Work hard, live a little (Cameo)

Her treatment is greatly appreciated but doesn't really set my mind at ease. I pull my son close and hold him tight with the icepack on his small body. The fire warms the room but it takes a while. Having been out in the almost 0 degrees morning air and now being in an almost cold room makes me shiver so I pull one of the blankets on the big sofa around my shoulders and Josh.
Upstairs some sounds can be heard, mostly floorboards squeaking but also some voices.
"Is everybody still in bed?" I'm not sure what time her father would get up if he has to milk cows.
"I could help your dad milk the cows." I offer even though I'm starting to feel a little under the weather myself. For now I'll blame it on the sleepless night.
My son starts coughing like he had the whole night and everytime he does it sounds like he's going to be suffocating and makes me jump and freeze while I stare at him ready to jump into action if I have to. Not that I'd know what to do.
"Oh shit." I can feel my chest tighten because I'm so worried.
"If only Nonnie was here." I don't want to make Faith feel bad but sometimes the twins could use their mom.

I take the ointment form her and push Josh's shirt up so i can rub the oily stuff on his small, pale chest. He seems to enjoy the rubbing as he quiets down. The solution feels warm under my hand, which probably is nice for him.
Then another coughing fit shakes him and makes me cringe.
"Why is mother milk so great? Isn't it the same as cow milk?" I wonder why on earth he should be healthier with that.

When I let my gaze wander over to Faith and see her in her pyjamas and uncombed hair it occurs to me how I just invaded her private space and time. So I apologize. "I guess you probably want to get back to bed. I'm sorry that we've disturbed you so early. I should have waited a little longer."

It was nice to be welcome here. Especially because it wasn't becuase of pity but because of true liking and devotion.
"Thank you." I offer her a weak smile while I lean my own head against the backrest. My body feels strained , as if I'd been working the whole day even though I just get up and suddenly I sneeze as well.
'Great' I think to myself. 'I caught the flu as well.'
"No , thank you." I mutter while I lean my cheek against Joshs. "Remember I don't do breakfast." My eyes close while I relax for the first time in hours with him breathing a little easier.
Before she can walk away I take Faiths hand, which is very atypical for me btu I want her to stay close.
"Faith, your much more than just a friend." I rub her hand but don't look at her. "I trust you with my kids. You are very special, very rare." I'm not exatly sure how to word how I feel about her. I've grown to like her very much over the weeks, appreciate her and feel close. Not in a relationship way but she's my closest friend since Devroux.
Suddenly I start coughing myself and blush a little when I startle Josh. "Oh boy. I think you got me."
It's been a while since I have had a cold but now with two little kids at home the germs linger on.

She said that she'll get herbs to take home so I take it it's my sign to leave so I slowly get up biut yawn and cough again. The last thing I want or need is to get out in the cold with Josh again but it looks like Faith wants to have breakfast with her family and I'm just intruding so I reach my hands around Joshs small frame and nod. "Thanks. We'll get going then so you all can have a nice breakfast.Don't need to be sneezing on your bacon."
Slowly I wrap the blanket around Josh. "I'll return that blanket soon."

Apparently I misunderstood her. She doesn't seem to want me to leave. "Oh, I thought you'd prefer and nice, relaxed morning over two sickies." Thankfully I take the bag and set it at my feet.
"It would be great if we could stay until the sun is out. That would make the walk home a lot nicer."
I even close my eyes for a few minutes while Josh is sleeping on my chest and get a bit of needed rest after that aweful night.

Soon I can hear her fathers heavy steps and open my eyes. I feel uncomfortable with the owner of the house spotting me on his sofa so I sit up and immediately explain.
"I apologize for coming here so early. Josh is sick and Faith offered her help. I hope that's okay with you." I conclude with a sneeze and wake up Josh who immediately starts coughing hard.

OOC: Wonderful, now my own son gave me his cold in rl...awesome, eh?

I'm glad her father is not kicking me right back out because honestly I'd have a hard time right now. Just like Faith I can sense that he's weary about the strange relationship we have. I probably wouldn't believe that there is nothing going on between us if I didn't know any better.

I nod in reply to Faith's offer about feeding Josh and hand him to her. He's gotten heavier over the past weeks and doesn't seem so fragile any more. His cheeks are chubby and the legs have filled in. He'll need his weight now that he's sick.
My own appetite is less than usual yet I force a spoonful in my mouth but today it doesn't taste good.
When her dad is out of ear shot I whisper. "Does he know about Noreen?" Most people do but some just don't watch TV.

One more time I admire the touch she has with my boy. Is it stupid to think that she makes a good replacement for his lost mother...at least for him?

OOC: What did you catch? Fish, fly or cold?

I'm glad I don't have to explain to her father what happened to my wife. It makes things easier and hopefully sets his mind at ease as well.

Faith feeds Josh who sucks a few times before his stuffy nose makes him gasp for air but then he goes right back to it.
Faith looks at me with those wonderful, warm eyes and suddenly her hand is on my forehead. I can feel how much cooler her skin is than mine, which would explain why I'm starting to feel so exhausted and crappy.
She says 'I'm hot' ,which makes me want to grin but I bite it back until I see her pink cheeks and know she's thinking the same. Despite my sickness I tease her a little. "Am I? Just hot or real hot?" I wink at her even though I shouldn't mess with her.
Then I become serious again and avert my gaze. "Yeah, I feel pretty crappy. My head hurts...looks like my little man got me."
If it wouldn't be so inappropriate I'd like nothing more than to crawl back under that blanket on her couch.
"I'll still help you milk the cows though." There's this constant need that i have to satisfy her and make her happy, which I don't know where it comes from. Probably because she's doing the same for me.
I eat another spoonful and then place the rest on the coffee table with a simple. "Thank you."

Upstairs more feet can be heard against the wooden floor and soon everybody will come down here including her step mother.