Little Wonder (Phan)

Chapter Twenty-Two.

Letting out a forced breath of air, I slowly opened my eyes to see Winnie sitting on my chest, grinning down at me with her hands behind her back. "Oh, morning little cub, what can I do for you?" I was rubbing at eyes, trying to rub the sleep and sick out of them. "Got something behind your back?" She didn't answer me, only showing me whatever she had been holding behind her back, which happened to be Narla. "Oh! Little cub, not today, please -"

But she didn't listen to me, instead she lay Narla on my forehead, giggling as the puppy only squirmed on top of my forehead. "She's been missing you, papa!" Her light eyes lit up as she watched the way Narla nestled into my the space between my neck and shoulder, lying on my chest and looking up at me with those big eyes of hers. "Well hey there, Narla. What have you and Winnie been up too?" Looking down at Winnie, she giggled, covering her mouth.

"Me, papa, Narla, and Susan have been having /tons/ of fun!" Her giggles made a tiny smile creep up onto my lips, and I wrapped my arms around her tiny body, listening intently to her. "We've been going out on walks, and doggy parks, and - I wish you could come with us, papa." She wrapped her arms around me the best to her ability, and whimpered softly. "I really miss you, papa. I wish you'd just get better already." She pouted at me, she's so cute.

"I want to as well, sweetie pie." I rubbed her back gently, closing my eyes. "Well, I'm sure I'll be better in no time. And then we can /all/ go to the doggy's park together." A smile made it's way onto my face, and I knew I'd be feeling better in no time. Until there was a screech to from my doorframe, and Phil came and collected Winnie into his arms, smiling sheepishly.

"I'm sorry, Dan. But while you're sick, you and Winnie can't be so close. I don't want her getting sick as well, it's not as easy for younger kids, as it is for adults." He sat beside me, taking my hand into his, and giving it a loving squeeze. "I'm sorry, Dan. Don't think this is personal or anything. I just - You understand, right?" I nodded, shivering again, and pulling my hand out of his to wrap my arms around myself, coughing a little bit. I was beginning to think I'd never get better. "Alright, get better, Dan. Me and Winnie are gonna take the pups out for a walk, we'll be back in at least half an hour." He leaned down and pecked my forehead, before walking out of my room, and I closed my eyes for a few minutes.

"Come on, Dan. You're not gonna let this stupid cold deny you of spending time with your family, are you?" Opening my eyes again, there was Mae, sitting on the end of my bed, kicking her legs back and forth, not even looking at me. "I mean, seriously. You are a 26 year old man, why are you letting this stop you?" She scoffed at me, jumping back onto the ground, she walked up closer to me, patting my cheek, before scratching it roughly.

"God - /Why/ did you do that!?" But she was already gone already, and though my cheek hurt like hell, I knew she was right. I wasn't about to let this damn thing to ruin my entire day, I was going to get out there and do what the hell I wanted. I just needed to change, rolling out of bed, I got to my closet by crawling on the ground. Eventually, I got my clothes on and made it out of my room, coughing and shivering almost violently.

But who the hell would I be if I let this cough get the better of me?

~

"- thank you!" Watching the girls walk away, I smiled until they were out of sight, I didn't want anyone knowing I was sick, though in the photo, I probably looked sick as hell. "Okay, okay. Doggy park, right?" That's where Winnie and Phil were at, right? Or had it just been a walk? I didn't know anymore, this cold was making me confused as all hell. "Park, or walk, park, or walk. Damn, this stupid cold." I wrapped my arms around myself, and rubbed them gently. I was just cold, and I wish I hadn't left the flat now. Patting my pockets, I panicked slightly inside as I realised I didn't have my phone on me, I must've left it at the flat. "Frick, okay. Okay. Nothing's that bad. You're just sick, lost in London, and without a phone, or money." Okay, that was pretty bad, why didn't I even recognize this part of London?