Forever & Always || Redlyn

Sickness

"Hey, how are you feeling?" Big Red sat next to Ashlyn around 4 p.m. She had been sick for the past few days because of her pregnancy, recently feeling much better.

"Still kinda sick." She said, putting her forehead on his shoulder. He rubbed her back with the arm he put around her.

"Okay, but you're feeling a bit better than yesterday I hope?"

"Not really to be honest." She sighed, which was interrupted by a cough.

"Okay, well, I'll be back in awhile. EJ can't watch Hazel anymore, he's going out of town, so I've gotta figure out who can make sure she won't get sick."

"Okay."

"Then I've gotta pick something up for you, because I'm concerned how long you've been sick."

"I'll be fine soon." She sniffed.

"Well just in case."

"Thanks." She took her head off his shoulder.

"I'll be back in an hour or so, 'kay?" He gently pushed her into a lying position, wrapping her in a blanket. He gave her a gentle hug before sitting up.

"Mkay." She smiled at him.

"You should get some sleep. It'll help." He kissed her forehead before leaving.

"Well, apparently no one is free." Big Red sighed, sitting at the end of his and Ashlyn's bed with Hazel on his lap. "Sick babies sound like a lot while you're also sick, but oh well."

"Daddy, I'm hungry." Hazel complained, hugging him.

"Yep, dinner time." He brought her into the kitchen and gave her some food. Ashlyn slowly followed them out. "Babe, you don't have to come out."

"I'm feeling a little better."

"That's good." He smiled at her and continued to feed Hazel. A few minutes passed.

"I'm full." Hazel said.

"Okay, come on, let's go play." They started to Hazel's room. "Ash?" He looked at his wife, who's head was on the table. "You sure you feel better?"

"It's kinda on and off."

"Lie down. I'll be there later."

"Yeah. Love you." She gave him and Hazel a weak smile.

"Morning baby." Big Red put his arm around Ashlyn when she woke up and sat up. "You were out cold last night."

"I'm glad, because I feel good." She smiled and kissed his cheek. "Hazel?"

"Asleep."

"Got it." She nodded. "Ugh-" she sat up. "-I've got an audition today."

"Are you even better?" He asked, concerned.

"I feel better and I haven't had one in awhile. I've gotta go."

"Is your voice tired—"

"You know I have to try." She laughed and kissed his forehead. "Love you. Imma take a shower."

"Mkay." He smiled. "Love you too."

"Mommy!" Hazel ran over to Ashlyn when she got back home from her audition. Ashlyn picked her up. "What happened?"

"Mhm, how'd it go?" Big Red walked in the room. She shook her head.

"It went fine."

"Okay." He nodded.

"Yay!" Hazel hugged Ashlyn, who beamed.

"Wanna go play?"

"Yeah!" She ran to her room, Ashlyn following. Big Red smiled as he watched both of their smiles.

"Okay, Hazel's in bed." Ashlyn said to Big Red, who was on his phone.

"Aw, I was gonna help." He faked a pout before breaking, both of them smiling. He set down his phone.

"You've been taking care of both of us for days."

"Fine, so long as we never become that couple that has the mom doing everything."

"Yeah, you'd never let that happen." She laughed. "Neither would I. It's a win win."

"Great."

"Come here." She smiled and hugged him.

"So how was the audition, really?" He hugged her back.

"Pretty awful." She sighed. "Was not at my best today."

"Something else will come up soon enough." He kissed her forehead.

"I know."

"I'm sure you were still pretty amazing."

"You give me too much confidence." She laughed.

"Really? Because I keep telling you—"

"I believe you!" She shouted quietly, trying to make sure she didn't wake Hazel.

"Good, good."

"But other people think other things." She added.

"If anyone has ever actually told you something bad—"

"Sophomore year, Lily."

"Okay, well, I was gonna say I wanted to punch them. And I already wanted to punch Lily that year." He said.

"Tonight."

"What?"

"Tough audition." She forced a small laugh.

"Ash?"

"Some people just feel the need to tell you what you did wrong after an audition, nothing new."

"You were sick!"

"Which is why I don't believe it." She hugged him tighter. "Look, I believe you, it's more of... imposter syndrome when something good happens. There's so many talented people, so why me?"

"Okay. Just talk if you need to."

"Of course." She nodded. "Sleep?"

"Yeah."

"Goodnight." She turned off the lamp beside their bed and laid down.

"Goodnight."