Page 50 of Constantine: Britain's Story: Part 2
“I’m going to leave now, okay?”the voice grows farther away, taking all the warmth with it.
I shiver and chatter back, “P-please d-d-don’t l-leave m-me.” I feel the presence move closer and I sink deeper when they get nearer. Deeper into my bed, deeper into my slumber, and deeper into blissful warmth.
From the edges of consciousness, I hear the quietest “Never” whispered over me. And then, like a gift from God, peaceful, black, stillness consumes me.
We’re together, in my dream. I can feel him, I can hear him, but he is unreachable. He is all around me, but not connected to me. He is tangible. I just have to wake up and claim him.Wake up, Britain. Wake up!
But then the voice is there, soothing me again. Shushing me. The warmth pulls me against their body, and I feel like I’m home.Wake up!I can’t, though. Not when all I feel is rightness and warmth and happiness right here, right now. I want this feeling to last forever. If I just keep sleeping, maybe it will…
I wake up to a sharp pain in my neck and an ache in my back. I turn over, slowly, to see the sheets and duvet on the other half of the bed are mussed, like someone else was sleeping there. I try to rub the sleep out of my eyes and make sense of it all, but I can’t.Did Matthias stay over?The sleep hangover I’m wading through is unlike any I’ve felt before. My limbs feel heavy and slow, and when I go to sit up, my head slams against my skull painfully and I hiss from the discomfort.
Did someone turn the heat on? It feels like it’s 90 degrees. And why am I wearing a sweatshirt? And socks? The last thing I really remember from last night was sitting on the bench outside and then coming to bed. Maybe somebody helped me to bed? But I don’t think so.
Ugh, I don’t feel good.Dropping back on the mattress, I fumble for my phone on the bedside table. I open my messages and type out a text with one eye closed. The light hurts.
Britain: What cold medicine can I take while pregnant?
I close both eyes and wait for a response, but it never comes. Instead, Jess enters my room, immediately taking a thermometer to my forehead. She lets out a little huff and then the thermometer beeps loudly letting me know, I’m in the red. I’ve got a fever.
“I don’t want to be sick,” I say to Jess, then groan.
“I know, but at least you’ve got me here to take care of you. Unfortunately, you probably got it from Eden. She had a fever last week. Sorry, babe.”
I just nod. “Uh huh. What can I take?”
“What hurts?”
“My head, my neck, my back. But I think the neck and back are from sleeping on the bench outside last night, and–”
“WAIT, why the fuck were you sleeping on the bench last night?!” Jess practically screams at me.
“It’s a long story. I’ll tell you all about it once sights, sounds, and vibrations stop making me want to puke.” I can see Jess simmering with quiet rage.
“Fine, but you will tell me later.” She points a menacing, no-bullshit finger in my direction and I nod. Words hurt.
“I’ll be back with fluids, medicine, and food. You don’t get the medicine until you eat, though.”
“Yes, ma’am,” I say as Jess marches downstairs. I can hear her yelling at Damian to go to the store for something and both girls making their way up the stairs. Caroline and Elodie stop once they get to my doorway though.
“You have a fever?” Caroline asks.
“I do. I don’t want to give it to you, otherwise I’d ask for a hug.” I make a sad face.
“Jess is having dad run out for some stuff. Want anything special? I’m gonna go with him.” Elodie asks cheerfully.
“I would kill for some rainbow sherbet.” I swallow and realize my throat hurts like a mother.Fuck, I hope it’s not strep.
“Done! Love you, Mom. Feel better!” Elodie chirps out, then bounces away and down the stairs.
“Wh-what can you do to feel better when you’re pregnant?” Caroline asks. I can hear the worry in her voice.
“The usual stuff. I’ll be fine. Promise. It hurts to talk, though. Wanna come put something on the TV and hang out in here with me?” Caroline just nods and walks over to the loveseat at the foot of the bed and turns on the TV while I shut my eyes and wait for Jess to be back with food and meds. My respite doesn’t last long when my phone pings.
“Do you need me to get it for you?” Caroline asks, half out of her seat. I motion for her to sit down, then grab my phone.
Matthias: When you wake up, we need to talk. I’m sorry.
Britain: Okay. I’m sick. Hurts to talk. Head is pounding. Is it okay if we talk later?
