Care...And a Confession?

Your care of Annabelle went as well as can be expected. In her weakened state, she did rely a great deal on you, both for the care of her physical needs as well as a need for (for lack of a better term) “affection”. The apothecary had warned you that this fever would make her a bit more needy in that regard which frankly you didn’t mind, but it made things a little difficult for you. You were well aware that this could lead to several of your own dreams come true and, if you were to allow yourself to be driven by purely selfish motives, you could have easily take advantage of this state of affairs to get what you wanted. Of course, your immediate reaction when such thoughts enter your mind was to chastise yourself mentally for it. You wouldn’t dare to take advantage. If Annabelle were fully healthy and in her right state of mind…and still desired your affection, then that would be another story entirely.

Still, you continued your role of caretaker, finding the role rather easier than you expected. Annabelle had more resources to work with than you’re used to. Besides that, you were used to caring for many more people given the size of your family, thus having only one to care for is a bit of a relief. Over the next couple of days, you simply did as you were told. You made sure to administer the medicine regularly, see to her meals and her hydration, and even her hygiene to a certain extent. You hadn’t attempted to give her a sponge bath in bed, as such, but you have at least once brought a basin and helped to wash the “bits that showed”. That point in particular proved very difficult. Annabelle seemed so relaxed and contented as your hands and the cloth moved over her face and neck. She was practically swooning from your touch and all you wanted to do is lean down and kiss her deeply, running your fingers through her hair before allowing one hand to trail down to…well, you didn’t. You sure as hell wanted to, though.

One thing you did do by the end of the third day is allow your hood to remain off of your head. There was no point in having it up as you weren’t leaving the house and while there were certain privacy conventions among your own people, you saw no harm in allowing Annabelle to see your face if she wished to. On day four, however, things took a step forward.

Annabelle was already making some good recovery thanks to the medicine and your care. She was sitting up in bed now and already seeming a bit more chipper. At the end of having lunch together and having cleared the dishes away, you returned to her to give Annabelle her medicine, at the end of which she took your hand in hers again, just to keep you close to her.

“What shall I do with you?” she said softly, “You’ve been so kind, so attentive. I’ve had to rely on myself for so long and having a capable male about the place caring for me has been…such a comfort.”

“I’ve always been here for you,” you said, at this point fully comfortable in her presence and for the moment unguarded, “and always will be, so long as you wish me.”

You ended this by leaning down and placing an extended kiss on the back of her hand. Immediately, you realized how intimate this gesture was and swallowed hard, wondering if you’d overstepped, but immediately felt the warmth of Annabelle’s other hand on your cheek, guiding you to look directly into her eyes.

“Sweet one,” she now whispered, “I’m not blind to your affection. Perhaps you’ve been afraid to express it. Perhaps I’ve been afraid to encourage it. Perhaps we’ve both been afraid the other would not accept such a thing…and perhaps we have both been denying ourselves what could be beautiful despite its challenges.”

You were certain that you should probably put a halt to things now, but you couldn’t bring yourself to do it. One hand held yours firmly in a strong grip while the other found it’s way to the back of your head, one thumb stroking over the sensitive skin behind one of your ears.

“Be honest with me, please,” Annabelle coaxed, “Had you the choice, would you be mine…and would you make me yours…as a mated pair?”

“Mrs. Annabelle,” you managed, your voice hoarse, “I’ve wanted you for a very long time, though I never dreamed you’d accept me. If…if you truly want me, then you have me, now and forever.”

One part of your brain keeps banging on that this could just be her fever talking, but she did ask for honesty and that is one thing you’re not about to deny her.