After arriving at the hospital, I instinctively reached to open the car door to carry Dennis, but Jackie quickly stopped me and said, "Let me carry him."
Jackie gently lifted Dennis into his arms, a task I usually struggled with. Watching him, I felt a wave of relief as I saw the care and attention he gave to my son.
Dennis was taken into the emergency room, and Jackie and I sat in the waiting area. I couldn't hide my restlessness and anxiety; I kept rubbing my hands together, unable to sit still. I glanced around the waiting room, but my thoughts were entirely consumed by Dennis. Every minute felt like an hour, and my heart burned with worry.
Jackie, standing beside me, noticed my anxiety. He placed a comforting hand on my shoulder and softly said, "Elwyn, it's going to be okay. Dennis will be fine."
Jackie's reassurance eased my tension slightly. I nodded, though the worry in my heart remained.
A nurse stepped out of the emergency room and asked, "Who is Dennis' family?"
I quickly stood up. "I am. I'm his mother."
The nurse looked at me and said, "We need someone to pay the hospital fees."
Jackie immediately offered, "I'll go. Elwyn, stay here and wait."
I looked at Jackie, feeling grateful for his help. "Thank you, Jackie."
He nodded and went to pay the fees, leaving me in the waiting room, my heart still filled with worry but also comforted by his presence. I glanced around, silently praying that Dennis would recover soon.
Soon after, Jackie returned, just as the doctor emerged from the emergency room. I hurried over, "Doctor, how is Dennis?"
The doctor gave me a reassuring smile. "Dennis has a viral fever, but his temperature is coming down. We'll give him some medication, and after that, you can take him home."
I let out a sigh of relief, feeling as though a massive weight had been lifted off my shoulders. "Thank you, doctor, thank you so much."
Jackie, standing beside me, noticed the relief on my face and felt at peace himself. "See, Elwyn. Everything's going to be alright."
I turned to Jackie, smiling gratefully. "Thank you, Jackie."
Jackie smiled back, gently placing a hand on my shoulder. "It's nothing, Elwyn. I'll always be here to help you and Dennis."
As Dennis began to recover after the medication, I felt calmer. I sat by his bedside, holding his hand, feeling the steady, warm pulse of my son. Jackie stood by, watching over us with genuine concern.
"Elwyn, do you need anything? I can go get some food or drinks for you," Jackie asked, his voice full of care.
I shook my head. "No, Jackie. Just having you here is enough."
He nodded, standing by Dennis's bed, his eyes filled with care and protection. I could tell that he was truly committed to helping us through this tough time, and I was grateful.
Time passed, and Dennis slowly regained his strength. "Mom, I feel better now," he said.
I smiled, tears welling up in my eyes. "I'm so glad you're feeling better, my love. I was so worried about you."
Jackie, witnessing this tender moment, seemed touched. I could sense the warmth in his heart, knowing that his presence had helped me through this difficult time, and I was thankful.
Once Dennis was fully recovered and cleared to go home by the doctor, Jackie helped me carry him to the car. "Elwyn, I'll drive you and Dennis home. You don't need to worry about a thing," he said, his voice soothing and reassuring.
I was overwhelmed, knowing that words couldn't express my gratitude at that moment. I looked at him with tears in my eyes, and that was enough to convey my deep emotions.
Jackie smiled and gently took my hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. As his car headed toward my house, I sat in the back, holding Dennis close, my heart filled with gratitude and appreciation.
Back at home, Jackie gently laid Dennis down on his bed, carefully adjusting his position to ensure he could sleep comfortably. I stood by, tucking Dennis in, my eyes full of tenderness as I looked at my son. Together, we quietly left the room, leaving Dennis to rest peacefully. "Rest well, Dennis. Mommy will be here with you," I whispered lovingly.
Dennis gave me a weak smile. "Mom, I love you."
I held his hand tightly, tears streaming down my face. "I love you too, Dennis. I'll always protect you."
In the living room, I was utterly exhausted. My face was pale, dark circles under my eyes, and my shoulders drooped with the weight of worry and exhaustion. Seeing me like this, Jackie gently asked, "Elwyn, would you like something to eat? I can cook for you."
I looked at Jackie in surprise, not quite believing what he had just said. "Jackie, you know how to cook?"
He smiled, walking over to the fridge and beginning to gather ingredients. "Yeah, I know a little. You just sit and rest; I'll handle this."
I sat down at the dining table, my eyes following Jackie's every move. He tied on an apron, carefully preparing the ingredients and starting to cook. His movements were strong yet gentle, and watching him in my kitchen, I felt a strange emotion stirring inside me. This was the kind of scene I had always dreamed ofa man taking care of me and sharing life with me.
As Jackie rummaged through the kitchen, I lowered my head, my voice hesitant. "Jackie, I'm sorry about what happened the other day. I overreacted."
Jackie paused, turning to look at me, his eyes filled with understanding. "It's okay, Elwyn. I get it. Everyone has moments when they lose their cool."
I felt a sense of relief hearing those words from him. I sat quietly, watching him continue to cook. In the cozy warmth of the kitchen, the sounds of chopping, boiling, and the aroma of food filled the air, creating a peaceful atmosphere.
Jackie moved smoothly around the kitchen, his actions precise and practiced. I couldn't take my eyes off him. Less than an hour later, he had finished cooking a simple but delicious meal. He placed it on the table and sat across from me.
"Try it," he said, a gentle smile on his face. "I hope you like it."
I picked up my chopsticks and tasted the food Jackie had made. The delicious flavors spread through my mouth, and I couldn't help but be surprised. "Jackie, this is amazing! I didn't expect you to be such a great cook."
He smiled, his eyes soft as he looked at me. "Your praise is the highest compliment I could receive."
We sat across from each other, eating and talking in a warm, comfortable atmosphere. I gradually felt the tension and worries of the day melt away. I looked at Jackie, the man who had entered my life unexpectedly but brought me so much comfort and peace.
"Whenever you're ready, we can talk about everything," Jackie said, his voice low and steady. "I'll always be here to listen."
Happiness and warmth rose from deep within my heart. Perhaps, just as Dennis had said, it was time for me to open my heart once again.