Charthur: Part II

Arthur focused on her face as he wiped it off. First he wiped her forehead, then her cheeks and nose, then finally her mouth around where there was still some trace of vomit. Taking care of sick people was something that he was used to doing, since it never seemed to disgust him. Sure, the sounds of vomiting were gross, but he was pretty good at feigning comfort even when the situation was fairly gross. He’d taken care of Adelaide when she was sick and whenever Susan was sick, Adelaide called him asking for him to come over and help. And he always did.

Arthur kept one hand on her jaw, holding her face steady as he gently dabbed the sweat and sickness away. He looked at her with half-lidded eyes when she said that the morning sickness wasn’t going away. He didn’t quite buy it, but pregnant women got sick at random times. He knew that happened with Susan quite often.

”Okay.” He said. When he was done her up, he focused on her face. She’d aged from when they were younger, but she still had the same features, just more well-defined and mature. He couldn’t stop thinking about when they were younger, and how parts of him wished he was as cruel as he used to be, just because it would be easier for him. But, he wasn’t that cruel anymore. He didn’t hate her anymore. And the way her voice sounded, just the tone, it hurt to hear her so upset. He bit his lip.

”If you want to lie down, you can use my room here.” He said, placing the towel on the counter. He gently put his hand on her forehead. She didn’t feel particularly warm, so he wasn’t concerned she had a cold or anything like that. ”I can have Susan and Adelaide leave you alone for a few hours – they’ll understand you’re tired.”

It might be harder to keep Susan from butting into the room to check up on her, but Arthur would find a way to keep her at bay. Somehow.

Arthur didn’t believe her for a second when she said she was okay. He blinked, slowly lowering his hand from her forehead. ”Are you sure?” He asked, thinking for one second she might actually open up to him. But, she didn’t, and she asked him to grab her purse. He knew it was outside, on Susan’s bed, where she typically kept guests jackets when they had events like this.

He turned towards Chardonnay again. ”Okay.” he stood up, slowly, then grabbed in the cabinet. He took one of the little plastic cups Susan kept for brushing teeth and filled it with water. ”If you need to get the taste out of your mouth, just gargle this. Okay?” He said. He really didn’t want to leave her there, looking pale and miserable on the bathroom floor, but he knew she wasn’t going to leave without touching up her makeup or...whatever she wanted her purse for.

He gave her one last look, before he exited the bathroom. He looked forward and was met with the expectant gaze of Susan, hiding in her room across the hall.

”...is she all right?” She asked. Arthur nodded.

”Yeah. I guess the baby kicked hard or something. Morning sickness. Or just general sickness.” He shrugged, slipping into the bedroom. He headed towards Chardonnay’s purse, and his sister followed him.

”...Arthur. About the baby’s name – why haven’t you discussed this before? She’s going to be due in a few more months.” Susan said. Her tone was not chastising, it was concerned. Arthur froze, staring blankly at the straps of Chardonnay’s fucking Michael Kores or whatever bag. ”Most couples talk – “

”We aren’t most couples!” Arthur snapped, glaring over at Susan. She rose her eyebrows at him. ”We’re just – we’ll talk about it eventually. Right now she’s taking my name and I’ll – we’ll – we’ll pick a name,” Arthur grabbed the bag. ”Just don’t bring it up around her anymore today. The baby. Just – don’t.”

”Is she serious about all of this? Was keeping the baby... her choice?” Susan looked off to the side, expression troubled. ”Or was it yours?”

When she looked at Arthur, the fire behind her brother’s glare scared her for a moment. But there wasn’t just fire there – for a second, it looked like he was going to cry. How the fuck could she think he’d force someone into this? That he’d force himself into this situation?

”She didn’t ask me for my opinion on anything.” He replied, cold, and he walked past his sister, not touching her at all. He took a deep breath, calmed himself. No use looking all frazzled. No need for her to know Susan was onto their fake fucking relationship. He shook his head, and slowly opened the door.

His expression lost all the fire it had before at the sight of her, still on the floor, still looking somewhat queasy. He knelt back down again, and handed her the purse. ”Right. Here you go. They’re, uh... Susan asked about you. I told her what you told me, that it’s just morning sickness or whatever. She hopes you start feeling better soon.”

Arthur didn’t like looking at how weak Chardonnay seemed, curled up in front of the toilet with the lid now closed. She didn’t even bitch about the water from the tap. He watched as she swirled it around and cleaned out her mouth, eventually satisfied. She moved to touch her purse. He didn’t move to leave. He didn’t want to leave, he didn’t want to leave her alone right now even though he knew he probably should. That was what she liked – alone time. But he was the opposite, and tended to cling at times.

Like now, when he was especially concerned.

”...Hey, don’t...” He blinked, and looked at her, reaching over to touch her shoulder gently. He didn’t meet her eyes for a second, until he took a deep breath and looked into them. ”You don’t have to apologize, Chardonnay. Susan’s pushy, and I’m the one who invited you here. The event’s not ruined.” He said, glancing down at her stomach. It was the pregnancy’s fault, but he knew if she wasn’t pregnant, she wouldn’t be here right now.

He let go of her shoulder, and shrugged. ”I don’t care if this happened. I still... I’m still glad you’re here.” he said, quietly. ”Like I said, if you want space, you can rest in my room. If you want to go out, I’ll warn you, Susan’s going to be extra nosy about your health, and about whether or not you’re comfortable,” he said. ”...because of what happened.”

Arthur frowned.

”I’m not lying. I mean it.” He said, his arms in front of his chest. She was touching up her makeup now and he leaned against the door, sighing, looking to the side instead of at his reflection. He didn’t notice Chardonnay’s eyes on him until she spoke and he looked over to meet hers, giving her a ghost of a smile.

”Right. Yeah. That’s probably true. I’m sorry she’s so... interested in... everything. I told her not to bring it up again.” He said, rubbing his jawline slightly. ”She’s just the type to... worry, and shit.”

Arthur nodded at her, and glanced in the mirror quickly. He adjusted the tie on his neck and brushed off his shirt, then headed towards the door himself. He opened it, the hall empty.

”Right. They should be – “ He heard barking and looked around the door, to see Adelaide huffing by the gate with Pickles in her arms.

”Are you better?” She asked, scratching Pickles’ ears. He seemed excited at seeing the humans again, and barked excitedly when he saw Arthur and Chardonnay emerge from the bathroom. Arthur made eye contact with Susan, who had an expression like she wouldn’t be letting Arthur forget about this later. He looked to the side, opting not to worry about that for now. He turned back towards Chardonnay.

”Yeah. Like I said, the pregnancy just makes her sick sometimes,” Arthur said. Adelaide made a face.

”Blegh! I don’t wanna get pregnant. Doesn’t sound like any fun.” She said, and at Arthur’s look, she shrugged. ”What! It doesn’t!”

”Adelaide, be polite.” Susan said, turning to Chardonnay with a smile. Adelaide grumbled an unmeaning apology, or something, still focused on the animals.

”Ah! I hope you’re feeling better. Come on over and sit down! Would you like me to grab you a drink? I remember my morning sickness with Adelaide – oh gosh, it was awful! I spent most of my time in the bathroom even far after the doctor said I should be safe from getting sick!” Susan’s tone was bright, as she reached down to scratch Rover’s ears. Arthur stepped over the gate and was immediately given Pickles by Adelaide. He held him, and Pickles excitedly pawed at his chest and tried to lick his chin. It got a giggle from him, as he tried to pat the dog’s head so he’d stop tickling him. Adelaide giggled at that and scratched Pickles’ butt.

Pickles nipped at Arthur’s chin, trying to get more attention. Arthur couldn’t stop his eagerness and Pickles eventually moved to lick his hands, his tail wagging between Arthur’s arm and his torso. Rover was still more interested in Chardonnay, but Susan moved towards him, picking the puppy up so he couldn’t bother Chardonnay. She glanced at Arthur and Adelaide playing with the dog, wondering what exactly it was her baby brother had gotten himself into. The more time elapsed, the more she could see how their relationship had been before this baby. Purely sexual. It made her want to kill her brother, for a moment, for fooling around so much with a girl!

Susan almost sighed in disappointment, however, she knew Chardonnay was right there so she put on a smile.

”Oh! That’s so lucky for her! I myself was sick fairly often. Even after morning sickness faded – there were just some days for no reason at all, I’d get sick!” She shook her head at that. ”Oh, I got so big! Especially because I’m so skinny, I looked like I swallowed a balloon! It was miserable, I hated having to waddle everywhere!” She laughed slightly. ”But you look really good, especially for how far along you are! Not that I suppose there’s any way to look bad, but you’ve always been so gorgeous and this doesn’t change anything about that!” She smiled warmly. ”Would you like me to get you a drink to help calm your body down?”