[chapter fourteen]
Disclaimer: If you've heard of them, I don't own them. Everything else is mine, so no stealing, pretty please. ;-)
**
Robby opened the unlocked front door to Alexa's house a few days later, frantically looking around for any signs of life.
"Please god, tell me you brought home ginger ale." He heard a feeble voice say from the direction of Alexa's bedroom. Willing himself not to sprint down the hallway to her room, he quickly stepped into the doorway and pushed open the door.
"Hi baby." He whispered, turning ashen as he saw Alexa curled up in bed, her face ashen, a mountain of tissues in her wastebasket, and a drugstore of goods on her bedside table.
"Robby!" She exclaimed. "What are you doing here? I thought you were Roger…" She trailed off, a wracking cough silencing her words. Robby hurried to the bed and placed a hand on her fiery forehead.
"I heard you weren't at work today, and I got worried." Robby explained simply, tugging on the blanket on the bed, wrapping her up further. "I thought I better come over and check on you."
"You heard I wasn't at work?" Alexa repeated. "How?"
"I went looking for you." Robby said and Alexa's eyes widened slightly. "I needed help…uh…for something only an intern could…" He ran a hand over his face. "I wanted to see you. So I went looking for you."
Alexa smiled a little, shifting in her cocoon of sheets. "I went to work for a little while, but when they found me half comatose in the office, they sent me home so no one else would get sick. Which reminds me…you better get the hell out of her. You have to qualify on Friday." She said, wincing as she swallowed, her sore throat aching.
"I know. I called, and Roger said you were on your deathbed. I took off from work early to come over." Robby said, sitting down gently beside her.
"Roger tends to exaggerate just a wee bit. I'm fine - just an icky cold. Now, get out of here." Alexa commanded weakly.
"No." Robby answered simply. "Besides, I have a surprise for you. I want you to meet someone."
"Who?" Alexa said, concerned. "When?"
"Now. Just a family member." Robby said with a soft smile. "No big."
"No big? Robby! I'm lying in bed and feel terrible and look awful and I…" Her words were cut off by a loud whistle from Robby and then the pounding of feet. Moments later, an enormously happy looking black lab bounded into the room and headed straight for Robby.
"This is Phoenix. Phoenix, this is Alexa. Be nice - you're going to be seeing a lot of her." Robby commanded and the lab immediately sat obediently. "Hm. He must like you. He never really listens to me."
Alexa stared at Robby for a moment, debating between killing him for worrying her, or kissing him for bringing her a puppy to love.
"Phoenix always makes me feel better when I feel lousy. I thought it couldn't hurt." Robby explained.
Alexa patted the bed and Phoenix immediately jumped up. Moments later, dog and girlfriend were fast friends as Robby's cell phone rang shrilly. "Sorry - one sec." He said, standing up and flipping open his phone. "Gordon…hey man…yeah…I'm over at Alexa's. She has a cold so I'm checking up on her…when?…yeah, sure…we'll be there…okay…later, man."
Alexa raised an eyebrow but said nothing. "That was Jimmie." Robby explained. "He and Casey hope you feel better soon."
"You told them about me?" Alexa questioned, as she grabbed a tissue to wipe her nose.
"I passed Jimmie a note in seventh period." Robby deadpanned.
"I hate you."
"Aww…and I brought you
a puppy and everything. Now, what sort of soup do you want for dinner…"