Taking Care of the Other While Sick
He had never felt so weak. Not in a long time anyways. When he'd lost the full use of his leg at least he had morphine to keep him in a state of sedation. But now, he lay on their bed helplessly; each breath more painful than the last, and every cough shaking him to his very core. His muscles ached but at least the fever had finally broken. Now he fought off the chills and pulled his blankets up further towards his shoulders.
Every once in awhile he would hear the sound of their girls downstairs playing and Anna's pleas for them to keep it down so as not to disturb him. When she'd come up with a fresh bowl of soup or glass of water she would report that they had been asking after him. He so hated to be apart from them, but he didn't wish to pass his illness onto them. She also told him that the girls had been helping with their baby brother, which brought a tear to his eye. He had worried it would be too much for her without his help. John should have known his girls would rally around their mother to help in any way necessary. They took after her after all, not just with their looks, but their personalities as well.
"Daddy! Are you all better?" Alice asked from the small open space between the door and the floor boards.
John could make out her little shadow and the feet of her sister standing nearby.
"Can you come out now?" Lizzie's voice soon followed.
John wanted to answer but he hardly had a voice left in him.
"I made you a picture, Daddy," Alice said. She slid the paper with various colors on it under the door.
"I helped!" Lizzie was quick to point out.
He chuckled softly, but his coughing fit started up all over again.
Just then Anna's voice broke through the bickering that broke out in the hallway. "What did I say about letting Daddy rest?"
"Sorry," came the small reply in unison.
"Go downstairs and keep an eye on Michael."
"Yes, Mummy," they said.
Anna came into the room shortly after with a warm bowl of porridge. "Think you can manage to eat this?"
"I'll try. As much as I love your cooking I'm rather full of the broth," he admitted.
"How are you feeling?" she asked as her hand checked his forehead.
"Better now that you're here," he said in a gruff voice. He managed a smile for her.
"Charmer."
"I miss our babies terribly."
"And they miss you. Dr. Clarkson says you should be up and about in a day or two," she said, her voice choked up with emotion. "I was so worried about you."
"I'm fine love. It's going to take a lot more than that to keep me away from you and the children."
Anna chuckled softly and kissed his forehead.
"I must say. You have much better bedside manner than any nurse I ever encountered after the war. You're by far, the loveliest."
Anna was sure she looked a right mess. She'd barely had time to check herself in the mirror since John got sick two days before. It wasn't easy taking care of him and having three little ones under the age of five to look after. "I'm sure that's the fever talking, perhaps it's coming back," she teased.
"No fever here. I only have eyes for you. Always have, always will."
As Anna stared back at the man she had loved for over fifteen years she had no trouble believing the sincerity in his words.