Back to You

Ch.44

"Liv?" Elliot called when he reached for her in the middle of the night and was greeted with a cool bed sheet. He sat up in bed, looking around the room until he saw the light coming in from under the bathroom door. He rolled out of bed, throwing on his crumpled t-shirt and made his way to the bathroom when he heard her heave and he immediately threw open the door.

Olivia was hunched over the toilet, her hair in one hand and the other clutching the rim of the toilet bowl. Her white tank top was nearly see through with sweat and was clinging to her body.

Elliot dropped down on his knees next to her, taking her hair in his hand and pushing a hand over her forehead to move her bangs out of the way. "I'm here, baby ... I'm here," he whispered, rubbing her back as she clutched the toilet bowl even harder and threw up.

She had a moment of relief and she sat back against the bath tub, her knees against her chest and her head hanging down. Her face was pale and clammy, her sweat covered hair falling into her face.

Elliot wet a wash cloth with cold water and pressed it to her forehead, gently dabbing it around her cheeks. He rested the wash cloth around her neck and filled a glass with water, taking her hand and wrapping it around the glass, "Take a sip, get the taste out of your mouth."

She nodded and tentatively brought the glass to her lips, swallowing a small mouthful of water. "Thank you," she said, setting the glass down and looking to him.

He wiped at the sweat around her hair line and the tear tracks that were starting to dry on her cheeks, "Of course, how long have you been sick in here?"

She shrugged and brushed some hair out of her face, "Probably about twenty minutes."

He sighed, "You stubborn woman, you don't have to do this alone. I'm here ... for whatever you need."

She squeezed his hand, "I know that, but you have to work tomorrow and I wanted you to sleep."

He brought her hand to his lips and left a kiss against her knuckles, "Nothing in this world is more important than you and my kids ... nothing." She nodded her head and he kissed her forehead, "If you think you're done for now, let's get you into some new clothes and back into bed."

"I don't think there's anything left," she quipped, her dry humor making him feel better.

He stood up and then took her hand and pulled her into a standing position. She swayed once she got on her feet and fell into him. "Are you okay?" He asked, the worry apparent in his voice as he held her in his arms.

"Yeah," she whispered weakly. "Just got a little dizzy." His arms stayed securely wrapped around her as she brushed her teeth and pulled her hair back into a ponytail. She swayed slightly and the hairbrush fell out of her hand.

"Okay, let's get you to bed," he said as he picked her up in his arms and carried her to the bed.

"I could have walked," she mumbled against his chest as they made their way to the bed.

"Or you can let me take care of you," he said sitting her on the bed before going to their dresser and finding her clean clothes. "Please don't fight me on this ... I want to help you."

She nodded her head as he helped her pull her shirt over her head. "Thank you," she said softly.

He kissed her forehead once she got the new shirt on, "You don't have to thank me ... I love you."

"I love you too," she replied laying down in bed.

Elliot went to the kitchen grabbing her some ginger ale and crackers before making his way back to the room. He set her things on her night stand, "Do you need anything else?"