"Sorry, Z." Alara opened her eyes. "I'm thinking it's time for bed." She sat up, looking slightly muzzy.
"Are you okay?" he and Zia asked at the same time.
She smiled. "I am. But I think it's time for bed."
"I know it is," said Zia. "Want me to help you up the stairs?"
Reaves swallowed when Alara turned to him and said, "Yes, please. But I think we might need Reaves to help us too."
She was able to walk upstairs with no problem, but Reaves followed, just in case. He stopped at the bedroom door, and Zia came to wrap her arms around his waist.
"Good night, Prince Daddy. See you tomorrow." Then she disappeared into the room.
Alara leaned in the doorway. "I'm gonna have to go and lie down."
He leaned in and pressed his lips to hers, gently. "I know. I'll let you go. I'll be downstairs for a while, until Dad gets back. Text me if you need anything, okay?" He frowned. "And I don't just mean in the next few minutes. I mean if you wake up in the middle of the night and you need something."
She smiled and reached out to touch his arm. "Thanks, Reaves. I'll be fine. Will we see you tomorrow?"
He grinned. "I'll no doubt be here before you wake up." He pressed another kiss to her forehead. "Good night."
"Good night, Reaves. Thanks for today. Thanks for everything."
Chapter Eighteen
"Morning, Mom."
Alara heard Zia's voice but struggled to come to the surface.
"Mom? Are you okay?"
Alara dragged herself up through the darkness and opened her eyes. "Morning, Z. I'm okay. How about you?"
Zia was lying beside her on the bed, elbows planted on the pillow, chin on her hands. "Do you need to go back to sleep?"
"No, I'm fine. I'll get up now. Sorry, sweet pea."
"It's okay. I can go downstairs by myself. I want breakfast. I can bring you some breakfast, too."
Alara struggled to sit up. Her head felt as though someone was hammering inside it, and her whole body ached. She leaned back against the headboard, hoping the feeling would pass, but it didn't.
"I'll come down with you now."
Zia sat back. "Okay. Only when you want to. I can wait."
Alara ran a hand over her hair. She shouldn't have to wait—not to eat. In the lean times, Alara hadn't let a lack of funds stand in the way of her daughter being fed. She couldn't let her pride do it now.
"You go on down. I'll catch up."
"No, I want to wait for you." Zia's chin came up. "You're sick again, aren't you?"
"No, Z. I promise I'm not."
"You look like you are. You look like you used to."
"To tell you the truth, I kind of feel that way, too. But Dr. Ambrose said this might happen."
"He can't be a very good doctor, then."
