Wrong Turn, Right Path

Chapter 14 - Nate's POV

I don't know how to describe what I felt but I liked it. I didn't want to let go of her hand, I didn't want to move unless it was to crawl into bed next to her but I don't think she would appreciate that very much so I was content to stay where I was, holding her hand, and falling asleep.

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Nick's POV

I have not left Jemma's side the whole time she was asleep but now that Nate was here I knew he wanted some time alone with her even if she was sleeping, from the look of him he too would be sleeping before long. So I made my way down to the kitchen through a back hallway, I didn't feel like talking to anyone right now.

I asked the chef if it would be possible to put together a tray of food for not only Jemma, if she wakes up hungry, but for Nate and myself. The chef is an old man who sings while he cooks and has a smile for everyone. Without even pausing a note he pointed at a tray on the end of the island. I look under one of the covers on a plate and saw exactly what I had requested all ready to go. I thanked him as I lifted the tray and made my way back up to her room.

When I walked in I instantly knew that Nate was asleep. I set the tray down on the table in the corner and lifted the cover off of one of the plates meatloaf, mashed potatoes with gravy, buttered green beans, and a roll. It smelled so good my mouth was watering. I started shoveling food into my mouth so fast my mother would have smacked me on the back of the head if she were here. I only paused between bites to look up at Jemma and Nate sleeping. I finished eating and set the plate back on the tray before pulling a chair up to the other side of Jemma's bed. I took her hand in mine holding mostly her fingers because her cast covered the rest.

I sat there listening to them both thinking over the last couple of days. Yesterday Maddie came in after lunch and sat quietly on my lap. She didn't ask about the fort that I was supposed to help her with, I think we both were too sad about Jemma being hurt again. I will have to make that up to her. Last night Heather helped her get ready for bed and she came over and gave me a hug before telling me good night then she carefully climbed up onto Jemma's bed and kissed her on the forehead before saying "Goodnight Mommy, I hope you feel better soon" Then she tucked herself into bed. She didn't seem concerned at all that I was still in the room.

At some point I must have laid my head down and fell asleep because I woke up to a tiny finger poking my cheek and a little voice tickling my ear. "Nick...... Nick....... psssst Nick"

I crack open one eye and see Maddie's face just a few inches from mine. "Hey Princess." I say as I stretch while sitting up without letting go of Jemma, I can't bring myself to break that connection yet.

While I arch my back slightly Maddie climbs onto my lap like she did yesterday. "Nick, who's that?" she said while pointing at Nate.

I smile, "That's my brother Nate. How did you know that wasn't me? People say they can't tell us apart." I use my free hand to tuck her hair behind her ear.

She shrugged her little shoulder "He smells different than you." she laid her head on my chest and snuggled in closer while yawning "I had a dream about you guys." She yawned again "But I thought it was just two of you now I know it was you and him." she yawned again.