And Then There Was You (Chris Evans AU)

November Vacation Part 6

I've heard Daphne groan in pain, I've heard her moan in pleasure a hundred different ways. But this sound? This sound shatters my soul.

I don't even bother trying to wake her up before pulling her to my chest. The wailing continues as I hold her tightly, threading my fingers through her hair, moving my hands to her back. "Baby! Baby please! Wake up, Daphne. Wake up!" My own cries becoming louder as I'm not getting any type of response from her outside of her own sobbing. "Daphne!" I yell once more before pushing her off of me enough to grasp her face in my hands, resting my forehead on hers. This action seems to bring her around a bit as her sobs drop to whimpers, eyes still shut. "I'm here, baby. I'm here," I whisper, lowering my voice to a more comforting volume.

Daphne's eyes slowly open and I notice they're red lined and swollen. How long had she been crying in her sleep before I woke up?

Her eyes become more focused as she sees me looking back at her, wiping away the tears that stain her face. Confusion covers my own face as I can't comprehend the look she's giving me. Slowly she shakes her head, back and forth, over and over again. "Chris?" she whimpers as though she doesn't believe I'm sitting right in front of her. Before I can say anything else she sprints out of bed. Slamming the bathroom door behind her just before I hear her dry heaving.

   "Daphne!" I call out as I follow her. I grab the handle only to find out it's locked. "Open the door, baby."

   She doesn't answer me, but continues to dry heave.  I wait patiently for a break to come, thinking she must not have realized it's locked, or she hasn't heard me.

   After about a thirty second break I decide to try again. "I can't get to you if you don't unlock the door, love."

   I hear her faintly move around so I back up from the door. "Daphne? Are you okay?"

   I hear the faintest "No" fall from her lips. I try the door again. "You've got to unlock the door."

   More rustling comes before I hear her begin heaving again. I feel my hands begin to clench in fists, angry that I can't get to her. "Please, Daphne, just reach up and turn the handle. It'll release the lock. I need to get to you." 

   Call my urgency being a medic or a husband but I'm pretty sure they're both at the same level of frustration now.  And if needed I will bust this door down and write a check to the hotel tomorrow for damages. I need to get to my wife.

   I hear the toilet flush and the handle turns, releasing the lock. I take in my bride before me, appearing weak and disoriented. I take both of her hands in mine as she begins stepping towards the bathroom sink. She reaches for her toothbrush but struggles to even lift it out of the holder, one hand gripping onto the countertop to keep herself steady. "Let me," I offer before grabbing it and putting toothpaste on it.  I stand very close to her as she brushes her teeth, keeping one hand resting at her waistline, offering support. Once Daphne rinses her mouth I offer her my shoulder to lean on, guiding her back to the bed.

   "Are you alright?" I ask as I gently set her back on the bed. 

   She shakes her head no, and lays back down, her head instantly finding the pillow. I notice she's shivering from the trauma of heaving so I pull up the blankets and move to up the heat in the room as well.  I kneel down next to the bed, pushing her hair off of her forehead. "What can I do Daphne?" 

   "Nothing," she answers faintly before rolling over away from me. 

   "Do you want to cuddle? Would that help at all?"  I listen for an answer, but don't get a verbal response. Instead she moves her head, answering no again.