Unfortunately, no matter how much Violet wanted Amy’s successes to continue, the reality of her need to be in the hospital remained. The same night that President and Cattleya came to meet her, Amy’s fits wouldn’t stop coming. 

The first one hit after dinner and Violet figured it was due to the excitement of the day. Even if the two had only been here for a few minutes, emotions were certainly heightened after getting to meet them. Heightened in an already stressful situation. 

The second fit started just before bed and Violet sat dutifully at Amy’s side with water in hand ready to provide relief when needed. Unfortunately, not even the little fort of pillows seemed to be doing the trick. Though, it was hard to get it set up properly on the smaller hospital bed.

“Violet…” Any managed to choke out her name after the latest round of coughs died down and Violet practically jumped out of her seat at hearing it. Ready to go, ready to do…something! Anything! Not being able to help was nearly maddening at this point.

“Yes? What is it?”

“I need you…” The strain in her voice was clear enough and Violet nodded though she didn’t quite understand what Amy needed her to do. A few moments later, the other woman raised her arms and made little “come here” motions with her fingers. Oh, so the pillows weren’t working and Amy wanted Violet to substitute in? Which she was more than happy to do except for one little thing. 

“The doctor said I should stay out of your bed.” 

“I don’t care.” In addition to the words, a scowl made its home on her face and the intensity of the hand motions increased noticeably. If Violet knew her half as well as she thought she did, Amy wasn’t going to let it go.

Well, the doctor said it was mostly for Amy’s health and so she could rest, but what if her poor health was keeping her from doing that? And what if they had the solution right here? How could Violet deny Amy this after so long apart?

“Very well,” Violet said before shedding the slippers she wore late at night and after changing for bed. Well, for the couch on the far wall that acted as her bed. But it wouldn’t matter if she had to curl up in the corner on a blanket, Violet was not leaving Amy in this hospital alone and she hadn’t insisted the doll should either.

Amy pulled the blanket back a moment later and Violet easily slipped inside and sat up against the headboard. She took one of the pillows for her own use a moment later then opened her arms wide for Amy to cuddle up to her. Which she did nearly as soon as the silent invitation was made. She settled in like she had at school; body pressed to Violet’s with her head resting in the crook of the doll’s neck. 

That pleasant warmth from before returned wherever they touched and Violet took a moment to let it sink into the parts of her body that could feel it. At one point, she even closed her eyes momentarily to better focus on the more pleasant additions. The heat of her body, the smell of her hair, the rise and fall of her chest. Though they had done this before, for some reason Violet felt more aware of each this time around.

Amy must’ve been enjoying it too because a small, contented sigh slipped from her lips. However, the coughs were never far behind. Soon, more came, shaking her whole body where it lay against Violet’s. The doll only wrapped her arms around Amy, pulling her closer to let her know she was there and had her. It had been months since she’d felt them like this, how it racked her whole body. But she would hold her as long as it took if that provided even a modicum of comfort.  

This fit was particularly violent and it took a few minutes and some water to get it under control. But when it finally did subside, Violet could hear sobs coming for Amy where she lay. At first, she thought it might be remnants from the coughing itself but the intensity of the crying only grew instead of fading out. Violet didn’t say anything at first and only brought her hand up to gently rub through Amy’s hair in a gesture she hoped was soothing.

“What if I’m not strong enough, Violet?” Amy’s words quietly broke through the sobs but they quickly returned as she shifted more into Violet to hide her face. 

“For what?” She asked in return.

“To take care of Taylor.”

That’s what she was worried about? After all this? “You are strong enough,” Violet whispered. 

“I’m not, I’m always so sick.”

At this, Violet finally dropped a hand to Amy’s shoulder and gently pushed so she rolled and they could lock eyes. Whereupon she smiled and shifted a hand so she could run a thumb over one cheek. It was during these moments that Violet really abhorred the cold metal of her hands and the roughness of her leather gloves (no matter how soft the pair truly was). She wanted to provide real, warm comfort to Amy but she would just have to be content with gestures and words instead. However, now was the time to help Amy, not bemoan the loss of her limbs and what that meant. 

“Amy, look at what you’ve accomplished, all the things you’re doing to get back to her. While you are sick, as a matter of fact. “

“But it wasn’t even me, everyone else did all the work.” 

But this assertion fell flat with Violet and she shook her head in reply. “We wouldn’t all be here without you. Besides, you shouldn’t worry about the days when your strength falters because I will be there to pick you up.”

Her words must’ve reached her because Amy’s fingers bunched Violet’s dress where they lay. “I don’t deserve you, Violet.” 

“You do,” Violet protested and then squeezed her tighter. “And Taylor deserves a mother like you.”

And then the damn broke. Fresh tears streamed down her cheeks, followed by a few coughs as well. Which, Violet felt a little sorry for but she didn’t regret the words. It was something Amy needed to hear, over and over again if that’s what was necessary. Without even seeing them interact, Violet knew it was true. Who else would do all this for a girl who wasn’t even related to her by blood? And though it was a different love that drove Amy to do what she did for Taylor, it was love all the same.

But through calming shushes and a near constant, gentle rubbing of hair and shoulders, Violet finally managed to halt the flow of tears and calm Amy down to the point where her breaths were calm and even and her face looked as peaceful as one could expect given the circumstances.

Asleep. Violet smiled at the sight and then let her own head fall back into the pillow before closing her eyes too. Sleep didn’t come immediately though, and she wrestled with the frustration and feeling of powerlessness in this situation. In the end, all she could do was be there for Amy, and Taylor by extension. Hopefully, that would be enough. 

The next morning, Violet awoke to the sound of a nurse coming in to check on the pair. By now, the woman had stopped giving them inquisitive looks and went about her business with a practiced ease that was no doubt born of many patients and many more days. Once breakfast appeared a few minutes later, Violet finally woke Amy with a few gentle nudges and whispered words that had a smile forming on the other woman’s lips before her eyes even opened. 

Once the nurse left again, Violet planted a kiss on the crown of Amy’s head and slipped from the bed to get ready for the day. One that she hoped would be much better. Her dress was donned, her hair put up, and the curtains and window opened. Just enough to let some fresh air in. All the while, Amy started on their breakfast while watching Violet work, her eyes full of silent admiration. 

“Do you think they’d let me go for a walk today?” Amy asked between mouthfuls of eggs.

“A walk?” Even Violet couldn’t keep the disbelief from her voice and she turned and tilted her head but waited for Amy to elaborate. 

“Well, not a walk , not me walking anyway. I was hoping that you might be able to push me in the wheelchair?” 

Violet nodded her understanding and couldn’t blame Amy for wanting to get out of the room. However, she didn’t know if the doctor would allow it, especially after last night. “I don’t think so but I suppose all we can do is ask the doctor?”

“Yeah, you’re right.” 

“I’m sorry, I’m sure that’s not what you want to hear.”

“There is no one else I’d rather get bad news from,” Amy said with a chuckle before taking a bite of her toast. 

The sentiment brought a smile to Violet’s lips as well before she returned to her duties. Completely self-imposed ones but having anyone else dote on Amy just felt…wrong. Once she was done with her portion of food, Violet retrieved a brush and made her way to the bed.

“You know, it really feels like you are my handmaiden again.”

“Is that bad?”

“Not necessarily, but it makes me want to pamper you when this is said and done. Just so you can have a turn.”

“It’s no problem, you don’t have to,” Violet insisted. 

“I don’t have to but I want to.”

“Very well,” Violet agreed. What would that be like? Had she even had someone care for her like that? The nurses in the hospital perhaps but that was years ago and Violet had been struck by confusion and weakness. Besides, having Amy do such a thing would undoubtedly be different. Maybe even exciting?

Following her acquiescence, Violet came to sit behind Amy and gathered the wine-colored hair down her back. There were plenty of tangles and knots from the previous night and the brush came down in its first stroke a moment later. A hiss of air could be heard pushing from Amy’s lips but she otherwise remained still. 

“I can help you take a bath today if you like,” Violet offered into the silence.

“What?” Amy asked with more than a little exasperation in her voice. “You?”

“Yes, me. Is something wrong?”

“Yes, something is wrong. Y-you can’t help me take a bath, now!”

Hmm, that was an interesting assertion and Violet’s eyebrows knit together in confusion a moment later. “I…can’t?” Her mind struggled to come up with a reason why but no reason came forth. There wasn’t anything different than at school, was there? Maybe the sickness was worse but why would that matter?

“No! What if you see me naked?”

Oh.

“But I’ve seen you naked, Amy.”

“Ugh,” Amy groaned before letting her face fall forward into her hands. “Don’t remind me!”

“I believe you have seen me naked as well.”

“Violettt…” Amy groaned. “It’s just…different, okay?”

“Different?”

“Well, yeah because we’re…we’re…well, I’m not sure….”

“I don’t follow,” Violet admitted and though her voice remained even, she felt completely lost. “Aren’t we friends?”

“Of course, we are!” Amy countered quickly, perhaps before any more confusion could arise. “But are we just friends?”

“Are you asking if we are girlfriends?” 

“It sounds so juvenile when you say it like that.” 

“Partners?”

“Um…too formal,” Amy looked up but ultimately shook her head.  

“This is a difficult question.”

“You’re telling me!”

“Well, no matter what you want to call it, I am yours, Amy.”

“Yes, yes. I am yours too, Violet. But you still can’t help me bathe…”

“Won’t I see you naked again sometime?”

In the silence at followed, Violet could swear Amy’s ears turned red as a rose petal, probably matching her cheeks if she had to guess. However, before she could say anything else, Amy slashed the air with the flat of her hand. “Okay, new topic!”