Reluctant agreement

When Jason returned with two platters in hand, both meals cut into delicate pieces. One intended for his lovely wife and the other for his growing son who was learning to do more of the mundane things in live himself. One of those things was use his cutlery and eating with the grownups. Jenny welcomed her doting husband back with a bright smile, already noticing what he had in his hands and their son followed her example in responding to his father's return. Their little play was very convincing and her dazzling smile would almost make Jason forget why he had confined her to the bed in the first place, were it not that her cheeks suddenly lost their colour. Giving it away that she was turning dizzy again, despite her reluctance to admit it and her insistence in trying to hide it from the perceptive Jason who was already very aware of the truth.

Noticing the change in the air of the room, the equally perceptive Charlie turned his face towards his mother. Even though Jenny quickly turned her face into a smile, it was clear to both father and son that her smile was forced. With a sad expression the little boy grabbed his mother's hand as he asked, "Are you okay mommy?" Showing the current weird balance between childlike innocence and intelligence that was present in the boy. Trying to not cause the boy unnecessary concern, Jason placed the two plates in his hand down on the bedside table before lifting his son off the bed.

He squatted down and handed him his plate before he said, "Hey kiddo, why don't you go eat your breakfast in the other room while mommy and daddy have a little chat. After you finish your food, you can come back and join mommy on the bed." Charlie was a bit unwilling to go but could see in his father's eyes that though it was phrased as a question, it wasn't a request. So, a bit reluctantly he did as he was asked, while glancing back at his mother before he disappeared through the dividing door. Once their son was no longer in sight and out of hearing distance, Jason sat on the side of the bed for the second time today and looked at the still smiling Jenny. "Stop smiling. Even Charlie didn't believe that smile and he is two. Did you really think you could fool me with that one." As she kept the fake smile plastered on her face she said with tight lips, "If I don't keep smiling, you will keep showing me that worried face of yours and I don't like seeing that."

Jason let out a soft sigh as he stroked the temple of her head with his large thumb. With a gentle smile on his face he said, "Well that smile of yours certainly isn't keeping me from feeling concerned. It is my job to be concerned if you are feeling unwell. I think I should call the doctor just in case. He can run some tests and if he says you are fine, I promise I will drop it as well and smile at you like I always do." After getting another reluctant agreement from the second person in the room, Jason went outside to call one of the private doctors to the Westwood family. When he walked out to take the call, a small curious and concerned head appeared from behind the dividing door, revealing only his soft hairs and his beautiful eyes. In a hesitant voice he called out to Jenny. "Mommy..."

When Jenny turned around and saw that adorable sight and then heard his sweet voice repeat the question he had asked before he was made to leave the room. "Are you okay? Does Charlie need to come back to make you feel better?" Jenny responded with a big smile and opened her arms wide and this was enough for the small boy to come running as fast as he could and throw himself back in his mother's arms. It was at this moment that Jason came back inside as well and 'caught' the two of them in the 'act'. With a sigh and a fake angry expression he said, "Hey, you rascal. Didn't I tell you that you could return after you finished your breakfast? So, how come you sneak back in here the moment I turn my back on you." Charlie hid his face in Jenny's chest and covered his ears with his chubby hands. Thinking if he pretended he couldn't hear or see him, that Jason would be forced to overlook the matter and if that wasn't enough, he would still have his mother's protection.

Jason chuckled at seeing his childish manoeuvre and simply ruffled his hair as he gave Jenny an update regarding his phone call. "Steve will be here in about ten minutes. He says that he doesn't think it is anything serious considering you were in perfect health during your yearly check-up but he will have a quick look. If he doesn't find anything wrong, he will give you a standard IV with some extra vitamins to help you strengthen up again and otherwise he will run some extra tests at the hospital." With a chuckle Jenny asked, "Let me guess. He said it was nothing to be concerned about and to have me rest for a day but you insisted on him coming over with your stern, big boss voice." Jason was clearly busted, causing his defensive response saying, "So what if I did. There is nothing wrong with wanting some special care for you. You are never sick. So, when you suddenly fall on me like that, I am bound to be concerned and want some proper reassurance."

Jenny ended her teasing by grabbing hold of his hand and saying, "Well with you doing all the worrying for me, there is no need for me to be concerned as well. So, I will just focus on playing with my sweet boy and leave the rest to you."