Years and years later...

"'Lena!"

I groan, then call from the kitchen, "Coming, sweetie." I slip the bowl of soup out of the microwave and the glass of water off the counter. My hip bumps open the door and put the dishes on the bedside table.

"Thanks," Nate sniffles. He woke up sick yesterday and I was okay with taking care of him then, but now... "Did you bring the tissues?"

"They're on your side of the bed."

"Oh, I ran out last night. Did I not tell you?"

"No."

"Well, I ran out. Can you get me some more?"

"Uh... sure. But I'm going to have to go to the store."

"Please, Elena?"

I sigh, giving in at the rough sound of his vocal cords rubbing together. "Of course I will. What kind of wife would I be if I didn't?"

He gives me a pained smile. I would kiss him, but I don't know how well he could take care of me if I get sick. My thoughts are interrupted by my phone. I run a hand down Nate's cheek, then answer, "Elena Fisher speaking."

"Hey, Elena, we've got a problem."

"Uh-oh, let's hear it." Nate tugs on my hand, but I wave him off.

"There's another coup stirring in Egypt, and we've got no one here to cover it."

"What, no one? Scott and Britney aren't in?"

"No, everyone's home for the weekend."

"'Lena," Nate whispers, poking my arm.

I hold up a finger and continue into the phone. "Well, I'm home with a sick husband. Can't you call anyone else?"

"I did. No one's picking up. And you can leave your husband home alone, you know. He's an adult, he can take care of himself."

You don't know my husband... "Okay, okay. I'll be there in an hour."

"Thanks, Elena. Send my apologies to your husband."

"I will. See you soon." I hang up and glance down at Nate. "What is it, sweetie?"

"I..." He thinks hard for a second, then shakes his head in frustration. "I forgot."

"Well, I'll give you some time to think about it. I have to go into work."

"Work?" He almost sits up, but changes his mind halfway. "Why do you have to go?"

"No else will pick up the phone."

"But... I'm sick. Who's gonna take care of me?"

"I think you'll be fine on your own for a few hours. You'll probably end up sleeping through most of it anyway."

Nate gives me the most pitiful look, puppy dog eyes and all. I almost cave, but then I remember what I'm dealing with.

"Please don't make this harder than it has to be. I'll call Sully, how's that?"

He deepens his pout. "I like you better."

"That's because he's not willing to baby you like I am."

"Please stay, Elena. He makes me get up to make my own food."

"Whine, whine, whine..."

"Please? With a cherry on top?"

"Nate-"

"And rainbow sprinkles?"

"I'll make you a deal. If you let Sully take care of you for a little while, I'll give you a massage when I come home."

He contemplates this, then asks, "Are we talking a full body massage?"

"Yes."

"Like full full body massage?"

I smirk seductively and say, "Absolutely." I only suggested it because he's not the only one who wins during an all-inclusive massage. "But you have to promise me you'll be good for Sully."

"I will."

"Good boy." I kiss him on the forehead because I can't help it. "I'm going to call Sully, then I'll leave for the office. See you soon."

"I love you," he says, then rubs a hand across his nose.

"I love you, too."

Once I'm out of earshot, I press the speed dial number for Sully. I put him as 2. He should be 1 for the amount of times I have to call him, but it feels weird not to have my mom as 1.

Sully answers with the usual, "How ya doin', sweetheart?"

"I'm doing just fine, but Nate's a little under the weather."

"Aw, how are you holding up?" He knows how Nate can be when he's not feeling well. He did raise him, after all.

"I'm... okay. I'm calling because-"

"You need to tap out for a little while?"

I almost laugh at how spot on he is. "I swear you've bugged our rooms. You always know these things."

"Nah, I just know Nate. Unfortunately."

I roll my eyes and glance at my watch. I need to get going if I want to meet my deadline. "Could you pick up a few tissue boxes on the way? We're out."

"Oh, all right. You should make him use toilet paper. That's what I would do when he was living with me. It was incredible how fast his sniffles went away. It was almost miracle level."

"I couldn't do that to him. His nose is pretty much raw at this point."

"That's because he's been using too many tissues!" Sully sighs and I hear a chair creak as he presumably stands up. "I'll straighten him out for you sweetheart."

"Okay, I'm just leaving for work. I don't want to find him black and blue when I come back."

"Don't you worry, darling. I'll keep him in good enough condition for whatever you two were planning tonight."

"Sully!" I can hear him laughing on the other end. "I'm checking the room for mics and cameras as soon as I get home."

"I'll be there in ten. See you around, sweetheart."

"Bye, Sully."

I end the call and grab my keys. I trust Nate on his own for ten minutes. I think.

10:30 that night...

I rub a hand over my tired face as I unlock the door. Turns out Egypt was more of a shit storm than I expected. Half the time I was too busy worrying about Nate home alone to focus on writing the article. Sully's car parked in the driveway gives me hope that the house is not flooded/on fire.

I drop my keys and purse on the couch and drag my feet up the stairs. I pause before pressing on the ajar bedroom door. Nate and Sully's voices float through the crack in the door frame. I take a peek and see them holding up various fingers, donning huge, goofy smiles.

A creak of the hinges gives away my position, keeping me from doing anymore recon. "Hey, Elena," Nate says, waving his pointer finger. "How was work?"

"Fine, how are you feeling?" I perch myself on the bed and run a hand through his hair.

Sully answers before Nate can. "The kid is slowly driving me out of my mind, but other than that I'm fine."

Nate throws a fake punch at Sully, but they both keep their grins. "I'm feeling much better, Elena. Thank you for asking." He then pucker his lips, asking for a kiss.

I playfully push his face away and say, "You're still sick."

"Stupid germs." He frowns and turns back to Sully, wiggling his fingers. "Let's finish our game, Sully. It's your turn."

"What are you guys playing?" I get comfortable and tuck my feet under my legs on the bed.

"Never Have I Ever," Nate says while Sully thinks.

"Really?" I giggle. "I played that at sleepovers when I was a kid. Why are you two mythical treasure hunters playing?"

"Long story," they say in unison.

"Oookay then." I'll let them keep their secrets for now. There will be enough time for that on some future drunken night. "Can I play? Or is this a no girls allowed thing?"

"No, you can play," Nate nods. "We can start over."

"But I'm about to win," Sully groans.

"You've already won twice, greedy!"

One hour later...

My head lays on Nate's chest, arms wrapped around his abdomen. His breath catches with mucus every once and a while, but he's otherwise peaceful. The only real sound comes from Sully snoring in the corner. Both he and Nate have a relaxed, content look on their face. They'll deny it in the morning, but Sully has Nate's hand clasped in his own. The boys don't usually openly show such affection for each other. I find it adorable and would snap a picture, but Nate will wake when I move my arms. Instead I tighten my embrace. Nate likes physical contact. I think it reassures him that he's not alone and there's someone looking out for him. It's not out of the ordinary for someone with abandonment issues to be clingy.

I nestle even further into his rib cage, listening to his strong and steady heart beat. "I love you," I murmur.

His heart flutters.