Chuck Versus the Book

Chuck Versus Chapter XXIII

Sarah woke up with a start. Her hands were shaking and beads of sweat were dripping from her forehead. Her chest was heaving as she continued to pant. Glancing over at Chuck and finding he was still asleep, Sarah threw the bed sheets off of her body and quietly got out of bed. Sarah didn't bother putting on her robe; she felt too hot. She left the room, being careful not to wake Chuck, and headed for the bathroom. She entered the small room, stood in front of the mirror and bent down towards the sink. Rubbing her hands over her eyes she looked up into the mirror. Turning the faucet on she splashed some water on her face before drying it with a hand towel. Looking back into the mirror, she took her tank top off and brushed her hands over the red scar that would only fade. It would never disappear: a constant reminder of what happened. Sarah looked back into the mirror and shook her head. She frantically put her shirt back on and rushed out of the bathroom. As she walked down the hall she heard Clara start to cry from her bedroom. Knowing Devon that was working the night shift tonight and that Ellie needed her sleep, Sarah walked into the room. Clara was standing up in her crib as her 'big girl' bed was not put together yet. Sarah picked the little one up and held her close. Clara quieted down but still continued to cry. Sarah started to brush Clara's hair out of the way before her hand started to feel wet.

"What the?"

Sarah walked over to the door and flicked the light switch on. Sarah looked at Clara's hair which was covered in puke, her pajamas not looking much better. Sarah peered into the crib seeing the stained bankets. Sarah placed Clara on the dresser before changing her out of her pajamas and her diaper she wore at night as she was being potty trained.

Clara's eyes drifted close before she opened them again. Sarah picked Clara and carried her down the hall to the bathroom farthest away from Ellie, who hadn't slept in days. Placing the little girl on her knee, Sarah turned the knob on the bathtub letting water flow out. Sarah turned the knob until the water was cool enough it would take Clara's temperature down. Sarah placed Clara in the bath and began to scrub the puke out of her hair. Clara could barely keep her eyes open and was having a hard time sitting up. Sarah placed her hand on Clara's back to keep her from falling. After Clara was clean, Sarah lifted her out of the tub and wrapped her in a towel before turning of the light and leaving the bathroom. Clara placed her head on Sarah's shoulder and wrapped her arms around her neck. Sarah checked in on Ellie and Chuck who were both asleep before heading back to Clara's room. Placing Clara down on the dresser, Sarah put Clara in a new diaper and clean pajamas. Sarah picked the toddler up again and walked downstairs to the kitchen before wetting a washcloth with cold water and placing it on Clara's forehead.

"Let's go back to bed." Sarah whispered to Clara

Sarah walked up the stairs into the bedroom while holding Clara. She placed the child down in her crib with a blanket.

Clara struggled to get back up. When she did she stood up and started crying her arms stretched out toward Sarah.

"Clara, you need to sleep." Sarah replied

Clara continued to whine.

Not wanting to wake Ellie up, Sarah grabbed Clara out of her crib and walked back to the guest bedroom with her.

Chuck was dead asleep on the far side of the bed so Sarah climbed in gesturing for Clara to come. Climbing on the bed next to Sarah, Clara laid down next to her aunt, her head on Sarah's chest. Sarah's arm wrapped around Clara and pulled the blankets up. Clara was asleep in minutes and so was Sarah.

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The next morning, Chuck wandered into the bathroom, trying- and failing- to keep his eyes closed. Yawning loudly, Chuck finally reached to flip on the light switch and caught a glimpse of Sarah on the bed. She was curled up around Clara, the toddler fast asleep on Sarah's chest. Both of them took a deep breath simultaneously, and Chuck walked over to sit on the edge of the bed, gazing down at his beloved wife. This could've been Finn, Chuck thought.