Disclaimer: not mine
AN: this is a sequel of sorts to The Path to Healing, but I don't think it matters if you haven't read the first story.
In Sickness and in Life
The room was dark and silent, just the way he liked it when he was sick. The window was open behind the heavy drapes allowing a small amount of air to circulate and the bed covers were crumpled in a heap beside the bed after he had kicked them off in a fevered struggle. Feeling sick and sorry for himself, Harm reached blindly for the bottle of water he knew was on his side table, knocking off the clock radio in the process.
Soon there were footsteps and a soft rap on the door before it opened.
"Harm, honey, everything alright?" asked Trish, trying to find her son in the darkness of the room.
"Yeah, mom," he croaked. "Just knocked something off the table looking for my water."
Opening the door further to let more light in, Trish saw the radio and picked it up, returning it to its rightful place, before handing him the bottle of water.
"How are you feeling? Any better?" she asked, feeling his forehead.
"Worse, if anything," he said, rolling his head around to look at her.
"I really think I should call the doctor in," Trish said, smoothing out the bed sheet which remained over her son.
"How are the kids?" he asked, feeling bad he couldn't look after his own children while Mac was in DC.
"David's fine," she said, "Had a big nap this afternoon and is currently exploring the backyard with grandpa. As for Ella, I think she's picked up your bug. She's not at all herself today."
"Oh, poor baby," he said, tears pricking his eyes, hating to think that he'd passed on his germs. "Where is she?"
"She's asleep on the sofa," Trish reported. "Hasn't eaten anything all day and is looking quite pale."
"Oh, poor baby," he repeated. Wishing he had the strength to get up and go see her. As it was, it was going to take all his efforts to get to the bathroom before he wet himself or threw up.
"Where are you going?" Trish asked when she saw Harm pull at the sheet and try and swing his legs at the same time, not succeeding in either task.
"Bath...room," he said, grabbing the bed as his stomach churned and head spun.
In the end it was a twenty minute painful mission to use the bathroom, having to stop and regroup several times as him stomach and head had different ideas to the rest of his body. When he opened the bathroom door, Frank was standing there waiting.
"Your mother sent me to investigate," he said, taking Harm's arm as he took a few tentative steps. "She wasn't sure what state you'd be in."
"I think I died," Harm grumbled, taking a few shuffling steps. "And just didn't tell my body."
Frank leant across to pull back the covers Trish had put back on but Harm shook his head.
"Want to see El..." he managed before being overcome by a coughing fit.
"Are you sure you can make it?" Frank asked, quite concerned by Harm's appearance. He'd known the younger man 30 years and had never seen him so ill.
"Nope," Harm replied honestly. "But I need to see her."
Harm got as far as the kitchen door before his body betrayed him and he threw up all over the place.
"Oh, I'm so sorry," he apologised knowing his mom or Frank would be cleaning up the mess.
"It's okay, son," Frank said, rubbing his back. "Stand here and I'll get you a bucket."
"Think it's too late for that," Harm said leaning against the door jamb.
Weary, Harm closed his eyes as he stood there, waiting for someone to put him back to bed. When he heard a noise he managed to open one eye to find Trish and Ella entering the room from the other end of the kitchen.
"Don't come too close," Harm said, opening both eyes. "I kinda made a mess."
"Must run in the family," Trish said with an exhausted smile. "This one's just done the same thing in the living room."
"Sorry, mom," he said, feeling really bad about the mess they'd created but thankful it was their own house and not his mom's.
"It's okay, son," she said, walking Ella around the mess. "I'm going to get Ella cleaned up and put her to bed and then I'll clean it up."
"Can you put her in my bed?" he asked, wanting to be able to look after her the best he could. "I want to look after her."
"Do you think that's wise?" Trish asked, knowing they both needed their space and sleep.
"Yeah," he said. "I can at least be company for her."
"Okay," Trish said with a nod, maybe it would be easier if they were both in the same room.
Once both patients were showered, changed and tucked into bed with buckets nearby, Trish joined Frank who had started the clean up.
"Before you start to help," he said, kneeling in the middle of the living room floor. "I think you should call in the doctor."
Trish nodded, she'd been thinking about that herself. "Okay," she said, moving to make the call.
By the time the doctor arrived, Ella and Harm were asleep and David was restless. As Trish sat with the baby and the doctor, Frank went to wake up the others and was greeted by Ella throwing up into the bucket while Harm looked like he was going to join her at any moment.
"It's okay, baby," Harm said as he tried to soothe her while his stomach tumbled vigorously.
"I want mommy," she cried before throwing up again.
"Me too," Harm said, rubbing her back.
"Mommy knows how to..." she began to say before vomiting. "Make me feel better."
"Well, maybe Dr Walker will help, sweetheart," Frank said, wiping her face before handing her some water.
In the end, the diagnosis was simple; a severe stomach bug had invaded the Rabb household and had them under siege. Plenty of fluids, plenty of rest, and some antibiotics and the patients should be on the road to recovery. With David not being ill and hoping the eight month old wouldn't be affected like the others, Trish suggested Frank take him to their place and she'd stay behind but Frank shook his head.
While Trish had been busy with the doctor and the bigger patients, he had called Mac, something which Trish had been reluctant to do.
"I called Mac, she's headed back on the next flight," he reported, "She'll be here by supper time."
"Why did you call her?" Trish said, and while she had been reluctant to call Mac herself, she was glad Frank had. It was only because of Harm's insistence not to call her she hadn't.
"Because it's her family and she'd want to know," Frank said. "And she did," he continued. "She is quite concerned about them both and was making plans to come home as soon as possible."
"Good, I'm glad," Trish said with a nod before Ella yelled out and Trish went scurrying towards the master bedroom.
By the time Mac made it home, Trish was asleep on the sofa, with David tucked between her and the back of the sofa and Frank was asleep in the armchair. The house smelt of a combination of pine disinfectant and grilled cheese sandwiches the pair had eaten for supper; Ella and Harm both declining food.
"I'm home," she said quietly, coming into the living room and making her way to her son. Three days away were three days too many. "Come to mommy, baby," she said, reaching over her mother-in-law to pick up her boy.
David's eyes opened with the movement and it took him a moment to focus on his mother's face. When he did, a sleepy smile spread across his face and he reached out for her.
"And how are you my precious boy," she cooed as she kissed his forehead, happy when she found he had no temperature. "You're not sick like your daddy and sister are you?"
"Hey, sweetheart," Frank said from behind her. "Sorry we didn't hear you come in."
"Just arrived, Frank," she said, walking across to him and kissing his cheek. "How are things here?"
"Well..." he said before updating her on the doctor's visit, evening's happenings and the fact that the little boy in her arms had so far remained unscathed.
"Maybe I'll just have to send you home with grandma and grandpa until daddy and Ella are better," she said, kissing David's head once more.
She hated doing it, especially after not seeing him for three days but she didn't want to put him through the trauma of a stomach bug.
"We were thinking the same thing," Frank said, standing and stretching. "I'd hate to see the little guy as sick as those two."
Mac nodded before hugging and kissing him again, she really didn't want to let him go but she knew it was the right thing.
Rather than be exposed to the germs of the others and then saying goodbye to David, she held and kissed her boy as Frank woke Trish and they organised their departure.
"Call if you need anything, honey," Trish said, taking her grandson from his mother.
"And you do the same," she said caressing David's face,
"He'll be alright," Frank said, wrapping his arm around Mac and kissing her head. "Now, are you sure you're right with these two? I can stay with you if you like."
"Thanks, Frank," she said appreciatively. "But you both are exhausted. I'm sure I'll be fine tonight and we can re-evaluate in the morning."
Once Frank had reversed out of their driveway, Mac closed the door, took a deep breath and headed to the bedroom. Her two nights in DC had allowed her a total of five hours of sleep due to the hectic schedule and long meetings. As she approached her bedroom, she crossed her fingers in the hope the worst was over.
Finding both still asleep, Mac quickly stripped from her uniform into sweats before moving to Harm's side of the bed. Gently, she caressed his face before planting a soft kiss on his forehead, grimacing when she registered his temperature. Picking up the compress, she poured some water on it before using it to wipe his face, hoping it would bring him some comfort. He stirred momentarily but didn't wake and Mac guessed it was for the best.
Moving to the other side of the bed, she did the same to her daughter and was rewarded with a smile.
"Are you really home, mommy, or am I dreaming?" Ella asked blinking a few times as she looked at her mother.
"I'm really home, baby," Mac said, kissing her head once more. "Grandpa called me and told me how sick you and daddy were and I came straight home."
"Good," she said, trying to sit up so she could hug her mother.
"Come here," Mac said, helping her when she realised her daughter's intention. "How are you feeling, Ella?"
"Bad," she said tearfully. "Really bad."
"Well, mommy's here now," she said, kissing her head. "I'll look after you."
Ten minutes later, with Ella still awake, Mac caressed her daughter's face.
"Aren't you tired?" she asked Ella, glad her temperature was down.
"Yeah," she said with a sigh, "But I've been in bed forever."
"Well, how about we go curl up in the living room and watch a movie," Mac suggested, ignoring the fact it was nearly midnight.
"That sounds good, mom," she said, sitting up once more. "But I'm all smelly and sticky,"
"How about you have a shower first and I'll get you some fresh pj's?" she said and Ella nodded.
The child's enthusiasm, and energy, lasted until she made it into the bathroom and found just stripping off exhausting. One look at her face told Mac all she needed to know about her daughter's wellbeing.
"Would you like mommy to have a shower too and help you?" she asked and Ella nodded with a weary smile. When she was little she loved having a bath or shower with her mom, but now she was nearly eight and a half, it hadn't happened in a long time.
Using her own products on her daughter, Mac washed and conditioned the child's hair before using a soft sponge and body wash all over her sensitive skin.
"Smells nice," Ella said with a yawn.
"It's jasmine and vanilla," Mac said, caressing her face. "You'll smell beautiful."
"Better than smelling like sick," she said, resting her head on Mac's chest.
"Much better," Mac agreed.
When both were adequately washed, dried and dressed in fresh pyjamas, Mac took Ella's hand and led her to the living room before organising the cushions and a blanket on the sofa. Once the girl was settled, Mac returned to the bedroom and collected the bucket, just in case, and placed it next to the sofa. Next, she went into the kitchen for two bottles of water and an ice block rehydration preparation that Trish had purchased for Ella.
"Do you think you can eat this for me?" Mac asked, handing Ella the orange ice block. "It will make you feel better."
"Okay," Ella said with a nod, taking the item.
Ella had chosen Toy Story 3 as her DVD of choice and Mac set it up for them. Once everything was ready, she settled on the sofa and stroked her daughter's head. The child falling asleep a few minutes after she finished her ice block.
Prepared to stay put and allow her daughter to sleep, Mac's plans were altered when she heard noises from the bedroom. Easing herself away from the child, Mac walked towards the bedroom to be confronted by a very disorientated husband coming the other way.
"Don't yell at me," were his first words as he tried to focus on his wife's face.
"Why would I yell at you?" Mac asked coming to stand in front of him.
"I think I'm in trouble," he said looking past his wife.
"Why are you in trouble?" she asked, placing her hand on his face and redirecting his attention back to her.
"I think I've lost the kids," he said, a frown creasing his face. "They were here and now they're not."
"You haven't lost them, beautiful," she said, gently patting his face. "Your mom and Frank took David home with them and Ella is on the sofa."
"Oh, okay," he said with a nod before something registered in his addled brain.
"So, when do you think you'll be home from...wherever you went?" he questioned, his words slow and deliberate.
"I'm home now, Harm," she said, concerned about his level of awareness. Taking his hand she placed it on her face. "See, I'm really here, it's not a dream."
"So, you're home?" he questioned and Mac nodded. "Can you please take care of me?" he questioned and Mac nodded again. "Good," he said before turning around and shuffling back towards their room.
Mac watched as he opened the door to the linen closet rather than their bedroom and tried to step inside.
"Mac," he called. "Now, I've lost the bedroom!"
"Okay, okay," she said gently, taking his hand and pulling him away so she could close the door. "Our bedroom is the next door."
"Since when?" he questioned, allowing her to lead him to wherever she was headed.
"Oh, for a while," she said with half a smile.
"You really shouldn't change these things on me when I'm not well," he said shaking his head.
"I'm sorry," she replied laughing to herself. He may have been sick and disorientated but he was also utterly adorable in his confused state. "I won't move it again."
"Good," he mumbled.
"Harm," Mac said when he just stood in the middle of the room not knowing what to do next. "The sheets need changing, honey. How about you go have a shower and change and I'll remake the bed?"
"Okay," he said with a nod, it sounded like something he could manage.
In the end, all he managed was to take off his top and get his boxers around his knees before fatigue overwhelmed him and he sat on the toilet waiting for his head to stop spinning. He was still there when Mac came in ten minutes later.
"You do know the lid isn't up, don't you?" Mac asked picking up his top to add it to the wash.
"Aha," he said with a nod. "Just a bit dizzy."
"Okay," Mac said, before dropping the bundle of laundry and removing his boxers for him.
Turning, she started the water and made sure it was only warm, knowing he'd most likely pass out on her if it was too hot. Ideally, she would have run him a bath but she had no way of helping him out if he was unable to help her.
"Shower's ready," she said, turning to face him. "Are you?"
"Yeah, I think so," he said, forcing himself to stand.
His few unsteady steps told Mac he couldn't really be trusted by himself, so she quickly stripped off and stepped in with him. Thanks to the elderly couple who owned the house before them, the shower was quite large and had a fold out seat and rails installed. When Mac had first seen them she considered removing them but after the births of her two children and the miscarriage, she'd been grateful for somewhere to sit under the pulsating water.
"Let me help you," she said, pulling down the seat and getting him to sit.
Adjusting the water spray and direction, she allowed it to run over her husband while she lathered up the sponge and tenderly washed his still fevered skin. "You okay?" she asked when she saw his head back against the wall and his eyes shut.
"Yeah," he said with a sigh. "Sorry."
"For what?" she asked as she washed a leg.
"It's one thing doing this for the kids but you shouldn't have to bathe me,' he said, opening his eyes.
"You would do it for me," she said, moving to his other leg.
"Could think of better things to do in here," he said with a smirk.
"Well, you're not as sick as I thought you were," Mac said with a laugh, glad that even in his current state he could proposition her.
"Sadly, all I can do is think...and not very well," he said quietly. "Anything else will definitely have to wait."
"That's okay," she said, kissing her forehead. "I will wait patiently."
After washing and rinsing his hair, Mac turned off the taps and stepped out to grab a towel. Taking her time, she dried him the best she could do in the seated position before helping him stand and step out of the cubicle. While he was still standing she dried him thoroughly before sitting him on the edge of the bed so she could dress him without having him pass out on her.
"I feel like I'm three," he said, raising his arms so she could pull his tee shirt on.
Mac smiled at him as that's what he was expecting, but inside her heart was breaking. Callum would be three by now. She could imagine him being a mini version of Harm, she would be bathing him, dressing him...he'd have the same smile, the same pout...
"Did I say something wrong?" he asked when he saw the tears in her eyes.
"No, honey," she said, pulling his clean boxers up to his knees.
"I think I did," he replied, patting her head in an attempt to comfort her.
"I'm fine," she replied, standing and getting Harm to stand so she could pull the boxers all the way up.
Once he was dressed, Harm wrapped his arms around his wife and pulled her close. "When I'm feeling better I want to have this talk again. Okay?"
"Okay," Mac agreed although she knew they wouldn't; Harm wouldn't remember and she wouldn't bring it up.
Fifteen minutes later, when Harm was asleep in their bed, having had some water and one of the rehydration ice blocks, Mac made her way back to the living room utterly exhausted and very hungry, lunch for her had been the last meal and that was more than 12 hours ago. Seeing Ella was still asleep, Mac smiled wearily before making her way to the kitchen and preparing herself a sandwich.
Two bites in, Ella called out and quickly Mac returned to her.
"Are you okay, El?" she asked, coming into the room.
"Yeah," she said, sitting up. "Just wanted to know where you were."
"I was just getting some supper," Mac said, coming to sit beside her.
"What time is it?" Ella asked, vaguely remembering her grandmother mentioning something about supper too.
"0149," she said, feeling her daughter's head.
"In the morning?" Ella asked surprised.
"Yes, in the morning," Mac confirmed.
"It's way past my bedtime," she said, "I think I'll be very tired at school tomorrow."
"You're not going to school tomorrow, honey," Mac said, wrapping an arm around her. "You're too sick for school."
"Oh, okay," Ella replied, closing her eyes once more."Can we watch Toy Story now? I didn't see much of it before."
Mac stood and started the DVD player before returning to the kitchen to get her sandwich and drink. Coming back to Ella, she placed the items on the floor beside her feet while she pulled the blanket over her daughter.
"How's daddy?" she asked with a yawn, her heavy eyes closing.
"Still sick," Mac replied, stroking her head.
"Is he sicker than me?" she asked, opening one eye.
"Yes, I think he just might be," Mac said, leaning down to pick up her soda.
"That's no good," she said, snuggling closer. "'Cos I feel really bad so he must feel really, really, really bad."
"I think he does," Mac said, leaning down and kissing her forehead.
"Poor daddy," she said with a sniffle. "If he needs you more than me, you can go sit with him."
"You are a wonderful daughter," Mac said, stroking her face. "Once I finish my sandwich, I'll go and check on him."
True to her word, Mac left Ella dozing on the sofa once she'd finished her supper and made her way to Harm finding him asleep but unsettled. Sitting next to him, she caressed his head and soon his head found its way into her lap as he sought out her touch. Once he was in his new position, Harm settled into a deep sleep and Mac finally leant her head back against the bed head and closed her eyes, hoping the worst was over.
Fatigued beyond words, Mac expected sleep to come quickly, even though she was sitting up; alas, there was no such luck. She spent the better part of the next few hours dozing on and off as she listened for signs Ella needed her and when Harm rolled back to his pillow, Mac slipped into the bed and sighed as her head finally sunk into her pillow. It was 0529 and she offered up a silent prayer she'd be able to have some uninterrupted sleep.