The show must go on

Chapter 31 - This needs to stop

Perrie POV

I was determined to make up for my bad mood yesterday today. The last thing I want is for Jade to be uncomfortable and for me to cause it. She feels bad enough as it is.

But what joy can I give her these days? Our opportunities on tour are highly limited. I can hardly give her flowers when we take the bus to the next town that day. But flowers but be way too less anyway. Normally I would try a delicious meal, her favourite snacks or some hand-made biscuits, but that's not a good idea either as she just doesn't stomach most things well these days. I don't want her feeling bad after I try to do something nice. Sexual apologies, as used to be the norm, are also off the table at the moment. That would be far too exhausting for her. So I am left with not that many options except to run her a hot bath in the hotel bathroom and promise me and her that today is her day and I will read her every wish from her lips.

She actually hasn't woken up once since I got in the room last night and after forgetting the initial, actually unfounded worry about it, I was relieved. She needs sleep and I am happy if she gets it.

But it is time for her medication. I set more alarms today to not oversleep and am now wide awake early in the morning, ready to help her through the day.

I watch her for a moment as she peacefully keeps her eyes closed before I gently stroke her forehead and immediately frown. She still has a fever. She has that more often these days, but with the sores in her mouth and the infection, I am naturally worried.

Probably awakened by my touch, her eyes flutter open.

"Good morning, baby," I greet her as I smile lovingly at her.

"Morning," she mumbles still quite sleepy. "What time is it?"

"Eight in the morning. Time for your pills," I explain, just then her eyes widen.

"Shit," she mumbles, earning a questioning look from me.

"I'm sorry I didn't wake up, I set an extra alarm for myself. I must have overheard it," she says, avoiding my gaze.

"Hey, it's fine," I say immediately, really meaning it. "You don't have to set an alarm, that's what I'm here for."

"But...it's not your job...I should be able to handle it myself," she explains meekly.

"No don't. Everything I said yesterday was total bullshit. All of it, I'm serious. Please just forget about it", I stop her.

"But you were right ..." she contradicts me and I shake my head vigorously.

"No, stop it," I say quickly. "I'm so sorry that you think that because I acted so shitty towards you. You're not a burden to me, you never could."

"Don't be ridiculous," she retorts without looking at me. "You were absolutely right, you're not obligated to look after me like that. It's not your job."