Page 78 of Fate In Fiction

“Yes, now take a deep breath and occupy your mind with something better.” Emmett smirks as I sit on the bed. Sharing a bed has taken a toll on my sleep the past few nights, but it’s nothing I can complain about. Our relationship has excelled quickly, but at the same time, I feel like it’s been building forever.

“I’d rather occupy my body than my mind.” Reaching up, I pull him down by his tie as he climbs on top of me.

“I need to go to work, little darlin’.” His grin is all charm, and I groan as he kisses my lips and stands back up. “If you want to swing by my office on my lunch break, we can continue this.” He motions between us, wiggling his brows, and I pout, knowing this is the first morning we don’t have time for a quick round in the sheets.

“Expect to have me for lunch.” I wink as he heads out of our bedroom.

Except he doesn’t. Because mother nature is a bitch.

Me:

I am not able to make it today. I’ll see when you when you get home.

Emmett:

This must be serious. You wrote everything properly. Send a photo of your tits if you’re truly alright.

Me:

grow up. Im fiiiinneee. See ya later

I barely make it through my yoga session and come home to curl up on the couch in excruciating pain. The door shutting awakens me as the sun sets through the window. Emmett drops his work bag and kicks off his shoes before walking over to me with concern.

“What time is it?” The grogginess in my voice holds an ounce of pain.

“Seven. I had to stay an extra hour.” He brushes some hair out of my face and takes a seat on the couch in front of me. “You look pale.”

“I haven’t left the couch, really.” Not every month is this excruciating, but I guess I’m overdue for some torture. “My stomach kills.”

“Do you need me to take you to the hospital?” Brows furrowed, he kneels down beside me, brushing hair out of my face.

“My period is just really bad this month.” I know some guys get weirded out about this stuff, but if we are living together, it’s something he’s going to have to deal with.

“I haven’t dealt with a woman on her period, but I know it must suck to go through this every month.” He presses a kiss to my forehead. “So, no sex for a while?” I shoot him a glare, but he’s smirking. “Kidding. At least you know you’re not pregnant.” He tries to lighten the mood, and though we haven’t talked about kids, he seems content with being the fun uncle. Which sends more relief through me than he’ll ever know.

“Definitely negative with babies.” I giggle, but my uterus pinches as my insides hurt beyond belief.

“What do you need, my love?” A wave of emotion has attached itself to this nickname, and wish it physically cured the wave of pain I’m going through today. “A stomach massage? Chocolate?”

“A puke bowl?” I raise my voice in question as the nausea sets in.

“Not comparing anyone, but I don’t remember my sister ever feeling like this. Then again, I was still young when she moved out.”

“I have endometriosis, so my period is brutal.” Endometriosis is a more recent diagnosis. One I’ve never gotten the chance to vocalize out loud. Why I’ve opened up to Emmett about my most personal struggle throws me off. “When it hits, it hits on another level.” Emery has caught on after spending so much time with me the past few years, but it’s not something we talk about. Yet with Emmett, it rolled off my tongue so naturally. It felt good to finally vocalize the weight I’ve carried. “My parents are aware, but anything beyond the basic term, they refuse to acknowledge.” Which is why I’ve just about had it with their match making games.

“I’m sorry your body does this to you.” He gently rubs my shoulder, his hand trailing down my arm. His touch has me relaxing the slightest bit.

“It doesn’t affect women the same. Most months, I can still lead hikes and carry on with my daily tasks. In pain, but I deal with it. Endo is also more common than people think. Every woman has a different journey, yet similar all at the same time.” I hadn’t realized how much holding this in has weighed me down, but just the simple acknowledgement out loud has me feeling lighter.

“I’m here to help any way I can. Oh!” He stands, excited for his idea. “I have a heating pad for my neck muscles that should help.” Tears surface as I watch him head down the hall, eager to tend to me. Even as a child, my parents didn’t go out of their way to tend to me when sick.

“Does it really hurt that bad?” When he returns empty-handed, I wipe a tear.

“I’ll live. You’re just being so sweet.”

“Josie, taking care of you is a priority. I can at least try to make you comfortable if I can’t cure your period.” He says it as if it’s not a huge deal. “I’m here for you. Are you hungry?”

“No.” I glance at his hand, looking for the heating pad.