Page 64 of Tangled Trust

It’s been twenty minutes, and the soup has stayed down. Hoorah! I dueled with the bug and emerged victorious. I’m feeling pretty cocky, so I pop a slice of sourdough bread into the toaster. The smell of toasted bread has to be one of the best smells ever. It’s not exactly a gourmet dish, but it is iconic.

And wouldn’t you know it? The toast, too, stayed down. Success! I think I’d better lie down for a while, just in case, to give my stomach a fighting chance, so I make my way to my room. I pass George on the way up.

"You’re looking a little better, Ella," he smiles.

"I’m feeling much better. Thank you for keeping an eye on Jagger, George."

"Only a pleasure, my dear."

"I’ll be in my room if anyone needs me."

"Alright. Feel better."

"Thanks."

I hear my phone ringing when I’m in the hall, so I move a little faster.

"Hello," I answer, out of breath.

"Hi. Is everything okay? I called earlier, but you didn’t answer."

"Hi, Carter. Yes, sorry, I was in the kitchen. You’ll never guess what I’ve got."

"I feel like I should know this one," he teases.

"Jagger has become quite the little ninja when it comes to passing on his illnesses to those closest to him," I groan.

"Oh, no. The stomach bug?"

"Yup. The very same."

"Well, that’s not cool. I’ll have to have a chat with him about that," he coos. "Are you okay?"

"I was close to flatlining earlier, with my head permanently hovering over the bog, but I think I may survive."

"Poor baby. I wish I was there to take care of you."

"Sure. Of course. You being such an expert at dealing with vomit and all," I chuckle.

"Yeah. You’re right. It’s probably a good thing I’m here, or you’d see what a pathetic nurse I am and dump my sorry ass," he laughs.

"Ugh…don’t make me laugh. My stomach hurts from all the dry heaving."

"I’ll be back tomorrow night and kiss it better. How does that sound?"

"I’ll do my best to stay alive until then."

"You do that."

* * *

It’s morning again, and although I’m not hugging the porcelain, I’m still feeling squirrely. Carter is coming home today, and I’d like to prepare something for him for dinner so we can spend some alone time together, but at this rate, I may just leave it up to Chef.

Hopefully, I can keep my ass off the bathroom floor for long enough to show my lover how much I’ve missed him. But this morning, I have lots to do.

"Jagger," I say softly, and I touch his tiny sleeping body. "It’s time to get up, sweetheart. You have a game this morning."

Jagger opens one sleepy eye and smiles at me. His angelic face is marked with sleeping lines from his pillow. He is so damn cute.

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