Forever After (Unrestrained 5)

“I know,” Kate replied, her voice soft. “I’m anxious because she’s a preemie. I read that their immune systems are often underdeveloped.”

“She’s not a preemie anymore. She’s now officially an infant instead of a neonate. Babies get fevers all the time in their first couple of years, as their bodies encounter and fight off every virus that circulates in the population.”

She nodded, but remained in the doorway, her arms folded around herself.

I took her in my arms and we embraced, both of us watching Sophie from the door. I was sure that this one was no different from any other rhinovirus, and that in a few days, her nose would be clear again. I’d keep a close watch on her fever and check her ears and throat for any signs of infection, but I fully expected she’d be better in a matter of days.

“Let’s go back to bed,” I said softly, pulling Kate down the hallway. “You need to sleep. We both need the rest.”

Kate sighed heavily. “I’m afraid she’ll have trouble breathing,” she said, her voice wavering.

“We’ll hear every little sound on the monitor,” I said and pulled Kate a little more firmly down the hall. “I promise she’ll sleep well for the next few hours and so should you so you can be refreshed for the day ahead.”

“Okay, doctor,” she said finally, following me when I took her hand in mine. “You’re the boss.”

“I am,” I said in an officious voice. “Oh, yeah,” I said, remembering Brenda’s email. “I got an email from Brenda inviting me to come by and visit with Liam. I guess Maureen’s out of town and so the coast is clear…”

Kate crawled into bed beside me as I held open the coverlet so she could slip underneath.

“You’ll have to go by yourself,” she said, her voice doubtful. “I can’t take Sophie out when she’s sick.” Kate lay on her side, her back to me.

“Of course,” I said and pulled Kate against me so we spooned together. “I’ll go by myself. I haven’t seen Liam since Christmas. I want to be more than a stranger to him so I’m glad Brenda contacted me.”

“Me, too,” Kate said and yawned. “You have to file for shared custody. You know my dad would help with his contacts.”

“I know,” I said and snuggled down, closing my eyes. “We’ll play it by ear.”

I lay beside Kate and wondered what the morning would bring, how Sophie would be and whether Liam would be receptive to seeing me.

I fell back asleep with thoughts of what kind of gift I could get him, struggling to choose between an action figure or a Lego set.

A couple of hours later, I got up and went to check on Sophie, careful not to wake up Kate. I checked her throat, her ear and her eyes, as well as taking her temperature, which – thankfully – was down to almost normal.

When I returned to bed, Kate stirred.

"Did you check on Sophie?" she asked and rubbed her eyes.

"Yes. She still has a bit of a fever, but it’s being controlled with the Tylenol, so if we give her a regular dose, she should be fine,” I said, trying to calm Kate, who still had wide eyes. “I don’t see any sign of an ear infection or throat infection, so she’s probably brewing a virus.”

“I hope so,” Kate said.

Later, we both got up and while Kate gave Sophie a sponge bath, I put my medical kit away. Kate got Sophie dressed in a clean pair of pajamas after putting on a fresh diaper, and then carried her downstairs. I had a quick shower and went to check my email to see if Brenda had replied. Sure enough, there was a response waiting in my inbox.

FROM: Becker, Brenda

TO: Morgan, Drake MD

RE: RE: RE: Visit

Come on by this morning whenever you can. Liam has a doctor's appointment this afternoon so we'll be out then. Liam's home and is bored, so now would be a good time for you to pop by. Maureen is in Borneo with Chris, apparently trying to work things out. Looks like they might get back together and Chris is considering moving back to California. I'm not too happy about them leaving, but if Maureen's happy, I'm happy. I'm sure you won't like it, but Chris is all Liam has known in his life and he misses Chris a great deal as you can imagine.

Talk to you this morning,

Brenda

I replied that I'd be over in a short time and got dressed, and went to the kitchen island to drink my coffee and down a bowl of oatmeal.

“You going out?” Kate asked, Sophie in her arms.