Melinda inhaled the aroma of warm, steaming chicken noodle soup. Arranging the oyster crackers on the plate, she headed upstairs. She had to admit, soup really did do wonders for a cold.
Setting the food on the bedside table, she looked over at Jim who was sprawled out in their bed, looking adorable with a red nose.
"Ugh, not more soup!"
Melinda laughed and sat down next to him on the bed. "I faintly remember someone singing the praises of soup only a few short days ago."
"That wasn't meant to apply to me."
"Oh yeah?"
"Yeah," he said as he reached over and pulled Melinda down into the blankets, tickling her ribs mercilessly, smiling at the sound of her laughter.
When Jim finally stopped his playful torture to wrap his arms around her, Melinda sat up, gasping for air.
"You know the best part about being sick?" Jim asked, a smile lifting the corners of his mouth.
Melinda brushed his dark, shaggy hair away from his forehead. "What's that?"
"Getting to spend all my time in bed…with you."
Melinda laughed. "You're going to milk this for all it's worth, aren't you?"
Jim answered her with another kiss.
A sigh of contentment slipped past Melinda's lips. Whatever challenges she might face in life, moments like this made it all worth while.
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