Amelia tried gently pulling Sean away from Nick's arm, but even half-asleep, Sean swatted her hand away. She tried again.
"No, I wanna stay with Nick," Sean mumbled, still refusing with his eyes closed.
"Ma'am, I already tried earlier, but it seems like Sean really wants to stay with Nick a little longer," Sally said softly, standing in the doorway.
Amelia let out a quiet sigh, her gaze shifting between Sean, still cuddled up to Nick, and Maddie, who was peacefully sleeping in her bed. She didn't want to disturb the calmness of the moment.
"Maddie's illness isn't contagious. I think it's just exhaustion, so I don't think it'll be a problem," Sally added with a smile, trying to reassure Amelia. "I'll head out now and be back tomorrow morning."
Amelia nodded, feeling both relieved and a bit nervous. She muttered a quiet "thank you" and reached for her wallet to tip Sally, but the woman shook her head.
"Oh no, Ma'am, I'm more than paid," Sally laughed softly. "Nick's been paying me about ten times what I used to make teaching kindergarten and nursery school. You don't need to worry about me. Just focus on Maddie getting better." She slipped on her shoes and waved before heading out.
Amelia stood at the doorway for a moment, watching her go. When she returned to the bedroom, her heart clenched at the sight of Nick lying there with the twins, each nestled into his arms. It was an image she hadn't seen in years, but one that looked like it belonged.
She quietly sat on the edge of Maddie's bed, brushing a hand over her daughter's now-cool forehead. The fever had broken. That meant Maddie had taken her medicine. Had Nick been the one to give it to her?
"Why do you always make everything so complicated, Nick?" Amelia whispered to herself, tears welling in her eyes. Her chest tightened as she fought back the sobs threatening to escape. "Please don't make it harder for me to leave."
The tears came anyway, silent and steady. She stayed there, crying softly until exhaustion overtook her, and she fell asleep next to Maddie's bed.
***
The next morning...
Amelia jolted awake, surprised to find herself in her own bed, wrapped in her robe. She didn't remember coming to her room, let alone putting on her robe. Last she recalled, she'd been sitting beside Maddie.
She hurried out of bed, pulling the robe tighter around herself, and rushed to the kids' room. Both Sean and Maddie were still fast asleep in their beds. Nick was gone.
Her cheeks flushed pink at the realization—Nick must've woken up in the middle of the night, moved Sean to his bed, and carried her to her room.
Amelia stood there, patting her cheeks in a vain attempt to calm down. *Why am I blushing over something so trivial?* she thought, trying to shake off the embarrassment. *You're a grown woman. A mother, for crying out loud!*
Determined to distract herself, she headed to the kitchen and started making congee with chicken broth, Maddie's favorite comfort food when she was sick.
The rich aroma filled the house, and it wasn't long before Sean came bouncing into the kitchen, rubbing his eyes.
"Yay! I'm so happy you're home!" Sean cheered, immediately perking up at the sight of his mom cooking. "I'll go wake up Maddie."
"Hold on there, champ," Amelia called after him. "Maddie's still not feeling well. Ask her if she wants to have breakfast in bed or at the table, okay?"
"Got it, Mom!" Sean shouted back, already halfway down the hall.
He bolted toward the bedroom and nearly collided with Nick in the hallway.
"Morning, Nick!" Sean beamed up at him.
"Morning, buddy!" Nick replied, ruffling the boy's hair.
Amelia's breath hitched at the sound of Nick's voice. She hadn't even turned around to look at him, but just knowing he was there had her heart racing. Her face was already warming up again. *Why does he still get to me like this?* she thought, mentally cursing herself for reacting this way.
"Amy, you okay?" Nick's voice was suddenly closer, startling her. "You feeling alright? You look a little flushed. You coming down with something too?"
Amelia spun around quickly, clutching the wooden spoon she'd been using to stir the congee like it was a lifeline. "I'm fine!" she said, a little too quickly, her face now beet red. "Just... just hot from cooking, that's all."
Nick raised an eyebrow, clearly amused but trying not to laugh. "Uh-huh," he said, not entirely buying her excuse. "Well, the food smells amazing. You making Maddie's favorite?"
Amelia nodded, turning back to the stove so she wouldn't have to meet his eyes. "Yeah, figured it might help her feel better."
Nick walked over, grabbing a couple of bowls from the cabinet. "Let me help," he said, his tone casual, but Amelia could feel the tension in the air. He moved closer, and she could sense him just a few feet away.
She took a deep breath, trying to stay focused. "Why didn't you wake me up last night?" she asked.
Nick replied, "You seemed pretty wiped."
Amelia stiffened slightly, her mind flashing back to the night before. "You… you put me to bed?"
Nick chuckled softly. "You fell asleep next to Maddie. Figured you'd be more comfortable in your own bed." He just smirked, leaning back against the counter, watching her with that same calm, confident look he always had. " …. in your robe."
Amelia's face burned even hotter. Stirring the congee with a little too much force. "Than—"
Before she could respond, Sean came running back into the kitchen. "Maddie wants to eat at the table! She's feeling better!"