MY SUGAR MUMMY IS A BEAUTIFUL VAMPIRE

Chapter 325: Too good to be true

Blake paced the living room, his heart heavy with worry as he watched Nana tend to Rose. The rest of the group had rushed back to the cabin as soon as they heard about Rose's collapse, their faces etched with concern. Now they gathered around the couch where Rose lay, still pale and weak.

Nana, who had been taking nursing classes for the past two years, quickly took charge. She checked Rose's vitals and asked gentle questions about her symptoms. But even with her medical knowledge, Nana seemed puzzled by Rose's condition.

"It doesn't make sense," she murmured, shaking her head. "Rose is a vampire. She shouldn't be getting sick from doing simple chores around the house."

Reggie placed a comforting hand on his wife's shoulder. "Maybe it's just stress," he suggested. "Planning Celena's birthday, taking care of a toddler, keeping up with the house... It's a lot for anyone, even a vampire."

Nana pursed her lips, unconvinced. "I don't know. Something feels off." She turned to Rose. "I'm going to take a small sample of your blood, okay? I'll run some tests and see if we can figure out what's going on."

Rose nodded weakly, extending her arm. Blake had to look away as Nana expertly drew a vial of dark red blood. The sight of his wife's life force, usually so vibrant and powerful, now drained and sickly made his stomach churn.

As Nana packed up her kit, Reggie gave Blake a reassuring pat on the back. "Don't worry, man. We'll get to the bottom of this. Rose is strong. She'll pull through."

Blake managed a tight smile, grateful for their support. "Thanks, Reggie. I just... I can't lose her."

Reggie's eyes softened with understanding. "You won't. We won't let that happen."

With promises to return as soon as the test results were in, Reggie and Nana took their leave. Randal and Gunther lingered a moment longer, their faces somber.

"Blake, man, you gotta stay strong," Randal said, his voice uncharacteristically gentle. "I know it's scary, but Rose needs you to keep it together. And don't forget, you've still got your little girl over there who's counting on her daddy."

He nodded towards the armchair where Celena lay curled up, fast asleep. She had cried herself into exhaustion, frightened by the flurry of panicked activity and her mother's obvious distress.

Blake's heart clenched at the sight of his daughter, her birthday dress rumpled and her cheeks tearstained.

"I know," he said hoarsely. "I'll try. For both of them."

Gunther clasped Blake's shoulder, his grip firm. "Have faith, my friend. The Lord watches over this family. He will guide Rose back to health."

With final words of encouragement, Randal and Gunther said their goodbyes and headed out into the night. And then it was just Blake, alone with his sick wife and sleeping child in the too-quiet cabin.

He lowered himself into the chair beside the couch, taking Rose's limp hand in his own. "Please be okay," he whispered, his voice breaking.

The hours crept by, marked only by the soft ticking of the clock and the occasional whimper from Celena. Blake didn't sleep. He couldn't, not while the love of his life lay there so still and helpless. He just watched Rose, willing her chest rising and falling with each shallow breath.

As dawn began to lighten the sky outside the windows, Blake heard a soft padding of footsteps. He turned to see Celena shuffling towards him, her hair mussed and her eyes puffy from crying.

"Daddy?" she whimpered. "I can't sleep. I want Mommy."

Blake's heart shattered at the lost, frightened look on his daughter's face. He opened his arms and she crawled into his lap, burying her face against his chest.

"I know, baby," he murmured, stroking her tangled curls. "Mommy's not feeling well right now. She needs lots of rest so she can get better."

Celena sniffled, her small body shuddering with hiccuping sobs. "Can I sleep next to her? I promise I'll be real quiet and not wake her up."

Blake hesitated, glancing at Rose's motionless form. He didn't want Celena to accidentally disturb her mother, but he also knew the little girl needed the comfort of being close to Rose.

"Okay, sweetheart," he relented. "But you have to be very gentle, alright? No bouncing or poking Mommy."

Celena nodded solemnly, her blue eyes big and serious. "'Kay, Daddy."

Blake carefully settled Celena on the bed next to Rose, tucking the blanket around them both. Celena immediately curled into her mother's side, one small hand clutching Rose's nightgown. Within minutes, the exhausted toddler was asleep again, her breathing deep and even.

Blake watched his girls for a long moment, love and fear warring in his chest. Then, weary to his bones, he stretched out on the sofa beside the bed and let his eyes drift closed. He knew he needed rest to be strong for his family. As he slipped into an uneasy sleep, he sent up a silent prayer.

"Please, God. Don't take her from us. Let this just be a scare. Bring her back whole and healthy. Our little girl needs her mommy. I need my wife."

When Blake woke a few hours later, gentle sunlight was filtering through the curtains. He sat up with a groan, his neck stiff from sleeping on the sofa. He turned immediately to check on Rose, his heart leaping into his throat when he saw the bed was empty.

Celena was still curled up under the covers, snoring softly, but Rose was nowhere to be seen. Adrenaline jolted through Blake's veins as he lurched to his feet. Had something happened to her in the night? Had she gotten worse?

Using his vampire speed, Blake raced through the cabin, calling Rose's name, his panic rising with every empty room. Then, as he blurred into the kitchen, he stopped short.

There stood Rose at the stove, calmly flipping pancakes as if it was any normal morning. She turned at Blake's abrupt entrance, a bright smile on her face.

"Good morning, sleepyhead!" she chirped. "I hope you're hungry. I'm making your favorite, blueberry pancakes."

Blake gaped at her, torn between overwhelming relief and confusion. Just hours ago Rose had been deathly ill, barely able to move. Now she looked the picture of health, her skin glowing and her eyes clear. It was like the previous night had never happened.

"Rose, what... Are you okay? Should you be up?" Blake crossed to her in two strides, reaching out to cup her face in his hands. "Sweetheart, you scared me half to death last night. You shouldn't be pushing yourself."

Rose laughed, turning to press a kiss to Blake's palm. "Oh, stop worrying so much. I feel perfectly fine. I think I just needed a good night's sleep."

She shooed him to go back to bed. "Now, you should head back to bed and relax. Let me finish making breakfast. You look like you slept even worse than I did."

Still reeling from the sudden turnaround, Blake sank into a chair. He watched Rose bustle around the kitchen, humming to herself as she flipped pancakes and sliced fruit. She did seem completely normal, not a hint of yesterday's terrifying weakness. But something nagged at Blake, a sense that this miraculous recovery was too good to be true.