Your Cell is Ready
Ch 19
Fight
A knock at the front door and the ding of the doorbell had awoken Joker and he yawned and rubbed his eyes before noticing the sleeping woman next to him. He had a slight headache from last night's drinking, but he would deal with it. Right now, he focused on his bed partner and watched her eyelids twitch occasionally, suggesting that she was dreaming. The doorbell rang again and he rolled his eyes. It was probably the colleague Sera talked about and he quickly tapped her cheek, "Hey, someone's at the door."
Sera stirred and cringed when she saw a ghostly face greeting hers and she jumped to her hands and knees, "How did I get here? What the-?"
"The door," Joker repeated.
There was a loud knock this time and Sera quickly climbed to her feet and immediately regretted it, "Ugh!" she groaned, feeling the migraine forming at her forehead, "Were we drinking last night?"
"The door sweetheart!"
Sera fumbled around until she reached the door and quickly unlocked the deadbolt and pulled it open. A woman in her thirties was waiting patiently.
"Oh did I interrupt something?" the woman asked, seeing Sera's disheveled look and tired eyes.
"No Miranda, you didn't. I just had a rough night and I have two shows to do today."
"You should get some more sleep girl before you pass out on stage. Oh here," Miranda started and withdrew a large envelope from her tote, "Your results. I hope things turn out in your favor and for Gabe's sake."
"I don't think I'll win either way," Sera admitted.
"Well, if you need to talk to someone, I'm always-"
Sera waited for Miranda to finish, but saw that her friend was staring just past her, "Miranda?"
"I'm sorry, I didn't realize you had company," Miranda said.
Sera's eyes widened and she briefly glanced over her shoulder only to find Joker standing a few feet away and making coffee. He turned around to look at them.
She needed to come up with something fast and suddenly remembered, "Miranda, this is J- erm Nathaniel. He's...well he's..."
"Her boyfriend," Joker filled in.
"Y-yes," Sera agreed and vowed to injure him later.
Miranda leaned in and whispered, "I didn't know you had a boyfriend. You need to visit me at the hospital more often so we can chat." She looked over Nathaniel, "What's with the makeup? He looks just like that clown from a few years ago, ya know, the crazy one?"
"He works in the entertainment business as an impersonator. He looks like the real deal doesn't he?" Sera asked, hoping her friend would believe the lie.
"Very convincing, except his hair. Didn't the original have poofy dreads? Well anyways, you look awesome Nathan! I would never be able to tell you apart from the original!" she said to Joker.
Joker smiled at Miranda and rose his coffee mug in a sort of salute, "Thank you madam," he said politely.
Miranda's attention turned back to Sera, "Your boyfriend has a shit load of talent. He even sounds authentic." She brought her tone back down to a whisper, "He's got a nice bone structure in that face of his and a killer body. I can only imagine what he looks like with all that makeup off. So does Nathan have any brothers? If they're as good looking as he is, I wanna meet them!"
"Oh, he doesn't...sorry," Sera chuckled and she finally took the envelope, "Thanks for bringing this over."
"Come on by the hospital soon and we'll do lunch. Bring your man with you. I'm sure the staff would love to meet him. Maybe we can talk him into performing for us," Miranda teased, "I'd better be going. Good luck hun."
Miranda then disappeared around the corner and Sera closed the door and sighed heavily, "Oye..." she muttered.
Joker chuckled, "That went well, good performance sweetheart."
Sera didn't say anything, but held the thick envelope in her fingers. She wasn't sure she wanted to open it. Who knows what kind of reaction Joker would have when he found out.
"Well, let's hear it," Joker said, coaxing her into opening the package.
She breathed deeply and tore the seal off the top and took out a set of documents, folded up neatly with an official hospital watermark on each page. She unfolded the papers and read the opening letter. It was basic generic statement and she tossed it aside. Joker approached her side and waited while she read, sipping away at his coffee.
Then finally, Sera found the results and Joker peeked over her shoulder to read them as well.
'Race Description Specimen ID Specimen Collection Mother: Sera Johnston, caucasian Combined Paternity Index = 36,590 to 1 Conclusion: The alleged father, Nathaniel Douglas, cannot be excluded as the biological father of Gabriel Johnston. Based on the genetic testing results, the probability of paternity is 99.99% when compared to an untested random man of the North American population. (Prior Probability = 0.5) At least 99.99% of the North American population is excluded from the possibility of being the biological father of the child.'
Child: Gabriel Johnston, caucasian
Alleged Father: Nathaniel Douglas, unknown
Probability of Paternity = 99.99%
Sera lowered the papers. The truth was out, even though she already knew the results, having it on paper sort of sealed the deal. She glanced at Joker, who showed no emotion and began gulping the remainder of his coffee before placing the mug in the sink. He spun around and leaned against the counter, crossing his arms and looking solemn. Sera remained silent, waiting to see if he would have an outburst but she was surprised when he said...
"I guess the joke's on me. I didn't anticipate this."
"How could you not? You raped me. What do you think comes of screwing around with people?" she asked sternly.
"Well I didn't know I was capable of fathering a child!" he retorted, "And I don't like your tone of voice!"
"So what now? Are you planning to leave or look after your responsibilities? Quite frankly, I think we were doing just fine without you!"
Joker growled, "Keep it up sweetheart and I'll show you what I like to do to women who talk back to me!"
She had a lot of nerve because she continued, "I know exactly what you would do! Attempt to ruin my life again! I don't know how you could possibly make my life any worse than you already have!"
That did it. Joker pounced at Sera, grasping her around the throat and dragging her into the dining room. He slammed her on the table hard, still holding her by the throat, "I figured you would be smarter than the last girl. She payed dearly for each act of defiance."
Sera choked but managed to spit out, "I know of that g-girl! You cut her to ribbons and you killed her! I read her entire file at the hospital!"
"Riddler killed Eve!"
"No! You did! By dumping her into those chemicals you turned her life into a downward spiral! And now you're trying to do the same to me!"
"What're you talking about?" Joker demanded and he eased his grip slightly, wanting to know how he wrecked her life as well.
"After you raped me, I had to explain to everyone that you were still alive. They all thought I was crazy! The police turned against me and the hospital administration fired me! After I got out of the hospital, I had to explain to my fiancee what you'd done and he broke off our engagement! My parents disowned me the second they found out I was pregnant with an illegitimate child and that I broke my church vows! I just barely recovered when I attended an audition for 'Little Shop of Horrors' and was selected for the role of the dental nurse! It was an easier role for the pregnant girl! Afterwards I made connections and regained my feet before Gabriel was born..."
Joker didn't let go of her, "So I messed up a few things in your life, so what? You aren't the only one with problems sweetheart! You could have chosen to abort the pregnancy, why didn't you?"
"Because it's against my morals and my religion! It wasn't Gabe's fault so why would I punish him for something you did? Plus I could never take the life of an innocent baby and live for the rest of my life knowing what I've done!"
Before Joker could say anything, the two of them heard a small and frightened voice in the hallway.
"Mommy..."
Sera looked at her son as best as she could and called out to him, "Honey go to your room!"
"But mommy!" Gabriel cried and came a little closer.
"Do as your mother says!" Joker yelled harshly.
The scared child didn't need to be told again and he hightailed it back to his bedroom. Meanwhile Joker pulled Sera to her feet, not letting go of her throat and he pushed her backwards down the hall and into her bedroom. He forced her down onto the bed and began stripping off her clothes. Her shirt split down the back as he tore it away from her.
"Joker, stop!" she pleaded and began pushing against his chest as he came down on top of her. He forced up her bra and immediately clamped his lips down on one of her mounds, sucking the skin and biting. He was incredibly rough. "Stop it! Not with Gabe in the house!" she screamed again but he ignored her plight.
Joker backed away from her breast, "Shoulda thought about that sooner sweetheart."
"Please don't do this to me again! I can't go through the emotional pain!" she begged, feeling Joker ripping apart her jeans and pulling them down her legs. He pushed apart her thighs and lay down between them.
"I have an erection sweetheart. A nice...long...thick...erection. Can you feel it?" he asked seductively and he thrust his still clothed hips forward to make a point.
She felt his hardened length against her core but she couldn't find her words.
"Answer me!" he barked, scaring her.
Her eyes welled up with humiliation, "Y-yes..." she whispered and her tears spilled down her cheeks.
"I desperately want to fuck you sweetheart, but I'm holding off. Do you know why?"
She shook her head.
"Because I've already got one accident sitting in the other room! So...here's what I'm thinking we should do. I'm going to adjust the rules."
"How?"
"You're going to help me make my debut. I'm not going to tell you when I'm going to do it or how. When the time comes, you will know. Not only will the city know that I'm still alive, your record with the hospital and the police will be clean and who knows, you may get your job back."
"Who says I want it back?"
"Shut up! That's not the point! In exchange for my giving you your life back, you will assist me in every way, shape, or form."
"This isn't an even trade, you're getting far more from me!" she complained.
"I never said I played fairly," he retorted, "Now then, from here on out. You will continue to go to work and pretend that nothing is happening at home. When we go out, it will be the three of us together and you will not attract attention to yourself and you will continue to acknowledge me as Nathaniel or Nathan in public and keep up the impersonator cover. Your son stays home with me when you go to work, to keep you from getting any ideas. And last sweetheart, our relationship is going to reach a new level..." His finger trailed along her belly and began tracing one of the stars on her hip, "But I don't need anymore mistakes. From now on, you will disclose to me when you are most fertile so we can avoid more accidents. Don't try to lie to me, I will keep track."
"Why would I give you private information like that?" she spat out.
"Because I don't wear rubbers sweetheart. Unless you plan on getting knocked up again, I suggest you tell me when it's safe to fuck you!" he yelled.
"And if I refuse you?"
"A bullet between your kid's eyes," he said blandly, "I have my resources and keep in mind, I've killed thousands of people, including children."
"But none of them were your own..." she muttered.
Joker didn't reply to that, just peered at her angrily. He didn't like her playing the biological card.
"If I am being forced to abide by your rules, can I make a request?" she asked.
"Depends on the request."
"You don't force yourself on me. And please stop making threats against Gabriel. Leave him out of the picture and I can assure you I will cooperate in your big unveiling and you can sleep with me all you want, unprotected. I won't resist you anymore. You can have my calendar in the nightstand to track me all you want. My period starts mid next week, so the chances of getting knocked up from now until then is slim to none."
Joker thought about it for a moment, "So, free room and board and unlimited access to your body as long as I don't threaten the kid and I actually have to work to get you riled up and in the sack. Sounds like a challenge, I accept." He backed off of her and reached for the nightstand, opening a drawer and pulling out a pocket sized calendar. He stashed it in his jeans and rolled off the bed, leaving the shocked Sera behind.
That was too close for comfort. She managed to avoid his advances but just barely, but she couldn't but think she made a stupid deal and who knows how long he planned on staying in her apartment. Weeks, months, years? She sighed and got off the bed and headed for her closet to retrieve new clothes.
Gabriel was peeking outside of his bedroom and he cowered when he saw Joker leaving his mother's bedroom alone.
Joker saw the little boy's frightened eyes and he paused in front of the kid's room briefly, "Parents fight occasionally kiddo." Without another word, Joker continued down the hall. Gabe burst out of his room and ran straight to his mother's, pounding on the door until she let him in.
"Mommy! What happened? did that man hurt you?" he cried, "I told him Iron Man would kill him if he did!"
"I'm okay baby," she said, comforting her son, "Come inside, we have a lot to talk about."
Confused, but curious, Gabe followed his mother into her room and she began the long conversation about Joker's identity. There were lots of questions and she did what she could to answer them and she also emphasized that Joker would not hurt him as long he was good and not give a reason to make the clown angry. There was no crying from Gabe. He struggled to understand why Joker was his dad, but Sera promised that she would explain that to him when he was much older.
"Just for now, I need you to pretend that Joker is a friend when we're outside in public."
"Okay."
The two of the hugged one last time before leaving her room and going out into the kitchen. Gabe pushed a chair up to the counter and he fetched his cereal bowl from the cupboard and grabbed a spoon. He wanted cheerios today and Sera poured him a bowl and let him get his own milk. He settled down at the table to eat, occasionally staring at the man who was his new father. Sera joined her son at the table with two slices of toast and tea. "Gabe I have to leave soon for a show."
"Yay!" he exclaimed excitedly.
"Gabe you have to stay home," she added.
"What? No!"
"Honey, you have to. It's part of a game."
"But I want to play with Charlie!" he whined.
"Gabriel, you have to stay here. It's the rules."
"I don't wanna..." Gabe then pursed his lips and brow furrowed. He was sulking.
After a long fight, Gabe wound up running to his room, upset. Sera could hear him throwing toys around and she began massaging her temples in frustration. Still, the show must go on and she prepared to leave.
Joker waited by the door and grabbed her around the waist before she could unlock the deadbolt. Her back was pressed to his chest and she could feel one of his rogue hands wandering up to her breasts. His fingers massaged through her shirt and he laid a set of kisses along her neck, "Remember sweetheart, you gave up all your rights to me."
She didn't respond, but let him continue as he pleased.
"When you get home, I'll be waiting for you," he said and he watched her disappear out the door.
Later that evening Sera took her time driving home. There was only one more night left of Cats and then next week, she promised her friends she would meet them for tea at the local Starbucks before the auditions. So she had a week to practice and brought home a handful of music. Upon entering, she saw that all the lights were off except the kitchen. She wondered if Gabriel was all right and she kicked off her shoes before dropping her music and purse on the counter. She padded down the hallway lightly, turning on a light so she could see. She knocked on Gabe's door and the little boy answered, getting excited to see her.
"Mommy!" he squealed and hugged her leg. It appeared he'd forgotten about earlier.
"Did you eat anything?" she asked.
"Not right now, I had some pizza from the party earlier. Can I have some ice cream?"
"A little bit, did you eat anything healthy today?"
"Um..."
Sera sighed and took his hand, "C'mon, you can have a scoop but tomorrow you need to eat a little better. You can't have junk food all week." She brought him into the kitchen and pulled out the neopolitan ice cream from the fridge. She fully intended to spend the day cooking tomorrow so there were plenty of healthy leftovers for Gabe to eat. Joker could fend for himself. "Your new lessons will be in the mail this week."
Gabe was home schooled and in kindergarten. He only had partial weeks of lessons in the fall and was a little ahead of his classmates by already knowing his full alphabet, capability of counting to two hundred, and writing full sentences. He could also read at a second grade level. Sera expected that he would be doing first grade level work by the end of winter.
She finished scooping a small bowl for him and gave him a spoon, "It's late baby, make sure you jump into the tub so we can get you cleaned up and then its bed time."
She spent the better part of an hour getting him ready for bed and intended to get her nightly tea going. Her voice was a little sore from singing as it normally was after a long day of performing. The honey infused tea was very soothing. Joker must have been waiting for her in the bedroom but he would have to wait longer because she felt very gross being covered in sweat and she still had her cat makeup on. She refilled the tub for herself and undressed. The water felt so good and her muscles relaxed. The bath salts smelled lovely; cloves and sage. She soaked for a few minutes before taking a cloth and washing away her gold and black makeup. Afterwards, she dipped her head underwater and came back up. Once she cleared the water from her eyes, she realized the overhead lights had been dimmed and she felt a sense of dread.
"You came home awfully late."
Sera heard the door close and the knob was locked. Joker wandered over to the edge of the tub and knelt down next to her.
"I had a glass of champagne with my friends. We always do after the last show of the night," she said.
"Ah, so you're starting the night early?" he teased.
"I don't plan to get drunk again." She began washing down her arms and shoulders.
Joker smiled and he started stripping off his clothes, shirt first and he tossed it to the hamper before removing his jeans. He had nothing on underneath, obviously not having much of a wardrobe in her home. Then he climbed into the oversized tub with her. She scrunched up her legs to allow him to get comfortable and then stretched them back out when his lower body submerged in the water. He took one of her feet and began to rub it. "Sore my lovely?"
"A little. My feet always get sore from dancing so much." She couldn't help but moan her approval when he hit a particular sore spot on the sole. After a few minutes, he switched to her other foot and did the same. She relaxed against the edge of the tub, leaning her head back and exposing her throat. She shut her eyes, relishing in his touch as his hands started slowly massaging up her calves and eventually her thighs. One of his fingers grazed her folds and she shuddered. She didn't reject his advance as he started to lean in and pressed his belly against hers.
He had a full blown erection pushing against her core but he ignored it for now, "Do I make you hot?"
She knew better than to say otherwise, but had to admit that his hands worked wonders, "What happens if I say yes?" she whispered.
Joker grinned, "Then I'll do this," he said quickly and connected his mouth with hers, catching her by surprise. As agreed upon, Sera didn't resist as he snaked his tongue into her mouth and started to explore while his hands slowly slid up from her thighs and to her waist. He picked her up and sat back, bringing her with him. He placed her in his lap so her body rested against his tumescent length.
Knowing she probably wasn't going to get out of this tonight, she may as well put forth an effort. She needed to be convincing for the sake of her son. She pressed him back into the edge of the tub and forced her tongue into his mouth, taking over dominance. She ran her fingers through his hair, gently tugging a strand here and there. Then she broke the kiss and moved her lips down his chin and along his throat. She made him tilt his head back so she could gain access to more flesh. Then her tongue slid out of her mouth and she licked along his jugular until she reached his hairline. Her mouth opened wider as she attached her lips to his skin and began sucking on it.
"Oh sweetheart..." Joker moaned as he felt a growing warmth in his groin. It was falling out of control and he liked it. Occasionally her teeth would nip him, eliciting signals to rush down his spine and encourage him to get a move on, but he held off, curious to see what she would do next. He brought his arms up and let them drape over the side of the tub as she continued to suck his neck.
While her mouth was busy, she dropped her hands under the water and started massaging his stomach and lower belly. Then her pelvis started to undulate against him, rubbing along his rock hard penis and making it harder for him to sit still.
"Shit..." he growled.
She felt she'd done enough to torture his neck and backed away. A deep red and purple mark was left behind, contrasting heavily with his white skin.
He adjusted his position in the tub slightly so that he was sitting up a bit straighter and he wrapped his arms around her waist, bringing her closer so her chest was right in his face. He then tiny fluttering kisses along her breast bone before moving slightly to the right and taking in her very swollen nipple. He nursed on it like an infant at first and then increased the pressure, doing the same as she did on his neck. Her skin was turning a deep shade of red and he could feel the tip of it becoming erect.
Sera threw her head back and her arms encircled his neck. It was getting impossible to drag this out any longer, however Joker had other ideas and encouraged her to slide back slightly so her legs were straddling his thighs and he pushed his hand between them until he felt her soft curls and eventually her folds. He spread apart her delicate nether lips and inserted one finger into her. She was damn near as tight as she was the first time he fucked her.
He didn't want to spoil the mood, so he avoided asking her about it and continued pumping his digit, eventually joining it with a second. It was so damn difficult to get it up into her body but he persevered and forced it in. She made a small grunting sound but didn't stop him and she took her hands away from his torso and placed them on his shoulders to lift herself up. Joker's fingers slipped out of her and he grew disappointed with her move. His length became very lonely when she got off it.
Sera stood up out of the water. Before Joker could protest, she sat down on the edge of the tub opposite of him and spread apart her legs. He had a great view of her femininity and instantly dove forward across the tub. His sense were going nuts and he gripped onto his cock so he could masterbate. After staring madly at her labia, he dove in for the kill, sinking his tongue into her folds and drinking to his heart's content. She was a delectable flavor; a mild sweet and bitter combination...so pleasant to the senses. He closed his eyes and breathed in deeply, allowing her scent to fill his nostrils. His tongue dipped even deeper into her crevice and he was enjoying the mewls and groans she let out as he ate her. If he didn't do something soon, he would accidentally jerk himself into orgasm. He released himself and stopped licking her in favor of kneeling before her and grabbing her hips.
"I can't take it anymore sweetheart," he said as he lined himself up with her, "I need relief!"
"N-now..." she begged.
Seconds before Joker was about to enter her, there was a knock on the bathroom door.
"M-mommy..." called a little voice from the other side.
Joker groaned, his mood killed. This kid was starting to drive him crazy, "Ignore him. He'll go back to bed." He then proceeded to readjusting her and rubbing his tip along her warm folds.
The knocking continued.
"I have to check on him," Sera said and she slipped out of Joker's grasp, much to his irritation, "Something may be wrong." She grabbed her bath robe off the door hook and put it on before opening the door and turning up the light so she could see him. What she saw shocked her.
Gabriel's face was deathly pale and his eyes were red. It looked like he was having some sort of reaction to something.
"Oh my god, Gabriel!"
The child gasped, struggling to pull in air and he was tearing up, "M-mom...my...can't brea..." he managed to say.
"Honey you can't breathe?"
He nodded profusely and gasped again.
"All right baby! Just stay calm, mommy's gonna get some clothes and we're taking you to the hospital!"
Joker climbed out of the tub and immediately grabbed for a towel and wrapped it around his waist before picking up his clothes and exiting the bathroom. Sera had carried Gabe into her room and deposited him on the bed while she quickly threw on her jeans and a fresh shirt. She wrapped her son in a blanket and began to carry him out towards the kitchen. Joker wound up doing the same and he followed the pair out into the kitchen. There was no way he was letting them go alone. In fact, he was suspicious of this. Was the kid truly sick? Or did Sera plan this?
Sera ran out the door and was about to lock up when Joker grabbed the door handle and prevented her from doing so.
"What're you doing?" she shouted, "We have to go!"
"I'm going with you. I don't trust you for a second and you better choose a different hospital because I'm not going there," Joker said blandly.
"We have to go to the emergency room!" Sera roared.
"I can't go to Gotham city hospital! Too many people there who might recognize me!" he screamed back.
Joker stepped outside into the cool air behind them while Sera quickly locked up and all three of them jogged to her car. Sera placed Gabriel into the back seat, laying him down and was about to climb into the driver's side, but Joker already took up residence in it. Pissed off, she hopped in the passenger side, "Drive." She thrust her keys into his hand.
"Where to?"
"There's a 'Goodnight Pediatrics' off of 47th and Sunset."
It didn't take long to get to the children's center. Luckily, they had all sorts of emergency tools and medicines for these occasions. Sera rushed Gabriel through the doors and to the front desk while Joker casually strolled in, not drawing attention to himself. Luckily it was a slow night. There was only the nurse at the desk.
"Ma'am my son is lethargic and showing signs of an allergic reaction!" Sera cried.
The nurse jumped to her feet and immediately looked over the gasping child. Then she quickly picked up her phone and called for a gurney. Two doctors rushed out into the waiting room and took Gabriel from Sera and placed him on the stretcher. One doctor slipped a pulse oximetry on his middle finger while the other fitted an oxygen mask over his nose and mouth. Sera followed the doctors into the emergency room. Joker followed a good distance behind, eventually stepping inside the room and watched the doctors do their job. Sera was in tears. It was obvious that this wasn't a 'planned illness' when he saw a doctor injecting something into Gabriel's arm.
Sera stepped away as the doctors worked and took a seat next to Joker. She appeared to be calmer, but worry was written all over her face.
An hour later...
Gabriel was hooked up to a large machine and he had a tube leading into his mouth. Puffs of white steam rose up within the tube. It was near one o'clock in the morning. Gabe was out cold in the bed and Joker was sitting upright in his chair, asleep. Sera was laying across the clown's lap, out as well. There was a tapping at the door and both Joker and Sera jumped, waking each other up.
A nurse appeared, "Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you," she said, "You're both the parents?" She was looking at Joker, confused by his appearance.
Sera nodded and awaited the nurse's news, "Is it an allergy?"
The nurse flipped through her clipboard, "After we reviewed your son's blood tests, we didn't find anything wrong with his blood pressure. However his chest x-rays were alarming. His bronchial tubes are heavily inflamed. Has your son been exposed to a lot of dust, smoke, or plants?"
"No, I keep my house very clean. No smokers are in the household and I don't keep plants," Sera replied.
"Well we found small traces of plant pollens lining his trachea and we believe that is the cause. It's triggered asthmatic symptoms," the nurse explained, "It's interesting, we can't identify what type of plant the spores originated from."
Sera's eyes widened and her first response was to glare at Joker, who only shrugged. ""What do you suggest for treatment?"
"Gabriel's doctor is already prescribing treatment. He'll be here shortly. But we'd like to watch Gabe for another hour or so to monitor him," the nurse said and she exited the room.
Sera got up and neared her son, stroking his hair, "Great...asthma. Your spores are the problem you know," she said sternly to Joker.
"I didn't know they'd have an affect on the kid. That surprised me too. So don't get on my case about it!" he said angrily, but kept his voice low.
"Well then when we get home, I'm forbidding the use of your spores! I don't them killing our son!"
Joker grit his teeth and leapt out of his chair and pushed her up against a wall. His hand squashed around her jaw, "I'll be the one to determine whether I use spores or not. If you behave, then I'll have no need to use them."
The door creaked open and Joker quickly let go of Sera. The doctor had returned and was carrying a small stack of papers.
"These are Gabriel's new prescriptions. He should be just fine as long as he stays away from pollen. If he ever has an attack and he doesn't have his medicine, which hopefully won't ever be the case, anything caffeinated can help reduce symptoms. Make sure he always carries the albuterol."
After a brief explanation, the doctor checked Gabriel's vitals and smiled, "He's recovering nicely from the attack." He then exited the room, stating he will sign for Gabriel's release within the hour.
Sera read through the prescriptions, "Symbicort and albuterol. One is a controller and the other an emergency medication. Great. Now we have to be even more careful..."
To be continued...