It had been three weeks since Shem's accident and he was not getting better. His head and chest had healed pretty well, but his leg was still badly wounded. He also had constant fevers and was throwing up. Father even asked him if he was with child one night just to ease the tension. It was hard with Shem not able to help with the children. The girls refused to sleep at night without him putting them to sleep and all Elijah wanted to do was play with him. We had to keep the children away from Shem though so that they wouldn't get ill as well. I was still staying in mother and father's hut with Shem and mother and the twins. I missed our home but I knew how hard it would be if it was just me watching all five children.

I was sitting by Shem's side, rubbing his back while he threw up. Once he was done he lied back down and closed his eyes.

"I am sorry for putting you through this three times Ila." He told me, trying to chuckle a bit.

"It is alright; at least you now know how some of it feels." I replied, whipping some hair away from his eyes, "try to rest some more Shem."

"I want to see my children." He said.

"You are too weak and they might get sick." I told him.

"But I miss them." He said crying a little.

"And they miss you too Shem. I've told them papa is sick and needs to get better. The girls understand." I reassured him.

He sniffled and closed his eyes. Once he was fast asleep, I walked out behind the hut and began to sob. It killed me to see him in so much pain. He hated not being able to do anything or see the children. I jumped when I felt a hand touch my shoulder and turned to meet father's crystal blue eyes. Without hesitation he pulled me into his arms and I began to sob into his chest.

"That's good Ila." He told me, "Let it all out."

"He is in so much pain father and he isn't getting better." I cried.

"That is where you are wrong Ila, he is getting better. The fever and nausea are getting rid of the infections from his wounds and the bone in his leg is mending. He should be able to put some weight on it in a few weeks." He said, "You need to rest Ila."

With that he took me back into the hut and I lied down next to Shem.

"Have someone wake me when Naomi and Asher need feeding." I told him and with that I fell into a blissful slumber.

I felt someone tapping my shoulder.

"Ila." I heard, "the babies need feeding."

I opened my eyes to see mother sitting next to me with the twins in her arms. I sat up and she handed them to me.

"You should start giving them food soon." Mother told me.

"I know." I replied, "I've just been busy."

"He will be better soon daughter." She said, stroking my hair.

I let my head rest on her shoulder while the twins nursed. She stroked my hair and sang to me songs she used to sing when Shem was born.

"That was my favorite." I heard whispered and turned my head to see Shem staring at us.

"It was the only one that would soothe you." Mother told him, "How do you feel?"

"Better, warm but better." He replied.

He lifted his arm and touched Naomi's cheek.

"Hello little ones." He said, "When did you wake Ila?"

"Not too long ago, they were hungry. Maybe since you are feeling better we can all sit outside in a bit." I told him.

"I would like that." He said.

A few hours later, after the twins finished eating and mother re-bandaged Shem, Ham and father helped bring him outside mother and father's tent. I had set up a blanket with a jug of water and extra cloths. The girls were excited to see Shem, but they were also scared by his appearance. He was paler than usual and his leg was all bandaged up. Father and Ham helped set him down and Elijah came darting towards him and collapsed into his lap.

"Papa! He exclaimed happily.

"Elijah!" Shem replied mimicking Elijah's tone.

"Girls come see your father." I told Evi and Adah.

"It okay I am better now." He told them.

At that the girls came over the Shem and sat down next to him.

"What have you girls been doing?" Shem asked them.

Adah opened her mouth to tell him but Evi beat her to it.

"We went swimming and fishing and stitched and I watched baby Jonas and we ate Naama's food and told stories and Uncle Ham let me sleep in his hut with Aunt Na'el and baby Jonas and Adah and Eli and sometimes Asher and Naomi, but they were usually with mama and you were sleeping for a really long time."

"Slow down Evi you will make yourself sick!" mother scolded her, "Let your sister talk."

"I missed you papa and mama cried a lot." Adah told him.

"She did? Why did she cry?" he asked her.

"Because she loves you papa," Evi told Shem, "That is why."

"And I love mama." Shem said, leaning over to kiss me.

"No!" Elijah screamed while Evi tried to cover his eyes.

"This is not for babies." She declared.