The First Time

Alessia's Holiday Illness

The next morning, Alessia woke up feeling far from her usual self. A dull ache throbbed in her leg where the cramp had struck the night before, and a wave of fatigue washed over her. She turned slightly in bed, her stomach churning uneasily.

“Rob?” she called softly, her voice hoarse.

A moment later, she heard the sound of footsteps approaching, and Rob peeked into the room, a concerned look on his face. “Hey, how are you feeling?”

Alessia winced as she sat up, her body protesting the movement. “Not great, to be honest. I feel a bit nauseous, and my leg is still sore.”

Rob’s expression softened with worry as he stepped inside. “Oh no, I’m sorry to hear that. Let me get you some water.” He hurried to the kitchenette and filled a glass, bringing it back to her. “Here, drink this. It might help settle your stomach.”

“Thanks,” she said, taking the glass and sipping carefully. As the cool water slid down her throat, she felt a little better, but the overall weariness lingered.

“Do you want me to call a doctor or anything?” Rob asked, settling onto the edge of the bed, his brow furrowed with concern.

Alessia shook her head. “I don’t think it’s that serious. I just need to rest. I’m sorry to ruin our holiday like this.”

“You’re not ruining anything,” he insisted gently. “It’s okay to feel unwell. Just focus on getting better. Want to take it easy today? We can stay in, watch movies, and I’ll make you some food.”

She smiled weakly at his thoughtfulness. “That sounds nice, actually.”

“Good. Just relax, and I’ll make sure you’re taken care of,” Rob said, standing up and heading to the kitchenette again. Alessia watched him, her heart swelling with appreciation for his kindness.

He returned a few minutes later, carrying a plate with toast and a small bowl of fruit. “I figured you might like some breakfast,” he said, setting the food on the bed beside her. “Eat what you can.”

Alessia picked at the toast, grateful for his efforts, even though her stomach still felt uneasy. Rob sat close, watching her with an attentive eye. “How’s the leg feeling?” he asked after a moment.

“A bit better, just sore,” she admitted. “I’ll be okay. I just need to take it easy today.”

“Good. After you finish eating, let’s watch something lighthearted. No sports documentaries today,” he teased, trying to coax a smile out of her.

Alessia laughed softly, the warmth of his presence lifting her spirits. “No sports documentaries? That’s a tough sell, but I’ll consider it.”

“Deal!” Rob replied, grinning as he grabbed the remote and flipped through the channels until he found a feel-good movie. They settled into the bed, and Rob pulled the covers up around them, creating a cozy cocoon.

As the movie played, Alessia gradually began to feel a bit more comfortable. Rob occasionally checked on her, ensuring she had enough water and that the food was sitting well. The more time they spent together, the more she relaxed, letting the tension of feeling unwell ease just a little.

After a while, Alessia shifted slightly, resting her head on Rob’s shoulder. “Thank you for being so sweet,” she murmured, feeling grateful for his support.

“Always,” he replied, wrapping an arm around her and pulling her closer. “I’ll take care of you as long as you need. Just focus on getting better.”

As the movie played on, Alessia felt a wave of gratitude wash over her. Despite her discomfort, being with Rob made everything feel a little brighter. She realized that even in the moments that didn’t go as planned, having someone who cared for her made all the difference.

Eventually, as the movie ended, Alessia drifted into a light sleep, comforted by the warmth of Rob beside her and the gentle rhythm of his breathing. She knew the holiday hadn’t turned out exactly as she had envisioned, but having Rob by her side made her feel cared for and loved, and that was more than enough.