Author's Note: I was incredibly flattered when Melinda (carylfan10) suggested I turn her experience with pneumonia into a story somehow. At first, I was uncertain of how to do it, but eventually something came to me. Although I didn't quite follow the suggestion Melinda gave, I hope she likes this story. It's the least I can do for all of her amazing support and friendship!
Daphne arrived at home, even more grateful than usual. She hadn't been feeling well the past few days, but she kept hoping it would simply go away. As a new mother, the last thing she needed was to be sick. Niles urged her repeatedly to see a doctor, and finally Daphne relented. Of course, he had been right, because her physician diagnosed her with pneumonia. "Niles?" she called, when she did not see him in the living room.
"We're up here, my love," Niles answered from the nursery.
It seemed as if the walk up the stairs took all the strength she had. She managed to make it to the door, then she grabbed onto the door frame so that she would not fall over.
Niles came toward her at once, David in his arms. "What is it?"
"Pneumonia," Daphne answered.
"Get into bed," Niles replied without hesitation.
"But what about David? He needs his mum!"
"Yes, and he also needs his mom to be healthy. I wish you'd let me go with you to the doctor's. I hate to think of you driving there and back in this condition."
"I just thought...I thought maybe I was a bit tired from all those late nights. But I guess this was more than that." She coughed loudly.
"Daphne, please go lie down. You'll feel better when you're off your feet."
With a defeated sigh, Daphne turned around and made her way toward the master bedroom. She then fell into bed. She had been sick plenty of times in her life, but this seemed to be the worst she could ever remember feeling. She was supposed to be the one taking care of others, not the one being cared for. But before she could dwell further on the unfairness of the situation, she found herself fast asleep.
David had been his usual calm, happy self, right up until Daphne arrived. It seemed the baby sensed that something wasn't right. "Shh," Niles whispered to his son. "Your mommy's not feeling well, but I promise I'm going to do the best I can to take care of both of you until she gets better. I know she doesn't like the idea of me taking care of her, but she needs her rest if she wants to feel better. That's what we both want, huh?"
When a smile appeared on his son's face, Niles was convinced that David had understood every word he'd said.