Prompt 7 – Borrowed Sweater

Siberian huskies loved nothing more than playing in snow, and there was quite a lot of snow in the Moffitts' yard that day, with more snow coming down each hour. Instead of playing in snow, Livna, a pretty gray and white husky who was a relatively new addition to the family, was snuggled up with Vanora on the couch in the parlor. Vanora had awoken that morning feeling as though a hammer had been smashed between her eyes. She was quite feverish, and badly congested. Her face was red, and her nose bright red due to all the tissues she had used since that morning. She couldn't decide which was worse, though—the horrid, stinging rawness of her nose, or the seemingly eternal chills brought on by her fever. All the blankets in the house hadn't helped.

Livna whined and moved closer to Vanora in an attempt to keep her warm. Vanora stroked the top of the husky's fluffy head. "You're doing the best you can. Don't fret." She tried to look at the doorway when she heard someone enter.

"Do you need anything, Mum?" Jules asked, quietly.

"No, thank you, Jules."

"Alright. The laundry's finished drying. I'm going to get it sorted. Anah said she's going to make a soup for you."

Part of Vanora wondered if getting changed into warm clothes would help, but she was too cold, stiff, and achy to get up, nor did she think the dog was going to let her get up. "Jules?"

"Yes, Mum?" Jules replied.

"This might sound a little silly, but… could you get one of your father's sweaters? His dark gray knit turtleneck?"

"Uh, sure. Whatever helps you feel better. That just came out of the dryer anyway."

"Good. It'll be very cozy and warm, then."

Jules returned a few seconds later with the sweater, and Vanora was stiffly adjusting the blankets in order to take it. Moffitt's sweater was quite large, even though he was very thin. He always looked adorable in it. Best of all, it smelled like him. As Vanora put the sweater on over her own clothing, she could smell the traces of tea, horse hay, and scented soap, all mixed together to create a delightfully cozy smell. The sweater was also, as expected, very warm. Vanora settled back under the blankets while hugging herself in her husband's sweater. Since he was at work, this was the next best thing. The sweater did help, but she found herself missing Moffitt greatly. Part of her wanted to cry.

"You alright, Mum?" Jules asked.

"Yes. Why?" Vanora replied.

"You seem sad."

"I miss your father. That's all."

"I know he'll be home in about two hours, but do you want me to call the university and get him?"

"No, Jules, that's alright. I can wait."

Jules nodded. "Alright. Holler if you need anything." He smiled at the husky on his mother's lap. "Livna? You want a treat, Liv?"

Livna's response was to put her head down, as if to say she wasn't moving.

"Make sure Mum rests, okay?" Jules walked over to give the dog a good scratch behind her ears. "Good girl, Livna." He cleaned up the coffee table a bit and changed the bag in the small trash can before it could overflow with tissues. He glanced at his mother while setting the can down. "Could I make another cup of tea for you?"

"If you want," Vanora replied.

"I will, then." Jules gave her a gentle hug. "I'll be back in a few minutes."

Vanora looked at the oversized sleeves of the gray sweater once she was alone again. She had lost count of how many times she had seen Moffitt wear it, but it never became a bore. He knew she liked it, and so he wore it every Christmas Eve when they slow-danced together in the kitchen. She had buried her face in his shoulder to cry many times over the years, and was always told not to worry about ruining his sweater. "Being there for you is more important," he would say. She knew autumn was coming whenever he started wearing that sweater, and it contrasted so well with the bright colors of the changing leaves. It was truly something special, something Vanora would treasure until that sweater wore out entirely. Even then, she hoped they would be able to find something just like it.

She was pulled from her thoughts when Jules entered the room with a steaming cup of herbal tea. "I used honey as a sweetener instead of sugar," Jules said. "Figured that'd be better for your throat."

"Thank you, Jules." Vanora took the cup. "You don't have to do anything else, alright? Were the horses taken care of?"

"Yes, and Dad and I will take care of them again when he comes home. You'll have Anah." Jules kissed his mother's warm forehead. "Get some rest."

"I will. Goodness, you're just like your father. Go give Antheia a phone call or something and stop fussing over me."

"Alright, alright." Jules left the room, but not before scratching Livna's head again.

Vanora finished most of the tea before feeling comfortable enough to try sleeping. The husky stayed with her, looking ready to doze off as well. The snow had picked up outside, collecting on the windowsill and forming big drifts and dunes throughout the yard. She hoped her husband would make it home alright, and thought of him while falling asleep and watching the snowfall.

Vanora awoke to see the sky had gotten darker. She was much warmer than she had been before, and she could hear the gentle beating of someone's heart. There was a strong smell of black tea, and Moffitt wrapped his arms around her before leaning down to nuzzle and kiss her. "Hello, darling," he whispered.

He's home safe. Vanora shifted to nestle as close against him as possible. "Hello, Jack," she said, hoarsely.

"Don't talk if it hurts." Moffitt kissed her again. "Jules said you missed me, and looking at you, I believe it."

"Oh?"

"Well, you're wearing my sweater," Moffitt said with a slight grin. "Don't worry about it. If it helps you feel better, I don't mind."

"It has helped. Having you here helps more."

"Aww." Moffitt gave his wife a third kiss and hugged her a little tighter. "Then I will stay as long as you need, and I'll help you whenever you're ready to get up."

"Thanks." Vanora closed her eyes, letting herself be enveloped in Moffitt's comforting warmth. She wanted to snuggle, and he enjoyed a good snuggle. They had the whole night to themselves. The whole night to have a good cuddle. Vanora kept laying against Moffitt's chest, listening to his heartbeat and thinking about how blessed she was to have him while finally returning to sleep.