Family of two

20 Working on recovery

Hi there!

Yesterday I published a short little love story about Eric, what could have been (Eric/OC). I hope you'll like it.

Eric

Dauntless youngest leader tried to concentrate on his paperwork, but the lack of sleep made it hard on him. With a sigh he once again got up to pure himself another cup of coffee. The combination was not a good one he could tell, it made him all jittery. Perhaps it would help if he eat something too. Coffee and sandwich in hand Eric returned to face his work. Or - perhaps he should quickly check on Teddy and Mia, before he continued? It turned out Teddy was currently napping, which was good because he had been already awake earlier. So Eric padded to his bedroom to look after Mia. Carefully opening the door he saw her snuggling deep into the pillow sound asleep. Good. Back to work then. This turned into some kind of routine throughout the morning: Working on his files and checking on Teddy and Mia. He knew Mia didn't really needed checking but he did it anyway. While Mia was fast asleep, Teddy woke up a few times during midmorning and even ate a little bit which Eric took as a good sign. Setting the plate aside he smoothed the hair out of his sons face and tucked him in. Teddy yawned sleepily, clutching his teddy before jamming the stuff animal suddenly into Eric's face.

"You kiss him better. He is sick too."

Caught by surprise, Eric went completely still. He wanted what? Kissing a stuff animal was ridiculous. Okay Teddy was very little but this? Was he serious? Beholding his son the young father looked into a pair of trusting and expectant eyes. He felt ridicules doing it, but he could tell Teddy was dead serious so he gave his bear a quick kiss – at least nobody was there to make fun of him. When Teddy rewarded him with a beaming smile Eric felt a little ashamed. Teddy then carefully placed his teddy next to him before he begged:

"Read me a story?"

"Okay." Eric easily agreed. At least this was something he felt comfortable with and more so, loved to do. After getting the book and he began to read, only Teddy was asleep before he even finished the first paragraph. Reassured by the ongoing recovery but tired Eric returned to his files. When he had finally been able to finish a most annoying one, it was time to wake Mia. Her shift would start in one hour. Eric had toyed with the idea of calling her in sick but then dismissed it, unsure what her reaction to it would be.

When he opened the bedroom door he found Mia fast asleep and tangled up in the sheets. He sat down on the bedside. She looked so peaceful, that he really hated to wake her up. All he could do though, was doing it gently.

"Mia" He said her name softly. She stirred only a little bit so he repeated calling her name. After the third time she seemed to awaken finally, but much to his surprise Mia moved around until her head was buried in his lab but made no move otherwise. She sighed contentedly. Was she still asleep or was she aware of her actions? As much as he liked her snuggling up to him trustfully, he wasn't sure that she was aware of her actions, which meant that this probably meant less to her then to him. Still, maybe...?

"Mia?" He asked her, his insecurity too obvious in his voice for his liking.

Eric could feel the moment she became aware because she stiffened before suddenly shot up rambling:

"Oh God! I'm sorry. I didn't... I ...honestly...sorry..."

Eric felt a turmoil of emotions. He had actually enjoyed her trustfully snuggling up but apparently she was embarrassed which made him feel vulnerable since he didn't know if she was embarrassed it had be him she snuggled up to or embarrassed because she simply was insecure herself of such an intimate gesture. Hoping it was the last, Eric tried to reassure her, keeping his voice soft when he stumbled a little with his words: