Author's Note: Thanks to everyone who is interested in this story! I apologize with the obscene lack of updates but rest assured, the story will go on! During these last few months, I myself got very sick with whatever Abby has (you will have to read ahead to find out what it is) and that is helping me continue on this story from a realistic standpoint. Every symptom Abby has I experienced first-hand I know the pain she is going through! LOL! Enjoy!
With lightning fast speed, Luka was able to grab the trashcan beside the bed just as Abby began heaving. He rubbed his hands on her back as her entire body heaved and retched, expelling the small amount of fluid that was in her stomach.
"Oh yuck," Abby choked out as another heave wrenched her body. Tears poured out the corners of her eyes and her head pounded, "So gross," she finished vomiting and lifted her sweat-soaked face.
"Feel better?" Luka asked, putting the can back on the floor and wiping the tears off her cheeks.
"Yes, thank you." Abby wiped her mouth on the tissue Luka handed her. She placed a shaky hand on her forehead and wiped away the sweat there. "That certainly came on fast."
"Yes well, I think you are going to be feeling crappy for the next day or so at least." Luka stood and took the garbage bag away, returning a few minutes later with a glass of cool water, a wet washcloth and an old ice-cream bucket. "Just in case," he smiled, putting the bucket beside her bed and folded the cloth over her pale brow.
"Thanks Luka," Abby mumbled as sleep slowly started to overtake her again.
Luka kissed her nose and re-covered her tired body with the duvet. Turning the bedside light off, he went to call the hospital and tell them neither he nor Abby would be in that afternoon.
A few hours later, Abby awoke to the ringing of the telephone. She heard Luka pick it up in the hall, his muffled voice drifting down towards the bedroom.
"Hi Chuny, yeah, she is pretty sick. Uh huh, it was up to 103F during the night but seems to have come down. Yes, I will, I'll make sure she gets lots of rest. Thanks Chuny."
Abby heard the receiver click and then soft footsteps coming down the hall to the bedroom. Luka appeared in the doorway with a mug of tea and toast.
"Hey," Luka said quietly coming over to the bed, "how are you feeling?"
"Ugh, still pretty gross," Abby sat up in bed and gave him a small smile. "Sorry I kept you up last night." She felt a twinge of guilt when she saw the dark circles under his eyes.
"Don't worry about it, it wasn't your fault." Luka put the tea and toast on the night table and reached for the thermometer. "I just want to check your temperature again." He put the tip in her ear noticing that her face was flushed and she seemed to have trouble keeping her eyes open. "Damn," he cursed softly as he glanced at the temperature reading. "103.4F."
Abby groaned, "Yeah, I knew my head was pounding for a reason." She lay back against the pillows and sighed, "Kerry isn't going to be happy."
Luka laughed, "I don't think you need to worry about it. I told her this morning that you were puking and had a temperature of 103F and she said to tell you to just rest."
"Thanks for calling her." Abby squeezed his hand in appreciation. "I don't think I could have dealt with her today."
Luka kissed her forehead. "I'll go get you a Tylenol."
Much later that morning, Abby decided she couldn't ignore the pressure in her bladder anymore. She turned her head towards the clock radio and saw that it was nearly 12:30 in the afternoon. "No wonder," she muttered as she sat up slowly, steeling herself against the wave of dizziness that followed.
Regaining her balance, Abby stood slowly and shuffled the short distance to the small bathroom attached to her and Luka's bedroom. Once inside she regarded her complexion in the mirror with disdain. Her face was pasty white making her freckles stand out in stark contrast. There were red blotches under her eyes caused by broken blood vessels, most likely from the fever or vomiting, and her lips were dry and cracked. Most alarmingly however, was the size of her neck. The glands there were so swollen she looked like she had the mumps and certainly had difficulty swallowing.
After relieving herself, Abby flushed the toilet and took a sip of water from the faucet. Her throat was really starting to hurt and she reached for another Tylenol and the thermometer. She got herself back into bed and promptly returned to slumber.