**A Promise Kept**

Prompt: Simon woke up sick and feverish but he was not going to let that stop him. He had promised his wife that he would take on al the chores of the day so that she could work from home. He decided that hidding his sickness was the best plan. He got the kids to school and started on the chores list. Every movement made him more and more tired and made a wace of dizzyness fall over him. He was about halve way done with the chores when he fell onto the couch to take a wuick break as he tried not to fall asleep. Emily was done working when she saw simon on the choich not doing anything and she got cross at him beacause he jad promised to do al the chores. With tears in his eyes simon got up to continue. Sickness always left him emotional. After the cores he picked the kids up as emily made dinner. Simon was not hungry. Emily put the kids to bed and simon tried not to fall asleep as he sat shivering on the couch. Emily came back and snuggled up with simon and only then realised how warm he was. Simon could not hold it back enymore. He let some tears slip out of his eyes as emily nursed him back to health

The morning light filtered softly into Simon's bedroom, but it felt like daggers piercing through his heavy eyelids. He groaned as he stirred, quickly becoming aware of the throbbing pain in his head, the dull ache in his limbs, and the fiery heat radiating from his forehead. He was sick, and he was feverish. But as he glanced over at his wife, Emily, who was still sleeping, he felt a flicker of determination pierce through the fog of illness clouding his mind. Today was the day he had promised to take care of all the chores around the house. Emily had a big project due at work, and he didn’t want her to be distracted or overwhelmed. She worked so hard for the family, and after the tough week they both had, this was his chance to support her. “I can do this,” he muttered to himself, fighting against the wave of dizziness that washed over him. With effort, Simon pushed himself out of bed and made his way to the bathroom. He caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror—a pale, sweaty, weary man staring back. “Just hide it,” he whispered, splashing cold water on his face. He dressed quickly, hoping that the cold air would revitalize him. Somehow, he made it through the morning routine, getting the kids ready for school while trying to suppress the bout of nausea swirling in his stomach. “Come on, guys, we’re going to be late!” he called to his children, who were dawdling at the breakfast table. Their chatter filled the kitchen, but with each quick movement he made—pouring milk, packing lunches—a bolt of dizziness shot through him like a lightning strike. By the time he dropped them off at school, he had to lean against the car for support, catching his breath before heading back home. He opened the door and was met by a mountain of chores. The dishes were piled high in the sink, laundry needed folding, and the vacuum sat in the corner like a beast waiting to be tamed. Taking a deep breath, Simon rolled up his sleeves and dove in. He tackled the dishes first, scrubbing with clenched fists while trying to ignore the sensation that the world was spinning around him. Every task felt like a Herculean feat—each bend to grab a dish or reach for a plate sent ripples of exhaustion coursing through his body. Halfway through the list, fatigue enveloped him like a thick fog. Simon could feel his knees weaken, but he fought against it. “I can’t let her down,” he thought, determination wrestling with his body’s growing insistence that he stop. He made it to the living room but collapsed onto the couch, the cushions swallowing him whole. Closing his eyes for just a moment, he thought about all the things he had accomplished so far. It should have felt rewarding, but instead, a wave of dizziness washed over him, pulling him deeper into the couch’s embrace. The sound of Emily’s laptop clicking shut jolted him back to reality. It had been an hour. He blinked and struggled to sit up straight, but it was futile; his body felt like a sack of stones. It wasn’t long before he heard her footsteps approaching. When Emily stepped into the room, her expression shifted from relief to irritation in an instant. “Simon!” she exclaimed, her voice sharper than he expected. “You promised to do the chores while I worked! What happened?” He didn’t have the strength to defend himself or to explain the sickness wrapping around him like a shroud. Tears brimmed in his eyes, blurring his vision as he managed to rise from the couch, his body protesting with every movement. “I… I’m sorry. I tried…” His voice cracked, a mix of exhaustion and emotion bubbling forth. Simon could see Emily’s face soften as she took in his pale complexion, the sheen of sweat on his brow, and the way he swayed slightly, struggling for balance. “Oh, Simon…” she murmured, stepping closer. With one hand, she reached out, gently brushing the hair from his forehead, her touch feeling cool against the heat radiating from him. He let out a ragged sigh, feeling a wave of comfort in her presence. “I just wanted to help,” he choked out, the tears slipping down his cheeks uncontrollably now. All the effort, all the pain in trying to keep it together, spilled over in the warmth of her understanding. “Let’s get you back on the couch,” Emily said softly, her tone shifting to one of concern. “You’re burning up. You shouldn’t have pushed yourself.” With her help, he settled back against the cushions, sinking into the softness, feeling safe and protected. Emily wrapped herself around him, her body radiating warmth. “Just rest,” she whispered, snuggling closer, stroking his hair as she began to hum a familiar lullaby. The comfort of her embrace eased the turmoil within him, and he let the tears flow freely now, each drop a release as she held him. He clenched his eyes shut, murmuring apologies, not for the chores left undone, but for the weight of his illness that had led to misunderstandings and fears of disappointing her. As the tears subsided and the fever began to ebb with Emily by his side, Simon realized that the strength to face any battle—in sickness, in chores, in life—was always born from love and shared support. With the warmth of Emily close to him, he surrendered to the exhaustion, finally allowing himself to drift into sweet, fevered sleep, knowing he was taken care of, no matter what.