Aarmau: Remember Me, Remember Us, Just Remember

Chapter 17

Melissa heads back into the kitchen and persuades everyone else to take their plates into the living and out of sight of Aph. The last thing she needs is an audience. Gene is the only one who protested the recommendation but, in the end, agreed to it.

Sitting in his chair eating from the plate on his lap Aaron watches as she attempts to feed herself. She tries to grasp the forks handle with her finger tips but it takes all her strength just to pick up her hand and reach for it.

Sweat forms on her forehead and upper lip as she closes her fingers over the forks handle and lifts it up off the tray. Her eyes move to her plate and he can see her focus on the eggs as she moves the fork closer to them.

It takes several tries but she finally manages to stab a solid mound of her eggs and then glares at them as she drags the fork to her mouth. As they make it into her mouth, she closes her lips over the tines of the fork and collapses against her pillow as she begins to chew.

Swallowing the small bite, she stares at her plate and sighs. She's exhausted just doing that small thing and she's still starving. There's no way she can do it all on her own and her stomach is loudly growling its displeasure.

Feeling defeated she looks over at Aaron and their eyes meet. He offers her a small smile and then places his now empty plate on the side table. "I can tell you're disappointed but don't be. You've been trapped for the last 8 months and you just managed to take your fist bite in a long time. Baby steps Shu. Let me, let us help you and as you get stronger, you'll be able to do more. But in order to get stronger you have to eat more and you just can't do it alone yet."

Aph simply stares at him for almost a minute. In the end she sighs, rolls her eyes and then nods. Aaron gently takes the fork from her hand, stabs another small pile of eggs and places them in her mouth.

Aph moans her pleasure as she slowly chews them and then swallows. Aaron can't help but blush after hearing her and refocuses his attention on her plate.

He didn't forget what Melissa said and makes sure Aph eats slow. He knows if she eats too fast, she could get sick and that would defeat the purpose of all of this.

When her plate is empty, he grabs her glass of orange juice and lifts it to her lips. She takes a small sip at first and then practically begs for more.

Afraid to push her too far he doesn't let her drink more than a quarter of the glass and then keeps an eye on her as she relaxes against her pillow. He watches her closely for any sign that the food isn't sitting well but after 10 minutes nothing happens.

Melissa comes over to grab their plates, smiles down at Aaron and nods her approval. Aaron has been lost this last year. He feels needed, he feels like he has purpose and knowing it's because of Shu makes it that much better.