When it rains, it pours
"My stomach hurts." Hope announced as she flopped down on the couch beside Jay as she came in from work.
"Hello to you too," he joked, but he paused the movie he had been watching and couldn't help the twinge of worry in his chest. Hope had never been one to complain about her stomach unless it's really bothering her. Jay pulled her in close with his arm around her shoulder. "hurts as in a general stomach ache, indigestion, period?"
"Not my period, and I dont feel nauseous and it doesn't feel like indigestion. Just hurts here." Her hand hovered around her belly button.
He frowned, moving his hand to where she'd indicated and gently lay it over her beige blouse. She didn't feel particularly bloated, nor did her stomach seem to be grumbling or noisy.
"I can feel you overthinking. It's just a stomach ache Jay."
He looked at her face closely. Her olive skin was a little pale, but other than that there didnt seem to be any other signs of illness. He sighed, moving his other hand over her forehead. He was slightly surprised to find it feeling a little warm.
"I think you have a slight fever baby." He sighed again, pulling her down so get head was in his lap, then started tracing his fingers over her stomach.
"Hmm, maybe." She hummed, pushing Jay's hand away as he started rubbing. "Don't, it hurts more when you do."
Jay frowned further but removed his hand, never had Hope rejected a belly rub before.
"I think we should get some pain meds in you, they'll help keep your fever down too."
"'Kay." Hope replied, making no move to get off of his lap.
"Baby you'll need to sit up a little so I can move." He chuckled lightly, lifting her gently so he could shuffle out from under her.
When he returned, water and pills in hand, Hope was exactly where he'd left her, except she was now in a loose fetal position. Her face had lost more of its colour, and her eyes were scrunched shut. His frown returned, and he hastened his pace towards her and crouched down so that his face was level with hers.
"Baby? Open your eyes a second." He instructed, voice soft and worried. He smiled gently at her when she did as he asked. "Let's get these pain meds in you, okay? It'll take the edge off." He ran a hand through her hair, then gently supported her as she sat up with a wince.
She took the tablets, swallowing the with a single sip of water before handing the glass back to Jay and patting the couch beside her.
He sat, pulling her back into his lap, resuming running his hand through her long hair.
"Play." Hope instructed despite her eyes being closed. He complied and restarted the movies, but only half focused on it, more worried about watching Hope. This was just so unlike her. Other than when she had that awful stomach bug from him a couple of months back, he couldn't really think of a time she'd been in pain like this in the last year. And even if she was ever in pain, she was tough and would never admit it. Despite Hope seeming unconcerned, he couldn't help the waves of concern that crashed over him at every wince or uncomfortable shuffle from beside him. However, when he next glanced down at her, her features had relaxed and she her breathing had evened out as she slept somewhat peacefully, and he allowed himself to relax slightly. Maybe it was trapped gas or just something she'd eaten that hadn't been digesting well, and once she woke up she'd feel better.
Jay remained playing with her hair throughout the remainder of the film, smoothing the soft strands downwards. As the movie drew to an end, his stomach grumbled, reminding him that neither of them had eaten dinner. With a small sigh, he slid slowly from under Hope, replacing his lap with his folded hoodie, and crept to the kitchen. He decided to fix himself a quick sandwich, and make some toast for Hope in case she woke up and felt like eating with him.
Walking back into the living room, Hope hadn't moved and was still snoring lightly. She looked so peaceful and beautiful, and Jay couldn't help but smile. He sat on the reading chair on the other side of the room. He'd chosen a simple ham sandwich in case the smell upset Hope's stomach more, but still wanted to sit far enough away that even the non potent smell wouldn't get to her.
As he ate, he checked his messages. The group chat was active, Lyla once again winding the other two men up about their drunken escapades at the lodge as she had done for weeks. It seemed like she didn't feel either Kai nor Jessie had grovelled for her forgiveness quiet enough yet. He couldn't help but snort as he read through the message chain, the conversation devolving from the two men apologising yet again to them both ganging up on Lyla. Their messages were so coordinated and well planned out that he was sure that Kai and Jessie must be messaging each other individually before putting their messages into the group chat. And Lyla was either playing along or completely oblivious, which made the whole thing funnier.
His attention was drawn from his phone by the sound of a groan from the couch. He put it down and immediately started across the room to Hope, who wasn't fully awake yet but looked uncomfortable and dangerously pale. He knew that look well enough that his next move was to get the designated puke bowl from the cabinet and run a clean dishcloth under the cold water of the sink. Stepping back into the room, it was clear he'd made the right decision as Hope's eyes opened in a flash and she gagged over the edge of the couch, saliva droolinv from her moutn over the white rug. Sprinting the final distance of the room he held the bowl under her chin with one hand, the other holding her shoulder so she didn't roll off the couch with the next heave. She gagged again, this time bringing up a mouthful of whatever she'd eaten for lunch. The next gag brought up the rest, her body trembling as each heave grew more violent and caused her back to spasm.
"Alright baby, I know. I know this sucks so bad. I know you hate throwing up but you're doing so well. Get it all up, your stomach will feel so much better." He cooed, using his thumb to trace circles on her shoulder as he held her firmly from falling.
The next heave got caught in her throat, and she coughed hard, making a rasping sound. Jay sat her up in one swift motion, hitting her back to help dislodge the stuck vomit. It worked, and the next cough brought up a whole new wave of puke. He had to admit, he was pretty impressed with how much someone so tiny could throw up.
"Nearly over baby. You're doing amazing. I've got you."
A few empty heaves later and Hope collapsed against his side. He put the bowl on the side table then pulled her in close, using his thumb to wipe the tears that were falling down her cheeks.
"That was awful." She whimpered, voice trembling.
"I know baby, I'm sorry you're not well. Does your stomach feel a little better at least?" He asked, kissing the top of her hair gently.
She shook her head weakly with a small sniffle that broke Jay's heart, "i don't feel sick anymore but my tummy still hurts."
He pulled her closer, holding her flush against his chest whilst she silently cried.
"Shhhh baby." He soothed, wanting nothing more than to take her pain away. He held her like that until he felt her breathing steady and the tears stopped.
"I want to go to bed." Shs sighed into his chest.
Jay gently helped her stand, walking with her up the stairs and to their room. He stood with his arms gently encasing her as she brushed her teeth.
"You're still warm." He mumbled into her ear.
"Feel cold." She muttered after she spat out the toothpaste.
"That's the fever darling. I promise you, you're warm." He reassured, leading her from the bathroom and passing her her pyjamas.
Once she was situated in bed, Jay briefly left her to clean out the bowl and bring it back, along with a fresh glass of water and a newly damp towel. He placed it gently over her head, relieved when she sighed contentedly and her face visibly relaxed. He threw on a pair of his favourite joggers, then slid into his side of the bed. Hope was curled up on her side, facing his way, so he placed the bowl between them before laying his head so his chin was resting just above her forehead.
"Try and sleep now, Hope. I'm right here if you need anything." He kissed her hair, then moved his arm so it wrapped around her and pulled her closer.
It was a testament to how bad she must be feeling, because Hope was asleep almost instantly. Jay continued to hold her, pressing tender kisses on top of her head whenever she stirred. The physical caretaker role was so rarely his in their relationship, he wasnt afraid to admit that, but he knew Hope like the back of his hand. He kept her close, his breathing slowly falling in time with hers as he listened to the rain against the windows, and his eyes grew heavy.
"Jay!"
He was awoken with a start, sitting up immediately and turning on the bedside lamp. What he saw sent shivers down his spine. Hope was sat up and curled into a tight ball, rocking back and forth as she cried. Not the silent cries of earlier, true sobs. His panic went from 0-100. In 6 years he had never, ever, seen her like this. He was out from under the covers and holding her shoulders in seconds.
"Hope? What's hurting baby? Your stomach?"
She didn't respond, but she sobbed harder, breathing ragged as her whole body trembled.
"Baby talk to me, you're scaring me." He fretted, not able to keep the panic from his voice as he moved to sit directly infront of her, grabbing her chin softly and raising her head so he could examine her face. Her skin was almost grey, and he could feel the fever rolling off of her. His heart was racing in his chest.
"My...my stomach. Jay it hurts so much." She wept, tears streaming down her colourless cheeks.
"Okay. Baby I need you to show me where on your tummy it's hurting okay? I know baby, I'm sorry." He murmured as she whimpered at his request, trying to remain as calm as he could.
She uncurled ever so slightly, just enough that her arms could move from their death grip around her stomach, and moved her hand over the lower right side of her abdomen.
Shit. Jay's no doctor, but Hope's had him sit through enough Grey's anatomy to know exactly what that could mean.
"We're going to the hospital. Now."