Sick Day
Mortimer
Seven fifteen in the morning and someone was already at the door. Who in the world could it be this early, Mortimer wondered. Surely, it couldn't be Hazel – she came by everyday to leave her children in his and Bella's care but it was just too early. Mortimer went downstairs and opened the door to find the last person he wanted to see – his ex-wife.
Dina did not look thrilled to be up that early in the morning, yet she was completely dressed. She was holding the hand of their five year-old daughter Anne who looked terrible. Anne was still in her pajamas and her hair hadn't been combed at all.
“Your kid's sick, Mortimer.” Dina said as she thrust the poor girl into the house. Mortimer hugged Anne ignoring the fact that Dina had referred to her as just his kid. “Take her so she doesn't get me sick.” And with that Dina closed the front door.
He wasn't all that surprised with Dina's behavior even though this was the first time Anne had gotten sick since he and Bella had been reunited. He knew Anne was much better off with him than at her own house. The only reason he didn't fight for her custody was because he was afraid of putting her through more hardships than she already gone through.
Mortimer never understood how a person could have a child with someone they didn't love – that is, until he found himself in the exact same situation. Dina had tricked him. She had put on a facade long enough for her to get just exactly what she wanted - Mortimer's money. Shortly after the marriage, Mortimer realized that he didn't love her – he never had, but he figured there was no point in ending the marriage, since the only person he wanted to be with was nowhere to be found. Instead they could just live together as friends - be a couple in name only. Then, Dina revealed she was pregnant. Anne had been a surprise – to him anyway. By time she was born, he knew that having his child was all part of Dina's plan. She knew he wasn't the kind of person to leave her with his child, and to her, Anne was just a way to secure the marriage. Having gotten exactly what she wanted, Dina began to show her true colors. Despite this, Mortimer was more concerned with Anne's well being than whether Dina got her way, so he retired early in order to give Anne everything she deserved, since he knew Dina would pretty much just keep her fed. Anne deserved an intact family, and that was the only reason he put up with Dina. But once he and Bella had been reunited, he knew that Anne would be better off if he was with the woman he loved. And he was right. She liked seeing them together. She liked seeing him happy.
“Daddy, I don't feel good,” Anne said as Mortimer picked her up and felt her forehead. There was no doubt about it – she had a fever.
“I know Anne,” he said. She rested her head on his shoulder as he carried her upstairs.
Bella
“Bella, can you get the thermometer while you're in there?” Mortimer's voice came through the door of the bathroom. Bella immediately felt concerned.
“What's the matter, honey?” she asked. “Are you not feeling well?”
“I'm fine,” Mortimer said, “Anne's not feeling well. Dina just brought her over here.” Bella took the thermometer from the cabinet and walked into the bedroom where Mortimer was sitting on the bed with Anne snuggled against him. Bella placed the thermometer on her forehead and stroked her hair.
Looking at Anne, Bella realized how far she had come regarding her feelings about the girl. The first time she saw Anne was when she had just reunited with her family. Seeing Mortimer with Dina had broken her heart, but seeing Anne had shattered it further. For a while after, Anne was a constant reminder of that. It was one of those feelings she couldn't quite control – the kind that stayed no matter how much her rational thought told her it wasn't true. But after she had spent some time getting to know Anne, those feelings had slowly left. After all, Anne was a member of her family.
Bella took the thermometer off. “Oh, no,” she said under her breath.
“What does it say?” Mortimer asked.
“102.” She noticed Anne wrapping herself up in the bed sheets. “Are you cold sweetheart?” she asked. Anne nodded. “It will be all right,” Bella said, “I'll go get something to keep you warm.”
Bella got a fuzzy blanket and wrapped it around Anne while Mortimer brushed Anne's hair. She then brought out the T.V. and DVD player that were kept in the closet for such an occasion. She set them up on the dresser, and let Anne pick out a movie.
“What should I tell Hazel when she gets here with the kids?” Bella asked. It wasn't like they had another place to send the kids while Lauren's sister, Hazel, and her husband went to work. Normally over the summer they would sign their kids up for various day camps, but since Bella and Mortimer usually stayed home to take care of Amanda and Alice, they offered to watch Lauren's nieces and nephew for free and let Lauren's sister save some money.
“They should be fine if we keep Anne in this room and make them stay downstairs,” Mortimer said.
“I think so too. I just can't see making Hazel find alternate arrangements at the last minute like this.”
Once the doorbell rang Bella headed downstairs, and sure enough Hazel stood on the front porch. The kids immediately ran inside.
“Are you okay Bella?” Hazel asked. “You look kinda stressed.”
“I'm fine. It's just that Anne came over with a fever so we've been with her...”
“Should I find someone else to watch the kids then?”
“No, they can stay here,” Bella told her. “We have Anne confined to our room and the only people who go in there are Mortimer and I. There's no reason to worry.”
“Well, okay. I hope Anne feels better soon.”
“Thanks,” Bella said as she waved goodbye to Hazel.
After letting the kids know that they were to stay downstairs and not run in the house, Bella went into the kitchen and made some soup figuring Anne hadn't eaten anything since the previous night She brought it to the bedroom where she found Mortimer cradling Anne in his lap, reading her a book. She paused in the doorway to take in the scene, her heart swelling as she watched him care for his daughter. Bringing the soup to the bed, Bella couldn't help remembering Mortimer doing the same thing with Cassandra, a thought that warmed her heart.
Anne told them she wasn't hungry, but once she had taken a bite she quickly ate the rest of the soup and leaned against her father as they cuddled together and watched the movie. Anne shifted herself every once in a while, but mostly stayed in Mortimer's lap. She was content to let Bella put her arm around her or stroke her hair, and even rested against Bella's side when Mortimer got up to use the bathroom.
Partway though the second movie, there was a knock at the bedroom door followed by Amanda's declaration of “I'm hungry.”
“I'd better go get them something to eat,” Bella said without thinking.
“I'll go this time,” Mortimer said as he got up. “You should spend some time with Anne.”
“But you need to be with...” Bella stopped herself. Mortimer was right. She had been the one who had gotten what the kids needed, fed Alice, and did the other tasks that needed doing. She hadn't even thought about it. Was it because she was playing favorites? No, no, no! Bella shoved that thought from her head. There was absolutely no way she would single Anne out for not being her biological child. But what if that's how she really felt deep inside? What if she couldn't handle it when Mortimer wasn't nearby? What if... Her thoughts were interrupted when she felt Mortimer's arm slide around her waist. He was sitting next to her on the edge of the bed, looking at her lovingly.
“She'll be fine with you,” he said, taking a glance at the girl who seemed half asleep. “She wanted to wait for you before we started the movie.”
“I don't know if I'm ready,” Bella whispered.
“Yes, you are,” Mortimer said, getting closer to her. “You've come really far in the last six months. I love you. I know you're able do this.”
Bella felt his lips gently brush against her own. It was just a light kiss, but enough to give her the boost she needed, enough to make her feel strong. Bella noticed Anne smiling at their affection, which made Bella's heart melt a little. There was no need to exchange another word. Bella scooted over next to Anne and the girl was completely willing to rest her head against Bella's side as Mortimer left the room.
“Where's Dad going?” she asked softly.
“He's just going to make lunch,” Bella replied. Anne was content with that answer, and as she leaned against Bella and closed her eyes, Bella realized that they were alone for the first time. Usually either Mortimer, one of her friends or even Amanda was with her, but this time it was just the two of them. She took a deep breath and released her building anxiety. It hadn’t been easy navigating the warring emotions inside her heart and mind for the past few months. After all, once she and Mortimer had cleared up the misunderstandings that had been present when they were reunited, she knew she wanted to give Anne everything the girl deserved. She wanted to love her. She wanted to be the mother Anne didn't have. But she was scared of the feelings that were tearing her apart. She didn't even have to tell Mortimer about how she felt – he just knew, and he was at both of their sides from the start. Seeing how much he cared for Anne gave her another reason to love him, and her heart ached for the girl even more. Anne needed her, and Bella was going to give her all the love, comfort and affection of a mother. Holding Anne close, Bella ran her hand through Anne's thick, black hair that was just like her father's.
“Bella, what was your first kiss like?” Anne asked, probably thinking about a scene in the movie she had just seen. The memory instantly cast Bella's confused thoughts away, replacing them with warmth, love and joy that made her feel better.
“It was magical, breathtaking, beautiful,” she said.
“Who did you kiss?” Anne wondered.
“Your father,” Bella said, stroking Anne's hair.
“It was Dad?”
“Yes, he was my first one.”
“Was it like the movie?”
“It was better,” Bella said getting closer to Anne. “It was a nice day so we were at the park doing school work and it just happened. He was kissing me and I felt so many emotions that I had never felt before. That was when I realized that the reason he had looked so much more handsome was because I had fallen in love with him. And I knew from the way he was kissing me that he loved me too. There was only one thing I could do after it ended. And do you know what I told him?” Anne shook her head. “I told him to kiss me again.”
“Did he?” Anne asked her. Bella couldn't help but laugh.
“There was no way he wouldn't have,” she replied. “And it was just as beautiful as the one before. They've always felt that way.”
“When was this?”
“When we were in high school.”
“Do you like kissing Dad?”
“Of course, sweetheart,” Bella replied. “I love him. Why do you ask?”
“Because you kiss him a lot.”
Bella didn't know how to respond to that, but she still laughed at Anne's observation. She didn't think Anne would have seen them kissing that much, but she guessed it didn't matter. Anne was happy.
“My tummy doesn't feel good,” Anne said and Bella continued to cuddle her.
“You're going to be fine,” Bella said. “Just get some rest. It will be okay. It's o...” Bella stopped as Anne sent her stomach contents all over Bella and onto the bed. Bella didn't flinch for a second. She immediately took Anne and carried her to the adjoining bathroom setting Anne in front of the toilet and holding her close to the side that wasn't covered in half digested soup as Anne threw up a couple more times.
“It's not fun throwing up, is it?” Bella said comfortingly as Anne breathed heavily over the toilet, her mouth open as if more would come out at any moment. Bella didn't know if Anne have ever thrown up before, but she knew that the poor girl had to be pretty scared. “It's just your way of trying to get rid of what's making you sick, that's all.” She ran her hand up and down Anne's back while the poor girl began another wave of throwing up into the toilet. “Don't fight it. You'll feel better when it leaves.”
“Mom,” came a voice at the bedroom door. Bella looked to see her 16 year-old son, Alexander, at the doorway. “Dad wants to know if you...” he stopped cold when he saw the scene in front of him.
“Go get your father,” Bella told him and he left with out another word. “It's okay, it's okay,” she said turning her attention back to Anne. “Just let it come out and you'll feel better.”
Mortimer
Mortimer had just finished making sandwiches for everyone when Alexander came running into the room. Mortimer froze, knowing something had to be wrong.
“Mom needs you,” Alexander said. “Anne's throwing up.” Mortimer immediately dropped the butter knife into the jar of mayonnaise that was next to him on the counter.
“Can you do me a favor and tell everyone that the food is ready?” Mortimer said. “I'll be upstairs if you need me.”
He hurried to the bedroom to find Anne on her knees in front of the toilet. Bella was down next to her, comforting her and whispering loving words as if she didn't notice she was half covered in it. He immediately went to his daughter's side and put his arms around her. “Relax sweetheart,” he said as he held her. “How long has she been throwing up?” he asked Bella.
“About five or six minutes,” she replied, getting a towel and wiping soup off her side.
“Anne,” Mortimer asked, “is it okay if Bella gets cleaned up?” Anne nodded. She was breathing normally now, but still had her head over the toilet.
Bella left the room and came back with a change of clothes, which she placed over the shower rail as she got in. Anne left the toilet and sat down in her father's lap, resting her head on his side.
“Are you feeling better?” he asked.
“A little,” came the reply.
Mortimer looked at the little girl in his arms. Sure she hadn't come from the best circumstances, but he loved her as much as he loved his other children. He couldn't imagine being without her. In a perfect world, Anne would have been Bella's child. The universe had its ways of finding the silver linings and righting the wrongs of the world, no matter how long it took. But this was one of those things he had no control over, and he was content with what he did have. He had Anne, Bella and their family, and that made him happy. Happier than he had been in a long time.
Mortimer gave Anne a kiss on the head. He didn't care if he got sick, he just wanted Anne to feel comfy, to know she was loved.
“Dad, was Bella the first person you kissed?” Anne asked, surprising Mortimer. Where had that come from?
“Yes, she was,” Mortimer answered. “Why do you ask?”
“Bella said that you were the first person she kissed.”
“When did she tell you?” Mortimer asked, trying to figure out the reason for Anne's sudden interest in the topic.
“When I asked what her first kiss was like. I wanted to know if it was like the one in the movie. She said it was better.” Mortimer couldn't help but smile.
“It was, sweetheart,” he told her.
“Really? You think so too?”
Mortimer hesitated. He wanted Anne to know that he loved Bella, but he didn't want her to get the feeling that she didn't belong in the family. She never asked about why he had even been with her mother. He honestly didn't know how to answer that question. But he guessed there no harm in telling her what happened, since it seemed like she had already heard.
“Anne, a real kiss with the one you love is always better than a scene in a movie, especially if it's for the first time. I always knew Bella was beautiful, but when I looked at her then, she was more beautiful than ever. The next thing I knew, we were kissing and I knew that was because I loved her. And when she told me to kiss her again, I knew that she loved me as well.”
Anne closed her eyes and Mortimer noticed that there was a book on the counter. Bella must have gotten it when she had gotten a change of clothes. He smiled, picked up the book, and started reading to Anne. Bella came out of the shower smiling and completely dressed, and sat down next to Mortimer. When he finished, he put his arm around her and said, “I'm so proud of you Bella.”
Bella
Bella felt Anne toss and turn in bed, the movements rousing her from sleep. The poor girl couldn't be sleeping that well if she had to reposition herself every two minutes. Mortimer was soothing her, so Bella relaxed, remembering the first time Anne had spent the night with her and Mortimer. Something in Amanda's room had scared her, so she had come running in the room and didn't stop until she was in her father's arms. Bella had been uncomfortable, but she felt compelled to help comfort the girl, so she took Anne's hand and told her there was nothing to be scared of. She could tell Anne had been confused by it, but then Anne saw Mortimer put his arm around Bella and she had started to relax. Since then, Anne had gotten used to both of them comforting her.
Anne opened her eyes and rested her head on Mortimer's chest, letting him give her kisses as he placed her in his lap. Bella, still half asleep, was about to snuggle with them both when Anne lost her dinner. Bella snapped awake and immediately grabbed a nearby plastic bowl. Mortimer took off his top so he could hold his daughter without getting her dirty and raced her to the bathroom. The three of them sat in front of the toilet for a while, encouraging Anne to take small sips of water when she was able.
When it seemed safe, they got back in bed, Mortimer holding Anne in his lap and Bella next to him. For a while it was sweet, but Bella could feel him beginning to tense up, which wasn't a good sign.
“Honey, I'm worried,” he whispered to her. “She's not relaxing at all.”
“She's probably just scared,” Bella said. She touched Anne's back to find Anne even more tense than Mortimer. She rand her hand along Anne's back to try and comfort her, but it wasn't working. “She's not going to relax unless you you do.”
“I can't, Bella.”
“Yes, you can.” Bella got as close to him as she could, her lips touching his as she spoke. “She's going to be fine. You both just need to rest.” She kissed him lightly, working the tension out of him. She didn't stop giving him kisses until she felt all his tension melt away and he was able to kiss her back. Pulling away, she noticed Anne was completely relaxed, her eyes closed as she rested against her father's chest.
“How did you know that would work?” Mortimer asked her.
“I was trying to get you to relax,” Bella said. “But now that I think about it, it makes sense that it would make Anne feel better as well.”
“Did she ask you about our first kiss?”
“Yes.” Bella smiled, resting her head on the arm that was around her. “She also asked me if I like kissing you.” Mortimer kissed her on the top of her head.
“She's taught me so much, Bella. When I used to hear stories about people who had children with different men or from one night stands, I would always wonder how anyone could give themselves to someone they didn't feel strongly about or committed to. But now I know that sometimes things happen, and that lust is a powerful thing. But the minute I held her for the first time, I knew that I loved her, and I love her as much as I love you.”
***
​
The sun was shining through the windows when Bella woke up. She got closer to Mortimer and put her arm around Anne, who was still sleeping on his chest. Anne didn't feel warm, so Bella felt her forehead. There was no sign of a fever.
“Mortimer, wake up,” she said, shaking him slightly. “Her fever broke.” He sat up, shifting Anne with him, and placed the thermometer on her forehead. Anne opened her eyes and reached for the thermometer. “Hold still,” Bella told her. “This will only take a minute.” The thermometer beeped and Mortimer took it off her head.
“Her temperature’s normal,” he said. “Are you feeling better?”
“I feel fine, I think,” she said. Mortimer kissed her forehead. “Can I have something to drink?”
“Sure, I'll get it for you.” Mortimer set Anne on the bed and left the room. She surprised Bella by climbing into her lap and resting her head on Bella's side.
“Are you tired?” Bella asked. Anne nodded. “It's okay. You should rest a little bit more and you'll feel better in no time.” They sat there for a moment, Bella holding Anne close until Anne gave Bella a hug.
“I love you, Bella,” she said. Bella was about to reply when she realized what Anne had said. She normally told Bella that she liked her, but this time she had used the word love. That was what Bella was feeling – love. The same kind of love she felt when holding Amanda or Alice. Those hurtful feelings were gone. She hadn't even thought about them in hours. The child in her arms was a gift, proof that even the most horrible situations could produce something truly amazing. She was holding a beautiful little girl who loved her, and it didn't matter that Bella hadn't carried her for nine months.
“I love you too, sweetheart,” she said, her heart warming as she spoke. She noticed Mortimer in the doorway, letting them have their moment alone. She smiled at him, and he sat on the bed putting his arm around her and giving Anne a glass of water. Relaxing against him, Bella let the beauty of the moment soak in. Falling in love was wonderful, and she was so happy to be doing it again.