Hailey stirs in the bed, opening her eyes slowly. She blinks a few times, adjusting to the morning light. Feeling a sense of contentment, she turns her gaze to the man beside her. Jay is still asleep, his breathing slow and steady.
Hailey watches him for a moment, admiring the peaceful expression on his face. She reaches out, gently tracing her fingers along his bare arm.
Jay stirs slightly at her touch, his eyelids flickering open. He turns his head and meets her gaze. His eyes are still heavy with sleep, but a smile spreads across his face.
"Good morning," he mumbles, his voice deep and gravelly.
Jay leans into her touch, enjoying the feel of her fingers on his skin. "Better than I have in a long time," he replies, his voice still rough from sleep. He reaches out and cups her face in his hand, tracing his thumb along her jaw.
Jay pulls her closer to him, their bodies now touching. "I could get used to waking up next to you," he says, his voice low and suggestive.
Hailey's heart flutters at his words, and she can't help but smile. She scoots even closer to him, their bodies now pressed together. Her hand slides down his chest, feeling the taut muscles under his skin.
"I could get used to waking up with you," she echoes. Her fingers linger on the waistband of his boxers, playing with the elastic.
Jay's breath hitches at her touch, and he can feel his body reacting to her. He moves his hand down her back, tracing his fingers along her spine.
"Careful there," he says, his voice low and husky. He pulls her even closer, their bodies now flush against each other. "You might start something you can't finish."
Hailey grins, knowing exactly what she's doing. She presses herself even closer to him, her body molding to his. She can feel the heat radiating off of him, and the way he's looking at her makes her heart beat faster.
"Who says I want to finish it anytime soon?" she teases, her hand moving lower, slipping under the material of his boxers.
Jay groans, his body reacting to her touch. His hand grips her hip, holding her against him.
"You're playing a dangerous game," he warns, his voice thick with desire. He moves his mouth to her neck, planting kisses along the sensitive skin.
Hailey shivers as his lips brush against her skin, and she can't help but arch into his touch. She tangles her fingers in his hair, her body responding eagerly to his touch.
"I like danger," she whispers, her voice low and sultry. Her hand moves further down, and she teases him through his boxers.
Jay's grip on her hip tightens, and he can feel his control slipping. He moans against her neck, his hands roaming over her body, touching every inch he can reach.
"You're going to be the death of me," he mutters, his voice ragged. His hands move to the hem of her shirt, inching it up slowly.
Just as they're about to get a bit more intimate, there's a sudden knock on the door, followed by the sound of Mackenzie's voice.
"Dad, can I come in?" she asks, her voice cheerful.
Hailey and Jay freeze, their bodies still tangled together under the sheets. They exchange panicked glances, realizing they've been caught in a compromising position.
Jay quickly grabs the sheets, pulling them higher to cover them both up. "Uh, just a minute, kiddo," he calls out.
Hailey hastily grabs for the shirt that they just tossed aside, pulling it over her head. They're both breathing heavily, their hearts racing as they try to compose themselves.
"Everything okay in there?" Mackenzie asks, sounding a bit concerned. She's clearly standing just outside the door.
Jay clears his throat, trying to sound nonchalant. "Yeah, everything's fine. Just give us a few minutes," he responds, hoping his voice doesn't betray his current state of arousal.
"Okay..." Mackenzie sounds a bit suspicious, but thankfully doesn't press the issue. They can hear her footsteps retreat down the hallway.
Jay and Hailey both let out a sigh of relief, their bodies relaxing slightly now that the danger has passed.
Hailey looks at Jay, the panic giving way to a hint of humor. "That was close," she whispers.
Jay chuckles, still feeling the adrenaline coursing through his veins. "Too close," he agrees. He lets the sheet fall away from his chest, revealing his bare torso. He runs his hand through his hair, trying to tame the unruly locks.
"We really need to work on our timing," he adds, a sly grin on his face.
As they come down the stairs, Jay and Hailey can hear the sound of Blake's soft coos and the scratching of Mackenzie's pencil on her homework.
When they reach the bottom of the stairs, they can see Blake crawling around the living room, exploring everything within reach. Mackenzie is sitting at the kitchen table, working on her calculus homework.
"Good morning," Hailey greets the kids, trying to sound as casual as possible. She tries to ignore the heat in her cheeks, hoping they don't look too tousled.
Jay gives them a nod, trying to keep his expression neutral. "Morning, munchkins," he says, ruffling Mackenzie's hair as he passes by her.
Mackenzie looks up from her homework, a sly smile spreading across her face. "You guys slept in late," she observes, her voice dripping with subtle teasing.
Hailey forces a smile, playing it cool. "Yeah, we just needed a little extra rest this morning," she replies, avoiding her gaze.
Uh huh," Mackenzie says, her smile widening. It's clear that she knows something's up.
Meanwhile, Blake is completely oblivious to the tension in the room. He continues crawling around, playing with his toys.
Jay clears his throat, desperately wanting to change the subject. "What's on the agenda for today, Mac?" he asks, trying to sound normal.
Mackenzie looks at him, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "I don't know, Dad. You tell me," she responds, her tone laced with mischief.
Hailey smiles at the kids, hoping to keep the conversation light.
"Breakfast sounds like a great idea," she says. "What do you guys want to eat?"
Mackenzie pipes up, her voice cheerful. "Can we have pancakes?"
Blake babbles something incoherent, his attention now focused on one of his toys.
Pancakes it is," Jay says, ruffling Mackenzie's hair again. He turns to Hailey, a lazy smile on his face. "Want me to make 'em?"
"Nah, I got it," Hailey offers, walking towards the kitchen. She's eager to have something to do, to distract herself from the events of earlier.
Jay leans against the countertop, watching her as she grabs the ingredients from the cabinets.
As she starts measuring out the flour, she can feel his eyes on her. She glances over her shoulder, catching him staring at her with a soft smile on his face.
"What?" she asks, grinning a little. "You gonna stare at me the whole time I'm making breakfast?"
He chuckles, leaning on the countertop. "Maybe. You're a nice view," he teases.
She rolls her eyes, but she can't help but smile. She turns back to the bowl of batter she's making, pouring in the perfect amount of batter.
"Well, you can keep staring as long as you want, but I'm not sharing any pancakes with you," she teases back.
She bats his hand away, shaking her head. She knows exactly what he's doing, and she's not going to give in so easily.
"Nope, none at all. You'll have to wait for the finished product like everyone else," she says, shooting him a cheeky grin.
"Oh come on," he whines, leaning in closer to her. "Not even a tiny one? You're being cruel, you know that?"
He playfully pouts, crossing his arms in front of his chest.
She chuckles at his exaggerated expression, but she stands firm.
"No way, mister. You're gonna have to use some self-control and wait like a normal person," she scolds, a twinkle in her eye.
He mock-gasps, placing a hand over his heart. "Self control? You're asking too much of me," he says, feigning offense.
He steps even closer to her, towering over her petite frame. He brings his mouth close to her ear, his breath warm against her skin.
"You know I have none when it comes to you," he whispers, his voice low and velvety.
She tries to ignore the shiver that runs down her spine, but she can't help but feel a flutter in her stomach. She turns her head slightly, their faces just inches apart.
Just as the pancake batter starts to bubble in the pan, there's a knock at the front door. Hailey glances towards the door, confused.
"I wonder who that is," she muses, grabbing a spatula to flip the pancakes.
Jay looks equally puzzled, but he pushes away from the counter and heads for the door.
He opens it to find Kim and Adam standing on the porch, their daughter Zoe standing between them.
Zoe, who can't contain her excitement, quickly blurts out the real reason for their unexpected visit.
"I want to see Blake!" she exclaims, her eyes lighting up.
Kim quickly hushes her daughter by placing her hand gently over her mouth. "Zoe, we talked about this," she says, shooting an apologetic smile at Jay.
Jay chuckles, amused by Zoe's earnestness. "Well, I guess the secret's out, huh?" he says, stepping aside to let them in.
Kim laughs a little awkwardly, as they all step inside. "Yeah, she's been asking about him all morning," she explains, a hint of embarrassment in her voice.
Zoe wiggles out of her mother's grasp and bolts towards the living room, where Blake is rolling around on the floor.
"Blake!" she squeals, rushing towards the baby.
Blake looks up, his little face lighting up as he sees Zoe approaching. He babbles happily, reaching out his chubby arms towards her.
"Zo-Zo!"
Zoe drops onto the carpet beside him, her smile widening as she pats his head gently. "Hi, Blakey!" she says, her voice high-pitched.
Hailey, who's been standing nearby, watching the interaction with a smile, calls out to them from the kitchen. "Careful, Zoe. He's teething, so he's a bit bitey today."
"Don't worry, I'll be careful," Zoe replies, still focused on Blake. She reaches out to touch his tiny, razor-sharp teeth, a look of fascination on her face.
Meanwhile, Kim and Adam hover nearby, watching their daughter with a mixture of excitement and nervousness.
"Zoe, be gentle," Adam cautions, a hint of concern in his voice.
Zoe glances up at her father, rolling her eyes slightly. "Dad, I've got this," she assures him, before turning back to Blake.
Just as she bends down to get a better look at Blake's teeth, he suddenly lunges forward and clamps down on her finger.
Zoe lets out a yelp of surprise, more from shock than pain.
"Ouch!" she exclaims, quickly pulling her hand back. Her face twists into a pout, her eyes welling up with tears.
"I thought you said he wouldn't bite!" she accuses Hailey, who winces sympathetically.
"I warned you, didn't I?" Hailey replies, coming over to check on Zoe. "He's teething, sweetie. His gums must be pretty sore."
Zoe sniffles, her bottom lip trembling. She looks down at her finger, which has a faint red bite mark on it. "It hurts," she whines, her voice quivering slightly.
Kim quickly moves to console her daughter, pulling her into a hug. "It's okay, baby. It's just a little bite. It'll heal up in no time," she reassures her, rubbing her back gently.
Zoe buries her face in her mother's shoulder, her tears starting to subside. She glances back at Blake, who's now rolling around on the carpet again, innocently unaware of the mini crisis he's caused.
Seeing the interaction between Blake and Mackenzie, Hailey speaks up. "Hey, how about you girls go do your homework in your room?"
Mackenzie glances at Hailey, giving her a small nod. She then looks down at Blake and gently untangles his fingers from her hair.
Zoe, still rubbing her slightly sore finger, straightens up. "Yeah, I need to finish my math," she mutters, a hint of resignation in her voice.
"Come on," Mackenzie says, gesturing for Zoe to follow her. She heads toward the stairs, with Zoe trailing close behind her.
With Zoe and MacKenzie working on their studies upstairs, Jay and Adam take advantage of the temporary peace. They retreat into the living room, each grabbing a beer from the fridge.
Jay plops down onto the couch, a satisfied sigh escaping his lips. "Finally, some quiet," he comments, taking a sip of his beer.
Adam raises his own beer bottle in agreement, chuckling. "I know what you mean. I love my daughter, don't get me wrong, but sometimes she can be a real handful."
As they continue their conversation, Jay suddenly feels a wave of nausea wash over him. He clutches his stomach, wincing slightly.
"Ugh," he mutters, placing his beer bottle on the coffee table.
Adam notices his sudden change in demeanor, furrowing his brows in concern. "Hey, you okay there, man?" he asks, setting his own beer aside.
"Alright, man. Let's get you upstairs to bed," Adam says, already starting to stand up. He reaches out a hand to help pull Jay to his feet.
Jay grimaces as he gets to his feet, his legs feeling wobbly. He leans on Adam for support, feeling the room start to spin around him.
"Whoa, easy there," Adam says, gripping Jay's arm tightly to keep him upright. "You're paler than a ghost, dude. Let's get you to bed before you pass out."
Adam leads him to the bedroom, gently lowering him onto the bed. "You gonna be okay, man?" he asks, watching as Jay lies down and closes his eyes, groaning softly.
"I don't know," Jay mutters, his voice thick with discomfort. "Feels like I'm on a merry-go-round that won't stop spinning."
Adam winces sympathetically. "Sounds like you're pretty dizzy," he observes. He places a hand on Jay's forehead again, checking his temperature.
Jay lets out another moan, his eyes still squeezed shut. "Yeah, everything's kind of spinning right now," he mumbles, looking pale and queasy.
Jay shakes his head slightly, his face looking wan. "I don't think I could keep anything down," he says, his voice raspy.
Adam frowns, his worry deepening. "You're really not looking too hot, man," he admits. He looks around the room, trying to think of something that could help.
Suddenly, without warning, Jay's stomach heaves and he lurches forward, reaching for the nearest trash can.
He retches violently, the contents of his stomach emptying into the bin with a sickening sound.
Adam winces, patting Jay's back as he continues to vomit. "It's okay, buddy. Let it all out."
Jay grips the edge of the trash can tightly, his knuckles turning white. He gasps for breath between bouts of sickness, each heave more forceful than the last.
When his stomach finally seems to settle, he slumps back onto the bed, looking exhausted and drained. He wipes his mouth with the back of his hand, looking up at Adam with bleary eyes.
"I feel terrible," he mutters, trying to catch his breath. "What the hell is wrong with me?"
Adam grimaces, shaking his head. "I don't know, man. You're definitely sick though. Maybe you ate something bad, or maybe you caught a stomach bug."
As Jay lays there, feeling miserable and trying to make sense of what's happening, a sudden realization dawned on him.
"Wait a sec," he mutters, his voice hoarse. "Blake had this a couple days ago. Same thing - vomitting, dizziness, the whole nine yards."
Adam's eyes widen as he connects the dots. "Oh crap," he mutters, running a hand through his hair. "You think you got whatever he had?"
Jay nods weakly, wincing as another wave of nausea hits him. "I think so," he mutters, resting a hand on his still churning stomach. "Damn it. This sucks."
Adam looks at his friend, wincing at the sight of him. He pulls out his phone, quickly searching for Hailey's contact.
He hits the call button and raises the phone to his ear, waiting impatiently for her to pick up.
After a few rings, the call connects and Hailey's voice comes through the receiver. "Adam? What's up?"
"Hey, Hailey," Adam says, his voice serious. "I think we have a problem. Jay just got hit with some kind of stomach bug. He's been throwing up and he says he's really dizzy and nauseous."
There's a pause on the other end of the line before Hailey speaks, a note of concern in her voice. "Is he okay? Is he still throwing up?"
"He just finished, but he's pretty wiped out," Adam replies. "I think it's the same thing Blake had a couple of days ago."
"Damn it," Hailey mutters, frustration clear in her voice. "I was hoping no one else would catch it. How is he holding up?"
"He looks pretty rough, to be honest," Adam confesses. "He's really pale and his eyes are all glassy. I'm worried about him."
Suddenly, Jay manages to sit up a little on the bed, his voice sounding weak but determined. "Give me the phone," he says to Adam, holding out a shaky hand.
Adam hesitates for a moment, before handing him the phone.
Jay brings the phone up to his ear, his grip on the device a little unsteady. "Hailey," he says, his voice hoarse with sickness.
"Hey, Jay," Hailey responds, her voice warm and concerned. "You doing okay?"
"Not really," Jay admits, swallowing hard. "I feel awful. This bug is kicking my ass."
"Yeah, I bet," Hailey sympathizes. "I'm sorry you're not feeling well, babe. I know how much it sucks being sick."
Jay lets out a tired sigh, resting his head against the headboard. "Just when I felt like I was getting over the flu, too. Guess this stomach bug has other plans for me."
"Looks like it," Hailey says, a hint of sympathy in her voice. "Have you been drinking lots of fluids? Staying hydrated is really important when you're sick like this."
Jay rolls his eyes, groaning as another wave of nausea rolls over him. "And you're starting to sound like Will," he mutters, a hint of irritation in his voice.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Hailey asks, her tone taking on a defensive edge.
"You know what I mean," Jay retorts, his annoyance growing. "You've been spending way too much time with my brother lately. You're starting to pick up his mannerisms."
"So what if I am?" Hailey fires back, her voice rising slightly. "At least he doesn't get sick every other week like you do."
Jay feels his eyes prickle with tears at Hailey's words, her jab hitting a nerve. He silently hands the phone back to Adam, burying his face into his pillow and letting out a shaky, frustrated sob.
"Uh, Hailey," Adam says into the phone, his voice low. "I think you might have hit a nerve there. Jay's not doing so good right now."
There's a pause on the other end of the line before Hailey speaks, her voice sounding concerned and remorseful. "Crap," she mutters, "I didn't mean to upset him. Can you put me on speaker?"
"Yeah, hold on," Adam replies, tapping the speakerphone icon and holding the phone out towards Jay.
Jay hears the sound of the speakerphone activating and he looks up from the pillow, his face red and wet with tears.
"Hey, babe," Hailey's voice comes through the speaker, softer and more gentle than before. "I'm sorry for what I said. I didn't mean to hurt you. I know how much being sick sucks, and I shouldn't have been so insensitive."
Jay sniffles, rubbing a hand across his face. "It's okay," he mumbles into the pillow. "Just sucks being sidelined like this. Feels like every time I start to feel better, something else knocks me on my ass."
"I know," Hailey says, her voice filled with sympathy. "But you'll get through this, just like you've gotten through everything else. You're strong and resilient, babe. You'll be back on your feet in no time."
Adam watches as Jay's breathing begins to even out, his sobs subsiding as he drifts off to sleep. He turns his attention back to the call.
"Hailey," he says quietly, moving away from the bed to avoid waking up Jay. "When do you think you'll be home?"
There's a pause on the other end of the line before Hailey replies, her voice crackling through the speakerphone. "We're about an hour away. Just finished up with our shopping, but Kim's driving so she's going the speed limit."
"Please hurry," Adam responds, glancing back at his sleeping friend. "He's really not doing too good right now. This stomach bug is kicking his ass."
"We'll be there soon," Hailey reassures him. "Just give him some water and maybe try to get him to eat something light, like toast. And keep an eye on him. If he starts throwing up again or gets really weak, take him to the hospital, okay?"
"Got it," Adam says, making a mental note of her advice. "We'll see you soon. Drive safe."
"Will do," Hailey replies before ending the call.
Adam sets the phone down on the bedside table, turning his attention back to Jay. He checks his breathing, relieved to see that he seems to be sleeping peacefully.
He gets up and goes into the bathroom, returning a few moments later with a damp washcloth and a glass of water. He gently dabs at Jay's sweaty forehead with the cloth, trying to cool him down a bit.
He sets the cloth aside and gently shakes Jay's shoulder, trying to rouse him slightly. "Hey, buddy," he says softly, "can you wake up for a sec? You need to drink some water."
Jay's eyes flutter open, his vision bleary and unfocused. He looks up at Adam, disoriented and groggy. "Wha?..."
"Shh, it's okay," Adam says, keeping his voice low and calming. "You gotta drink some water, okay?"
He lifts the glass to Jay's lips, coaxing him to take a few sips.
Jay takes a few swallows, his face scrunching up as he struggles to keep it down. He manages to get half the glass down before pulling away, taking deep breaths as he tries not to throw up again.
Adam sets the glass down, giving him a moment to settle. "How are you feeling? Think you can keep that down?"
Jay shakes his head weakly, his face pale and sweaty. "Dunno," he mutters, his voice hoarse. "Feel kinda nauseous again."
"Okay, easy," Adam says, trying to keep him calm. "Just take a few deep breaths. I'll grab a trash can in case you need to vomit again."
Jay nods stiffly, taking slow, shaky breaths as he tries to keep his stomach under control. He can feel another wave of nausea creeping up on him, his body tensing in preparation.
Adam senses the change in Jay's demeanor, and quickly grabs the trash bin, placing it within reach of the bed. He sits on the edge of the bed, a hand on Jay's back, rubbing gently in soothing circles.
Jay gags violently and leans over the bin, heaving once again. The contents of his stomach come up in a mess of half-digested food and bile. Adam continues to rub his back, trying to offer comfort as Jay spasms and gags.
When the wave of sickness finally subsides, Jay slumps back against the bed, breathing hard and wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. "Where's my wife?" he mutters, looking weak and miserable.
Adam winces at the question, knowing that Hailey still hasn't arrived yet. "She's on her way," he answers truthfully. "Should be here soon."
"Poor baby," she coos, leaning down to press a gentle kiss to his forehead. "You've really taken a beating this week, haven't you?"
Jay's eyes crack open again, a hint of exhaustion visible in their depths. "You have no idea," he mutters, his voice tired. "I was just getting over the flu, and then this stomach bug hits me. Can't catch a damn break."
She gives him a sympathetic smile, her hand still stroking his hair. "No wonder you're so worn out," she says softly. "You've been through the wringer lately."
"Yeah," he mutters, leaning into her touch. "I feel like I'm never going to get better. This sucks, Hails."
"Come on," Hailey says gently, her voice soft and soothing. "Time to get you into the shower. You'll feel better once you're cleaned up."
She stands up, reaching out to help Jay sit up on the edge of the bed.
Jay groans as he struggles to sit up, his body feeling weak and shaky. "Ugh, I don't think I can make it to the shower,"
"Yes, you can," Hailey says firmly, wrapping an arm around his waist to steady him. "I'll help you, babe. Just lean on me."
Jay nods weakly, leaning heavily against her. He takes a couple of shaky breaths before standing up, his legs feeling like jelly beneath him.
Hailey keeps a firm hold on him as they make their way slowly to the bathroom. She sits him down on the edge of the tub, turning on the shower to let the water warm up.
Jay sits there, looking utterly miserable, his hair tousled and his face pale and sweaty. He watches as Hailey tests the water temp, adjusting it to a comfortable temperature.
"Alright," she says, turning back to him. "Come on, let's get you undressed."
Jay nods again, too weak to protest. He lets Hailey help him out of his shirt and sweatpants, his movements sluggish and uncoordinated.
Once he's undressed, Hailey guides him slowly into the shower, helping him sit down on the ledge inside. The water cascades over his body, the warm spray feeling good against his feverish skin.
Jay leans back against the wall of the shower, closing his eyes as the water washes over him. He feels so weak and exhausted, like every bit of energy has been sapped from his body.
Hailey grabs a soft sponge, wetting it under the shower spray before squeezing some body wash onto it. She reaches out to start gently washing Jay's chest and shoulders, her touch tender and caring.
Jay stays still, his eyes still closed, feeling both vulnerable and grateful for her care. The sponge moving over his skin feels soothing and relaxing, and he doesn't protest as she continues to wash him, moving down his arms and stomach.
Hailey works slowly and steadily, taking her time to make sure he's cleaned thoroughly. She carefully maneuvers around his sore spots, avoiding putting too much pressure on his sensitive stomach.
As Hailey continues to wash him, Jay's body suddenly seizes up, a wave of nausea overwhelming him. His face twists in pain, and he quickly leans over the side of the tub, heaving up the contents of his stomach.
Hailey immediately stops what she's doing, gently rubbing his back as he vomits, offering comforting words. "It's okay," she says softly, "let it all out. You'll feel better afterwards."
Once the wave of sickness subsides, Jay leans back again, his body shaking and weak. He looks up at Hailey, his eyes glassy and pleading. "Make it stop," he mutters, his voice cracking.
"I know, I know," she says, her heart breaking for him. She drops the sponge, reaching out to turn off the shower before wrapping him in a towel. "Let's get you out of here and into bed."
Jay nods weakly, letting her help him to his feet and out of the shower. He leans heavily on her as they make the short journey back to the bedroom, the towel wrapped around his waist.
Once they reach the bed, Hailey helps him settle down, pulling back the covers and propping him up with pillows. She grabs a fresh pair of sweatpants and a t-shirt, helping him dress.
Once he's dressed, she pulls the covers up over him, tucking him in snuggly. She sits down on the edge of the bed, reaching for a glass of water and holding it to his lips.
"Here, drink some water," she says softly, coaxing him to take a few sips. "It'll help replace the fluid you've lost."
Jay takes a few gulps, the water feeling cool and soothing against his dry throat. He leans back against the pillows as Hailey sets the glass down on the bedside table.
She sits back down on the edge of the bed, reaching out to brush a few stray hairs away from his forehead. "Do you think you could eat anything now?" she asks, her voice quiet and gentle.
Jay shakes his head, his face looking paler than before. "No," he mutters. "The thought of food right now makes me feel sick."
"Okay, that's okay," she says soothingly, noticing the hint of exhaustion in his voice. "You need to rest anyway. Just close your eyes and try to sleep. I'll be right here if you need anything."
Jay nods weakly, his eyelids drooping with fatigue. "Stay?" he asks, his voice barely above a whisper.
"Of course," she says, her heart melting at his request. "I'm not going anywhere. I'll be right here with you."
Jay closes his eyes, a small sigh escaping his lips as he relaxes into the pillows. Within minutes, his breathing evens out as he drifts off to sleep, his body finally succumbing to exhaustion.
Hailey watches him sleep for a few moments, the soft rise and fall of his chest bringing a small sense of relief. She reaches out to take his hand, holding it gently in hers as she keeps watch over her sick husband.
Hailey quietly gets up from the bed, gently untangling her hand from Jay's. She tiptoes out of the room, closing the door behind her.
Downstairs, she finds the kids and Kim and Adam sitting on the couch, watching television. They all look up as she descends the stairs.
"How's Jay doing?" Adam asks, immediately noticing the weary look on her face.
"Not great," Hailey says, collapsing into an armchair. "He's really weak and exhausted, and his stomach's still bothering him a lot. He's sleeping now, but he couldn't keep anything down earlier."
Kim looks concerned. "That poor guy just can't seem to catch a break lately."
No kidding," Hailey agrees, rubbing her temples. "This stomach bug has really done a number on him. I've never seen him look so wiped out before."
"Has he tried eating anything?" Kim asks.
"He did, but he ended up throwing it all up," Hailey replies. "I got him to drink some water, though. He needs to replenish the fluids he's lost."
"Good idea," Hailey nods. "I'll get some together for him when he wakes up. Thanks, Adam."
"No problem," Adam replies. "We're all rooting for your hubby to get better."
Kim chimes in, "If there's anything else we can do to help, just let us know."
Hailey looks at Kim and Adam, her expression hopeful.
"There is one more thing," she says, her voice hesitant. "I was wondering if you guys could watch Mackenzie and Blake for me tonight. I really don't want to leave Jay's side right now, but the kids need someone to look after them."
Kim immediately shakes her head, a warm smile on her face. "Of course, Hailey. You know we're always happy to have the kiddos over. We'll take good care of them, don't worry."
"Thanks, guys," Hailey says gratefully. "You have no idea how much this means to me. I know the kids will be in good hands with you two."
"Anytime," Adam says, patting Hailey on the shoulder affectionately. "Just focus on taking care of Jay and don't worry about the kids. We've got things covered here."
Hailey quietly enters the bedroom, trying not to wake Jay. She changes into her pajamas, her movements tired and slow. After turning off the lights, she crawls into bed next to her sleeping husband.
She moves closer, sliding an arm gently around his waist. He feels warm beneath his blanket, his body shifting slightly at her touch. She rests her head against his shoulder, her eyes closing as she listens to the sound of his soft, steady breathing.
She yawns, feeling the exhaustion of the day settling over her like a heavy blanket. Knowing that the kids are safe with Kim and Adam, she finally allows herself to relax, nestling closer to Jay's side.
Hi,
Hope you enjoyed this chapter. I'll be getting the chapters which are about Pat and Jay, which leads up to Jay's breakdown and possibly a therapy session? We'll see!
You know what to do!