[ 18+ ] Adrianna Lee's whole world had come crashing down, unexpectedly, all around her. Losing all stability in her life, she's questioning what's the next steps to take.
That is, until an adorable seven-year-old comes bouncing into her life-which...
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I woke up groggy.
I was so tired. Didn't even want to open my eyes. But I felt it coming. And I ran (eyes half closed) into Daniel's en-suite and heave into his toilet. I did that a couple times, sleeping all the other times I wasn't.
When I woke up again, it was to a gentle shake. I groan, opening one eye. Daniel looked at me, worried look in his eyes.
"Adrianna, you need to start hydrating. Here."
He was holding a white Gatorade, which touched my heart. He went out of his way to get me something to hydrate? He's too sweet.
I try to sit up, but Daniel was right beside me. Hand on my back, he gently helped me get to a sitting position. He handed me the drink, still rubbing small circles on my back. I gulped, unintentionally, a huge sip and Daniel chuckled.
"Easy, easy. Slowly ease back into it."
"Sorry," I mutter and wipe my mouth with the back of my hand. "Thirsty."
He nods. "I know." He sets it beside me and stands. So I lay back down.
"What time is it?"
"A little after five."
My eyes shoot back open. "What?"
"It's fine. You're resting. Just keep resting."
"Is Mary Grace okay?"
He smiles a little. "Yes. She's just worried about you, is all. Told her you got a stomach bug and are sleeping it off. She wanted to make you some soup, but I didn't want to upset your stomach again."
"She's so sweet," I mutter. And so are you, I think. But instead I say, "thank you."
"Anytime. I'll check back in later."
And once he left, I fell back asleep. Thankfully, I didn't get sick again throughout the night. Into the next day, while MG was at school, Daniel had a timer set for every half hour, letting me drink more and more so long as I was able to keep it down. I finally finished a whole bottle and didn't feel the urge to throw it up.
Progress.
It wasn't until late that night, when I moved from his bed into the living room to be around MG that I finally was able to try eating. MG, as promised, made me some chicken noodle soup. I ate less than half, trying to ease back into eating. But it was good to be around her again.
Mary Grace is a burst of energy and sunshine, and I needed that after being sick so long. I loved being around her, being around Daniel. It was so easy to be around them, feel like I belonged here. It was dangerously easy.
Mary Grace was telling me about school, about the last few Taylor Swift concerts, which were the secret songs. I loved being able to be present and talking to her about whatever her little heart desires.
