I stretched out on to the bed and groaned. I felt so stiff.

My head was foggy and my limbs were heavy. I groaned in pain. My buttocks hurt, my neck hurts, my back hurts. Why am I so stiff? Why do I hurt?

I rolled over in the comfy bed as my eyes slowly opened. The room was dark. Was it night time?

The curtains were drawn shut, the enclosed verandah shut off. I felt warm and snug. I rubbed my eyes as I rolled over again. I picked up my phone. It was 2pm! Saturday! What the hell happened to Thursday and Friday?

I got out of bed, feeling wonky, as I opened the door.

The light burnt my eyes as I went to the bathroom. It's so bright out here. The sun shining down, letting its light through the large glass roof in the middle of the house.

What the hell happened?

I blew my nose and then I realised. I'm sick! How the hell... I do recall being very tired on Wednesday with a slight sniffle. But I shrugged it off.

I scratched the inside of my elbow as I had my eyes half closed.

I made my way back to bed and covered myself back up. I'm sure Cody and Mr Black will be fine.

I felt my eyes close again as sleep took over.

****

I opened my eyes. My stomach growled. I was so hungry. I flung back the heavy blankets off my bed. It looked like there were more blankets on the bed.

I pulled open the door and looked around. It was quiet, the place filled with the moonlight. I went to the bathroom and then stopped at Cody's door.

I quietly opened it but found his bed empty. I frowned. Where is the child?

I went down the stairs and I saw the glow of lights on in the study. I turned and headed to the kitchen. My stomach grumbled again. I rubbed it and as I opened the kitchen door. I went straight to the fridge and opened it, the fridge light blinding me for a second.

I blinked as my eyes adjusted to the light. The fridge was nearly empty. But lots of leftovers. Chinese, a happy meal box, a container with God knows what. I scrunched my nose up to them and pulled out the pitcher of water.

I poured myself a glass and placed the pitcher back. I closed the fridge when the kitchen light turned on.

"Look who's up?"

I heard Oliver's teasing voice as I looked over my shoulder at him.

"Sorry."

Oliver shrugged.

I went to the cupboard and pulled out a packet of chips.

"How are you feeling?"

"Better, thank you."

"Good." Oliver smiled as he turned the kettle on.

"Do you want a coffee?" I asked as I pulled out some milk.

"Actually, I wouldn't mind a Milo. Would you like one? I'll make it." He offered as he pulled out two mugs.

"Thank you. Uh, where's Cody?" I asked.

"Cody?" I saw the smile on his face. They have been bonding while I've been asleep, sick. "The only way I've been able to get Cody to sleep is to let him in my bed."

My eyes widened. "Your bed?"

"Yes." Oliver kept his back to me. "The little terror screamed the first night you were sick. I wouldn't let him in your bed. I told him not to go sneaking off in to your bed."

"Oh."

Oliver put the milk away and handed me my Milo. "Did you know where I found him Friday morning?"

I saw the soft smile pull on his lips. "Where?" I munched on another chip and scrunched the small packet up.

"Fast asleep in your arms. In your bed. I'm surprised I didn't wake you when I took him out."

This didn't surprise me. I've woken to him climbing in my bed before.

"You knew that he has been sneaking in?"

I nodded as I sipped my Milo. I adjusted my position on the bar stool and Oliver dragged the other one to the opposite side of the bench.

The hot Milos seem to be a regular thing that's been happening.

"I see from the contents in the fridge, you barely survived without me." I grinned while I watched him over my mug.

Oliver smiled. "Barely."

I giggled as I scratched the inside of my arm again.

"Careful you don't pick that open."

I frowned as I looked at where I was scratching. That's when I noticed a pin hole there. My face paled. Was that a needle mark?

Oliver must have seen the few shades lighter I had turned. "Are you scared of needles?"

"A little. What happened?"

"I had a doctor come out to see you." Oliver said nonchalantly.

"A doctor? I don't remember a doctor."

"You were out big time."

I suppose yeah, I guess I was. I don't even remember Thursday and Friday disappearing from me. I slept through those days.

"So the doctor took some blood."

I shuddered as I unknowingly placed my hand over where I found the needle mark.

"Plus a good dose of penicillin."

My eyes flew to his. "Penicillin?"

"Yes. To fight what you had."

I shook my head. "I had the flu."

"Yes. And I let you sleep for a couple days."

"Well, thank you. But I feel better."

"Well I'm glad."

We sat in silence as I finished my Milo.

"I'm surprised you didn't send Cody home." I asked out of the blue.

"I wanted to, I told him that too, but he broke down and cried." Oliver got up and took our empty mugs to the sink. "He thinks I was sending him away because he thought you hurt him."

I gasped. "I would never!"

I saw the smile on his face again. "Actually, he felt your fever while laying in bed with you. He thought you were burning him."

Oh no! I'm going to have to give him an extra tight squeeze tomorrow.

"He refused to leave. He wanted to stay here." Oliver stated. "With you."

I pouted. With me? "Wouldn't he be going home in a couple weeks anyway?"

Oliver hummed. Okay..?

I went to leave the kitchen and Oliver turned the light off and followed me till we were at the bottom of the stairs.

"I got Cody to draw some stuff for you. He's exhausting to entertain though."

I half laughed. "Welcome to my world." I took a few steps up the stairs.

"Oh, Monty?"

With my hand on the railing, I turned to Mr Black. "Yes?"

"Percy's been calling."

My eyes widened. Percy! Oh no! "What?" I saw the smile playing on his lips.

"Don't fret. I told him you were sick with the flu."

"Oh." I blinked several times. "Okay. Goodnight, sir." My voice sounded distant.

"Goodnight Monty."

I made my way back up the stairs, shaking my head.

****

I snuck down the stairs, after I showered and got in to some fresh clean clothes. I could hear Cody babbling on to his uncle as I slowly sneaked behind Cody, telling Oliver to be quiet as he watched me.

"Uncle Ollie?"

Oliver quickly flashed his grey eyes to the small child. "Yes buddy?"

"When Monty better, I will move out off your bed." He clearly stated and I had to put a hand on my mouth to prevent myself from laughing.

Cody sat with his back to me at Mr Blacks large desk, his feet dangling as he drew. I finally got to him and wrapped my arms around him, making Cody jump.

"Monty!" He cried as he jumped from the chair to my arms. He buried his chest in to my shoulder as I held him. I looked at Oliver who was looking down at something on his desk smiling. I saw the drawings scattered everywhere on Mr Blacks work desk.

Then I heard Cody crying. I pulled my head away and looked down at him. "Hey? What's wrong?"

"You wouldn't wake!" He sobbed in to me. I cooed at him. "Uncle Ollie wanted me to go!"

"Aw, come on now sweetie. Uncle Ollie," I tried not to giggle at the name but it still made me smile and Oliver saw the playfulness on my face as he frowned. "He didn't want you to get sick. That's all." I brushed his hair with my fingers as he snuggled in to me. I squeezed him tightly before putting him back on the chair.

He stood on the chair, staring at me, a couple heads shorter than me as I wiped away his tears. "See, I'm awake. I'm all better now. I'm not sick any more."

Cody sniffed as he nodded his head, his floppy hair jumping with the movement.

"I really missed you." Cody said as he tried not to cry again.

I quickly flashed my eyes to Oliver, who wasn't watching, back to Cody. "I missed you too, sweetheart." His tears were making me well up.

Cody grabbed my arm as he looked me deadpan in the eyes. It kind of creeped me out. "Monty, I want you to be my Mummy." He said in all seriousness.

I stood there, breathless. I think my heart stopped working as well. My jaw was open and I couldn't form a single word. I blinked several times as I looked at this innocent three year old.

"Excuse me," I mumbled as I left the room as quickly and calmly as possible.

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