"Justin, can you please just listen to me?" Kimberley reached across and gently took a hold of his hand. He entwined their fingers and grumbled. "Please?"
They'd been arguing for the past half hour over him having to cancel an important job interview so he could stay at home and look after Kimberley. He was more than willing to do it but Kimberley wasn't as happy. It was a big improvement in his career, a promotion that he'd been working hard for; therefore she didn't want to see all of his determination go to waste.
Plus, she was more than capable of looking after herself.
"I don't want you to cancel. Please don't cancel."
"Fine," he gasped with exasperation, "On one condition though."
Kimberley squeezed his hand weakly and smiled, "Sure, anything."
"You're staying with Cheryl."
He knew that Cheryl cared for his girlfriend as much as he did; therefore she would do anything and everything to keep her happy. He had absolute faith in Cheryl.
The younger woman whipped her head up from behind the magazine she was reading, clearly shocked by the sudden change of plans. When was this discussed? Justin wasn't the only one with career opportunities! She was about to argue when she saw the look on Kimberley's face. She rolled her eyes and shrugged. "I suppose I could cope with Kimba for a week."
"Are you sure, babe?" Kimberley asked quietly. She didn't want to get in Cheryl's way especially since she knew how hectic the girl's schedule could get.
Cheryl made a mental note to get her entire schedule for the upcoming week postponed. She knew her boss wasn't going to be happy but there was nothing she could do now.
After talking through a few things with both Justin and Kimberley's nurse, Cheryl headed off home to prepare her house for Kimberley's arrival. She wasn't sure how she felt about Kimberley spending the week at hers. What if something happened to her when she was in Cheryl's care and she got the blame? Cheryl rolled her eyes at her own stupidity. Kimberley would be fine after a day or two. She just needed plenty of rest.
The doorbell rang a couple of hours later. It was Justin, with two big suitcases in tow.
"She's not moving in, is she?" Cheryl joked.
Justin rolled his eyes and laughed, "Believe me; I've had this discussion with her already."
"Where is she anyway?" She stepped aside so he could enter before looking back towards his car. Kimberley was still sat in the passenger's seat, her body slouched forward and her hands on the dashboard. Without a second thought, Cheryl ran outside bare-foot and pulled open the car door. "Kimba..."
Kimberley lifted up her head and forced a smile. She felt absolutely drained. Sensing this, Cheryl reached across her body and unclasped her seatbelt. She then gently slid her hands underneath Kimberley's armpits and tugged weakly.
"Come on babe, let's get you indoors. It's chilly out here."
She waited until she had permission from Kimberley before pulling her from the car. Once on her feet, she quickly dropped her hands and wrapped them protectively around Kimberley's waist instead. Justin suddenly appeared by the side of them and with a tiny smile on his face, reached up and took a hold of Kimberley's arm.
"I'll take it from here, Cheryl."
Feeling slightly deflated, Cheryl took a step back and nodded. It made more sense anyway; Justin was her boyfriend and the stronger one out of the two of them.
She waited until they were both inside the house before following them in and closing the door. Kimberley took a seat on one of the suitcases and dropped her head in her hands. Cheryl exchanged worried looks with Justin before motioning towards the living room.
