Period Comfort

It’s so much later than I expected. I bet she’s asleep… but as long as I’m quiet and careful…

Oh hey… you’re still up. But it’s, like… really late. Why are you up?

Hey… aw, baby… is everything okay? You’re all bundled up over there, like you’re not feeling good. What’s going on?

Wait, no, you stay right there, don’t move. I can get you whatever you need, okay?

Have you been up here in bed like this all night?

Oh, honey, noooo. Since you got home from work? That’s way too long to be on your own if you’re not feeling well. Why didn’t you tell me? I’d have come right home to help you.

I know there’s a lot going on at work, but you’re more important. You needed me here and I can make up the time elsewhere. Making sure you’re okay is way more important.

Yes, it is. Especially when I could have managed some of it from home, and you needed me.

I’d much rather be back here with you anyway, especially if you’re not feeling too good.

What hurts, exactly? Your stomach? Or your head?

Both? From… ah, yeah. Shark week, and not the educational kind. I’m sorry, honey. Your body is being mean to you, hm?

It’s okay though, I’m here now, and I’ll get you whatever you need.

To cuddle up with you? Well, I’d love to, but let’s get you more comfortable first and then we can curl up together, alright?

Of course, I’ll get you whatever you need. How about… oh, a heat pad, would you like a heat pad? I can go to the kitchen and warm one up for you right now.

Oh, wait! We’ve got the plug-in one, don’t we? Hold on and I’ll grab it.

Ah-ha! Here it is, let me just plug it in and… here we go. Would you like it under your back, or just resting on your belly, like this?

Of course, why don’t you sit up for a second? I can fluff your pillows and make sure you’re comfy…

There, how’s that feel? Better?

Good, now… how’s your water situation? Here, hand me your bottle, I’ll go fill it up.

I know, baby, but even if you don’t want more now, it’s good to keep hydrated. Plus, you might want some later.

I’ll be right back, I promise.

See? Back already, and you didn’t even have time to miss me. Here’s your water bottle.

Now, why don’t you tell me about your evening while I get changed into my comfy clothes? Tell me what you’ve been watching. Have you slept at all?

Aw, honey. That really sucks, I'm sorry.

Did it start just after I left?

And it’s just been getting worse since, that’s not good… have you taken anything? I can get you—

Don’t worry baby, I don’t have to go anywhere. I’ve got those anti-inflammatories in the drawer right here, neither of us has to go anywhere.

You just relax right there, okay? Don’t move a muscle, I’ll take care of everything.

Oh hey, I forgot about this… the gel stuff seemed to help before, didn’t it? Do you want to try again?

Yeah, we were out of the one you like, but I got some more the other day. They had the smell you like in the store, even though it’s been out of stock online for, like, ever.

Want me to just massage it in for you or would you like to do it yourself? I know sometimes touch doesn’t feel good when everything hurts… I just want to help you get comfortable.

Of course, baby, just lie back and I’ll be right here. How’s the heating pad feel? I can turn it up or down, whatever you need…

I could make you some tea, if you wanted? We’ve got chamomile, and the peach and ginger one you like, or maybe peppermint?

Okay, well if you change your mind just say the word and I’ll make you whatever you’d like. Are you hungry?

No? So you’ve already eaten then?

Well that’s not cool. I know you don’t feel good, baby, but you’ve got to eat something. I can even get you just a snack… some chocolate? I think we’ve got some cheesecake left if you’d like a slice?

Nah, it definitely counts. Comfort and nourishment is more important than a balanced meal tonight… besides, cheesecake is good for the soul.

And lifting your spirits is pretty important too, especially if it makes my gorgeous girl feel a little better when she’s hurting.

Worth it if it makes you smile. But I hear you, no food right now…

How about the big blanket? That weighted one you like, and maybe a plushie?

Yeah of course, it’s just over here…

Here we go, we can just… tuck it in at the sides, like this… so you’re all snug and supported, with your heating pad and some pain relief…

You’ve got your water over there and you said you don’t want food… oh! You want the sound machine on?

I know you want me to curl up with you, honey. I just want to get you everything you need first so you can settle in and rest, so give me just… a moment while I turn this on and…

There we go. Lights off, sound on, and now I can slide into bed beside you and wrap you up with me, how’s that sound?

Good.

No, don’t move, baby. I’ll scoot in next to you, right here.

There we go…

Why don’t you curl up against me?

There we go, that’s my girl. Back in my arms, right where you belong, hm?

Now you can relax, and we’ll stay like this as long as you want.

Hm, feels like I’ve been gone forever. I want to hear all about your day… How’s it been?

I know, baby. I’ve missed you too, working late like this is really getting old. It was only supposed to be a night or two, but… yeah, it’s been too long, huh? Not enough time for us to cuddle up in bed like this and let the whole world fall away.

I know, missing out on those cuddles is really the worst part. But let’s savor them now, okay? You just rest your head on my chest, and I can play with your hair.

It’s okay if you can’t sleep, baby, just close your eyes for now and listen to the sound machine and the beating of my heart.

Of course we can keep talking. Like I said, you don’t have to sleep. I just want you resting, while I take care of you okay?

Good. Even when I’m working too much, I will always do whatever I can to take care of you… there’s nothing else I’d rather do.

Mhm, just like you take care of me. You’re a great caretaker, baby. Even if I’m a terrible patient. Remember when I had that cold and you made me stay in bed until I felt better?

I did, I gave you such a hard time… but I’ve got to admit it went away a lot quicker when you took care of me than it ever did when I was left to my own devices.

You take amazing care of me, so you deserve to have someone take amazing care of you in return.

I’m just happy that that person gets to be me. Plus I get to spoil you too… which is fun.

Well you deserve it. So, why don’t you tell me about your day?

Oh yeah, I remember you said someone new started recently. What was it you said, needed to act their wage?

Witty girl, you make me laugh. You’ve got a brilliant mind… so sharp, even when you’re not feeling well. So what did he do?

Ugh, you’ve got to be joking, though to be honest that doesn’t surprise me… it’s a lot easier to get your way when you suck up to the dinosaur instead of doing your job.

Did it cause much trouble for you today?

Oh I bet, even on the most painless days, I don’t think I’d have much patience for that. But wait… isn’t most of management retiring soon? What's the newbie’s plan then, long term?

How stupid do you have to be, alienate your other coworkers and suck up to the one team member everyone else universally hates? Not much forward planning, but… what can you do?

Makes you wonder… if the newbie will stick around once they retire, or do you think they’ll run once their only, poorly-chosen, ally is gone?

Yeah, not your circus, you’re right… and definitely not something you need to worry about tonight. Let’s just bask in our nest here and hope that when next week comes, everything will be going a little more smoothly.

And that’s okay. A little wishful thinking is what we all need sometimes isn’t it? Especially when life’s been so busy, and you’ve been working so hard…

Unless the venting helps? Does it?

Then by all means, baby, vent away.

Oh you’re joking! What did your boss have to say about them sticking their nose into yet another thing that doesn’t concern them?

Patience? Haven’t you tried that, for the first six months of cleaning up their messes? I mean, honestly, they should know what they’re doing by now.

Who even trained them?

Oh right, yeah, of course they did. Don’t know what else I was expecting.

No, not at all. I want to hear everything, baby. But for tonight, at least it’s done and you don’t have to worry about it…

What I can say though? is your feelings are entirely valid.

Honestly, I think you’re dealing with it like an absolute rockstar. It’s frustrating enough to have to do someone else’s job, much less deal with their opinions…

But that aside, how are you feeling now? Are all your creature comforts helping at all?

Good, good. I’m glad it’s taking the edge off. I know you’re still uncomfortable. Does it feel nice when I do this, running my fingers through your hair like this?

Good. Then just relax right here in my arms, and… do you need anything else? Anything I can get you?

Okay, well if that changes let me know. Your wish is my command.

Oh, you want me to keep talking? Well I guess if it helps you feel better, it’s the least I can do isn’t it?

Oh! Did I tell you I found out what’s going in that empty place next to the burger restaurant downtown?

Yeah! Remember that place you saw on social media with all the good food photos that just vanished?

Yeah, that one. Well that’s the sign in the window and the opening date is in like two weeks. I saw it on the way to lunch today.

I know! They really did such a quick turnaround with it, it went from boarded up windows to fully kitted out in like a week.

But since you were so curious about it before, I thought it could be a great date night. How about I get us reservations, and we can get dressed up, go out for opening night?

Unless you want to wait until the reviews come in?

Not at all baby, I’d take you out right now if you wanted. Well, if it were open. But you know what I mean.

You’re beautiful, even in sweats. No matter how bloated and tender you feel, it doesn’t change what I see. Not ever.

I know sometimes it can be hard to feel that way, especially when our bodies are being unkind… but you look amazing, right now in bed like this, just like you look amazing when you’re dressed to the nines.

To me, it doesn’t matter. I think you’re beautiful no matter the time.

Oh is that so? Did it make you swoon? Well, I’ll take it. And if you want to go out, then that’s what we’ll do. I’ll make the reservations as soon as the site is live.

Hmm, and what else makes you feel good on a bad body day? Oh! You’ve been talking about getting your hair done. Maybe you can do that the same day, and I can take you out? A full day of pampering, how does that sound?

We can go all in… a fancy night out for us to enjoy and let down our hair… or up, whatever you wanna do. You can wear your hair however you want.

I know it was, but hopefully you’re not with me for my jokes. Or maybe I hope you are… depends on the day.

Because sometimes my jokes are amazing… and other times I’m pretty sure I can feel your eyes roll even when I can’t see you.

But come on, you’ve got to admit my cheesy jokes are just too gouda to understand. It’s an art, really.

I know, I know, my groundbreaking comedic skill is sometimes too much to process at once, but don’t worry, I’ll be here all night…

And as long as you want me after that. Anytime you need me, I’ll be right here.

Mhm, exactly, any time. Whether it’s right here, my arms wrapped around you and my heartbeat in your ear to help you relax, or taking care of you in other ways, I’m here for you.

Because I’m not going anywhere, not unless it’s to make you more comfortable or get you something you need. You just settle in and let me take care of you, okay?

Are you comfortable like this? You’re fidgeting a bit, does something hurt?

Okay, as long as you’re alright. You wriggle all you want to get comfy and if you want to move, just let me know. I’m just glad you’re resting now.

You feeling tired now?

Makes sense, it’s late. But don’t worry, there’s nothing we need to do tomorrow, or at least… nothing I can’t take care of. You only need to rest.

You just focus on your breathing… slow and steady, here.. Follow my breaths, baby.

Good, you’re doing so well. I can feel your body relaxing now… you’re melting into me like a sweet little marshmallow.

That’s it, honey. You just melt. Why don’t you try closing your eyes again, while we breathe?

Just like that. Even when you can’t control the pain in your body or the way that you’re feeling, you can always control your breath.

You’re doing such a good job, I can feel you relaxing with me now.

You’re safe, you’re loved, and I’m here to take care of you. You are doing such a great job resting right now, and I’m so proud of you.

You are so brave, so strong… and I know it’s hard some days to get through them… but having you here, with me like this… I feel so lucky to get to love you, to be trusted to take care of you, having you relaxed, resting on my chest like this, trusting me…

Thank you, baby. Thank you for choosing me and letting me choose you every day.

You still awake, honey?

No response… good. Sweet dreams, my love.

I’ll be here when you wake up.