Open Arms

Chapter Seventeen

"How much farther is it?"

"Not much, just across the street here." A few cars passed by before the two crossed, a sharp wind cutting their faces. A large building next to a video rental store and an arcade came into view, putting the thought of a warm fire and a soft couch into their minds. Hannah began to doubt upon seeing a rat run down the stairs, the same stairs Angus led her up. "Careful, watch your step here."

"Is it already set up?"

"The bed is," Angus replied helping Hannah up the stairs. "You can relax there when we get to it, but Mal an' I will have to go lookin' for new furniture an' he's gotta get a new car, ya' know. We'll be right busy soon enough."

"When do you go back to the studio?"

"George wants us to see the place next week. He an' Harry have been gettin' all the gear put in an' plugged in an' all that, but he wants us settled in first." They finally reached a tan door with the number forty-four in gold chipped paint. "Here it is, our new home. Hope you don't think it's too..."

"Too what?" Hannah sniffed.

"Well, this is the best we could get on our budget, ya' see. It's not bad in any way," he reassured. "Jus'...well, come on in."

Angus unlocked the door, both of them instantly hit with a summer-like heat. Hannah, who had just broken out of her fever as well as came in from the freezing February temperature couldn't tell if she liked it or not. The living room was bare save for a few shelves and a fireplace. All the cabinets in the kitchen were open due to the cold, no table or chairs to sit on. Bringing Hannah through the new apartment, Angus opened the door to their room where a double bed sat by the window, which was open. 

"I opened it for ya'," he said taking her to the bed. "The uh, the heating's broken." He cleared his throat.

"I think the heating is anything but broken," Hannah replied lying down. She removed her wool coat and brought the comforter up to her chin. Taking a spot next to her he felt her forehead. "I'm sorry I couldn't come with you."

"I'm sorry you got too sick to go," he answered feeling her cheek. Her skin was cold. "And I'd really have rathered you were helping pick this place out, we might have agreed on somethin' a bit..." He shrugged his coat off. "more fitting for February."

"It feels just like home," Hannah said, burying her face in the soft pillow. "I won't feel too homesick."

"No," Angus agreed in a whisper. "No, you'll just have a fever instead, won't ya'?" He was thankful the fever had left last night. Both of them slept hours better. He rolled down the comforter and checked her arms. Neither looked terrible but could stand to look better. They had been wrapped up in bandages Malcolm had packed in his own suitcase, having given them to Angus after hearing about it. Angus covered her back up, returning to feeling her cold skin. "You feel up for a little walk today?"

"Not really," she mumbled. 

"Still sick?"

"A little."

"Maybe you ought to eat somethin'?"

"Maybe..."

"I can make ya' toast if you want. Or eggs." Hannah thought it over. "You want any tea with it?"

"Yes, please." Angus smiled at the quickness of her reply. 

"Black?"

"With milk."

"That's my girl," he said. Kissing her forehead he stood from the bed and headed for the kitchen. Once he got there he realized he forgot something. He forgot to buy groceries. Well.