Half A Heartbeat Away

17

•Beckham Blackford•

When I called Lena a thousand times over and she didn't respond, I knew something was wrong. Even if we weren't the most friendly this morning or to be more precise; on speaking terms, the least she could've done was answer my calls or texts, even if nonchalantly so.

I was freaking out further and further when I got no response, until I called up the maids and they eventually told me that she's burning up with fever in her room. I left office urgently, canceling a meeting or two unapologetically so I could rush back home.

Even on the way back, it was the most careless I've driven since a long time -since that godforsaken night- but that's fine because I was only racing to get to her. That's all that mattered. Dano was in the passenger seat holding on for dear life, even if he didn't utter a word it was apparent he was struggling to breathe normally with how fast I was going. I instructed the maids to place wet cloths on her forehead and not leave her until I arrived.

Dano decided to come with me when he saw my delirious state, saying he'll babysit the kids while I was with her. I didn't have to say anything, but he knew I was appreciative of his actions.

We burst through the front door. Dano strides to the maids in the living room in order to ask about the kids, meanwhile I raced upstairs and into her room, skipping the stairs in twos and threes. I just wanted to make sure she's fine.

I was panting but willed myself to calm down and by the stern look on my face, the maid that was sat next to her exited in silence. I came to see her. She lacked her usual color. Her cheeks were dull of any pigment. She was clattering her teeth unconsciously and shivering slightly despite her sweating and being covered in two thick blankets.

The back of my palm makes contact with her forehead, noting the unordinary high temperature. I get immediately to work and start wetting the cloth again and damping it on her forehead. I repeat the action a few times over before her temperature drops a bit and she somehow wakes up in the midst of it and squints her eyes hardly open.

I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding, and fought back the urge to bend down and kiss her hello. Reminding myself that it was neither the right place nor the time for that.

Things progressed from there and I can see how faint and unrested she was. Her movements were accompanied by acute dullness and great acheness. Her usual rosy pinks lips were drained of shade and closer to blue now, while a sheen coat of sweat covered her forehead and some of her damp brunette locks stuck stubbornly to her neck.

After we argued about food and I won, I started to feed her the soup, because she looked appallingly deathly. She needed to eat no matter how hard and unappetizing it was for her.

I would scoop a bit with the spoon, blow on it because it was hot and I didn't want it to burn her tongue or be too hot on her. I placed a hand behind her neck to steady her up a bit, and proceeded with feeding her. Thankfully, she didn't detest finishing the whole bowl or fight me on it, seeing I was persistent on her getting all the necessary nutrients so she can heal faster.

Setting the empty bowl on the tray on the nightstand, I unbutton the first button of my shirt, plus the cuff links, so I could roll my sleeves upwards. She takes notice of my actions and states.

"You're tired". She says as a statement, her eyes not leaving me. I sigh and respond "It's not important". And it wasn't. What was, is that her temperature's dropping and she looks better. She also stopped shivering a while ago.

"It is. You can't overwork yourself, you'll get sick" She says with a weird look on her face, her lips pouting.

"Funny, aren't you the one who's lying motionlessly on the bed?" I snap back and she gasps.

"It's seasonal for me, I get sick every year. This year is just a bit stronger than I'm used to. But still, it doesn't clash with the fact that you need to rest yourself" She fights me off even when she's the one sick and coughing. I sigh rubbing my forehead. It has proven to be a long day indeed.

"You're human too. It's ok to rest". She mutters in a small voice and I don't miss the caring look in her amber eyes. I nod wordlessly and get up towards the door.

"You're leaving?" She asks apprehensively and I shake my head "I'm just grabbing a shirt to change into. This is super uncomfortable" I explain and she nods.

Her eyes watch me like hawk disappearing into the hallway. I make a detour downstairs to check on the kids. I find them in the living room watching a cartoon movie with Dano whom seemed even more engrossed than Lily in the story. Soir was in his lap, too stunned by the colors and too young to understand what was going on anyways.

"Everything ok?" He mouths to me and I nod. He shoos me away with his hand and focuses back into the tv. I laugh to myself and retreat back upstairs.

Going into my room, I desperately wanted to take a shower but refrained since I knew it'll take too long and didn't want to leave Lena alone.

I unbuttoned my shirt, changed into basic shirt and sweatpants before making my way back into her room.

She was exactly how I left her. Only more snuggled into the sheets. I make my way to the chair beside her bed and her eyebrows scrunch "What're you doing?" She asks.

"Sleeping" I answer, changing positions on the chair to find a comfortable one to sleep in.

"But that would just give you sore muscles. You'll hurt your back and your neck" She explains and I nod.

"Yeah, I'm aware".

"Stop being unreasonable". She scoots over to her sides and makes space for me.

"What?" I ask, raising my eyebrows.

"Come here. You need to keep an eye on me and I the same".

"Are you sure?" I ask. I didn't want to invade her personal space.

"Yes. Now come on, I'm sleepy". She yawns and I drag myself to the empty side and drop there, snuggling under the covers.

A light smile adorns her cheeks and it's the first genuine smile I've seen on her today, it just suits her so well to be happy and smiling. I'd hate to think of myself as the reason for her frown.

I flip on my stomach, turning my head towards her and prop a pillow between my arms. I take a look to the color returning to her face. She looks peaceful now. I watch her, vehemently infatuated by her striking features. How could I have spent this long in her presence and missed the way her lashes brush against her cheekbones? Or the way she sleeps with her mouth slightly open? She was just unbelievable. Beautifully so.

"Sweet dreams, Beck" She utters while asleep. My heart dances at the nickname, it's the first time she's called me any.

"Sweet dreams indeed" I whisper back, not being able to fight off the smile on my lips, not that I bothered anyways.

I close my eyes after admiring her for a while and drift to sleep, sniffing her scent off the pillow and wishing it was her in my arms instead.