up," she commented and he felt her move. He let out a grumble, but that turned into a whine when she pulled the blanket off him. He cracked open an eyelid. She had the cloth thrown over her shoulder. Her eyes were worried, "C'mon, let's get you to your bed. It'll be better than this couch."
Jonathan must have taken her offer; the next thing he knew he was waking up in his own bed. He was bundled up. He could feel himself sticky with sweat, but he was still tired. He turned over and despite the icky-ness he felt, closed his eyes once again. Footsteps, however, stopped that. He twisted around and watched as Pam entered, carrying a small tray.
"Still tired?" She asked. He nodded. She set the tray down on the bedside table. "I haven't checked your temperature yet, but I know you have a fever. You basically fell back asleep when you got up here. Do have any other symptoms?"
"My head hurts," he said hoarsely and cringed, "throat too," and he coughed.
Pamela gave him a motherly look as she frowned. She touched his head and brushed back his damp bangs. "Looks like some of the cruds; your work finally caught up with you." Her ministrations as she brushed his forehead were nice. Oh, he knew she was either still babying him or about to start, but he couldn't find himself complaining. He never usually wanted to be treated so pathetically, but with Pam being the caregiver, he couldn't deny how nice it felt.
"I made you some soup if you're hungry," she gestured to the tray. "I have the guys going out to get you some medicine. I'll wake you up to take it when they get back. So, um, eat if you want, or go back to sleep." She leaned down and kissed his forehead.
He nodded and smiled sleepily. He snuggled into his pillow and listened as she left, shutting the door behind her. He stared at the tray of food. Slowly he sat up—it was probably best to eat in his condition. He took the tray and spoon and began to eat. The warm liquid felt nice against his throat and he even grinned at the glass of orange juice she had given him. His eyes strayed to the door.
Pamela was very caring to those she liked. He could see the naturalness of her maternal instincts. She was naturally giving, but held sense.
Pam would make a good mother if ever the chance arose. It had to be the fever talking, but Jonathan wondered if he would make a good father, and when he thought of that he thought of Pam at his side.
"If You Dare" was the prompt for this chapter, and even though I have no idea how it inspired this chapter, it somehow did. What guy does want to be babied his girlfriend? Jonny is so cute sick...and Pam is just spoiling him.