WHO: Mandy and Draco WHEN: Sunday morning, 8 May WHAT: illness, conversation, and all of that... WHERE: the townhouse RATING: TBD? STATUS: started in gdoc, continued in threading
Mandy was trying to ignore the rolling of her stomach as she stood stirring the hot cereal on the stovetop. The twins and Alyssa were seated at the table with their crayons and parchment as they busily drew pictures for their nanny. Mandy swallowed roughly for the tenth time and just couldn’t fight back the bile that rose in her throat. Dropping the spoon on the counter, she called out for Draco to come to the kitchen with the children as she rushed toward the bathroom.
Leaning over the toilet, she gave in to the urge to empty the contents of her stomach into the bowl as she tried to breathe slowly and deeply. She hadn’t been sick after the second month with the twins and she was wondering when it would finally pass with this one. Pulling her hair back, she leaned her head against the sink.
Grabbing her wand to cast a cleansing spell, she was surprised by the second wave of sickness as she grabbed the side of the bathtub weakly.
Draco had been sitting in the living room, the laptop on the coffee table, a scanner hooked up to it as well. In the last few weeks, he’d had the contractor in again and had more of the house wired (still no telly, however, much to Alyssa’s dismay) so that he could work more comfortably outside of his own room. When he heard Mandy’s yell, he made his way to the kitchen quickly and assured the three concerned children that everything would be fine.
He finished the cereal and took it off the stove, stirring in sugar so it would melt properly before leaving it to cool a bit. Mandy wasn’t back yet, which worried him. With a faint frown, he told the three to stay put while he went to check on her.
“Bel oiseau?” He pushed the door open slowly.
Mandy groaned as Draco called out to her, trying to wave him off as he entered. She didn’t want him to see her sick, hated how disheveled and pale she looked. Her stomach had been more sensitive than normal the passed few mornings and she was really beginning to wish the days would hurry up.
“I’m fine, you should be with the children.” She wanted to sound strong and normal but it came out a bit weak and quivering. “I will be down in a few..” She broke off as she tried hard not to gag. She moaned softly, her stomach heaving and her hands shaking.
“The children are fine,” Draco said firmly. “Their breakfast is cooling, and they are more than occupied with their activity.” He settled himself in next to her, one arm around her back, lightly caressing her side. “Is it always this bad for you?” He didn’t remember Amelia ever having it quite this bad, but then, they’d had their arguments so he had missed a portion of the pregnancy. His hand slid to her back then, lightly rubbing. “I’ll look through my textbooks and see if I can find an anti-nausea potion that is safe for you to take, and brew up a batch.”
She almost flinched away from his touch but held steady. She hated looking so weak and letting him see her so undone. “I wasn’t this sick with the twins but I had a few days when I didn’t want to get out of bed. “ She took a few deep breaths as she sat up and leaned into his touch. “I had a potion that the healer gave me but I used it all.” She moved to the sink to get a drink of water, splashing a bit of water on her face. “Was Amelia sick with Alyssa?” She still felt a hint of jealousy thinking about it, which was irrational but it was still there just the same. She hated thinking about Draco with anyone else and realised how possessive she had become.
“Not this sick,” he said, “but I might have missed if she was. We argued early on, and things were complicated after that.” Bald and blunt, but also true. He watched her with some concern. “Is it usual to be this ill? It ought to pass soon, oui?” And until then, he would have to spend some time this week, once he had put out his propaganda, brewing some potions for her. He didn’t like this helpless feeling, that he couldn’t heal her hurts.
Mandy took a few deep breaths and moved across the bathroom to wrap her arms around him, seeking comfort in his embrace. She was feeling weak, sickness brought out the worst in her. “I told the healer I was very sick, almost everyday all day and she said it was very normal. She said the concern comes when I lose weight and I haven’t.” She laid her head on his shoulder, the nausea passing but her stomach still quivering.
“She said in addition to the potions that a bracelet made of copper would help me.” Mandy had forgotten for a moment and resolved to find one for herself. She sighed. “I’m sorry I distracted you from your work.” She said as she breathed in his familiar scent.
Draco’s hands slid over her back, kissing the top of her head. “The work will still be there. I don’t like how ill you’ve been.” His lips pressed together as he mentally tried to run through his potions books, seeking the right on in his memory. “I don’t like to see you miserable, bel oiseau.” A small smile quirked. “Even if I do appreciate the reason. I believe I’m supposed to spoil you, in order to make up for it, in some small way.” Tilting her head up, he kissed her forehead.
“And if you’re worried about the work, you can give me another pair of eyes on the layout, once you’re stomach is settled and you’re able to eat.” A though occurred to him, something he remembered Amelia mentioning. “Tea,” he said. “Amelia drank tea in the morning, which was not her usual drink, and ate a crusty roll, plain. She said that became her diet most mornings, and claims that is why Alyssa comes running whenever she smells fresh bread, that she learned it in the womb.”