It was the third night in a row that Liam was sick and he was getting desperate. The work-a-holic hadn't been at work for half a week and he didn't like feeling so useless at all. So, to keep himself busy, he drove June absolutely mad. But it was on that third night that his spirits were a little down and his fever exceptionally high. June had told him that this was a good sign, that it had to get up before it went down, but Liam had told her where to stick her good sign. It was midnight and Sam could hear Liam coughing all the way from her bedroom. She had already gotten up to refill his water pitcher twice and now she was going a third time.
She made sure the air was on a moderately cool temperature and that his blanket was covering him. She touched his forehead and found it hot and covered in sweat. She returned a minute later with a wet kitchen towel and placed it on his forehead. The towel soaked up the heat instantly so she turned it over and repeated this until Liam looked a little less uncomfortable. She was getting up to wet the towel again when his voice stopped her.
"Where are you going?" He muttered out quietly. She knelt down again and returned the rag to his head.
"I didn't know you were awake."
"I've been awake this entire time." He opened his eyes now and looked at her, to prove his point.
"Oh. I was just going to get the rag cold again; you've made it all hot."
"That little rag is quite wonderful. How do you know all these tricks?" He was blinking heavily, obviously tired but unable to sleep.
"I was sick a lot when I was little. I thought everyone knew these tricks though. Didn't your mom ever do this for you?"
"Mm, no. Our parents weren't around much when we were younger. And our Nanny wasn't very fond of me." He smiled a little.
"Why didn't she like you?" Sam was unconsciously running her fingers through his hair.
"I gave her a very hard time; was a little shit most of the time actually."
"Were you really? I can't imagine you being a little shit; you're very proper."
"Am I?" His eyes were looking at her again; it was so hard to think when he was looking at her.
"Yes."
"What else am I?" His eyes were closed again, he seemed to like her nails in his hair.
"Um, you're also a hard worker...and a good brother. You are very protective of June and you worry about Ben. Um, you don't like it when people do things for you, and I think you underrate yourself a lot. You don't think you deserve a lot of things, you are too hard on yourself though." Sam was just blabbing now. She had found it a hard question at first but now she couldn't stop talking about him.
"You can be too serious sometimes and...I don't think you have very good taste in women." Sam stopped then and threw her hands over her mouth. She stared wide eyed at Liam, ready to see him angry. It took her a second to realize he was sleeping; the relief she felt was immense. She wet the rag again and ran it over his throat and hairline before leaving the colder side on his forehead, and then made her way back up to bed.
Liam woke up on Thursday feeling much better than the three previous days. A dried up rag fell off his forehead and he instantly remembered Samantha talking him to sleep. He smiled a little.
"What would you like for breakfast, Gray?" June chirped as Sam stumbled into the kitchen.
"Oh, I'll just have coffee thanks." She took the mug June handed to her and sat next to Ben at the breakfast table.
"Morning." She said to him as she yawned. Ben was eating toast and jam, a meal, Sam was learning, he liked very much.
"Heh, stay up late?" He gave her a knowing wink and she immediately blushed, never having been any good at hiding her emotions.
"And where do you think you're going?" June asked Liam who was giving Ben and Sam a curious look. He was dressed in one of his suits, looking a lot better than the three previous days.
"To work."
"You feel better?" June asked in surprise.
"Yes. Obviously."
"Would you like some breakfast?"
"No, I've got to get there early; lot's of work to make up."
"Nice to have you back then, sweetums." June let out dryly. Ben smirked. Sam hurried and finished her coffee and grabbed her bag, as it was still customary for her and Liam to walk out the door together, to please June.
"Kay, I'm ready." She chirped up at him. Liam gave a half grin in return.
"Bye June, bye Ben." Sam waved energetically as her and Liam walked out of the kitchen.