Manhattan, NY
Julian Jerome glanced over from his laptop computer at Alexis's sleeping form. Alexis was still running a fever but even Ben had seemed a bit encouraged that it was only 102.1. According to him, she was also much less tender over her kidneys so he had somewhat reluctantly agreed that perhaps another day of rest, IV antibiotics, and IV fluids would be reasonable. He had to hope that Ben was right.
Just as he was about to turn back to his spreadsheet program, Alexis started to stir. When Julian made his way over to the bed and gently pulled back the sheet, she seemed to be holding her lower abdomen and moving back and forth as if she was uncomfortable. As much as it broke his heart, he knew she was. How could she not be?
"I'm right here, honey, you're really going to feel better soon. Please just let yourself rest," he whispered as he patted her shoulder and then leaned over to brush his lips across her forehead.
He had told Ben that Alexis pushed herself too hard. He knew she did, and he worried how that life approach would work with the pregnancy. That was the only reason he was starting to have regrets about Alexis's announcement from the day before.
As he was contemplating that he was greeted by brown eyes. "Hey, how are you feeling?" he asked as he stroked his index finger across her cheek.
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Alexis wasn't sure how to answer Julian's question. She felt crampy, feverish, and nauseous but she had for a while. Beyond that she felt so weak. Simply lying in bed seemed to take effort and getting out of bed seemed unfathomable. "I need to get to work," she finally said.
"Oh, honey, you've been through a lot and you really need to just let yourself rest right now. Anyway, Ben wrote you a doctor's excuse for the whole week and he faxed it from the hospital this morning to make it look more official," Julian said.
That sounded good but Alexis knew it was way more complicated than that. After all, it wasn't like Palmer Cortlandt was going to let up until she managed to get his shell company approved and she was supposed to be in court for a probate hearing on Thursday. "It isn't that simple," she said.
"I'm sure it isn't but, seriously, honey, are you even physically able to get out of bed right now?" Julian asked.
"Probably not," Alexis said and then the tears came spilling out.
Julian scooped her up into his arms and held her. Somehow lying in his arms, she didn't feel quite so unsteady.
"I'm right here, honey, please just let yourself rest. You're going to get stronger, and it is really going to be ok," Julian whispered.
Alexis needed to believe that. "Can you just hold me?" she finally mumbled.
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Julian leaned back into Alexis's headboard and pulled her a little closer to him. Her words had been barely audible, but he had heard them. "Of course, Alexis, you just rest, I'm right here. I love you and I'm going to take care of you and this baby. I promise," he said.
Julian knew how hard it must have been for Alexis to get those words out and he also knew that only part of that was due to her illness. Alexis's tumultuous childhood had made it so hard for her to trust or depend on anyone. His abrupt departure from her life just when they were really connecting had likely just added another layer to her insecurity. He would always feel badly about that, but he wouldn't make the same mistake twice. He would do what he needed to do to ensure he could be there for Alexis, even if that meant taking Joe Scully's deal.