Frank was extra careful as he went about his evening routine to insure he didn't wake Denise. If she was sick she needed to rest and get well again. She had tried to assure him it was nothing, but he knew better.
She slept the entire evening including three phone calls and one visit from Roxy without stirring. When Frank went to their bedrom to prepare for bed, he couldn't help himself. Denise was lying o n their bed, face pale, but with her black hair splayed out across the pillow, she looked more beautiful than even in his eyes. He moved to her bedside, knelt down, and kissed her lightly.
Denise smiled as awoke to soft kisses being placed on her forehead and lips. She opened her eyes and weakly reached out for Frank when she saw him smiling down at her. She scooted over and Frank moved from the floor and sat down on the edge of the bed beside her.
"Hey honey, how are you feeling?" He asked trying to whisper in case she had a headache.
She looked at him and gave a small pout, "Not good at all. My head hurts, my throat is sore and I'm still nauseous,"she said trying to hold back tears. Denise hated to cry, mostly because it always upset Frank when she cried, but right now she hated feeling helpless and awful even more, but still she fought as hard as her tired body would allow. When Frank reached out and caressed her cheek with the back of his hand, he frowned, "You're feeling kind of warm, Baby. Can I get you anything?" The love in his voice was enough to push her control over the edge. She finally lost the battle and the tears streamed down her flushed cheeks.
Seeing Denise in tears Frank pulled her his arms and held her close to him. She buried her face in his chest and cried harder. The tighter Frank held on, the harder she cried. If hadn't felt so miserable she'd have enjoyed these sweet moments on intimacy with him and he crooned into her hear soothing words met to calm and headl."Shhh, Baby. It's okay,shh. Don't cry, honey. I'm here and I will take care of you. I promise,"he whispered comfortingly. He kissed her on the head and pulled her into his lap. Slow, he rocked her back and forth they way she'd done for Jeremy when he was little. Denise had always been the one to hold their son and she'd always been the one to soothe his pain. Inspite of himself, Frank was glad he was getting the chance to love and comfort Denise, he only wished she didn't have to feel so terrible. Soon he Frank felt her breathing even out when he looked down her eyes were closed in sleep. He hoped she would sleep well and be able to fight off whatever it was that ailed her by morning, he hated that she was feeling so sick. Still for now she was sleeping peacefully.
Frank sat with Denise in his arms for a little while longer, loving the feeling of having her nestled down into his arms, safe from the world, fast asleep. Finally he stood up with her still in his arms and pulled back the covers. Laying her down gently,he kissed her lightly on the head.
He went to the bathroom brushed his teeth then went back to the bedroom took off his work pants and climed into bed beside his wife. She immediately snuggled into his warmth and sighed contently in her slumber. Frank smiled softly to himself, loving the fact that his new position allowed him to be with Denise when she needed him. Frank stretched out and pulled Denise closer to him, wrapping her up and wishing his arms would be enough to keep anything from huritng her. He sighed and while he fully expected he'd lie awake all night so not to miss Denise's calling for him if she needed to, but before long, the long day he'd put in got the best of him and he too fell into a peaceful sleep