Through Pain We Survive

Chapter 30

Nate checked in on AJ and Gwen a couple hours later.

"How's she feeling?"

"About the same. I just wish I could do more." Sitting in bed, AJ looked down at his sleeping wife curled up on his lap, stroking her hair.

"The crackers didn't help?"

"Nope. I think the sports drink is okay though. She woke up a bit ago and I had her drink some and she's kept it down."

"That's good." Nate's phone signified a message. He looked at it and saw it was from Sara. "If there's anything else y'all need, just let me know."

"Will do. Thanks man."

Nate nodded and went into his room. Reading the text from Sara, he decided to call her.

"Hey. I didn't expect a call. How are you?"

"I'm alright. How are you?"

"I'm doing good. I was wondering if you were free tonight? I wanted to stop by and see you."

"As much as I'd like you to, probably better not. Gwen has been sick since last night. We don't know if it's a bug or what. She hasn't been able to keep any food down since last night."

"Oh no! How dreadful!"

"Why don't we postpone for a few days until she's better."

"Okay. How are you and AJ feeling?"

"We're feeling fine. Neither of us are sick."

"That's good."

"Well, I have some work to do. I'll talk to you later."

"Okay, bye!"

"Bye." Nate hung up. Penelope jumped in his lap and sat down, looking up at Nate expectantly. Petting her, he pulled up his editing software on his computer and started working.

After she hung up, Sara smiled devilishly. She called Damien.

"Hi."

"Hi sweetie. I wanted to let you know the plan worked. Gwen is sick and the guys aren't. Giving her food poisoning was genius. Since you can't track it, they won't be able to tell where it came from."

"Wonderful. Undercooking her chicken then coating it in barbecue was genius. No one would have been able to tell."

"I know. But I wanted to call and say I missed you. I can't wait for you to get home."

Damien grinned. "You have everything ready?"

"Of course."

"Good. I'll see you tonight then."

"Bye sweetie."

Sara hung up the phone and smiled to herself. Things were going perfectly. They wouldn't be able to do their jobs if Gwen kept getting sick.

Signing in to her incognito profile on social media on her laptop, she decided to check up on the picture she posted of her and Nate. There were a lot of comments on the picture, so of course she wanted to respond to them.

Sara hummed to herself while typing. Yes, that is Nate from Random Encounters and Sara from Sassafras. Yes, they are dating. I'm not going to release the source, it was given to me in confidentiality. No, they will not be collaborating together. Their relationship has been going on for a few months at least. Sara was wanting to get another photo to put up, but needed to figure out the perfect opportunity.

Logging off and closing her laptop, she started to think. What excuse could I use to get another picture of us being intimate. Maybe I could set up my phone secretly then kiss him again. We could go for a walk and I'll have Damien take it then.