Chapter Two: Midnight Cravings
It was Sunday, and the clock barely whispered past four in the morning when Faith began shivering uncontrollably under the thin blanket. Her teeth chattered as she tapped her husband gently on the shoulder. "John… my love… wake up," she whispered, her voice trembling.
John stirred, opening one eye and groaning softly. "Faith… what's wrong?" he mumbled, his voice thick with sleep. He sat up, rubbing his face. "You look… cold… are you okay?"
Faith wrapped her arms around herself, trying to find warmth. "I feel dizzy… and cold… please… can you get me some water?" she murmured, her lips quivering.
John's face softened with concern. He leaned over and held her hand. "My beloved wife… anything you want, just tell me. I'll get it for you," he said gently.
Faith blinked at him, a sly smile playing at the corners of her mouth. "Well… since you're offering… I also want noodles… and chicken!"
John froze, eyes wide. "Noodles… and chicken? At this hour? My love… it's four in the morning! How… where am I supposed to get that?"
Faith pouted dramatically, letting out a small whimper. "Please… just… go! I can't sleep. I'm hungry… and cold… and miserable…"
John sighed deeply, running a hand through his hair. "You… you are unbelievable," he muttered, shaking his head but hiding a smile. "Alright… alright. I'll figure something out. Just… stay here and try not to freeze!"
He glanced into the kitchen, realizing they had neither noodles nor chicken in the house. With a resigned sigh, he grabbed his phone and dialed their neighbor, King. The phone rang several times before King answered, his sleepy voice full of curiosity.
"John? Calling me at this hour… is everything okay? Who's crying over there?" King asked, sounding both amused and suspicious.
John's cheeks flushed with embarrassment, but he had no choice. "Uh… yes… it's Faith… my wife. She's sick… and… crying because she wants noodles… and chicken. I know it's late, but… could you possibly help me out?"
There was a long pause on the other end, followed by a loud, incredulous laugh. "Wait… noodles… at four a.m.? John, are you serious?"
"Yes. Very serious," John said, his voice a little defensive. "She… um… she won't stop crying. I can't handle it alone."
King chuckled again. "Wow… okay… I've been your neighbor for years, and this is the first time you've ever asked me for… food… at this hour. Alright… I'll come through."
Soon, King appeared at their door with noodles and chicken in hand, smiling as though he had just arrived for a midnight party. "So… this is true love, huh?" he teased. "A man delivering midnight noodles for his wife?"
John laughed nervously, scratching the back of his head. "I… suppose so," he said sheepishly. "It's… complicated."
Faith, still wrapped in her blanket, opened the door just enough to peek at King. "John! Finally!" she squealed, clapping her hands. "Now… cool it for me, please. I want it watery!"
John stared at her, incredulous. "Watery?"
"Yes! Watery! You know… just the way I like it!" Faith said, giggling, her earlier shivering forgotten in the excitement.
King laughed so hard he almost dropped the pot. "Watery noodles… at four a.m.! You two are something else," he said, handing John the food.
Back in the kitchen, John carefully poured the noodles into a bowl, added the chicken, and stirred the watery mixture just the way Faith liked it. Faith hovered over him like a hawk, correcting him every few seconds. "A little more water… no, too much… oh, now it's perfect!"
John rolled his eyes playfully. "You're impossible… but somehow… adorable."
Faith beamed at him. "I'm adorable when I'm hungry, my love. Don't forget that."
John brought the steaming bowl to her bedside, and Faith clutched it like it was a treasure. "You are amazing, John. You really would do anything for me, wouldn't you?"
He sat beside her, feeding her small bites, laughing as she made exaggerated noises of delight with each spoonful. "Anything," he said, smiling. "Even get noodles at four a.m., make them watery, and watch you eat like it's a five-star meal."
Faith rested her head on his shoulder, still laughing between bites. "I love you, John… even when you're sleepy, confused, and completely at my mercy."
John wrapped an arm around her, pulling her close. "And I love you, my little noodle queen… even when you make me climb mountains for watery noodles."
Faith giggled and poked his side. "You better get used to it, my love. I have cravings at the strangest times, and you're stuck with me."
John laughed, shaking his head. "As long as it's you… I don't mind. Even if it's noodles at midnight, chicken at sunrise, or ice cream at noon. You're worth it."
They stayed together long after the bowl was empty, wrapped in each other's arms, their laughter echoing through the quiet house. Even in the strangest, funniest, most inconvenient moments, their love felt stronger than anything else.
As John finally set the empty bowls aside and tucked Faith in closer, she whispered, "Promise me… no matter how long it takes, you'll always make me laugh like this, even if I'm crying for noodles at four a.m."
John kissed her forehead softly. "I promise… forever and always."
Faith smiled, closing her eyes, feeling warm and safe. In the middle of the night, with watery noodles and chicken, she realized something: love wasn't just about grand gestures or big moments. Sometimes, it was about the little, ridiculous, funny moments… like this.
And for them, that was more than enough.