A/N: Thank you so much for all of the kind words! They really do mean a lot to me especially now. I am going to apologize now for any mistakes. Its finals week and my brain has turned into total mush. Also I know nothing about doctors and hospitals. Most of my knowledge comes from TV shows, so there a good chance things might be inaccurate. Enjoy and please let me know what you think!
I must have fallen asleep because next thing I knew Henry was shaking me away. "What's wrong?" I asked jumping up.
"I threw up." Henry mumbled looking miserable and embarrassed.
I glanced over on his side of the bed; he probably hadn't woken up in time to make it to the garbage. I held back a worried sigh, it looked like it was turning into that kind of flu, the kind where nothing stayed inside for too long. I hated this flu, it was not only gross but made Henry more miserable and in more pain.
I quickly turned into concerned mom mode, "Let's get you cleaned up."
I helped Henry out of bed and down the stairs. In the bathroom I sat him down on the closed toilet seat and helped him out of his dirty shirt, looked like I was going to do laundry a lot sooner then I had expected. I grabbed a washcloth and ran it under cold water. Even though Henry was shivering he was hot to touch due to his fever. I ran the washcloth over his face and chest to both clean and cool his body down.
"I think I'm going to be sick again." Henry moaned, and I sprung into action again. I quickly got him off the toilet and onto the floor.
I opened the lid just in time for him to throw up into the toilet instead of on it saving me from another mess that I would have to clean up. I ran my hand up and down his bare back trying my best to comfort him.
I glanced up briefly at the door when I heard creaking and saw Mary standing in the doorway. "I'm sorry did we wake you?" I apologized.
"No its okay. How is he doing?" she asked looking concerned.
I shook my head, "He's already thrown up in bed, but luckily I got him into the bathroom fast enough for round two."
Mary shot us a sympathetic look and moved out of the doorway, I wasn't sure where she was off to.
"You finished?" I asked when Henry picked his head up.
He shook his head yes and leaned against me. He closed his eyes and tried to catch his breath.
"Do you feel any better?" I prodded.
Henry shook his head no and moaned. The kid was miserable, not that I could blame him throwing up was no fun.
Mary came back into the bathroom with a clean sleep shirt for Henry, my baby blanket, and a glass of water.
"Thank you Ms. Blanchard." Henry managed to get out.
"It's no problem sweetie." She leaned forward and kissed his forehead.
Mary's eyes widened with worry when they met mine. I mouthed I know to her, both of us were worried over how high Henry's fever was.
"Feel better." she told Henry and grabbed his dirty shirt before I could stop her.
I turned back to Henry with the cup of water, "Slow sips." I reminded him.
Henry nodded his head in agreement and I helped him take a few sips of the water. I was hoping not to have another repeat so soon, but no such luck. Once he was finished with round three I only allowed him to rinse his mouth out, we would try more water or another liquid later once his stomach had a chance to settle.
"It hurts Mommy." Henry cried and curled into me.
"I know." The poor kid didn't have anything in his stomach. I was actually surprised he had anything left to throw up.
I helped Henry into the clean shirt and laid his head on my lap with the blanket spread out over his shoulders.
"Try and get some more rest." I soothed wanting Henry to take advantage over a moment of not having to be sick. I didn't take long for the kid to fall back asleep.
"Any better?" Mary asked peaking her head back into the bathroom.
I sighed, "No. I think he's getting worse. I'm sorry we're keeping you awake." I felt guilty for keeping her up.
"It's fine, really." She said, "Oh I threw the dirty sheets and shirt into the wash."
"You didn't have to do that." Now I felt guiltier then before.
"I wanted to. You just help your son and make sure he gets better soon."
I gave Mary a relieved, but tired smile. She gave me one back and headed out again hopefully to get some sleep.
I ran my hand over Henry's forehead hoping to find him cooler to touch, but no such luck. I knew it was wishful thinking on my part, but sometimes throwing up helps. It was a good thing the thermometer was still upstairs, I was afraid to see what the kid's temperature was. I had no plans of going back up there anyway. There was no way I was leaving my sick son alone in the bathroom and I wanted to play it safe and keep him in here until we were sure he was done throwing up.
I tried my best to get comfortable on the floor, I had a feeling it was going to be a long night.
The next time I woke up it was because of Henry again. Only this time it wasn't him shaking me awake. My eyes burst open when I felt my son jump off of my lap and heard the all too familiar sound of retching. I quickly moved to comfort him, but was taken aback by how hot his neck was. This was not a good sign.
The kid was panting when he finished a moment later. I was about to flush the toilet when I noticed something wrong, blood. Thankfully Mary was walking by at that exact moment so I didn't have to leave Henry to get her.
"Mary could you get your car ready for us?" I called out to her.
"Of course, what for?"
"I need you to take Henry and me to the hospital." I answered in a steady voice.
Her eyes widened when she heard my request, but was quick to respond.
I heard a whimper and turned to look at my son, "I don't want to go to the hospital." Henry cried, the tears were already falling.
I gathered him up into my arms and started to rock him, "I know kid. I wish I didn't have to take you, but I have no choice. You're fever is way too high and you just threw up blood."
This new information just made Henry cry harder. I continued to rock him and whisper comforting words into his ears. I tried my best not to show how scared I was. I needed to keep a brave face on for my son.
Mary stuck her head back into the bathroom, "The car is ready."
I helped Henry stand up and walk into the main room. As quickly as possible I gather his coat and a pair of socks and helped him put both on. Then I got myself ready and grabbed all the important documents that I may need.
"We're ready." I told Mary who had been sitting with Henry while I was getting ready. She nodded her head and got up off the couch. "Tell me if you are going to be sick." I whispered into Henry's ear before giving him another kiss.
As carefully as possible I picked my son up. I swear he felt lighter then the last time I had to carry him, which was not a good sign since that was months ago. The three of us headed down the stairs and into Mary's car. Inside of it I kept Henry on my lap afraid of letting him go. I needed to contact almost as much as he did.
The ride to the hospital was thankfully short and Henry did not get sick. The sun was just starting to rise so no one was on the road but us. Henry was shivering in my arms due to a combination of chills and fear. I tried my hardest to comfort him keep him calm.
Mary pulled up to the front entrance and turned around to face us. "You head inside and get him settled. I'll find a spot to park then meet you."
"Thanks again." I carefully got out of the car with Henry still in my arms.
The hospital was just as empty as the roads so it didn't take long for them to admit Henry. He was given a bed, changed, and had an IV drip a lot faster then usual. A nurse had even come into check him over. Just as I had thought his fever was way too high and he was severely dehydrated. I held onto his hand as he fell back to sleep.
Mary quietly joined me at my son's bedside as we waited for Dr. Whale. Even if she wasn't saying or doing anything it was nice to have her support. Just her presence was enough to calm me down.
Finally Dr. Whale entered the room, "So what seems to be the problem?'
"Henry wasn't feeling well yesterday. It was the usual fever and he was tired and achy. I thought he was just coming down with the flu. He started throwing up in the middle of the night. And as soon as I saw blood on his vomit I asked Mary to drive us here." I explained.
Dr. Whale was busy checking over Henry's information and writing down on his clipboard. "I'm going to have a nurse come in and draw blood to start. Hopefully from there we can figure out what is making Henry so sick."
"Thank you."
Dr. Whale gave a small nod with his head before leaving the room.
Mary put her hand on my shoulder, "It's going to be okay Emma. Henry is young and in good health. I'm sure he'll bounce back in no time after Dr. Whale figures of what is making him sick."
"I hope you are right." I sighed.
"Mommy?" Henry moaned weakly.
"Hey kid," I gave him a gently smile and started running my fingers through his bangs.
"Where am I?" he asked, and I tried not to look worried. He just woke up and his high fever could easily account for the confusion.
"You're in the hospital do you remember why?"
Henry blinked a few times before answering, "Fever and blood."
"Yeah that's right, Dr. Whale was just in here and he is going to figure out what is making you so sick."
The same nurse that had gotten Henry settled in was back in the room.
"I am here to take Henry's blood." She said with a big smile on. If she was trying to keep us calm with that smile, it wasn't going to work. It was too early in the morning to be that happy and peppy.
"Blood!" Henry gasped; he had never done well with needles.
"Henry it's going to be okay." I put both my hands on his face and made him look at me. He did not need to have a panic attack right now. "Just focus on me, it will all be over soon.
Henry nodded his head; I could still see the fear in his eyes. "Hey keep your eyes on me." I reminded him as they wondered over to where the nurse was prepping his arm.
He squeezed his eyes shut when the needle entered him and I leaned my forehead against him for more contact. I also continued to hold onto his face so he couldn't turn and look. Mary was even holding his free hand and allowing him to squeeze it.
"There, all done." The nurse said as she pulled the needle out.
I waited until she cleaned up his arm and left the room before letting my son go. "You did it kid. Now why don't you try and get some more sleep."
Henry nodded his head, having blood drawn had taken a lot out of him. As soon as his head hit the pillow he was out.
"You know you should listen to your own advice." Mary whispered.
I turned to look at her, "What do you mean?"
"You should get some rest too. All this stress is going to make you sick too. Henry is going to need you well rested when he gets released."
"Even if I wanted to sleep I don't think I can." I explained to her, though Mary wasn't taking no for an answer.
"You have to try. I'll keep watch and wake you as soon as Dr. Whale comes back with any news."
I nodded my head and agreed to try. Mary sounded a lot like my mother right now, and I was in no place to argue. I laid my head next to Henry's and grabbed his hand in mine as I tried to fall asleep.
