**A Night of Secrets**

Prompt: Simon yates wakes up sick. He hides it so that his work from home wife could get some work done as he took care of the kids and the chores. After simon made diner and put the kids to bed he and emily tried to have a nice night but it became more and more dificult for simon to hide his sickness from his wife emily. After a little wilhe of watching tv simons body protested and he throws up. Emily finaly notices that he is sick and nurses him back to healt

Simon Yates woke up feeling like he had been hit by a truck. The familiar warmth of the sun streaming through the curtains felt like an unwelcome spotlight, highlighting the pounding in his head and the distinct queasiness in his stomach. He sat up slowly, testing the waters of his own body, and immediately regretted it as a wave of nausea washed over him. It was the start of another day in their bustling household, and the last thing he wanted was to burden his hard-working wife, Emily. She had been juggling a demanding work-from-home job while also caring for their two energetic children, Max and Lily. With a heavy sigh, Simon pushed himself out of bed. His resolve to keep his illness hidden was firm; Emily needed to focus on her deadlines, and he could manage the kids. He shuffled to the bathroom, splashed cold water on his face, and swallowed hard to keep the bile at bay. With every passing moment, it became less about him and more about the family they had created together. By the time breakfast arrived, Simon had put on a brave face. As Max and Lily chattered like a pair of joyful birds at the table, Simon forced himself to smile. “Pancakes today!” he announced, trying to infuse some enthusiasm into his voice. He poured the batter onto the hot grill, feeling the sweat beading on his forehead. Wiping his palms on his apron, he took solace in the kids’ delighted squeals as they dug into their meals. Once breakfast was cleared away, Simon managed to corral the kids into a game of hide and seek, even though he could barely ignore the tightening ache in his stomach. He moved around the house, tidying up the toys strewn across the living room, all while stealing glimpses at Emily, who was deeply engrossed in a video conference call at her makeshift office. His heart ached for her; she was so dedicated, pouring herself into the work she loved while he pretended to feel perfectly fine. The morning passed, punctuated by shouts of “You’re never going to find me!” and the laughter of children who were blissfully unaware of their father’s struggles. When it was time for lunch, Simon made peanut butter sandwiches—quick and easy. He could feel his hands shaking slightly as he cut the sandwiches into fun shapes, the children eagerly awaiting their meals. After lunch, Simon sank to the couch, eyes half-closed, while the kids played dress-up around him. His head throbbed, but he kept pushing the discomfort down, choosing to focus on their giggles. The afternoon slipped away in a haze of cartoons and snacks. As the sun began to dip below the horizon, Simon forced himself into the kitchen. Cooking dinner felt like an insurmountable task, but it was a small price to pay for the peace he’d so desperately wanted for Emily. He started chopping vegetables for stir-fry, the scents wafting through the air a bittersweet reminder of how much he loved cooking for his family. Once the kids were bathed and in pajamas, he called them for dinner, the path to the dining table feeling much longer than it should. Emily emerged from her office, her hair pulled back messily, but her face alight with a smile. “Wow, it smells amazing!” she exclaimed, taking a seat at the table. As the family ate, Simon was acutely aware of Emily’s attentiveness. She chatted amiably with Max and Lily while he nodded along, doing his best to engage. But soon, the tightening in his stomach turned into a throbbing discomfort that marred his concentration. He excused himself to the bathroom with a weak smile, hoping a moment alone would help. “Everything okay?” Emily called after him, concern lacing her tone. “Yeah, just, uh, need a minute!” he shouted back, desperately suppressing a wave of nausea. He washed his face in cold water, convinced that he could push through. Dinner ended and the kids stumbled off to bed, their energy finally spent. As Simon tucked Max in, he turned to see Lily bopping around her room, pretending to be a princess while she clutched her stuffed animal. He leaned against the wall, watching her before he conjured the strength to help Emily with the bedtime routine. As the last light flickered out of the kids’ room, Simon hoped an evening of relaxation was within reach. They sat down on the couch, wrapped up together under a cozy blanket. Emily curled against him, her warmth a comforting presence, yet Simon’s body was beginning to rebel. With every passing minute, it became more and more difficult to hide his sickness. The TV flickered through a show they both enjoyed, but he barely registered the plot. “Hey, you alright?” Emily asked, pulling back to look into his eyes. “You seem a little off.” “Just tired from the long day,” Simon replied, forcing a smile. “You know how it is.” But as the evening crept forward, his body protested in earnest. He clenched his jaw, trying to hold it together, but before he could take action, he bolted for the bathroom, bile rising in his throat. “Simon?” Emily’s voice was panicked. She followed him, concern etched across her features as she found him hunched over the toilet, his body shaking. The moment he felt her presence, embarrassment washed over him. This wasn’t the night he had envisioned; he had wanted to take care of her and shield her from his illness. As he vomited, he realized that the mask had slipped off, revealing the truth he had been trying to conceal. Emily knelt beside him, worry tearing at her heart. “Oh, Simon, why didn’t you tell me?” “I didn’t want to ruin your night,” Simon admitted, his voice hoarse as he leaned back against the cool tile floor. “You have so much to do.” “Simon, you’re my priority,” she said softly, brushing his hair back with gentle fingers. “You can’t do everything alone. I want to help.” She helped him to his feet and slowly walked him back to the couch, where she fetched a glass of water. Simon leaned against her shoulder, their earlier plans replaced with quiet compassion. Emily tended to him, grabbing cool washcloths and making sure he was as comfortable as possible. As the night wore on, Simon realized that secrets had a way of unraveling, but sometimes, vulnerability could lead to renewed strength. Emily’s nurturing presence enveloped him like a warm blanket, reminding him that they were in this together, sickness and all. He had tried to be strong, but it was okay to lean on the love that they had built together. And in that moment, as she soothed him back to a semblance of health, Simon felt more grateful than ever for the partnership they shared, sickness and health intertwined.