We love a fluffy fluff, right?

nothing but the love - Wrabel

She can imagine this is what dying feels like. Okay, maybe that is an exaggeration but she feels like it is. She can't remember how to breathe. Her nose is stuffed. Her throat feels like sandpaper. Her chest feels like there's an elephant sitting on it. Her head feels like it's going to explode. And frankly, as tough as she wants to pretend she is she is a giant baby when she feels ill. She just hides under the blanket and pretends the world does not exist. She wants to be held and be taken care of. For a moment, she forgot she had responsibilities. The kids. Her stupid husband. She figures she has to take care of all of them but the house was so quiet. Still. No one is home. She opens her eyes slowly with a soft groan. Fuck. Everything does hurt. Even her muscles ache. She blinks as notices a glass of water and some medicine on the night table. A cute little note folded next to it with her name on it and a small sloppy heart. Unmistakably Owen's handwriting.

Why do men have the worse handwriting. Why can't men draw simple shapes. Allison's drawings look better than Owen's. There's no contest.

She reaches for it and she has to admit that it is a sweet gesture from her husband. She lets herself smile because it is cute as hell that Owen even drew a stupid heart.

Please stay in bed.

Take the Tylenol. Drink the water.

The full glass!

I'll be back soon.

Love you, T.

Your favorite person,

O

She checks the time and it's way past eleven in the morning. Favorite person, my ass. She thinks to herself. But she smiles anyway. Because it makes her feel giddy despite feeling like dying slowly. She takes the Tylenol and drinks half the glass of water because he is not the boss of her and she burrows under the sheets again and hugs her pillow tightly and falls back asleep in peace.

The next time she wakes up was because she feels a cold hand on her forehead and runs it through her hair. It makes her shiver and his mutter brings her to consciousness.

"Why the fuck is your hand so cold" She says weakly. Voice raspy. Her throat on fire.

"It's cold out. Just checking if you have a fever" He says as he replaces his hand with his lips. They're much warmer and loving and she can't help but melt. "I got soup from your favorite place. I can warm it up and we can just spend the whole day in bed."

"The kids?"

"I dropped them off at Amelia's."

"You left her with ten thousand kids?"

"Maggie was there too. They were happy to watch them." He says a leaves another kiss on her forehead. "I'll be back" He says and disappears out into the hall.

She fights he urge to fall back asleep because despite all the body ache and the sore throat and the stuffy nose, she is hungry as hell and just wants soup. And Owen's company. Yes, yes she admits she wants to be with him. To be near him. She's kind of glad she has his undivided attention even for a few hours.

She has no idea how much time has passed but he comes back with a tray and the soup. Her eyes tear up, because she's congested, okay yes because it's sweet that he had a tiny flower arrangement to make it nice and homey.

"That's sweet" She says as he places the tray in front of him.

"Figured it would make you smile"

"It does" She gives him a smile, a real one. He definitely can her real ones versus her bullshit smile. "Thank you"

He goes around to his side of the bed and cozies up next to her. "So what do you say? Shall we watch a show? Or just sit in silence or talk? I'm up for anything. I can also leave you alone if you want some space or—"

"—No. No please stay. I want you to stay." She says, placing her clammy hand on his forearm.

The last time he took care of her like this was in Baghdad. She wasn't even his to take care of. But he kept her company and made sure she ate and took her medicine and slept. She'll never forget that. She wonders if he does.

He pulls up his laptop from his bedside and peruses the Netflix menu.

"Want to watch something funny? Or—"

Teddy puts the tray aside and uses all her energy to scoot next to him. He wraps his arm around her and pulls her close. Normally these days she's push him away, but this time it's all welcome. It's all she needs.

"I'll get you sick" she says, failing to suppress a cough.

"So what? Then we'll be sick together. We can snuggle up and watch whatever show you want to binge and sleep all day and eat soup."

"What about the two little people we have to keep alive?"

"We'll ship them off to mom's." He says with a laugh and kisses her head. "Kidding aside though, don't worry about that right now. Just rest."

"Okay" She mumbles and buries her face in his neck.

"Yep you definitely have a fever"

She groans against his neck and mumbles something incoherent.

"Remember in Baghdad—" Owen starts

"—You're stealing my line" She says and snuggles closer to him, wrapping her arm around his waist and tangling her legs against his

Owen chuckles. It's true. She's always the more nostalgic one. "Fair. But remember in Baghdad when you were so sick you were delirious"

"I remember sick but definitely not delirious"

"Oh you were. You said you loved me"

"Maybe platonically"

Owen chuckles. "Nah, you said you loved me and you wish I was yours"

"I said that?" Teddy says groaning and hiding in his chest in embarrassment

"Yeah but you also had a fever that was ridiculously high."

"What did you do? After I said that?"

"I held you…just like this" He says, giving her a squeeze.

"I meant that, you know?"

"Always truth-telling when you're delirious"

"I'm not delirious right now, but you know I love you, right?"

"I know. And I love you too" He says "We just… let things get a little complicated"

"I'm not going anywhere, Owen. Just….bear with me. I think i'm processing things in an unconventional way" She says with a chuckle and a sniffle.

"Ah, we're starting to let our guards down finally"

"It's the fever talking, but whatever it's saying it's definitely the truth." She sniffles.

Owen rubs her back soothingly and she lets out a content sigh. "Oh let's see if we can get some truths out of you…"

"Don't push it, Mister" She says "Taking advantage of his sick wife. Shame."

He just laughs and gives her a squeeze.

"Owen?" She starts, lifting her head up looking at him in the eye.

"Yeah?"

"Speaking of truth-telling…this is it for us, right? You and me? It's for keeps?"

His mood turns serious. He holds her close. "Even if you wake up tomorrow without a fever and you hate me to the very core again and you can't stand the sight of me, it'll be you and me forever, Teds."

"And when you want to do something moronic, you will come to me first for advice? Because as much as I love being your wife, I also want to be your best friend."

She tenses when he takes a deep breath. He tilts her head so he can look at her in the eye. "Teddy, you're always my best friend first. Remember that. And I know that now. And if I ever need my best friend to talk to or conspire with, you will be my first call. Okay?"

She nods and smiles at him "Okay. And just to make sure this is real life and not a fever-induced delirium right?"

"It is real life. And I hope you remember. But if not I'll remind you when you feel better"

She chuckles and it makes her smile. It makes her feel a tiny, tiny bit better.

"So? Comedy? Drama? Thriller? A nap?"

"How about a romcom" She says as she sniffles "What's your favorite?"

"Uh—"

"Cut the crap Owen. You gotta have a favorite romcom. You like grand gestures. I'm sure you don't get that from a movie set in Normandy"

"Too much sass for a person who is ill"

"Just tell me!" she says, poking his belly playfully

"Fine, Notting Hill"

"Perfect. Mine too."

She settles with her head on his chest, snuggled up against him. His laptop propped on a pillow and the movie slowly starts and she immediately falls into sweet slumber. All she needs is him to feel better.

She wakes up when he feels his warm hand petting her back. His body replaced by a pillow. Movie credits are rolling. She squints at his figure, standing over her with a soft smile.

"There is a bathtub filled with warm water and effervescent eucalyptus waiting in the bathroom for you"

She rubs her eyes groggily, head still pounding like a bitch.

"Hmm?"

"I drew you a bath. Come on. Let me help you up"

Her body fills with warmth. Just the love that Owen fills her. He way his arms wrap around her and helps her up. His hand on her back, guiding her to the bathroom. Her legs feel like jelly and she musters all the energy as she gets in the bath.

"Owen?" She says hoarsely. "Stay?" He just nods and sits on the floor with his back against the tub. She snakes her fingers through his hair. It's a comfort thing. "Thank you for taking care of me"

"You know I always will."

"How was the movie?' She asks. Her fingers weakly massaging his scalp

"I should be the one massaging your scalp"

"Nah, I like this. My hands are antsy"

"The movie was good. As always." He says with a soft chuckle "You conked out on me like two minutes in"

"I didn't even feel you get out of bed"

He just looks at her and gives her a smile. She feels her heart flutter as she caresses his face. "Owen?"

"Hmm?"

"What happened to us?"

"Whatever did, we can get past it. We can…go on dates? Start over?"

"Yeah? I'd like that." She says softly. The effervescence of the bath salts is helping her lungs. Her congestion clearing up. "You were so hot surfing"

He laughs. It was joyful and pure. "Yeah?"

"Oh yeah. All tan and … yum" She says, smirking. "Even with that Stella bitch near you"

"Nothing happened there… she was just,.. there…"

"I know, I wasn't implying. I just get jealous." She sighs "You made the most of that time…I know that. The sandcastle was just to entertain the kids. And you were good at that. You were just looking out for them, making sure they don't get affected or realize that things were falling apart. I guess I was just mad and bitter and scared. And I took it out on you. And I'm sorry for being so mean."

"I understand all that. And I couldn't do anything else and I just wanted everyone to be okay. I figured that sulking and being angry wouldn't help me. I did what I did. I couldn't undo it. All I had to do is to move forward. Onwards. And I appreciate everything you did for me. You know that, right?"

"Mmhm"

"I wish you would've joined me surfing though" He says, winking at her.

She lets out a laugh "I preferred the wine, thanks."

"Maybe next vacation, you and I can go to Napa Valley and learn about proper wine instead of drinking that rosé"

"I know a thing or two. Rosé was just better for the weather. But I'd love to got o Napa. With you. Just us"

"Right? It sounds nice"

"Once we.."

"Yeah, once we're back on the green."

"Right now, my nice twenty three dollar bottle of Cabernet will do."

"It is delicious."

"Right?" She says "Will you still love me when I'm not delirious anymore and wake up still angry at you?"

He laughs and reaches for her face and strokes her cheek with her thumb. "Yes, yes. I will still love you because I know deep, deep down, you still love me. Delirious Teddy is always truth-telling"

"You must love Delirious Teddy, huh"

"Oh yeah, with my whole heart." He says and checks the water temperature. "Okay let's get out of there and get you all burritoed up in bed" He takes her towel and wraps her up. Handing her sweatpants and sweatshirts, laying her up to keep her warm.

"Can we watch When Harry Met Sally?" She says, as she gets into the bed. He tucks her in and joins her on the other side.

"Yes, woman after my heart." He wraps an arm around her once the movie was set up and kisses the side of her head.

"I like how you pretend you like those stupid war movies but secretly watch Romcoms"

"I swear, if you tell anyone…."

"Nothing to be ashamed of, babe." She says laughing and he gives her a squeeze in response.

"Hey Teddy?" He says. She looks up at him with a smile. His eyes were soft and loving and tender. "We're gonna be okay, right?"

"You and I? We've gone through worse."

He just laughs. She can feel his eyes still watching her as she focuses to the movie. She rests her head on his shoulder. He places a soft kiss in her hair.

They're their own kind of romcom. There is nothing there but love.