Lilly rested her forehead on the toilet rim for a second or two before reaching up and flushing. Dreadful nausea had pulled her from her sleep and she'd only just managed to stagger to the bathroom in time.

She sat back against the wall and panted to control her rapid breathing. She was very tempted to just curl up in a ball on the floor but when the icy chill of a soaring temperature caused her to shiver she stood, with the aid of the side of the bath, and made her way back into the bedroom.

The morning sun that blazed through the open window was very welcoming but the cool breeze that accompanied it caused her to shiver even more so she closed the window. She wanted no more than to climb into bed and snuggle down in the warmth of her quilt but when she looked into Finn's crib, she found it empty. Her high temperature was clouding memory and she had no idea how long it was since she last fed him but her breasts felt firm and sore so figured that he must be due to feed soon.

She was feeling so ill that she could cry, her head pounded, her body ached and her stomach was so very painful, painful enough that she struggled to stand straight and had to lean over slightly as she made her slow way out of the bedroom.

When she began to feel dizzy and light-headed again, she stopped at the top of the stairs and rested her head back against the wall.

"Ben?" She called and slowly sank to the floor, using a hand against the wall to guide her descent. She rested her head on her knees and called for her husband again.

Her world was dimming and she could go no further.

Xxx

"Ben?"

Ben hung his head and sighed before swinging his legs off the sofa. Finn had been so content in his grandfather's arms that he'd agreed to try to grab some sleep while everything was so peaceful. He'd checked on his wife and was pleased to find that her fever was down a notch or two and she was stretched out across the bed sleeping deeply. Instead of disturbing her, he'd decided to take his nap in the lounge and had gratefully sunk into the sofa, closed his eyes and had almost immediately fallen asleep.

He could hear Hanah and Cara softly talking outside and the sound of Sergi singing a soft lullaby to his grandson came from the kitchen. Things seemed in control and he made his way out of the lounge thinking that his wife must be feeling better but, when he found her sitting miserably on the landing, his heart sank.

"Oh Lilly," he sighed as he took the stairs two at a time. "Let's get you back to bed." He knelt at her side and stroked her hair.

Lilly lifted what seemed to be a heavy head. "Does Finn need f-feeding?" She shivered.

Ben placed his hand on her burning forehead. "Finn's fine," he smiled tenderly, "but you're not. Come on, back to bed." He gently helped her to her feet, guided her into the bedroom, and eased her down on the bed.

"I've b-been s-sick," Lilly stuttered as Ben covered her with a quilt.

"Why didn't you call me?" He sat on the edge of the bed and poured a glass of water.

"I d-don't k-know," Lilly shivered and leaned back against her pillows.

"I'm just going to take your temperature, Lils," Ben placed the thermometer he'd grabbed from the cabinet in her ear and held her hand as he waited for the reading. "Sorry I wasn't here," he sighed.

"S'okay."

"Finn was sleeping and you looked so comfortable taking up the whole bed," Ben rolled his eyes to show her that he was only teasing. "So I grabbed a sneaky nap on the sofa," he winked.

"You're as t-tired as m-me," Lilly shuddered and closed her eyes.

Ben snorted and removed the thermometer. "I'm sure I'm not," he said as he glanced at the reading. "Okay, that's not good, Lils," he sighed.

Lilly turned her head and opened one eye. "I'm guessing, by how h-horrible I feel right now that it's p-probably around her 102 mark."

"Try 103.6," Ben replied and grabbed the water and some medication.

"No wonder I'm s-so c-cold," Lilly began to shiver violently again and Ben handed her the water and helped her swallow the capsules.

"W-what time is it?" She asked as Ben then helped her to lie back down.

"I'm not sure," Ben admitted, pulling her quilt over her, "but I'm guessing that it's nearly noon judging by the height of the sun."

"And F-finn hasn't woken for another f-feed?"

"Nope."

Lilly pushed up on one arm and started to sit again. "There's no point t-trying t-to s-sleep again," she stuttered. "He's going to need me s-soon." She tried to pull the quilt off the bed with her but Ben grabbed it first.

"I've got it," he told her as he wrapped it round her shoulders so she could snuggle into its warmth. "Is that better?" He asked as he then tenderly brushed her hair off her hot forehead.

"Y-yes," Lilly nodded.

Ben sat next to her and pulled her into his arms. She immediately let her head fall on his shoulder as she welcomed the warmth of his embrace.

"I am so f-fed up," she admitted.

"I know. You won't feel like this forever," Ben promised and pulled her in closer.

"I can't remember what it f-feels like to be w-well." Lilly wiped the tears that began to fall with the edge of the quilt. "It's not f-fair."

"No it's not Lillyput," Ben agreed and kissed top of her the head. "But you will feel better, you've just got to give the antibiotics a few days to get in your system and they'll soon kick this infection, I promise you."

He sat and rocked her as her shivering started to subside. When she went limp in his arms, he assumed that she'd fallen asleep but she soon started to squirm and pull at the quilt.

"I'm so hot," she moaned softly.

Ben pulled the quilt down and she flopped, bonelessly back against his chest.

"No fun, Benjamin Ashton."

"No fun, Lilly Ashton," Ben agreed, brushing her hair out of her eyes.

They then both sat and listened as Finn's cry soon came from downstairs followed quickly by a knock on their door.

"Come in," Ben sighed.

Hanah poked her head round the door. "Someone's hungry," she smiled.

"We heard," Ben smiled back.

Lilly struggled to sit up straighter as Hanah crossed the room to place her screaming son in her arms.

"I'm sorry, my love," Hanah smiled sadly when Lilly whimpered in pain as she struggled to help Finn latch on again.

"S'okay, Ma," Lilly rested her head back and allowed her son better access to feed.

"Do you need anything?" Hanah patted her hand.

"Some cold juice would be nice," Lilly said and tried to smile.

Hanah leaned and kissed her forehead. "Coming right up," she nodded.

"Thanks," Lilly closed her eyes again with a sigh. She felt really lousy and was happy to just lie in her husband's arms and let him support Finn's head as he greedily suckled on her breast.

As she began to lightly doze, she heard Ben ask her mother to bring up a bowl of tepid water and cloth so she got the impression that her fever was high enough for the helping hand of a bed bath and she wasn't going to complain.

She was hot, miserable and felt so ill.

Life was just not fair.

Xxx

Finn was screaming, Lilly was sobbing and Ben was pulling his hair out. He paced as he tried to calm his son so he could see to his wife who was obviously in considerable pain. He was very grateful when Hanah appeared at his side.

"Give me Finn," she held her hands out for the distressed baby. "You need to see to Lilly."

"I don't know what's wrong with him," he sighed as he handed his son to his mother in law. "He just hasn't settled since his last feed."

"Which was when?" Hanah gently placed Finn over her shoulder.

"About half an hour ago," Ben said as he hurried to his wife's side.

"I'll take him downstairs and see if we can find out what's wrong," Hanah smiled reassuring as she jiggled the still screaming child.

"Thanks, Hanah," Ben returned the smile and then turned his full attention to his wife who was curled up on her side with tears pouring down her flushed face. She had slept most of the afternoon, relatively fever free but as Finn began his evening feed, she had started to cry and complain of terrible abdominal pain. "Okay sweetie," he carded his fingers through her hair. "I need to check you out again my love," he smiled tenderly.

"My stomach really hurt's Ben," Lilly groaned.

"I need you to lie on your back, Lils," Ben gently turned her and apologised when the change of position caused her to sob in pain. "Let's get this gown off," he then started to unbutton her nightgown.

"Do you need me to get anything, Benjamin?" Hanah asked from the doorway as she gently rocked Finn.

"Could you send up a bowl of fresh water and a clean cloth?" Ben could feel the heat of Lilly's returning fever bleeding through her sweat soaked gown.

"Of course, won't be a minute."

"Thanks," Ben smiled as he continued to struggle with Lilly's gown. "I'm just going to sit you up so I can pull it over your head, Lils." He gently lifted her slightly and pulled the garment up and over her head.

"There you go," he smiled as just as he just as gently lowered her back onto the bed. He blew on his hands for a while. "Just need to warm my hands," he grinned, hoping to bring a touch of humour in an attempt to cheer up his sick wife who was still crying in pain. "I won't be a minute, Lilliput," he sighed when Lilly bucked as he then rested his hands on her stomach.

"It's so painful, Ben," Lilly cried. "Why does it hurt so much?"

"Because, you've got a pretty serious infection, I'm afraid." Ben moved to check her discharge. "Yup. No wonder you feel so poorly," he reached for a sheet and covered her lower half. "I'm going to take another temperature," he smiled sadly and grabbed the thermometer. "Fancy guessing this time?" He waggled his eyebrows and grinned again before inserting it in her ear and placing his hand on her forehead. "I might find you a lovely prize!"

Lilly managed to roll her eyes before closing them and taking a shuddering breath. "I think it's around 102," she guessed. The chills of a burning fever hadn't returned but she still felt extremely hot.

"Bang on 102," Ben nodded after the bleep. "Better than it was, but not good, Lils."

"I feel so ill." Lilly licked her lips and ran her fingers through her hair.

"I know you do my love."

"It feels like there is a knife in my stomach," she sobbed, rubbing her hand across her lower abdomen.

"I can give you something stronger for the pain," Ben reached for his med bag, "but it will make you drowsy."

"I don't care, I just want to sleep," Lilly mumbled and placed her other arm over her eyes.

"I need to make a trip to the hospital," Ben stated as he pushed out two stronger painkillers and poured a glass of water. "You really need an IV, some stronger antibiotics and some fluids." He gently lifted her head and helped her take the medication. "I don't want this infection to get any worse," he said and turned at the sound of his mother in law's footsteps. He accepted the bowl and cloth off her with a sad smile.

Hanah sat at his side and took her daughter's hand in hers. "Your father is singing Finn another lullaby," she smiled tenderly as Lilly managed to slowly turn her head to look at her. "Poor little thing," she added with a chuckle.

"Is he okay, ma?"

"He is fine, Lilly."

"He was really screaming."

"Babies do that," Hanah reached over and stroked her forehead. "We will look after him, you don't have to worry. All you need to do is rest and get better, okay?"

"What if he's sick too?"

"Please just rest Lilly, Finn is just fine."

"Promise me he's fine."

"He is."

"I don't want you t-to w-worry ma. I'm g-going t-to b-be f-fine t-too," Lilly gave her mother a shaky but reassuring smile.

"I know," Hanah smiled back, "but I need you to rest, my love," she repeated tenderly.

Lilly's fought sleep for a while but was soon helpless to stop her eyes from fluttering shut. Hanah continued to stroke her forehead. "Shh...Shh..." she soothed and watched as her daughter finally succumbed to her exhaustion.

Ben dipped the cloth in the water and continued to try to lower his wife's fever. "I'm going to need to take a trip to the hospital," he told Hanah as he dabbed at Lilly's face. "She needs some heavy duty antibiotics," he sighed, wiping the cloth over her neck and chest.

"Can't Niall go for you?"

"He won't know what to look for, I'm afraid," Ben shook his head and dipped the cloth again. "I also need to check on dosages when I'm there." He turned and handed Hanah the cloth. "I'll be as quick as I can," he promised, "can you carry on with this? I've given her some pain relief that will make her drowsy so hopefully she will sleep and I'll be back as soon as I can." He stood and started to pack his med bag.

"What about Finn?" Hanah asked as she wiped Lilly's face again.

"I'll go and give him a check up, make sure he's okay. I'm sure he's just over tired and reacting to the fact that his mami is sick. It's funny how newborns pick up on these sorts of things," he shrugged. "He shouldn't need to feed for an hour or so but if he does you'll just have to help him latch on as I don't think Lilly is going to be any condition to help much, I'm afraid." He watched as his wife began to toss her head from side to side and whimper.

"She is going to be alright, isn't she?" Hanah turned and asked softly. "Your medicine will make her better won't it?"

"She's going to be just fine," Ben smiled reassuringly. "In a few days she will be as good as new, you'll see."

"She has lost so much weight," Hanah murmured as she then gently ran the cloth over her daughter's stomach and then felt Ben kiss the top of her head.

"We will feed her up in no time," he gently squeezed her shoulder. "It's just going to take time."

Hanah turned and smiled. "I know," she patted his hand, sighed heavily and then returned to her job.

"Right," Ben grabbed his bag. "I won't be long."

"We will be just fine, won't we Lilly?" Hanah folded the cloth in two and rested it on Lilly's forehead. "Go carefully, Benjamin."

"I will," Ben promised and hurried out of the room.

The sooner he left, the sooner he'd return with the much needed drugs.

His first stop was to check on his son, though.

Xxx

"Come on, little man." Ben gently laid his screaming son on the sofa. "What's all this about, hey?" He lifted his gown and placed his stethoscope on his chest. Finn had been inconsolable since his last feeding and Ben had found Sergi pacing up and down the hall trying his hardest to placate his distressed grandson.

Finn continued to sob as Ben examined him further. He was happy to find no physical reasons for his distress when he then noted that all his vitals were in the normal range.

Fed, burped, changed... Ben mentally ticked off all the other reasons for the crying as he gently turned his son onto his stomach and tied the back ribbon of his gown.

"Oh, Finny," he soothed as he then picked him up and started to rock him, "I know you want mami," he sighed. "But she's poorly, buddy. She needs to sleep so she'll feel better."

"Can I do anything?"

Ben glanced up and smiled at Cara when she walked into the room. "We're fine," he shrugged, jigging Finn up and down as his screams began to crescendo.

"Ma told me that you've got to go to the hospital," Cara raised her voice to be heard. "Give me Finn," she held her hands out for bawling child.

"It's okay..."

"No it's not," Cara reached and gently plucked Finn out of Ben's arms and rested him against her chest. "Lilly needs your medication. You have to go," she said, rubbing her nephew's back.

Ben wiped a shaky hand over his face and then scrubbed it through his hair. "Are you sure you're okay with him?" He asked, watching Cara cradle Finn in her arms.

"We will be fine, won't we Finn Ashton," she smiled as she rocked the infant.

Finn's screams started to taper off as she rocked him and soon he was hiccupping intermittently. "See, he just needed a woman's touch," Cara grinned as she carefully sat on the sofa. "That and his thumb," she giggled when the sound of loud slurping filled the air. "That's so cute."

Ben took a seat at her side and reached to stroke his son's hair. "Very cute," he agreed, smiling at the sight of Finn curled in his auntie's arms, thumb firmly in his mouth.

Cara patted her brother in law's knee. "I have him, Benjamin, you need to help Lilly."

Ben nodded slowly as he sat and watched Finn for a while, making sure he would continue to sleep.

"Thank you," he kissed Cara on the cheek as he stood. "I'll be back soon," he said as he hurried out of the room.

Cara sighed heavily and sat back on the sofa. "Just you and me now hey, Finn Ashton," she gently stroked his cheek. "Let's stay like this so your ma gets some much needed rest."

She had mixed emotions as she held the sleeping baby. Grief for what may have been her own lost child, relief that Finn had arrived safely and, above all, overwhelming concern for her sick sister.

Xxx

"Ma? I think Finn needs to feed." Cara stood at her sister's bed side and rocked her nephew.

Lilly lay bonelessly on the bed, her head rolling from side to side as she fought her fever.

Hanah sighed and placed her cloth back into the bowl. "How are we going to do this?" She mused as she pulled Lilly's sheet down to expose her breasts. She tapped her sick daughter's face and called her name but only received a mumble in return.

Finn's cry was growing, no matter how Cara rocked or encouraged him to suck his thumb so Hanah plucked a pillow, rested it at Lilly's side and reached for her grandson.

"I know, I know," she soothed the crying baby. "You're hungry." She placed Finn on the pillow and guided his mouth towards Lilly's nipple. "There you go," she sighed as he quickly latched on and started to suckle.

She held him in position and glanced over at Cara. "Can you pass me a sheet?" She asked, nodding in the direction of the pile of folded sheets on the chair by the dresser.

Cara crossed, picked up sheet and unfolded it. "What do you want me to do?" She asked, returning to the bedside.

"Right, can you tuck one end in this side," Hanah moved so Cara could reach down and tuck the sheet in the edge of the bed. "And then pull it tightly over Finn and Lilly and tuck it in the other," she smiled. "It should hold Finn in position to feed."

Cara crossed to the other side of the bed to tuck it in and Hanah grabbed another pillow which she rested against her leg and 'sandwiched' Finn between his mother and her. After assuring that he was comfortable and feeding well, she sat back and reached for her cloth again, folded it two and rested it on Lilly's burning forehead.

"What time is it, Car?" She asked as she then sat and stroked Finn's hair.

"After ten," Cara sighed and sat on the end of the bed.

"Benjamin will be back soon," Hanah smiled.

Cara reached and pulled Lilly's sheet up a bit, allowing her sister some decency, knowing she'd be horrified about exposing her naked body. "She looks so sick, Ma, too sick..." she stated sadly as she sat back and watched as Lilly whimpered and groaned.

"Benjamin will sort her out," Hanah said and nodded confidently. "He knows what he's doing Cara."

Cara tried to smile. She had the utmost faith in her brother in law but, she'd never seen her sister so ill before and it reminded her of another time, another place. She was about to voice her fears but noticed the look of total exhaustion and worry on her mother's face.

"Of course he does," she smiled. "Benjamin will make her better," she added with her own nod of confidence.

They then both sat at the sick mother's bedside, offering her as much support as they could, one ear listening for the sound of horse's hoofs at all times.