Nathan

The sound of someone screaming got me jumping out of bed and running out of my room. It was coming from Alyssa's room. I rushed to open the door but it was locked.

“Alyssa!” I called but she didn't reply.

I heard the sound of something hitting the ground and glass breaking and Alyssa screamed again. Was someone in there with her? Maybe they're hurting her.

I'll kill anyone who dares to harm her.

I pushed the door harder, trying frantically to open it. It wasn't working. I decided to break the door down. I took a few steps back and ran to the door shoulder first. It swung open violently and hit the wall hard, most likely leaving a dent.

I didn't bother about it, my attention was on Alyssa. No one was here with her. She was on the bed, thrashing around frantically. Beads of sweat rolled down her face as she breathed raggedly. She was having a nightmare, a bad one no doubt.

I had to wake her up. I went to her side and grabbed one of her arms, using it to steady her as I held the other.

“Alyssa! Wake up.” I tried, shaking her.

“No... please...” She sobbed in her sleep as tears escaped her eyes.

What is happening in her head? I couldn't help but wonder.

“Nathan help me.” She cried.

“I'm right here, Love. Please wake up.”

She screamed again and kicked her legs. I lost my grip on her arms and had to step back so I won't be hit by her swinging limbs. After many attempts, I managed to get her in my arms, cradling her against my chest. As if sensing it was me, she stopped thrashing and held onto my shirt like it was her lifeline.

I took the opportunity to pull her closer so I could carry her bridal style to my bedroom. I didn't want her to stay alone if her nightmares where this bad, I'd rather have her stay with me even though it meant that I wouldn't be sleeping anymore.

She didn't let me put her down, her hold on my shirt was too tight and I didn't want to force her off me so I sat on the bed, holding her close.

“I'm so sorry, Nathan.” She whispered, more tears leaving her eyes as she finally calmed down.

Sorry? What was she sorry for?

Shaking the thought, I gently laid her down, slipping in beside her. I wiped her face and began stroking her hair soothingly to help her relax. She sighed deeply, pressing herself closer to me.

If we were in any other situation and she was pressed up against me like this, I'd be turned on but I willed myself not to be.

This isn't the time, Nathan. I told myself.

I just focused on making sure Alyssa was relaxed while she slept and not long after, I was asleep.

*********

I was the first one of us to wake up. Alyssa didn't have anymore nightmares and slept the rest of the night. I woke up a few times when she moved in her sleep but got enough sleep.

What I couldn't help notice was how warm she was. Her body temperature was higher than usual. I touched her neck with the back of my hand to make sure. I was right. She's having a fever.

I carefully slipped out of the bed and into my bathroom. I had a few smaller towels and dipped one in cold water. She groaned when I placed it on her forehead, her face contouring with pain. She didn't wake up though.

Thankfully, my phone was nearby so I could call my usual doctor. Doctor Richardson was the one who treated me when I was a teenager, now he's my family's doctor. He picked up on the fourth ring.

“Nathan, good morning.” He sounded groggy like he was just waking up. I'm not surprised, it's just a little past 6am.

“Good morning Doctor Richardson.” I replied. “Sorry for calling so early.”

“No, it's okay, it's nearly time for me to get up anyway.” I could hear rustling like he was getting up from his bed. He spoke to someone, his wife most likely, for about thirty seconds before his attention was back. “So what seems to be the problem? Is it Oliver?”

“No, it's my wife this time.”

“Wow, you haven't been married a month yet and you've already gotten her pregnant.” He said with a chortle.

I laughed as well. I haven't even had sex with her yet. “No, that's not it.”

“Too bad, Oliver would be a great older brother.”

I chuckled. “I'm sure that's true.”

“So what's wrong with your wife?”

“Um...” I looked at Alyssa who was still asleep. “Last night she was screaming and crying in her sleep, I think she was having a pretty bad nightmare then this morning I woke up and her body temperature had risen.”

“Is she awake yet?”

“No, she's still asleep.”

He didn't answer immediately. “Okay. Has she ever had any nightmares like this before?”

“No. Not that I know of.”

“Has she been under any kind of stress recently of did something suddenly happen that could trigger it?”

I thought for a while. The only sudden thing that happened is the contract. I understand how hard it was to be thrown into this but it hasn't really affected her so much so why would it now?

Of course I couldn't tell him about the contract. “No.”

“Does she work? Or has she gone the last something traumatic in her life?”

“She doesn't work but when she was younger, her parents died and it really got to her.”

“Hm. Is it okay if I come see her later on? So I can examine her.”

“Of course. Thank you, Dr Richardson.”

“I believe I have told you to call me Sylvester, I've known you for years Nathan, you don't need to be formal with me.”

“I'll try my best.”

“Mhm. So, I'll come over around noon, is that okay?”

“Yes, thanks again.”

“In the meantime place a cold towel not her head or rub her body down with it to reduce her temperature.”

“Oh, sure.”

We said our goodbyes and I went to get the towel on Alyssa's forehead that had already gotten warm and dipped it in water to cool it.

I decided not to rub her body down. It would involve me taking her clothes off and I don't think she'll appreciate that. I just got an extra towel and put it on the base of her neck.

I took a shower and put on some sweatpants and a t-shirt, happy that I wasn't going to work today. Oliver was supposed to come back today, he'd be here by the time Dr Richardson arrives, maybe he can check Oliver's arm when he's done with Alyssa.

My housekeeper was already at the stove, making breakfast. I wasn't even aware she was coming today and it was so early. I wanted to make Alyssa some soup but maybe I should let her sleep a little more first.

It was a quiet day. I got some work done, took care of Alyssa and managed to find some schools for Oliver to start in January. Alyssa and I will decide on one when when she's better, I don't want to put too much on her.

It was a bit past 12pm when Dr Richardson arrived. I greeted him with a hug which he returned. He was a father figure in my life after my biological father failed me. It's been a while since I've seen him, I was glad he was here.

We moved to my room to check on Alyssa who was still asleep. Dr Richardson start his examination, checking her vitals with the equipment he brought. He hummed occasionally and said things to himself as he worked.

“She needs to be awake and answer some questions before I make a diagnosis.” He told me. “Can you please wake her up?”

“Sure.” I sat at her side and placed my hand on her arm. “Alyssa, wake up.”

I shook her gently and she stirred but didn't open her eyes. It took me a few tries but she was awake and clearly in pain.

“My head.” She whimpered, rolling around on the bed.

“You're going to be okay. There's a doctor here. He wants to ask you a few questions, do you think you can answer?”

She groaned and ended up nodded.

“Hello, Alyssa, I'm Dr Richardson but you can call me Sylvester.” He started. “How are you feeling?”

“Everything hurts and I'm cold.”

“Did you feel like this yesterday? Even mildly?” She shook her head slowly, wincing as she did. “Have you been feeling stressed lately?”

“No.”

The doctor hummed. “Your husband said you might have had a nightmare last night, do you remember that?” She nodded. “Does that happen often?” It took her some seconds to answer with a nod. “Do you get panic attacks sometimes?” Another nod.

Wait, why didn't she tell me that? I don't know anything about this. Has she had any recently?

Alyssa answered Dr Richardson's questions and soon after he called me out to talk to me. He was concerned about her. He said he recommended a therapist for her to get over the trauma of losing her parents which was what she said the nightmare was about and prescribed some drugs for her fever.

He was explaining what each of the pills he prescribed do when the doorbell rang. I excused myself and went to open the door. It was my mum and Oliver.

“Dad!” Oliver wrapped his arms around my legs in a hug.

I picked him up. “Hey, bud. Have a nice time at your gran's?”

“Yeah, I help her in her bakery and earned a slary.” He said excitedly.

“You mean 'salary'.”

“Yeah, that.” He looked around. “Where's Ally?”

I sighed. “She isn't feeling well.”

His smile turned into a look of disappointment. “But I brought her cupcakes.” He pointed to the box my mum was holding. “And I helped make them especially for her.”

“I'm sure she'll appreciate it but right now she can't eat them, let's put them in the fridge.”

“Okay.” He agreed lowly.

My mum had to leave immediately so she said a quick goodbye while Oliver and I went to the kitchen to put the cupcakes in the fridge. Dr Richardson was sitting at the kitchen island so when Oliver saw him he perked up.

“Doctor Sylvester!” He hugged him while Sylvester laughed.

“How are you boy?”

“I'm fine. Are you the one taking care of Ally?”

“I sure am.”

“Yay. With you taking care of her she'll be okay in no time.”

“We hope so. Now what happened to your arm young man?”

It was as if Oliver was just reminded that he had a cast on his left forearm. “Oh, this is nothing, you know me, clumsy.”

“Does it hurt?”

“Not really.”

“Okay. Well, I have to be going now, I have a few patients to check up on.” Dr Richardson got up, grabbing his kit. “Make sure Alyssa eats soon and takes the meds and Oliver should have lots of milk, fruits and vegetables.”

“Huh?” Oliver's eyebrows furrowed.

I shook his hand. “Of course. Thanks for coming on such short notice.”

He returned the handshake. “It was no problem at all.”

“I have a question.” Oliver interjected. “Do I really need to have so many vegetables? I'm okay with the milk and fruit.”

“You want that arm to heal properly right?” He nodded. “Then you have to take your veggies otherwise we'll have to cut it off.”

“No, I'll eat my veggies!”

“Good boy.” He gave me one last smile before he left.

I made lunch for us since my housekeeper went grocery shopping and started on some soup for Alyssa after we had eaten.

“When did Alyssa fall sick?” Oliver asked me as I stirred the soup.

“This morning.” I answered.

“It's probably the place you two went to yesterday, they poisoned her. I'm going to see her. I'm sure all she needs is some vitamin O.” He got off his stool while I laughed. Alyssa would definitely feel better after a dose of vitamin O and some chicken soup, I know I always did.

I dished a bowl of soup and put in on a tray with some orange juice for her. I made my way to my room. Even as I entered the hallway, I could hear Oliver's excited voice and Alyssa's pretty laugh.

“Don't tell my dad but I got two hundred dollars for working in my gran's bakery.” I heard Oliver say.

“Really?” She still sounded weak but happy. “Well, that'll be our secret.”

“I wonder what I'll do with that money.” Oliver pondered.

“Well, you can save it for a rainy day.”

“But it's not going to rain for months. It's snowing now.”

Alyssa laughed again. “A rainy day is a time that you really need it. You can keep the money till you really need it, you don't to spend it right away.”

“Oh. Guess I'll do that then.”

Have I really never taught him this concept? At least he's learning it, even if it's not from me. I was a bit disappointed in myself but I managed to push it down. They had already gotten past it and we're talking about something else.

This is why I was happy Alyssa was in our lives. She was impacting us so much, teaching Oliver so much, giving him the love he was selfishly deprived of and for that I would be eternally grateful to her.

I managed to open the door to be met with the sight of Oliver cuddled up to Alyssa. She looked so much better than before, happier. I guess she really did need some vitamin O.

After she ate, we just spent the day in my room. We joked around, watched a few movies, cartoons, told stories and laughed a whole lot, Oliver had fallen in love with this new Disney movie Raya and the Last Dragon, I think and for a moment I was able to forget that we weren't the perfect family.

Author's Note:

Hi, hope you all liked the chapter. Next chapter coming soon in the meantime, don't forget to vote, comment and share.

-E