“That's not what I mean

“Isn't it normal for couples to take care of each other? Would you be disgusted with me if I were the one who got sick like that, Mrs. Dreskin?"

Claudia thought for a while before answering honestly, “Maybe.”

Bennett froze for a moment and then chuckled in amusement.

"Anyway, I don't mind, so stop worrying about it, Mrs. Dreskin."

His words made Claudia think about what she had just said and feel bad about it. Her eyes welled up once more.

“Don't cry." Bennett brushed away the tear that threatened to stream down her cheek.

He bent down and kissed her tenderly on the lips.

“I can clean up your vomit, but I can't stand seeing you cry."

Claudia blinked back her tears and sniffed.

She reached for him, silently asking for a hug, but stopped when she remembered the needle sticking at the back of her hand.

Bennett grabbed her hand and placed it back on the bed.

“Behave, Mrs. Dreskin." Claudia puckered her lips into a pout.

“I want a hug."

Bennett stared at her. Some color had returned to her face, but she still looked sick, When he looked into her pleading eyes, he sighed. There was no way he could refuse her,

He bent over, avoiding her hand with the needle, and gently wrapped his arms around her.

"I guess we can cuddle for a while."

“Thank you."

As she relaxed in his arms, Claudia gazed up at him with contentment on her face.

Now that she was not in as much pain, she was starting to feel sleepy from exhaustion.

Claudia called Bennett's name and started to say something, but before she could finish her sentence, she nodded off.

Bennett waited a few seconds for her to continue, but he only heard silence. He looked down only to discover that she had fallen asleep.

With a small smile of amusement on his face, he gently repositioned Claudia on the bed, tucked her in, and sat down by her side to monitor the infusion.

At night, the hospital was noticeably quieter than during the day. Claudia and Bennett were the only ones in the infusion area.