Looking for the Light Through the Darkness

Chapter 49: Held Breath

Point of View: Sang

Staying curled into Nathan's side, I feel his arm slip over my stomach and to my side guiding me closer to his warmth. Resting my head against his chest, I can feel the soft thrum of his heart letting me know he is alright. Letting out a soft yawn, I slowly begin to let myself drift off when there is a soft knock on the door making me tense. Feeling Nathan pull me closer, I tuck my head down tired as I hear the door open. 

"Is she awake?" Dr. Green's voice is soft as he enters the room and I shift slightly letting him know that I am awake and can hear him. Nathan's arm however, doesn't move from my side. 

"She is but she is exhausted Doc. Later?" He asks and I can tell they are conversing around me rather than with me. Ignoring the anxiety building in my chest, I feel Nathan's fingers begin to trace patters on my side. Focusing on the soft touch of his fingers, I listen. 

"Now would be best." Dr. Green states his voice soft and calm as he speaks. Feeling the bed shift lightly, I realize he has sat down beside me when the soft scent of lavender wafts over me. Feeling Nathan's hand slowly weaken around me. I can tell Dr. Green has won the argument. 

With Nathan's hands pressed against my sides, he guides me into a sitting position once more and I manage a small smile. "Hello Pookie." Dr. Green states softly making me smile and I feel the soft touch of his finger tips on my hand. "I know you are tired Pookie, but I really think it would be best if I checked you over." 

Feeling the anxiety press heavily against my chest, I struggle to keep calm as I address Dr. Green. This wasn't what he wanted to talk about. "We can't wait till later?" I whisper my voice softer than before and I can hear my hesitation laced in my voice. I know the others have heard it as well because there is a long pause before anything is said. 

"Peanut is there something the matter?" Nathan whispers softly and I feel the soft caress against my cheek as he cups my face guiding me to look at him. Forcing myself to look down at the covers on the bed, I do my best to hide my shaky hands. 

"I am just tired." I manage and suddenly, Nathan's fingers disappear from my cheek. There is another moment of silence before Nathan's hands reappear on my trembling fingers. 

"Would you allow Doc to just take your temperature?" Nathan asks ever so quietly. "I won't leave the room. You may rest in my lap as he does so and then you may head right to sleep." His voice is softer now that he knows I don't feel comfortable and it makes me calm down. Nodding my head ever so slightly, Nathan's arms move from my trembling hands to my sides, guiding me back into not only his arms but also his lap. Shifting with Nathan's guidance, I hesitate to lean back against his chest until I feel his fingers lightly press against my chest guiding me back. 

The gap between both of our bodies disappearing, I can feel his soft breathing against my back as he guides me into a more comfortable position. My head resting against his shoulder, I let out a short small breath as his fingers begin to run through my hair and the lavender scent of Dr. Green's cologne appears once more. 

"Pookie hold still for me alright? I am just going to slip the thermometer into your ear." Dr. Green whispers his hand resting against my side. Slowly letting out a small breath, I press myself into Nathan's shoulder slightly to stay still as I feel a nozzle being slipped into my ear. 

Hearing the low beep, Nathan's hand instantly presses against my head signaling for me to stay where I am as covers are wrapped around me. Turning slightly so that, I am resting my forehead against Nathan's chin, I listen as Dr. Green's footsteps move out of the bedroom before I settle down to rest. 

"Sang you are holding your breath." Nathan whispers ever so softly and I feel his fingers move to my sides, just under my rib cage. Biting my lip, I nod slightly but am unable to release the breath my anxiety getting the better of me. "It's okay." He whispers removing my lip from the grips of my teeth. "It's okay just rest for me." 

With a nod, I slowly press myself closer to Nathan's touch. 

Point of View: Nathan 

As soon as I had walked into the room, I could tell that she wasn't feeling well. Her skin paler than normal was the obvious give away. Settling down next to her on the bed, I knew there was no way I wasn't going to stay with her while she slept. She had just been through one of the roughest periods of time yet and I wanted to make sure she was comfortable. Hell, we all wanted to make sure she was comfortable but she had been so worried about me that everyone thought it would be best for me to comfort her first. 

Climbing into Kota's large king sized bed, I make sure I am close enough to her so that I can tell if she is doing alright but not to close to overwhelm her. But the instant I settle down and place my hand on her side, she is moving closer and as her cold skin brushes against my own, I instantly know that she isn't well. Feeling her ever so small hesitations while she moves, I guide her closer and closer until, I feel her head resting against my chest and she small hand gripping onto my shirt. 

Running a hand through her tangled hair, I observe her features very carefully trying to determine how she is feeling without asking but before I can make any clear observations the knock on the door seems to startle her. Feeling her figure tremble, I silently curse in my head at who ever is at the door and hold her close. She needs rest. 

My eyes darting to the door, I watch as Doc steps into the room his eyes instantly landing on the bundle in my arms. Frowning slightly, I instantly start to trying to indicate she is not up for speaking but there is something about Doc's eyes that makes me nervous. Biting back words, I watch as Doc takes a seat at the edge of the bed. 

"Is she awake?" He asks quietly and I glance down at Sang who shifts slightly in my arms. Unsure what Doc has planned, I slowly nod my head but keep my arms wrapped around Sang holding her still. 

"She is but she is exhausted Doc. Later?" I ask trying to keep my tone even but Doc's eyes don't change and I realize that Mr. B probably asked him to check over Sang or possibly talk to her. Trying to express that Sang was not up for this silently, Doc doesn't listen and continues to press. 

"Now would be better." He states and I let out a sigh before slowly releasing Peanut. Slipping my hands around her sides, I help guide her back into a sitting position and I see Doc realizing his mistake about pushing. It is clear that the color of her cheeks is off and that she looks generally uncomfortable with people seeing her clearly so weak. 

Watching Sang ever so carefully, I make sure to stay close as Doc begins. ""Hello Pookie." He says in a soft teasing manner and I let out a slow breath as a small smile appears on Sang's lips. "I know you are tired Pookie, but I really think it would be best if I checked you over." But just as soon as that smiled appeared it quickly disappeared and I know she is uncomfortable.

But what surprises me the most is Sang's voice as she responds.  "We can't wait till later?" It is as though her melody of a pitch has turned choppy. Shooting a glance to Doc, I can see how nervous this makes him as well and I know I have to step in and save my brother. 

Understanding that Sang isn't well, I guide her into my lap so that Doc can take her temperature and hold her small form until she is able to get comfortable. What has me worried the most however, is her held breaths. She is breathing but it is as though she is releasing them in small sharp breaths which can't be good for her. 

Once she has finally managed to fall asleep, I pull out my phone and open up the messages. 

Group Text: 

Nathan: Si, North how was she in the car ride? 

Silas: Nervous, exhausted, worried 

North: I pulled over when I got your message about the follower and I could tell she was bothered by the fact you were being followed. 

Mr. Blackbourne: It's time for a family meeting. Nathan your first priority is Sang however. We will fill you in later.