Invisible String

43

“You okay, baby?” he asked, already propped up on one elbow beside me.

I nodded... then immediately shook my head. “I feel like I got hit by a truck.”

Before he could respond, we heard a quiet shuffle and then the sound of Lily’s little voice from the hallway.

“Moooommy…” Her voice was stuffy and soft, and when she padded into the room, dragging her blanket and her bunny by the ear, she looked as miserable as I felt. Her nose was red, eyes watery.

“Oh no,” Travis said, scooping her up before she could climb onto me. “Not you too.”

“I don’t feel good,” she mumbled, snuggling into his chest and letting out the smallest sneeze.

“Well,” he said, already rubbing her back, “you and Mommy are officially on the sick list today.”

I let my head drop back against the pillow. “Ugh, this is the worst.”

“Not the worst,” Travis said with a little grin. “You’re both staying right here. I’ve got this.”

“You’ve got what exactly?” I asked, sniffling again.

“Everything.” He leaned over to kiss my forehead gently. “Soup. Cartoons. Cuddles. Medicine. Blanket forts. I’ll be your nurse, your chef, and your entertainment.”

“You forgot snack refiller,” I said with a weak smile.

“Obviously,” he said. “Top priority.”

Lily gave a tired giggle in his arms and whispered, “Can I have crackers and juice?”

“You got it, bug,” Travis said, already standing with her in his arms. “You two stay in bed. I’ll be back with breakfast and every cozy thing we own.”

And as I watched him carry her out of the room, her little arms around his neck and his hand rubbing her back, I felt that familiar warmth—sick or not, tired or not, I knew we were in good hands.

Travis leaned into the doorway with Lily still clinging to his side like a koala. “What do you want for breakfast, baby girl?”

I peeked up at him from the nest of pillows and blankets, my voice scratchy but certain. “Greek yogurt with honey and walnuts. It'll be cold on my throat.”

He gave me a soft smile. “Fancy. Alright, Greek goddess breakfast it is.”

Lily, still congested and blinking slowly, raised her head from his shoulder. “I want waffles… and warm juice.”

“Warm juice?” Travis raised an eyebrow, amused. “That sounds questionable but... you got it. Chef Kelce is on it.”

I couldn’t help but laugh, then winced at the tug in my sinuses. “You’re really committing to this role.”

“Oh, I go full method when my girls are sick,” he said, disappearing down the hall with Lily, who was now sleepily humming into his chest.

I let my head fall back against the pillow and smiled weakly. Even with a pounding head and a sore throat, knowing he had everything under control made me feel a little better already.

I closed my eyes for just a second, letting the morning light seep through the curtains and warm my face, but I couldn’t fully relax. I could still hear Lily’s soft cough from the kitchen and the sound of Travis clattering around, probably opening every cabinet before finding the yogurt.

“Mama?” I heard Mira’s tiny voice at the foot of the bed. I opened one eye to see her standing in her sleep sack, cheeks flushed, paci half-falling from her mouth, and bedhead that could rival mine.