Escape A Barson story

Chapter 18

A fit of sneezing woke Rafael from the best sleep he had in years.Immediately he began to panic. He turned his head in the direction of the sound. He found Olivia's body was turned away from him, and her hand was covering her nose. "Liv, look at me." He saw her shake her head no, "Liv". he repeated seconds later just as the sneezing fit ended. He was relieved. "Liv, please look at me.""Rafa," she replied, miserably. "Go in the other room, I don't want you anywhere near my germs." Rafael moved off the couch, and strode into his bedroom. Olivia sniffed. She hated turning Rafael away. The moment he left the couch she felt the loss, but it was for the best. She would not get him sick. She closed her eyes."Open your mouth, I'm going to take your temperature, " Rafael said.
"I'm OK." Olivia mumbled."Liv, please don't argue about this." She opened her eyes, and turned to face him, he was horrified. All the color was drained from her beautiful face, her brown eyes were tearing, and her nose was turning red from irritation.
"Do I look that bad?" She questioned him in a hoarse voice..
"No". he whispered. She opened her mouth for him, he inserted the thermometer, and waited, When the wait was over, he took the thermometer from her mouth, and read it.
"I'm not sick, Rafa." She whispered hoarsely."Oh, no", he replied sarcastically. "You stayed in that ice box for days, and now you have 103 fever.""Don't be mad." She pleaded, softly.
"I'm not mad at you, Liv. I'm worried" Olivia moved, and her ankle protested, she tried to hide her pain, but she couldn't hide it from Rafael Barba, He read her face, "Where are you going? You need to rest.""I... I... need to use the restroom.." Rafael immediately helped her to her feet. He supported her weight as they walked to the closest bathroom.
When they arrived there, Rafael guided her onto the toilet. When he was sure she had her balance he walked out of the room, he called over his shoulder. "Call me when you want to get up." He closed the door behind him.
10 minutes later, Rafael knocked on the bathroom door. "Liv? Are you OK?""You can come in", she called, he could hear the frustration in her voice. He opened the door, entered the room, and found Olivia by the sink, barely able to stand, and clearly in agony, He rushed to her, and supported her so she could stand upright. "Did you pack my toothbrush? I need to brush my teeth."I forgot it, but the toothbrushes on the counter are brand new. Use one of them. Olivia's watery eyes managed to focus on the toothbrushes. One was yellow, one was purple. She picked up the purple one. With her permission, Rafael stood behind her, and held her hips to give her better balance while she brushed her teeth. She leaned on him as they exited the bathroom, he led her to the couch, and helped her place her foot on the elevation pillow. "I'm getting you a drink. I called Liliana."
"I hope you didn't call her for me", Olivia replied."I did. She'll be here soon.""Rafa, she's busy.""You need a doctor, Liv, and she's a doctor." Olivia was about to protest when there was a knock on the door. Rafael ran to answer it, and Liliana. walked into the house a moment later."Rafi, told me that you're not feeling well", d Liliana.said."I'm fine", Olivia answered, coughing. She covered her mouth until the coughing stopped, and then she continued speaking. "Liliana, your cousin worries, but he has nothing to worry about."
Liliana. sat down next to Olivia, and faced her. "He worries about the people he loves", Liliana answered, examining Olivia. "On top of your sprained ankle, you have the flu", she announced when the examination was complete."I want you to rest, and drink plenty of fluids. I'm prescribing an antibiotic for 10 days. I'm calling it in as soon as I leave here, and I'm picking it up for you so that my cousin can stay here, and keep an eye on you.""Thank-you, Liliana", Rafael and Olivia said in unison. Liliana smiled, and walked to the door. "Take care of her, Rafi, watch her fever", she.said quietly as she exited the house. Rafael, closed and locked the door. He quickly went into the kitchen."Rafa?" Olivia called in a small voice.
Rafael walked out of the kitchen a moment later with a water bottle, he strode over to her, and handed her the bottle. "Yes", he answered, the sound of his voice comforted her."Rafa, I'm sorry to burden you."Rafael sat down beside her. "You're not, Liv.""I can leave—""No, you said you wouldn't, I don't want you to. You're safe, just stay with me, relax, and get better.
Olivia opened the water bottle in her hand, took a large gulp. The freezing liquid felt heavenly going down her burning throat. "Thank-you", she said, moving the bottle away from her mouth. He smiled his half smile which made her heart melt, and reassured her at the same time, "I just don't want to inconvenience you or ruin your vacation. I'm not going anywhere, Rafa. I do need to call the Garlands to check on Noah. Do you mind if we do that together? My throat is sore." Rafael took his cell phone out of his pocket, dial and put the phone on speaker. Lamai answered on the 3rd ring. "Hello?"
"Hi, Lamai , it's Olivia." She coughed loudly, paused, and finished her water. "I'm calling from Rafael's phone. You're on speaker.
"Olivia, how are you?" Lamai asked, concerned. "I'm... Olivia coughed."I'm fine Lamai. Is Noah in the room with you?""No, he and Abby are playing a board game in her room. You can talk freely. You don't sound fine.""My ankle is sprained, and I have the flu.""Oh, Olivia, we'll keep Noah until you feel better."Thanks, Lamai. I can't... I can't get Noah sick.""I understand. So you're calling from Rafael's phone. Lamai said. teasingly."Yes", Olivia answered, seriously.Olivia heard her son's voice in the background. "May I talk to my mom?" Lamai handed the boy the phone. "Hi mom!"Hi... sweet boy", Olivia squeaked out."Mom, Aunt Lamai said you went to the hospital with uncle Rafa! What happened? Are you OK?""I... I sprained my ankle, and I have the flu.""Don't worry about me, mom, just get better. Is Uncle Rafa with you?" Olivia tried to hold back her cough, but she couldn't."I'm here with her Noah", Rafael answered while Olivia continued coughing."Can you take me off speaker, uncle Rafa? I need to talk to you." Rafael did as Noah asked. He then walked into the kitchen.
"OK, Noah, you're off speaker, I'm listening.""Are you taking care of mom?""Yes, I'm doing my best.""Good. She's stubborn", Noah said, and Rafael had to stifle a laugh, he listened to the boy continue to speak. "Is she speaking to you?""Yes, Noah, she is.""Good, you're her best friend, and I miss you."
"I miss you too, Noah", Rafael replied, touched by the boy's words."Mom has cried a lot in 2021, and 2022. I want 2023 to be better.""So do I, Noah.""I want to see you more, Uncle Rafa.""I want to see you more, Noah. Listen, I need to get your mother a drink. My cousin who is a doctor is coming over later with her medicine. Have fun with Abby, and I'll call you later.""OK, take care of mom!" Noah replied, sounding a bit happy, and a bit relieved. Noah hung up first. Rafael, put his phone away, and opened the fridge. He returned to Olivia with an ice cold water bottle. He opened it, handed it to her, and sat down with her.
"Does my son hate me?" Olivia asked. She took a long sip of water and waited for his answer."No, Liv,." Rafael answered, sighing. "He's worried about you. He could never hate you, you're a good mother.""Thanks", she said. "I hate being away from him, but I can't get him sick""I know. How do you feel?"Olivia took a breath. "I feel terrible, Rafa. My head hurts, my throat burns, I'm congested. I'm freezing, but I can't do anything about it, because I know in reality that I'm burning up with fever, and my ankle is throbbing."
Rafael hated that Olivia felt so horrible, but he was happy that she was being honest, and open with him about how she felt. "What can I do for you before your medicine gets here?" Rafael asked, softly. "Are you hungry?"
"No", she moaned, miserably "I can't think of food.""What can I do for you,Liv?""Just be here", she whispered. Rafael took Olivia's temperature, watched her drink more water, and helped her lie down with her feet elevated. Once she was laying down, it took Olivia 5 minutes to fall asleep. Rafael placed a gentle kiss on her forehead, and just sat there watching her sleep, keeping an eye on her.
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