It was the start of the worst 24 hours of Hailey's life. At least that's what she was incoherently mumbling to Jay at three in the morning as he tried cleaning her up from her latest bout of puking.

He wasn't doing much better. His stomach was constantly cramping up to the point he could barely sit up straight. He coughed and jerked around to throw up into the bathtub for the fourth time since he'd gone to bed at midnight.

"Oh," Hailey sniffled and slowly sat up. She set her hand on his sweat-soaked shirt, "I've got you."

Jay weakly laughed and leaned over the edge of the tub, "Do you?"

Hailey closed her eyes, "I don't know."

"We need help," Jay gasped, groaning in pain.

"We just…we just need to stay home," Hailey stumbled to her feet. The world started spinning, so she gripped the counter and squeezed her eyes shut.

"Hailey, we're sick," Jay coughed again.

"We'll be fine," Hailey splashed water into her face, "God, I'm so hot."

"I'm freezing," Jay said. He wrapped an arm around his stomach and slid down to the lay on the ground, "I'm staying here tonight."

"Fine," Hailey breathed and walked out of the bathroom into the dark bedroom. She had just fallen onto the bed when she heard Drew running in the hallway followed by his soft crying while throwing up himself.

She groaned and pushed herself off of the bed. She slowly walked down the hallway, quietly saying, "Mom's coming." She finally reached the bathroom to see Drew whimpering next to the toilet.

He looked up as she flicked on the light, "Why won't it stop?"

"I don't know," Hailey grabbed a washcloth off the counter to gently wipe his face, "Are you warm or cold?"

"Freezing," Drew sniffled.

Hailey nodded and helped him stand, "How about you stay in mine and dad's bed?"

"B-But, I don't want to get sick there again," Drew said as they walked out.

"It's fine," Hailey mumbled. Once in her room, she helped Drew on the bed and wrapped him in the blankets. She haphazardly patted his head before going back into her bathroom. If she didn't feel so delirious, she would have laughed at the sight of Jay completely passed out on the tile, but all she did was throw her hair into a sloppy bun and return back to bed to fall against her pillows and into a restless, fever controlled sleep.

Drew woke up feeling like his stomach was being stabbed over and over, but he was still freezing cold, so he stayed tucked in the bed and looked around.

Hailey was laying next to him on top of the covers snoring quietly with sweat shining on her face.

Drew felt bad that he was the reason she was so sick. He was the first one who got sick, so it had to be his fault. He wiped his eyes and tried not to cry while thinking about it.

Jay walked into the bedroom clutching his stomach. He spotted Drew awake and tried to smile at him, "Hey," he whispered.

Drew sniffled and mumbled, "Hi."

"Still not feeling great?" Jay sat on the edge of the bed.

"I feel so bad," Drew said.

"I'm so sorry," Jay lightly rubbed Drew's leg over the covers.

Drew shook his head, "Why? I'm the reason you're both sick."

"Oh," Jay's eyes widened, "Oh. Drew. No." He carefully fit himself between Hailey and Drew and tugged Drew against his chest, "No, you don't have to apologize or feel bad about this. Everyone gets sick. This is not your fault."

"You look gross, though," Drew said.

Jay couldn't help but laugh, "I know, but no matter how sick I am, I won't let you blame yourself."

Drew nodded slightly and shivered.

"I'm cold too," Jay tried getting under the covers with him, but Hailey's dead weight on top of them prevented him from doing so. He glanced back at her and sighed, climbing over her to pick her up in his arms.

"What're you doing?" Drew asked.

"I'm gonna try to cool her off, she's too hot," Jay said and carried her to the bathroom. As he lowered her to the ground, she blinked her eyes open and looked at him through half-lidded eyes.

"What's going on?" she whispered.

"You're not looking great," Jay said and peeled her soaked t-shirt off of her.

"'M so hot," Hailey mumbled.

"I know," Jay kissed her forehead, wincing at the heat rolling off of her. He quickly wet several washcloths and started placing them on her neck, wrists, and forehead.

"Thank you," Hailey tilted her head back against the wall.

"You're welcome," Jay tried lifting her hips enough to get her pants off, but only managed to slip them down to her thighs before losing his small bit of energy and leaning against the tub.

"Jay," Hailey swallowed, "You look like…you look…"

"Drew already said I look gross," Jay weakly laughed.

Hailey shook her head, "You look like when you were shot," she tried wiping her face with her hand, but missed completely, her head lolling to the side.

"Sorry," Jay groaned and slipped further down the wall, unable to hold himself up anymore.

Drew stumbled into the room holding Hailey's phone, "M-Mom?"

"Ask Dad," Hailey closed her eyes.

Drew bit his lip and looked at Jay, "Mom's phone was ringing."

"Lemme see," Jay put a hand up.

Drew handed him the phone, "Are you okay?"

"Not really," Jay looked at the missed calls and sighed, "Hailey, your mom called."

"Crap," Hailey breathed and tried sitting up, "I haven't talked to her since Blake was born."

Jay passed her her phone, "Should probably do that."

"Don't piss me off," Hailey rolled her eyes.

Jay shook his head while carefully standing up.

"Need help?" Drew asked and held out his shaking hand.

"No, I'm okay," Jay said, "Let's get you into a hot shower though. You look cold."

"I'm freezing," Drew walked with Jay out of the room.

Hailey took a deep breath and tapped the voicemail.

"Hi, honey, I miss you. How's your baby doing? I haven't heard from you besides that text when you adopted him. Would there be a good time for me to visit him? I'm not sure how the NICU works these days, can I just show up? Do I need to call ahead of time? Please call me back. I want to be a part of his life. I love you."

Hailey groaned quietly and rubbed her face. She had been avoiding talking to her mom for weeks now. She knew her mom should see Blake, but the idea of her dad stepping anywhere near him made her blood boil. Just the thought churned her stomach and she wanted to throw up all over again.

She thought back to what Jay had said so early in the morning through the dark.

"We need help."

"Dammit Jay," Hailey whispered while calling her mom back, "Really didn't want to do this."

"I haven't puked since 3:30am," Drew told Jay.

Jay mumbled, "Lucky." He pulled his hood over his head and pressed his palms into his eyes.

They were sitting next to each other on the couch watching Animal Planet huddled under pretty much every blanket Jay could round up. Drew was finally starting to warm up again, but being sick made him really appreciate being so close to his mom and dad, so he stayed glued to Jay's side.

The doorbell rang and Jay groaned loudly, "Why?"

"If I was allowed to answer the door, I would," Drew said.

"Yeah, yeah," Jay sighed and sat up.

"I've got it," Hailey said while walking down the stairs.

"Awesome," Jay breathed and sat back into the cushions.

Hailey opened the door only for her mom to rush right past her into the house.

"I have ingredients for soup, saltines, and Pepto Bismol," Christine set a bag on the front table. She looked at Hailey as she shut the door, "Oh, my baby girl; you look awful."

Hailey blushed, "Mom."

"Well, it's the truth, Hailey Anne, you're pale and sweaty and you look like you've lost weight," Christine lightly held Hailey's shoulders, "What have you eaten?"

"Just some crackers," Hailey said quietly.

Christine shook her head, "You need more than that. Go up to bed, I'll make some soup."

Hailey sighed, "I…" She looked over at Jay and Drew on the couch.

"Oh," Christine turned around, "Okay, I've got this. Hailey, go upstairs, I'll take care of them."

Hailey smiled slightly and caught Jay's eyes. 'Please,' she mouthed.

He breathed out and turned back to the TV.

Christine gently pushed Hailey toward the stairs and hurried around the couch. Her jaw dropped slightly at their run-down appearance, "Well…"

Drew blushed and pushed himself closer into Jay's side.

Jay groaned quietly and held his stomach, "Watch it, buddy."

Christine set her hands on her hips, "Okay, let's figure this out. Grandma's here."

Hailey stopped halfway up the stairs and spun around, "Mom."

Christine looked up at her, "What? Aren't I a grandmother now?"

Hailey shook her head and her mouth gaped as she tried to answer.

Christine's face fell and she nodded her head just an inch.

Jay slowly sat up and patted Drew's arm, "Let's go lay in bed." He stumbled over his feet as he walked, wrapping the blanket around his shoulders.

Drew glanced back at Christine before they reached the stairs, then grabbed Jay's hand and walked up to the main bedroom with him past Hailey.

Christine swallowed and folded the few blankets left on the couch.

Hailey watched her from her spot frozen on the stairs. She took a deep breath and walked back down to her mom. She stood in front of her for a moment then hesitantly hugged her.

Christine smiled and patted her back.

"He's cranky when he's sick," Hailey whispered.

"All men are," Christine leaned back and set a hand on the side of Hailey's face, "Go lay with him. I'll clean up down here and start the soup."

"Thanks," Hailey said softly. She squeezed her mom's arm and went up to her bedroom.

Drew was sitting on the edge of the bed and just pointed toward the bathroom when Hailey walked in.

"Oh no," Hailey breathed and hurried to open the door.

Jay glanced up at her from the toilet, "Hey," he cleared his throat, "Guess I'm not as lucky as Drew."

Hailey sat next to him on the ground and set a hand on his back, "Feel better after though?"

"Enough," Jay said, rubbing his face.

"I think you need to take off all these clothes and breathe a little," Hailey lightly tugged his sweatshirt.

"No, I'm freezing," Jay set his hands over hers.

"You can't fight me on this," Hailey easily shook his hands off. She peeled his hoodie, long sleeve, and t-shirt off, "Jay, this is excessive."

"This is torture," he mumbled.

Hailey pulled a towel off the rack and dried him off. She kept her eyes locked on his and eventually said, "She just wants to help."

Jay sighed, "Hailey."

"Jay, please," Hailey dragged the towel over his head, "You said it yourself, we need help today."

"I kind of meant like from Will or Kim or Vanessa," Jay said.

"She's willing and she wants to be a part of our life," Hailey bit her lip, "I'm trying to let her in, can you please do the same?"

Jay took a deep breath and was about to answer when he gagged and covered his mouth. "Sorry," he choked out.

Hailey rubbed his back and kissed the side of his head, "It's okay."

"I think I'm fine," Jay shook his head, "I'll just shower."

Hailey nodded and helped him stand, "Do you-"

"Go hang out with your mom," Jay said softly, "You're right, we could use the help right now."

"Thank you," Hailey smiled slightly. She stayed in the bathroom long enough to make sure Jay got safely into the shower, then walked back out to the bedroom.

Drew had fallen asleep and was folded in half. Hailey laughed quietly and gently laid him back against the pillows. She kissed his forehead before placing a blanket over him and going downstairs.

"Hey, Mom?" she said while walking into the kitchen.

Christine looked over from the stove, "You don't want to hang out with your boys?"

Hailey laughed and shook her head, "Drew's sleeping and Jay's taking a shower." She sat at the table, folded her arms on it, then rested her head down.

Christine set her spoon down on the counter and walked over. She set a hand on Hailey's back, "What can I do?"

Hailey shrugged and closed her eyes, "I just feel exhausted."

"You have a lot going on, don't you?" Christine said quietly while pulling a chair out to sit next to her.

Hailey nodded, "You have no idea."

"Then tell me," Christine gently scratched Hailey's back, "I want to help you. That's why I'm here."

Hailey opened her eyes and breathed out, "I…I feel horrible that we have to go a few days without seeing Blake."

"I can't imagine," Christine breathed.

Hailey lightly patted her pockets then sighed, "Sorry, if I had my phone I'd show you pictures."

Christine shook her head, "Some other time."

Hailey whispered, "He's small, Mom. It's scary."

"That I can imagine," Christine breathed deeply.

"What do you mean?" Hailey asked.

"Your brother was born seven weeks early," Christine lightly brushed Hailey's hair back from her face.

"I had no idea," Hailey sat up.

Christine nodded, "I spent a lot of time in the NICU for two months. Your dad stayed mostly with you and Alex while I breathed down the nurses' necks as they helped Evan," she weakly laughed, "As if I knew what was for the best. I'm sure things are different now, though, aren't they? A lot more technology to watch your little boy."

"Blake," Hailey swallowed, "His name is Blake Henry."

Christine smiled, "I like it."

"He's strong," Hailey breathed out and set a hand on her stomach, "Oh god."

"Let's go," Christine gently pulled Hailey's arm, "Just in case, come lean over the sink."

Hailey nodded and hurried into the kitchen. She steadied herself over the sink and groaned quietly, "I hate the stomach flu."

Christine sadly smiled, "When was the last time you had it?" she held Hailey's hair back.

"I…I don't know," Hailey took a deep breath, "I had a pretty bad migraine a few weeks back and was getting sick from it. Jay's brother hooked me up in the ED though."

Christine's eyebrows shot up, "You were in the hospital?"

Hailey glanced at her and nodded before throwing up into the sink.

"Oh," Christine breathed shakily and rubbed Hailey's back.

Hailey turned on the sink and rinsed her mouth out then wiped her mouth on the dishtowel.

"How about you go lay down on the couch?" Christine suggested quietly.

Hailey nodded and slowly walked to the living room.

Christine waited for her to lay down then covered her in a blanket.

"Thanks," Hailey turned her face into the cushions and sighed.

Christine patted her shoulder and straightened up, "Anything for you." She watched Hailey until she heard the distinctive sound of her daughter snoring before returning to the kitchen.

She was finishing up adding the seasoning to the soup when she heard a creaking on the floor. She turned to see Jay walk into the kitchen.

He cleared his throat and tried to smile at her, "Hi."

"Hi, Jay," she said softly. She turned the stove to a simmer and stirred it.

"That smells really good," Jay said, leaning against a chair.

Christine smiled and pushed her sleeves up, "Thank you."

Jay's eyes narrowed and he walked around the counters. He stood a few feet from her and sucked in a breath, "Does she know?"

"Hmm?" Christine glanced at him.

Jay nodded toward the handprint bruises on her arms, "Does Hailey know?"

Christine looked at her arms and quickly shoved the sleeves of her cardigan back down, "It's nothing."

Jay set his jaw, "Christine."

"Call me 'Mom,'" Christine said weakly.

Jay shook his head, "Does she know?"

"No, and she won't find out," Christine turned the stove off, "Go sit down. You don't look great. You look worse than Hailey."

Jay ignored the comment and reached into the cabinet above the fridge where the extra first-aid kit was. He found the bruise cream and passed it to her.

Christine bit her lip and took it, "Thank you."

Jay nodded and leaned against the fridge.

Christine shakily squirted the cream into her hands before rubbing it into her arms. When she finished, she passed the small tube back to Jay, "Please don't-"

"I can't," Jay said and put the cream away, "I can't keep secrets from her and I'm not even sorry about it. She needs to know."

"Does she?" Christine shot at him, "Does she really need to know? Do you know what she needs?"

Jay looked at her shocked, "Excuse me?"

Christine bit her lip, "I…sorry. That was my husband coming out. I-I know you know her. You know her better than I do."

Jay nodded, "That's right," he crossed his arms.

Christine sighed and shook her head, turning back to the stove. She started cleaning up the kitchen and said quietly, "Go lay down. I've got this."

Jay sat at the table and watched her clean. He wiped the sweat from his forehead before resting his chin on his hand.

Christine noticed him watching her and sighed, "Jay, go to bed."

"No, I'm sorry," he admitted, "I might have crossed a line. You're trying to help."

Christine nodded slightly, "Thank you."

"Plus, I can't sleep right now," Jay said and looked down at the table, "I need to stay awake until I can be with Hailey."

Christine tilted her head to the side, "Everything okay?"

"Just some stuff," Jay shrugged. He yawned and rubbed his eyes.

Christine debated her words before asking quietly, "When did your parents die?"

Jay was shocked by her question and froze.

"Was that not okay?" Christine asked, "I don't think Hailey's ever said and you and I have never really talked much, certainly not about this."

"Um," Jay looked over at the couch, wishing Hailey would wake up.

"Never mind," Christine shook her head, "I'm sorry, forget I asked. You and I aren't like that."

Jay felt his stomach twist, but he knew it had nothing to do with the flu. She usually meant well and he did feel bad she was placed in this position in the first place.

Christine searched the cupboards until she found bowls and she placed three on the counter.

"My mom died about fifteen years ago from cancer," Jay said quietly, "And my dad died because of a fire around five years ago."

Christine looked over at him and nodded. "I'm so sorry," she said.

Jay just shrugged and took a deep breath.

Christine noticed him shaking the slightest bit and quickly ladled the soup into a bowl that she then brought over to him. "Spoons?" she asked.

Jay pointed toward the drawer next to the stove.

Christine nodded and went to grab one to give to him.

"Thanks," Jay said before eating a few spoonfuls of the soup. He smiled slightly at her, "It tastes really good."

"I'm glad," Christine returned to the counter, "I'll bring some up to Drew, are you fine with that?"

Jay nodded, "Yeah, I appreciate it, thank you."

Christine nodded and picked up the bowl, "Is he…"

"In our room," Jay said. He swallowed his soup then continued, "First door when you walk up the stairs; I think I left it open."

"Thank you," Christine carried the soup upstairs. She looked inside the first door like Jay said and smiled as she walked in.

Drew was waking up and looked at her; he blushed bright and gripped the blanket.

"I just wanted to drop this off for you," Christine said, "I didn't know if you were sleeping or not."

Drew watched her set the soup on the side table and sat up slightly, "Thank you," he whispered.

"Of course," Christine hesitated then sat on the edge of the bed, "How're you feeling? You look a little better than your mom and dad."

Drew rubbed his eyes before leaning over to eat some of the soup. He was surprised she didn't push him to talk more and just watched him eat. Finally, he said, "I'm okay."

Christine smiled, "Good," she reached her hand out to touch his forehead, but he jerked away from her with wide eyes.

"Don't touch me," he snapped.

"Okay, I'm sorry," Christine breathed and scooted further away from him.

Drew lightly scratched his arm for a minute then relaxed. He ate more soup before saying, "Only my mom and dad can touch me and only sometimes."

Christine nodded, "That's okay."

"I need to know more about you first," Drew continued, "I've only met you three times."

"That's true," Christine said quietly, "But I don't know much about you either."

"My name's Drew and I like birds," Drew rubbed his hands on the blankets.

Christine smiled, "I remember you saying that."

"Right," Drew blushed, "Sorry."

"No, no, don't be," Christine shook her head, "I like that that's what's important to you."

"Well, my mom and dad are important to me," Drew said, "And my brother of course."

Christine nodded, "Of course."

"Now you need to tell me something about you," Drew crossed his legs.

Christine laughed softly, "Um, let's see. Well, I like to knit. Maybe I could make you a hat."

Drew smiled, "You can make clothes?"

"I can," Christine took her phone out of her pocket and searched her photos before showing some to Drew, "Okay, here's a few scarves I made."

"I didn't know people could do that," he said, "That's cool. I draw and I play with play-doh when I get stressed."

"That's a good idea," Christine put her phone away.

"I can show you pictures," Drew grabbed Hailey's phone off her side table, "Want to see pictures of my brother? You've never met him, right?"

"I haven't," Christine said quietly.

"Here he is," Drew held the phone out, "We both have black hair, but he doesn't have as much because he's a baby." Christine barely had a chance to look before Drew flipped through more pictures, "And this is me with fish on my birthday. My mom and dad took me to the aquarium with our friends and my dad's brother, he's a doctor. Oh, this is me with a birdhouse I painted, I'm proud of that. See the fence? I painted that, it didn't come with it."

Christine laughed softly as Drew continued showing her pictures. There were a lot, but it made her the happiest she had been in a while.

Christine slipped her coat on before hugging Hailey gently, "Please call me if you need anything else."

"You've done more than enough," Hailey said, "Honestly, your soup was amazing and I'm very grateful for the medicine. I don't feel as gross as before."

"Good," Christine smiled.

Jay stepped over and lightly hugged her as well, "Thank you for coming."

Christine's smile widened and she squeezed his shoulders before stepping back, "You're welcome. You need to sleep more, your eyes are looking red and sunken and-"

"Way to make him feel good," Hailey softly laughed and set a hand on Jay's arm.

Jay chuckled, "It's fine. I know I'm not looking my best. I should take a nap."

Christine nodded, "Please do." She looked at Drew sitting on the steps and waved at him, "I had fun getting to know you more."

He smiled back and waved as well, "I liked talk with you. Will I see you soon?"

Christine looked to Hailey who made eye contact with her and said quietly, "Of course you will."

"Maybe meet Blake?" Christine asked hopefully.

"Definitely," Hailey said and passed her mom her bag.

"I can't wait," Christine took a deep breath, "I mean it, call me with anything – even just to chat."

Hailey smiled and nodded, "I will. Bye, Mom."

Christine stepped outside then turned to look back at Hailey, "Bye, my Tinkerbell," she winked before walking to her car.

Jay hugged Hailey from behind and kissed her head. "She remembered," he whispered.

Hailey weakly laughed and leaned back into him, "Yeah."

"Mrs. Upton was right," Drew eventually spoke up once Hailey closed the front door after watching her mom drive away, "Dad, you need to sleep."

Jay turned to him, "Are you going to tell me I look gross again?"

Drew laughed and shook his head, "No, but you're the sickest out of all of us right now."

"He has a point," Hailey gently pushed Jay toward the stairs, "Come on, I'll lay with you."

"Wait, me too," Drew followed them to their room, "I like when we all lay together when we're sick."

"Think you can take care of Dad now like he's done for you?" Hailey asked him.

Drew nodded, "I promise."

Jay blushed and looked at Hailey, "I-"

"Don't lie," Hailey pulled the covers down on his side of the bed, "You need to sleep and then I'll let you say you're fine."

Jay rolled his eyes, but sat on the mattress, "Fine, but Hailey, if-"

"Hey, hey," she whispered and walked around the bed to get in next to him, "Don't worry about it. If it happens, we'll deal with it. Nothing I haven't seen."

Jay shot a pointed glance toward Drew and raised his eyebrows.

Drew looked between the two of them, "What? What could happen?"

"It's okay," Hailey shook her head and put her hand out, "Come lay on Dad's other side. We'll make him a sandwich like we do with you."

Drew laughed and got on the bed, "Okay."

Hailey wrapped her arms around Jay's middle and whispered in his ear, "I love you, okay? Always."

Jay nodded and looked at her, "I love you too."

"I'd kiss you, but our mouths have been pretty gross lately," Hailey laughed quietly.

Jay rolled his eyes and nodded, "Fair enough."

"Now sleep," Hailey kissed his forehead.

"Okay," Jay breathed.

Drew patted his back, "We're here."

Jay laughed and looked back at him, "Thank you."

Drew smiled and hugged him, "You're welcome."

Jay breathed out and looked at Hailey.

She nodded and squeezed his hand, smiling slightly.

He smiled back before tugging her closer to him and closing his eyes.

A/N: This is going up super late, but I couldn't stop writing and I felt bad since I got a cold yesterday and could literally only write like one paragraph before falling asleep and I had wanted to give this to you yesterday. Anyways! I hope you liked this one :) I'm pretty proud of it and I like finding ways to weave different details into the story to make it come to life even more. Please let me know what you think! I'd super appreciate it!

PS…I came up with the Tinkerbell thing a month (maybe?) ago and put it in my story Fighting the Adrenaline if you wanted to check that one out and read a tiny bit more about Hailey and her mom. Ok, that's enough self-promotion. Talk soon, friends!