Forty-Three

E

My protective side, or as my ex-wife would call it, my hero complex is at an all-time high right now.

It's four in the morning, we've been home for a couple hours, and Bella's "just a sore throat" has morphed into something else entirely.

Her fever is back with a vengeance. One-oh-one the last time I checked and climbing, and she's coughing up a lung.

All I can do is be there for her. Rub her back until she calms down and try to convince her to let me take her to the emergency room or at least a twenty-four-hour Urgent Care.

She tries to convince me that it's only a cold, and that she'll feel better in the morning. I call bullshit.

"If your fever doesn't break soon, we're going whether you like it or not."

"I can't." She wheezes while I wipe her clammy forehead with a damp washcloth. "I don't have health insurance."

I pull back. "Bella, I gave you the paperwork for health insurance months ago. After I hired you officially."

Bella swallows and winces, and it kills me. "I know. I kept putting it off."

"It doesn't matter. We'll figure out the bill when it comes, but please, let me take you to the E.R. They can give you antibiotics and fluids or whatever you need."

She starts to argue but is interrupted by another coughing fit. This one worse than the one before. When it's over, she collapses against the pillows and admits defeat. "Fine, but I want to go to an Urgent Care. It'll be cheaper."

"Money isn't an issue."

Bella pouts. "It is to me. Please."

"Okay, why don't you change into something comfortable while I look for a place that's open at this hour."

She nods and gingerly climbs out of bed, shuffling to the bathroom at a snail's pace.

I manage to find a clinic that's open clear across town and load a very lethargic Bella into the car.

She falls asleep on the drive, and I feel bad waking her up when we arrive, but she needs help that I can't give her. "Bella, baby." I shake her lightly. "We're here."

She groans and her head lolls to the side. "I'm ready."

An hour and a half later, we're back on the road, headed back home.

Bella's been pumped full of antibiotics and fluids and given a diagnosis.

Strep. According to the doctor, it's a bad strain that's sweeping through the city. Bella just happens to be a lucky victim.

I'll have to run to the pharmacy first thing in the morning for antibiotics and codeine-laced cough syrup. Until then, I just have to get her through the rest of the night, making sure she's as comfortable as possible.

I park the car, pulling in backward so Bella will be closer to the door, and help her inside and up the stairs.

She mutters as she climbs into bed fully clothed with an exhausted sigh. "What are we going to do, Edward?"

I frown. "Well, we're going to try to get some sleep, and as soon as the pharmacy opens, I'm going to grab your scripts, and you, my love, are going to rest." I start to undress her, helping her into one of my shirts.

Her eyes open, still bleary from the fever that hasn't broken yet. "I'm not talking about me, Edward. What about the bar? The doctor said I can't work for four to five days. Hell, I worked while I'm contagious. Who knows who I infected tonight."

I stop short. Once upon a time, in any situation, Rebar would always be my first thought, but right now, all I care about is Bella's health and well-being. She's changed me so completely.

"Don't worry about that. I'll call in a few favors and everything will work out."

I can tell she wants to argue; she just doesn't have the energy to. I pull the blankets up and around her and get ready for bed.

The rest of the night is restless on Bella's side. Her fever eventually breaks, and she tosses and turns for hours. I can't sleep, so I stay up and take care of her while formulating a plan.

I don't know what time I pass out, but as soon as I wake up, I run the necessary errands and dope Bella up good before heading to my office to get to work.

This whole ordeal has shown me that things need to change. I've been fortunate, and Rebar has been so busy I've been making a great profit. The original plan was to use the extra money we've been making to pay off my parents' loan. I want to get out from under them even though there's no pressure.

Instead, I post a help wanted plea on a local forum for a part-time bartender and bar back positions.

Until then, I call my best friends for help. Alice is game for a couple nights of dishwashing and bussing tables.

"Jasper needs to spend more one-on-one with Jack anyway." She laughs humorlessly. "Don't get me wrong. I love being a stay-at-home mom and all, but this mama could use a break."

I thank her profusely, and she cuts me off.

"Oh, my free labor isn't exactly free. When our fair Bella is back to her old self, the two of you are babysitting so I can take my fiancé out for a full night of debauchery."

"Deal." I chuckle, and then sigh. "Now, I just have to figure out how I'm going to tend to the bar on my own this weekend."

"Why don't you call Ben? Last I heard, he's still jumping from place to place. You know how he is. Get's bored and moves on to the next project."

"That's a great idea. Thanks, Alice."

We hang up, and I shuffle through my little black book so I can find Ben's number.

We worked together at one of the bars I worked at before I opened Rebar. While I was dreaming of opening a dive bar off the beaten path, Ben was watching Cocktail and trying his best to be Tom Cruise.

He was very popular with the ladies and brought in a lot of business with his bottle tricks.

His phone rings a few times, and I figure he's still sleeping after a long night at whatever bar he's slinging drinks at. Right before I get sent to voicemail, he picks up, his voice hoarse but familiar.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Ben. It's Edward."

"Cullen? How the hell are you, man? How's business going at Rebar?"

"I'm good. The bar is doing great, but I need a favor. A huge one."

"Name it, bro."

I explain my dilemma. That my only employee is down for the week and that I'm desperate.

"Well, you're in luck, my man. I happen to be in town, and I'm not committed to any place at the moment. I'd love to come down. It's been a while."

"It has and I'm sorry for that. We usually get busy around four if you can manage that."

"Yeah. I'll be there. Don't tell Allie though. I wanna surprise her."

The next call is a lot easier. I'm not comfortable leaving Bella alone to fend for herself while I work, just in case something happens.

Rose is a true best friend.

She promptly shows up an hour after I call, arms loaded with bags.

"I make the best chicken stew. It's her favorite, so I'll make a big pot and force her to eat." She points to another bag. "I also brought chick flicks."

"Thank you." I grab my keys and jacket. "I should be back no later than one."

"No worries."

Oh, but I do worry. All night, my mind is on Bella. Luckily, Ben is there to pick up the slack while I text Rose a hundred times, checking on my girl.