CHAPTER 43: SLOWLY FALLING
Themis’ POV
I woke up from the knock coming from the door. I didn’t notice that I fell asleep while doing some paperwork. I glanced at Winter first, who was still sleeping, before I decided to stand up and walk to the door.
“Sir. The lunch is now ready. Do you want us to just bring your lunch here?”Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.
“No, I’ll just be the one to bring that here. Also, can you help Winter change her clothes?”
“Huh? But why don’t you just change it, Sir? You are her husband, anyway.”
My eyes widened and for no apparent reason, I felt the heat in both of my ears. “I’ll just get our lunch. Please, help her change her clothes.”
“Yes, Sir.”
I went downstairs to get our lunch and medicine for Winter. As I was about to go upstairs, I heard Elisse’s voice.
“Brother! Is Miss Winter feeling alright now?!” she ran towards me and helped me with the food.
“Hi there, Elisse. Well, she still needs to rest. But she’ll be alright soon, so there’s no need for you to worry about.”
“That’s good to hear. By the way, I brought her a sunflower from our school garden!” she enthusiastically said while showing a piece of sunflower.
When we reached Winter’s room, her clothes were already changed although she was still lying on the bed looking sick. Elisse and I placed the food on the table. I went near Winter and guided her to stand up and sit on the couch.
“You’re already here.” she said, looking at Elisse.
“Yes, Miss Winter! And I brought something for you.”
“What is it?”
Elisse was flushed as she showed Winter the sunflower that she was hiding behind her. She even wiped it using her skirt. “I pleaded with the school gardener just to get that. She wasn’t allowing me to pick some flowers there, but then I told her I’m willing to do everything. That is why she asked me to help water the flowers instead.”
“You really did that for me?”
“Yes, Miss Winter..”
Winter smiled at her and pat her head. “Thank you, you silly kid.”
“I hope you’ll get well soon, Miss Winter…”
“Of course, I will.”
“Then we’ll play again, right?! We’ll go to the amusement park again?!”
“Oh, so you want me to get tired again? Then I’ll get sick again?”
Elisse shook her head. “No, Miss Winter. Then let’s not go to the amusement park anymore. I don’t want you to get sick.”
“I’m just kidding. Of course, we can still go there. By the way, you just got from school, right? Why don’t you change your clothes first, then go back here.”
“Yes, Miss Winter!” said Elisse, then she immediately left the room.
“Her small voice really irritates me sometimes.” Winter said while smiling.
I smiled. “I know. But you know, she really lights every room she goes to. And she even struggled to get that sunflower for you.”
“You’re right. She’s a sweet child, I can say.”
***
“Miss Winter…”
I beckoned Elisse not to make noise since Winter fell asleep while we were watching T. V a while ago. Her head was leaning on my shoulder.
“Elisse, can you ready the bed so I can bring her there?”
“Yes, brother!” she whispered.
Slowly, I moved away from Winter and caught her in my arms. I lifted her up in my arms and walked towards her bed. I placed her gently, then I covered her with her blanket.
“Let’s not make any noise so her sleep won’t be disturbed, okay?”
“Yes, brother. I can watch over her here.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
“Alright. I’ll leave the two of you here for a while, okay? I just have something I need to finish. If you ever need something, just go to the study room.”
She nodded her head and smiled at me. “Okay.”
And so I left the two of them there as I went to the study room to finish the paperwork I have. I could do it inside Winter’s room, but I guess she and Elisse need their time alone.
I just finished all the things that I need to do, then I took a shower again before going back to Winter’s room. I caught the two of them sleeping while hugging each other and I couldn’t help but smile. They really look like sisters. Actually, even though Winter tries to deny it, I know she feels so happy whenever Elisse is around.
“Brother…”
I got surprised when Elisse suddenly opened her eyes.
“What is it?” I whispered.
“Miss Winter said she’s feeling cold…”
“W-What?!”
I immediately looked at Winter and realized she was actually shaking already. I checked her temperature and I found out it became higher. I asked Elisse to get a cold compress then we placed it on Winter’s forehead.
“It’s so cold…” Winter suddenly mumbled with her eyes closed.
I already covered her with two thick blankets, and yet she still says she’s feeling cold.
“Brother, is she alright? Is she going to be alright?” Elise kept on asking me.
“She’s going to be alright, Elisse. Don’t worry. Come on, just try hugging her. Her cold might go away if you do.”
“Okay…”
She crawled up onto Winter’s bed and hugged her. “You are going to be alright, Miss Winter..”
I just sat on the corner of the bed while looking at the two of them when Elisse spoke again.
“Brother, you have to hug her, too. She’s still feeling cold. If we hug her both, then she’ll be a lot better.”
“H-Huh? No, it’s fine.”
She pouted. “Do you want her to feel okay? Then you should hug her, too.”
And since I didn’t want her to get mad at me, I had no choice but to sit on Winter’s other side and gently hugged her. Elisse just smiled at me. We stayed like that until I didn’t notice that I already fell asleep while hugging Winter. I don’t know, I felt so comfortable beside her.