Violet's Pov:

Now I'd done it. I knew I shouldn't have gone out in the freezing cold rain. I sat on the edge of Clementine's bed and she stood in front of me with a thermometer in her hand.

I had a pout on my face as she pressed the button to turn it on and then pressed the end of it to my temple once it beeped. After a few moments, the thermometer beeped again once it registered my temperature and Clem pulled it away with a frown on her face. "That's what I thought. You've got a fever, Vi. One hundred and one point two."

She placed her hand against my forehead again to feel the heat radiate off of me. "You feeling okay, Vi?"

I felt alright for the most part. I was just really tired after a night with no sleep and climbing an abandoned apartment building in the rain. And after Clem made me eat some of Lee's famous chicken soup I really just wanted to curl up and take a nap.

So I nodded my head yes and then signed to her that I was just tired. I reached out towards her and made a grabby hands motion just like a little kid would if they wanted to be picked up.

Clem chuckled at me and smiled. "I guess I did promise that we could cuddle after you ate something. Alright, Vi."

Clem set the thermometer on her bedside table before walking over and climbing onto the bed with me. She moved to the left of me and laid down. I followed suit and laid down next to her after slipping under the covers.

I immediately scooted over and cuddled into Clem's embrace and she wrapped her arm around me. I finally felt content to fall asleep and relax in her embrace. But the enjoyable feeling of being cuddled prevented me from drifting off. I wanted to be able to enjoy this sensation rather than sleep through it.

That's when Clem spoke up. "I'm not happy that you were out in the cold rain last night, but I have to say... I'm really enjoying spending this time with you."

I smiled at her words. I was happy spending this time with her too.

"But... I don't want you going out like that again. Okay, Vi?"

I could tell by her tone that she was serious. So I nodded my head in agreement. In the moment it hadn't been that bad. But after getting soaked to the bone I hadn't enjoyed my trip outside to the abandoned apartment building. I wouldn't do it again. Well...at least not in the cold and rain.

What surprised me next was when Clem turned over on her side. "Alright, I want to cuddle with you properly. Turn over Vi."

I smiled and did as she said. And I couldn't help but giggle as she wrapped her arms around me. Clem snuggled into me and pulled me flush against her. I silently giggled as she buried her face into my neck. Her curls tickled against my face and neck and I couldn't stop the laughs that made my body shake.

"What're you laughin' about?" Clem asked me. She reached around me and it was too late to stop her as she started tickling me "You think that's funny?"

I squirmed in her arms as fits of silent laughter escaped me. I couldn't even tell her to stop and had to endure her tickle fight. Luckily her terror of tickles ended a few seconds later and I was able to catch my breath. A huge smile was plastered on my face as my breathing evened out.

I turned my head to see Clem grinning at me. Before she leaned over and kissed me on the cheek. "I love you." She said to me.

I smiled not even mad at her. And I made a heart with my hands before signing and mouthing the words "I love you."

I see Clem blush slightly before she cuddles back into me and she kisses my neck. She pulls me flush against her again and tightly wraps her arms around me. I smile and relax into her embrace.

The only thing missing was me having Clover to cuddle in my arms. I didn't bring him though after coming straight from school. I didn't dare bring him to school for fear I'd be laughed at if someone found out I carried around a stuffed teddy bear.

But I couldn't be too upset with the way my girlfriend was spooning me. I felt myself relax and the exhaustion finally took over me as my breathing evened out and I drifted off to sleep.

—

It was about three hours later when I woke up shivering. I felt cold and hot all at the same time. My stomach didn't feel too good either. I turned over to find Clem asleep as well. I scooted closer to her and cuddled into her side trying to just ignore how I was feeling.

But my constant shivering must have woke Clem up. "V-Vi? What's wrong?"

She looked at me with bleary eyes before rubbing the tiredness from them and clearing her vision. Then I felt her grab my hand. "Vi your shaking. You cold babe?"

She then reached up and touched my forehead before reeling away. "Shit, you're burning up Vi."

Clem slid out of bed and grabbed the thermometer off the bedside table. Then she put it to my forehead. Once it beeped Clem gave a hiss as if in pain. "You're temperature is through the roof babe. It's one hundred and two point five."

Clem set the thermometer aside and turned to leave. But I reached out and weakly grabbed her hand to stop her.

"Violet, babe, I'm gonna get you some medicine to bring that fever down. Okay? I'll be right back."

I sent her a saddened look but obliged and let go. Clem sends me a reassuring smile as she leaves.

She comes back a few minutes later with a bottle of pink medicine and a small cup but I'm surprised when she's trailed by Lee. "Don't worry Violet. We'll take good care of you." He reassures me. Then he turns to his daughter. "Clem, I'm gonna call Stephanie and tell her how Violet's doing. Are you two gonna be okay?"

"Sure thing dad," Clem tells him without even looking up from what she's doing. Lee is satisfied with this answer and pulls out his phone as he turns to leave.

"Alright, Vi. I need you to sit up." Clem instructs me as she opens the bottle of medicine by breaking past the childproof seal.

I oblige and push myself up. But then we get another visitor as the door is thrown open and in runs AJ. "Cleeem, will you and Violet play with me? You promised you would after school." He half whines.

"Sorry, bud." Clem apologizes. "We can't play right now. Violet's sick."

AJ's face turns to one of sympathy as he looks at me then at the bottle in Clem's hand. "Oh, I'm sorry you're sick Violet."

I wave him off as a way to say that it was no big deal. Then I see Clem pour out the medicine onto a spoon. It looks something like pink molasses and smells like artificial bubble gum. My nose wrinkles in disgust.

"Alright Vi, open up." Clem tells me as she finishes pouring it.

I fold my arms and stick my tongue out in disgust and mockery at not wanting to take it.

"Does Violet have to drink that?" AJ asks Clem. To which she nods.

"If she wants to get better, yes." Then she brings the spoon to my mouth. "Come on Vi, this'll bring your fever down."

I huff in defeat and open my mouth and allow Clem to feed me the pink goo. I make a face as the medicine runs over my tastebuds and I taste the artificial flavor of cherry syrup.

But I can see AJ make a sour face as well after he watches me drink it. "Ew, that stuff is yucky."

I nod in agreement and to my surprise so does Clem. "It's yucky but it'll help Violet feel better." And I'm dreading it as I watch her pour another spoonful. "Alright Vi, just one more. Then you can get something to drink."

I'm not satisfied with this deal though and I reach out to her as if wanting a hug. I see Clem's face turn a shade of red at this as she answers. "Yes, we-we can c-cuddle too." I smile at how cute she looks, embarrassed from having AJ still in the room. But as we agreed, I take the second spoonful of medicine without complaint. And I'm relieved when Clem hands me a cup of water to wash the dreadful taste down.

"There, see. That wasn't so bad." She says screwing the cap back on.

I roll my eyes and sign to her, "Speak for yourself."

Then AJ speaks up again. "Hey Violet, want me to grab Woody for you? We can help keep you company."

I look to Clem for help on this one because while I don't want to break his heart, I really want to cuddle with my girlfriend.

Luckily, Clem comes to my rescue. "Uh, hey AJ, I've got an idea." Then she leans down and whispers into his ear and I see AJ's eyes light up like he'd just been told tomorrow was Christmas.

"Yeah, I'm gonna do that!" He yells before running out of the room.

I look to Clem for an explanation but all she does is wink at me. So knowing that I won't get an answer until later, I pat the spot next to me on the bed.

"Guess I did agree to cuddle," Clem says as she climbs up onto the bed.

I immediately slide closer to her and lay my head on her chest. Clem's arm goes around me and the warmth I feel in her embrace is enough for me to stop shivering.

I enjoy the feeling of Clem running her fingers through my hair. It's a feeling like no other, and I cherish every minute of it. The minutes tick by and I can feel myself getting sleepy again but I'm trying to fight it, not wanting this feeling to end. So I snuggle farther into Clem's side and she whispers to me. "Shhh, just go to sleep Vi."

I'm about to take her advice and drift off, but a loud bang startles both of us and I'm awake in seconds. AJ bursts through the door with an excited grin on his face, piece of paper in hand. "Violet guess what?! I made something for you!" He's practically bouncing in his shoes.

But Clem's voice cuts him off. "That's great buddy, but Vi was trying to sleep..."

"Please Clem?" Comes his reply. "I really want to give it to her. It was your idea."

He's got her there and I can see by her face that she gives in. "Alright, just make it quick. Violet needs to rest."

AJ grins excitedly and hands me another homemade card, similar to the one he gave me at the hospital. Except this one has a giant red heart on the front. I open the card and my heart melts for a second time. Inside is a list of all of our names inside a big pink heart and above it says, "Our Family" in black lettering. Then at the bottom, it said, "Get well soon."

I had to brush tears from my eyes from how touched I was. I loved how AJ always considered me as family.

I didn't care if I was sick. I leaned over and gave AJ a hug anyway in a show of gratitude to which he gladly accepted and he threw his arms around me. It was the best thing he could have gotten me.

I then set the card down on the bedside table. AJ seemed happy with this but didn't leave just yet. "Dad helped me spell everything, but I'm glad you liked it. I hope you get better Violet." I smiled and went in to hug him once more.

After we broke apart Clem spoke up. "Okay AJ why don't you go and play with Woody. Violet needs to get some rest."

I rolled my eyes but nodded and gave him a little push to tell him it was okay. AJ waved goodbye and headed off to play. But I was surprised when Clem got up as well. "Hold on a second Vi."

And before I could stop her she was gone. But she came back a minute later with my purple journal in her arms and climbed back into bed. I gave her a quizzical look and she replied with, "I'm gonna read to you."

Then she opened up to a random page with a title. " Hmm, how about "Letting Her Go?"

I smiled and signed to her, "That's a long one."

"Well, no reason we can't start it," Clem said smiling.

She readied the page and I scooted closer to her until my head rested against her shoulder. Then she began to read. "June 16, 2020, four years after the end of the zombie apocalypse. Clementine is now 15 living in a house in northern Georgia with the few people that managed to survive with her..."

I listened to the story that I had written and managed to get through the first two chapters before I started to get tired again. I couldn't help it as my head lulled back and forth. I quickly shook myself awake only to succumb to drowsiness again.

"Babe, it's okay if you want to sleep," Clem said after she stopped reading. "We can finish it later."

I shook my head no, but a yawn escaped me then. Clem closed the notebook with a clap. "I think that's enough for tonight. It's time you got some sleep."

I couldn't help but comply as I yawned again and nodded in agreement. I felt really tired. I watched Clementine throw my journal at the end of the bed then she slipped under the covers with me. So I snuggled up to her laying my head on her chest. Her arm went around me and I slowly fell asleep to the sound of her heartbeat. The last thing I remember her saying was "I love you" right before I drifted off. I guess being sick wasn't so bad after all.