Lifetime Piling Up

But If You Try Sometimes You Might Find

Josie shot out of bed like a bullet and ran towards the bathroom.

She nearly tripped over one of Hayden's shoes, which the brunette reminded herself she would scold the boy later for not putting away.

She couldn't do it right now because her hand was currently covering her mouth, trying to keep the contents of her stomach inside long enough to make it to the toilet bowl.

Josie made it, thank goodness. This was the fourth time this week she had woken up feeling the need to vomit.

"Well, this is just perfect." She groans miserably and tries to get up when another wave of nausea strikes, sending her back to her knees.

"Josie..." Hope cautiously stepped into the bathroom. The movement on the bed woke her up, but it was the gagging that had her worried.

Now, seeing Josie curled up by the toilet, shivering and looking pale, she could see that her concerns were valid.

"Hey, Hope..." Josie croaked out, her throat sore from the retching. "It's my morning sick again."

"Josie," Hope whispers, her eyebrows turned down. "Should we call the doctor?"

Josie was about to answer that she was fine and soothe the furrow growing on her wife's brow, but another wave of nausea hit.

"Fuck." She curses, and it's another trip to Pukesville as Josie hurls again.

Hope is by her side instantly, patting her back, and that is when the brunette feels it.

Josie is soaked through her nightshirt with sweat and shivering.

"You're sick." Hope says, gently.

"I'm sorry," Josie mumbles, spitting.

An auburn eyebrow quirks up.

"What for?" Hope asks gently. "It's not your fault you are puking."

Josie's chest rises in a quiet laugh despite how awful she feels.

"Because I'm always the caretaker. I don't want you to have to worry about me."

Hope shakes her head. Guess it was too big of an ask not to have to deal with Josie never wanting to admit when she's hurt or in pain because she is selfless and self-sacrificing in this reality.

Those traits always drove her crazy back in school, mostly because they have always been taken advantage of by Alaric or Lizzie. It's something that Josie was working on before she left Mystic Falls, and Hope prays the brunette has progressed because it can be frustrating to want to help, but Josie is so caught up in her own head that she never recognized that Hope was right there for her that entire time.

"You are pregnant, Josie." Hope says firmly, "Let someone take care of you for a change."

Josie complied, taking several uneasy breaths before holding out her arms and allowing Hope to help her back to her feet.

"See, that wasn't so hard," Hope coos, picking Josie up and snuggling her head to her chest. "Wish you were this compliant back in our world..."

Josie shoots her a confused look.

"What?"

Hope catches herself and quickly tries to laugh it off.

"Nothing." She mumbles, looking away from the brunette, kicking herself for slipping up about not being from this reality.

"Hey," Josie murmurs, guiding Hope's chin. "I understand you are worried about me, but how you have been acting since yesterday has me worried about you."