Married Life
Author's Note: Thanks for being so patient! I know it's been hard. But, school is hard. Hopefully, over break, I can update all 3 of my stories. – Twilighter
Allison and Robert's marriage was on shaky ground. Allison was either working, or babying the…baby. He loved Bailey too, but he always felt a little forlorn and forgotten. Like an old stuffed animal that you kept on the bed, but always ended up kicking off in the middle of the night. Bailey was important, he knew that. But, he thought that Allison might pay him some attention too. When Bailey's teeth started coming in, and he got a fever, Allison flipped out. She kept cooing over him, and checking his temperature every 30 minutes. 'Fevers are dangerous, Robert.' She'd said with an angry expression.
Allison got mad when he didn't contribute, and got even angrier when he did. Because he always ended up 'not doing it right.' She'd always mutter angry words under her breath. Robert felt like she'd be happier with him gone. So, one night, after work…he didn't accompany her to the nursery to pick up Bailey. He went to the bar, and had a couple drinks. Then, he came home, to a frantic Allison.
'Hey honey.' He slurred. She ran over to him, and slapped him as hard as she could.
'Robert Stephen Timothy Chase, where were you? You had me worried sick!' she exclaimed, clutching Bailey to her chest. Bailey was cooing, and looking at Robert. He had a droopy grin, and his periwinkle eyes were carefree in comparison to his mother's. Robert suddenly felt stupid, and very drunk. He sat down on the couch, as the room started spinning.
The headache he'd had all day suddenly made him feel sick, and his ears rang. He put his head in his hands, and whimpered. He then shivered. Allison arched a brow, and put Bailey in his playpen, and came over to Robert.
'Robert? Honey?' she said, in the softest tone she'd used with him in weeks.
She tried to push his hair back, to see his face, when she was alarmed by the heat of his brow.
Allison's Point of View
He is so warm. Warmer than he normally is. I hadn't noticed he'd been so run down until right now. I've been focused on trying to be a good mother that I'd failed as a wife. My first duties were to my family…not just my son, but my husband as well. I haven't been nice to him at all. Not appreciating the little things he's done. Like make lunches, and dinners. Taking the brunt of all my frustrations, and most of all: pretend like nothing was wrong with him when there so obviously was. I felt tears threaten my eyes, and tried to push them back.
All the anger I've felt since I started working again wasn't his fault. I was just so angry that I had to separate myself from Bailey, and put him in the care of someone else, that I took it out on the one person who loved me enough to accept my anger.....my husband. Guilt choked my throat, and made me unable to speak for a while. Finally I whispered, 'Rob?' and he looked up, and gave me a weak smile. He was pale. Really pale, even for him. I looked down, then back to his face. His blue eyes were bloodshot, and his cheeks were red with color. He swallowed, and winced a little. He gave a few hearty coughs, wheezed, and coughed some more. His asthma, I noted. I stood, and ran to the bathroom for his inhaler. I came back, and handed it to him. He took it gratefully, mumbling a thank-you before he took a few puffs on it.
He never told anyone at work about his asthma. But House knew. He knew because after running after a patient one time, Rob had been wheezing so loud, that everyone in the room could hear it. The husky breathing of my husband had almost broken my heart. Why he was so intent on keeping his weaknesses a secret was beyond me. Maybe he was afraid I'd yell at him.
Knowing me, I might have.
'I'm so sorry.' I choked out in a hoarse whisper.
Robert's Point of View
I heard those words, didn't I? I'm not hearing things? Allison Marie Cameron Chase, telling me she's sorry? Sorry for what? That I'm supposedly sick, and didn't tell her? Or that she's been like the Mad Bitch from Hell for the past few months? I didn't know, but it made my heart sing to hear an apology from her. It sounded like the old Allison. Before Bailey came along. The way she'd whispered it, and tried to comfort me.
She'd tried to comfort me. Wow. It really is the old Allison. It's amazing, really. Because she's been so…different lately, that I didn't really know where I stood with my own wife. I do feel like crap though. Maybe she realizes that?
'What do you have to be sorry about?' I mumble; my head still in my hands.
'You've done so much for me these past few months, and I haven't even said Thank You once. You do it all without ever even asking for one. You've been so patient with me, and you've just ignored all my angry outbursts.'
'Allison, I'm not a hero. I just did all that because I thought you'd come around eventually. And I was right. I lo-…' I said, until another coughing attack took the wind out of me.
'You probably have bronchitis, Rob.' She said, in her maternal authoritative voice. I nodded. I'd figured that, when I started getting this cough last week. She got me up off the couch, and helped me into bed. She rummaged around in our drawers until she pulled out some pajamas.
'Your fever's making you sweat. You should probably change into these.' She said, gently. She then went to the living room, and politely let me change. I wasn't used to this. I'm not used to this. Being cared for. I mean, I know my parents and my wife cared/ care for me, but I'm used to be Dr. Chase, the one that cares for other people. Not Rob Chase, the weak, sentimental one. I'm so weak; I can barely get my shirt over my head. Allison came in, and placed Bailey in his bassinet before she helped me get it on. She was putting me in front of Bailey.
Then, she scooped up Bailey again, and fed him. She cooed gently, and rubbed her hand gently over his blonde hair. It was downy soft, and looked just like mine.
She looked at me, and smiled.
'Robert, I would like another baby. Down the road, of course.'
I smiled weakly.
'I think we should start now.'