Chapter 40: Convalescence and Consummation

“Olivia,” Ellis called my name.

“I’m here,” I assured him. I placed another cool cloth on his forehead. He mumbled something incoherent and tossed and turned in his delirium.

I’d been watching over him all night, but his condition hadn’t changed.

“Olivia,” he called again. He lifted his hand like he wanted to reach for me.

“Ellis,” I replied. I grabbed his hand and squeezed. “I’m not leaving you.”

Just as the sun was rising over the ocean, bathing the room in bright, golden light, Ellis stopped mumbling and calling my name. It was like he finally settled into a peaceful sleep.

I pulled the cloth from his head and checked his temperature. His fever was definitely coming down, but he wasn’t back to normal yet.

As I got a fresh cloth, I heard the doorbell ring.

“Who could that be?” I wondered aloud. I put the fresh cloth on Ellis’s forehead and I tucked the covers in around him so he was snug and comfortable.