Darkness's Flower: Pulling It Together

Chapter 67: Is She Sick?

~Nico~

I tightened my arms around Lilly. "We're already out here. Why don't we just sleep out here tonight?"

"I love you and all, but I need some space tonight. I can't sleep on top of you," Lilly replied.

"Why not? Come on, babe."

She wiggled out of my arms and started down the hallway. "Goodnight, Nico!"

I let her go to bed and continued lying on the couch. I was going to go back there, but I'm just too lazy at the moment. So I started thinking.

I need to do something special for her. She does a lot. Plus she hasn't seemed much like herself lately. Since she came back for our wedding and to stay here. She hasn't seemed the same since then. Plus, it seems like everyone knows something that I don't and that kills me. Not to mention the fact that she's in on it, maybe even the start of it.

I need a day out at Camp Jupiter! She went with Jason, not me. Maybe even a couple days, that would be awesome. Of course I'd have to go ahead of time and get things planned out with Reyna, but it would be worth it.

I was getting ready to go back to bed with Lilly when I heard something coming from our bathroom.

"Lillian? Are you alright?" I yelled, jogging to our room.

"I'm fine! Just...leave me alone," she replied.

I went into our bathroom to see her leaning over the toilet. I sighed and knelt down next to her. She's getting sick a lot and I seriously don't know what's wrong with her.

Her face was pale, not as pale as me though. Her hair was all pulled back in a ratty ponytail. Her eyes were droopy. I feel so bad for my poor Lillian, I really do.

I rubbed her back and sat there beside her. The tiled flooring was cold under my skin, but I didn't mind it. She didn't puke, so she lied down on the floor. I brushed her bangs out of her eyes and kissed her forehead.

"Don't tell me you're getting sick," I said.

"I'm not," she replied.

"Are you sure? You've been throwing up a lot lately. I'm not sure what to do with you. Do you want me to take you to the doctor, do you just want to see what happens, what do you want me to do? I'll do anything for you, Lills."

"I'm fine, Nico. Just go to bed. I'll be alright."

"No, I'm gonna stay here with you. I will sit her beside you for as long as you need me to."

"Go to bed! I'm fine. I'll be in bed in a few minutes. I'm serious, Nico, I'm fine!" She squeezed her eyes shut. "I'm sorry. I'm not trying to yell at you. It could've been how much of that chocolate stuff I had at dinner." Her hand went to my arm. "But I promise I'm okay,"

I smiled and kissed her forehead again. "I believe you."

I got up and got in bed. The silky covers were soft as I pulled them over my body. I locked my fingers together on the back of my head and stared up at the off-white ceiling. I shifted to get more comfortable and had to fix the covers. I had only pulled them up to my waist, leaving all of my stomach and chest showing. I placed my hands how they were and continued staring at the ceiling as if it could answer my questions.

I heard the sound of the light being turned off and looked over towards the bathroom. Lilly was slowly walking over to bed, her hand on her stomach. She made it over and crawled in beside me. The bed felt so empty without her in it. She lied on her back, her hand still on her stomach.

"Are you sure you're alright? You're holding your stomach," I said quietly.

"I'm fine, Nico," she said in reply.

"Okay. I'm just gonna stay over here since you just threw up."

"I'm not sick. I just don't really want to cuddle much tonight. I'm really sorry, sweetheart. I honestly am."

"Baby, it's not your fault. Don't feel bad about it. This happens to everyone."

She mumbled something that kind of sounded like she said, "not everyone..."

"What?"

"I didn't say anything. But I am sorry. Maybe sleep will help. At least let me be close to you. It always helps. Please."

"Come here, Lills."

She wiggled closer, placing half of her body on mine. Her head was rested on my chest and her arm was across my lower chest and stomach. I saw her tattoo and brushed my thumb over it.

"I love your tattoos," I said softly.

"I know. And no matter what happens it will always remind me of you, of us. Now let me sleep. I'm begging you. Just let me sleep."

I kissed her on the head. "Okay. Goodnight, beautiful. I love you."

"Love you too."

But I couldn't go to sleep. It was like she couldn't be comfortable and kept moving for hours on end. I finally went to sleep. I thought I heard Lilly get up really early in the morning, but I was still sleeping.