Just One Dare (The Kingston Family 5)

When Leah woke up in the morning, she still had a fever and a cough, but she seemed calmer and the cough was under control. Aurora called school and explained Leah wouldn’t be in and once again, they watched movies or Aurora read her stories. When she napped, Aurora checked in at work but Billie had things under control.

Nick called while they were eating breakfast and Aurora had Leah answer, to assure him she was okay. Or so Aurora told herself, knowing she didn’t buy her own bullshit. She was keeping Nick at a distance for her own emotional safety again. The man had told her he loved her. What more did she need?

“Mommy, I’m hungry,” Leah said, followed by a barking cough that Aurora knew wasn’t good.

“Let’s go into your room so you’re close to the humidifier and I’ll make you some chicken soup for dinner.” She kissed Leah’s forehead. Still warm. She was due for more Tylenol after she ate. It was only four o’clock but she’d feed Leah twice if need be.

After setting up Leah in her room with a picture book and a stuffed animal, Aurora walked into the kitchen. While she heated the soup, she called the doctor’s office and they talked about the usual remedies. The nurse said they would fit Leah in tomorrow if the fever didn’t break or her cough got any worse.

After dinner, Aurora gave Leah more Tylenol and fielded calls from Nick. One thing she could say about Nick—he obviously loved his daughter, if all his calls checking in on her were any indication. Aurora downplayed how bad Leah’s cough and fever were because as frustrated as she was by Nick being away, she didn’t want him to worry when there was nothing he could do from where he was.

She spent the early part of the evening bringing Leah in and out of the steam-filled shower and Aurora’s heart broke with every whine, bark-like cough, and cry.

She prayed they’d soon turn a corner but later that night, Leah’s cough morphed into something that terrified her. Her breathing wasn’t strong, even when she wasn’t coughing, and high-pitched wheezes came from her chest. Then Leah would panic and start to cry, which set off more coughing.

Around ten, Leah was having trouble breathing and Aurora knew she had to take her to the hospital. She called Melly, but she didn’t answer her phone. Everyone else was too far away. So Aurora was left with two choices—either call for an ambulance or take Leah to the hospital herself. With no desire to traumatize Leah even more, she decided to drive.

She walked over to Leah, who had glassy eyes and a red, runny nose. She looked miserable and when she coughed harder, she started to cry. “Mommy, it hurts.” She pressed her hands to her chest, the tears breaking Aurora’s heart.

“I know, baby. We’re going to go see the doctor.” Aurora didn’t say hospital. No need to scare her.

She bundled her up against the cool spring air and walked into the garage. When she opened the door for Leah to get in, her normally easygoing daughter shook her head.

“What’s wrong?”

“I don’t want to be alone in the back.” She folded her arms and leaned against the wall, refusing to move. Then, as if on cue, she began to cough and cry.

Aurora closed her eyes and tried not to cry herself. She reached into her bag and called Mark. He was next door and she was out of options.

Once Mark heard Leah’s cough, he put aside any lingering hard feelings, and went into action. Aurora called Samantha, who rushed over to stay with a sleeping Mimi, and as soon as she arrived, Mark pulled his car into Aurora’s driveaway.

The hospital wasn’t far, though with Leah crying, barking and wheezing, Aurora felt every moment. Her priority was to get Leah settled and then she’d call Nick.

Mark dropped her at the ER while he went to find a parking spot. Normally there would be a check-in and triage but the woman behind the desk was kind and realized Leah couldn’t breathe well.

They rushed her and Leah into a private cubicle and a nurse came in. Together, they calmed Leah down and a female doctor arrived a few minutes later.

“Relax honey.” Aurora held Leah’s hand so the doctor could listen to her chest. Leah had been through this many times before at the pediatrician’s office, so she wasn’t scared and let the doctor check her over.

“I want to get x-rays taken,” the doctor said. “We have a mobile machine so I’ll have someone from imaging and radiology come up. In the meantime, let’s get a nebulizer treatment going.” She hooked her stethoscope around her neck. “We’re also going to give her IV steroids.” She smiled at Leah. “I’m going to need you to be a big girl for this, but you’re going to feel better quickly.”