Give Me A Chance

Part 9

Cursing at the alarm going off, Stevie blindly searched for it to turn it off. She had been sick the whole weekend, attempting to self-medicate, hoping to get better, but she didn't. She was tired, having had close to none sleep during the night. 

Staying in bed for a few minutes longer, she finally dragged herself out of it. She went to the bathroom, opening the cabinet for some painkillers. Filling a glass with water, she swallowed the pill and put the empty glass away, as she then looked up and almost scared herself with her own image. Jeez...

She obviously couldn't go to work looking and feeling this miserable. Stevie didn't like the idea much, but she had to call in sick and once she did, she went right back to bed. Unfortunately, she was unable to fall back asleep, due to her headache not subsiding at all. Still, she didn't get up, twisting and turning, until she found a comfortable enough position, in which she didn't feel like she wanted to rip her head off. 

The phone on the nightstand beside the bed started ringing and Stevie groaned, thinking to herself if it could be that important that she needed to pick up. Groaning again, she pulled herself up in a sitting position, resting her back against the headboard and answered the phone.

 "Hello?"

"Hi, honey." She heard Jasmine's voice. "How are you?"

"Horrible. I want to die."

"Oh, don't say that! I told you that you should see a doctor."

"I'll give it one more day."

"Do you need me to bring you something?"

"Uh... I don't know. I don't think so." Stevie said, just because it would require of her to get up and go open the door if Jasmine was to come. 

"Well, alright. I hope you get better soon."

"Me too. Thanks for checking on me."

They hung up after saying goodbye and Stevie lay down again. This time she drifted off to sleep in a matter of minutes.

Hours later, Stevie frowned, with her eyes still closed. She wasn't sure if she was dreaming or she really heard the doorbell. When it rang again, she realized it actually happened, thinking it was Jasmine, who decided to visit after all. Sighing heavily, Stevie pulled the covers away, swinging her legs over the edge of the bed. Putting on her slippers, she reached for her robe, also attempting to tame her hair, running a hand through it on her way. 

Unlocking the door, she yawned, as she then pulled it open and her eyes grew wide. She was lost for words momentarily and then the only thing she could think of saying was... "What are you doing here?"

"Nice to see you, too." Lindsey replied.

"I didn't mean it like that. I didn't expect to see you today either. Had we made plans or something?" Stevie asked, stepping aside to let him come in.

"No. I spoke to Jasmine and she told me that you're not feeling very well. I thought, I'd come see you and I brought you some soup. It's cliche, but it helps. Or so they say." Lindsey had a small smile on his lips, which Stevie couldn't not return. 

"Thank you, but you shouldn't have. I'll be fine." She said, as she tightened the robe around her, shuddering slightly. 

Lindsey looked at her pointedly. "Oh, really?"

"I think I might have a fever." 

"Then get back into bed and I'll reheat the soup for you."

"Lindsey, you don't have to. I can do it myself."

He was having none of it, as he shook his head. "I don't mind. I want to take care of you. Let me, please. Come on, you have to admit it's nice to have someone do something for you."

Smiling weakly, Stevie gave in and nodded her head. "Of course it is."

"Then get going." He said in serious tone, though, he wasn't serious at all. 

Returning to the bedroom, Stevie couldn't ignore the warm feeling inside. In all seven years of being together with Tom, he had never done anything like that. Sure, it was just a freaking bowl of soup, but it was the thought that counted. Lindsey cared about her enough to come see her and make sure she was alright. God, what is that man doing to me... 

"I hope it's not too hot. Or too cold." Lindsey added quickly. "You already know me and how amazing I am in the kitchen."

Stevie couldn't help but chuckle a little, sitting up, as she took the bowl from him. "Thank you. You're so sweet."

"It's nothing." Lindsey shrugged, sitting down on the bed. "I feel responsible."

"Why would you?"

"That drive to the beach we took. It was late and cold. I shouldn't have suggested it. You probably got sick there."

"Even if I did, I don't really care. Ocean is one of the things I love the most and when you brought it up, you couldn't have possibly changed my mind. I loved that walk along the shoreline with you. No regrets." Stevie shook her head slightly, however she was looking down at her soup instead of Lindsey, feeling a bit vulnerable, opening up like that.

"Well, if you mean that..."

"I do." Stevie assured. 

"I enjoyed it, too." He admitted, as if it was a secret to begin with. 

They sat in comfortable silence until Stevie finished eating. Lindsey took the empty bowl from her and brought it back to the kitchen and washed it, despite Stevie repeatedly saying he didn't have to do that.

"Anything else I can do for you?" Lindsey asked, leaning against the doorway.

"No, thank you. I'm good."

Checking the time, he said. "Right, I should really go back to work then. If anything, just call me, okay?" Stevie nodded. "I'll see you around the same time tomorrow then."

Biting on her lower lip as if to keep herself from saying, what she was about to, Stevie did anyway. "If you're not afraid of getting this cold as well, come over here, please." Lindsey didn't hesitate, approaching her bedside in a couple of strides. "Come a little closer." She said, beckoning with her finger. 

His heart skipped a bit, when she did that, as he leaned in closer and she brought her hand up to the side of his face, pressing her lips against his for a moment too brief.