July 7th, 1894

Elizabeth's quiet whimpers brought her out of her sleep. Rosalind was used to Elizabeth sleeping through the night and the sight of her sitting up in her crib was strange. She didn't need the lights to know that something was wrong.

From what little she could see of Elizabeth, she could tell that she was uncomfortable, "What's the matter?" Rosalind asked quietly.

"Rosie…" she sniffed. Rosalind sighed and sat up. Perhaps it was a nightmare. Did children her age have nightmares? Or maybe she had seen something through a tear and was afraid of that. "Rosie?" Elizabeth called out quietly.

Rosalind turned on the light and got out of bed, "Having a nightmare?" she asked as she approached the crib, "Oh…" she saw that Elizabeth had vomited in the crib. Was she sick?

It was always hard to tell with Elizabeth. Sometimes she drank too fast and she threw up her milk. If Robert gave her too much candy, she would throw up. If she cried too much, she would throw up. Rosalind had a feeling that this was different. She had eaten hours ago and she had not had any candy at all that day.

Elizabeth whined and Rosalind sighed, "Let's get a drink." she picked up Elizabeth and noticed how warm she was. She placed her hand against the child's forehead and frowned, "You have a fever…" Not only that but she was extremely pale.

Elizabeth grabbed onto Rosalind's gown and whined again. It seemed as if she would not get any work done that day. She knew nothing about caring for a sick child so it was likely that Robert knew even less.

Rosalind took Elizabeth down to the kitchen and set her down in the highchair. Elizabeth protested weakly as she rested her head against the small table. The entire display made Rosalind worry even more. Where was the loud child she had come to know?

"I'll allow just a small amount of honey," Rosalind said. Maybe sugar was what she needed to be herself again. She had not had any yesterday because Robert had gone to bed early.

She quickly heated the milk and added a small amount of honey. She wasn't entirely sure if it was a good idea but she tried it anyway.

She took it back to Elizabeth and nudged her slightly, "Come on," she said, "Get up and have a drink."

Elizabeth sat up and rubbed her eyes. She stared at the small cup of milk before looking up at Rosalind. Usually, she would snatch the cup and start drinking. They still had not found a way to calm her down when it came to milk. "Elizabeth, you barely ate. Surely, you're hungry." Rosalind said.

Rosalind set the cup down and picked Elizabeth up, "Try to have a little." she said gently. She picked up the glass of milk and carried them both to the drawing-room.

She sat down and attempted to give Elizabeth the milk. The child pushed it away and whined loudly. "You have to eat something." Elizabeth had only had the bowl of potatoes yesterday because she had refused to eat anything else.

She shivered and buried her face in Rosalind's chest. It took several minutes of coaxing before Rosalind convinced her to drink some of the milk. She only took one small sip before she threw it all back up.

She began to cry and Rosalind set the cup down on the floor, "Shhh." she tried to calm her down but Elizabeth only cried louder.

"What's going on?" Robert came down the stairs.

"I think she's sick." Rosalind turned to him, "She's thrown up twice and she won't drink her milk."

"Do you think a bath would help?" Robert coughed and Rosalind narrowed her eyes,

"It would help to keep her clean," she said. Robert actually looked far worse than he had the day before. He was just as pale as Elizabeth was and the dark circles under his eyes had grown despite how much sleep he'd gotten.

"I'll start a bath then."

"How are you feeling?" Rosalind asked once Elizabeth had calmed down. Robert ignored her as he walked back up the stairs.

She followed him up the bathroom and sighed, "Robert."

"I'm fine." he said, "I'm feeling much better now."

"Perhaps you should rest today," she suggested, "You won't get any better if you overdo it."

"I'd hardly call running a bath overdoing it." Robert rolled his eyes. A telltale sign that he was still sick was how irritated he would get with her.

"That's not what I meant." she sighed. She would leave him alone today and focus on Elizabeth. Hopefully, he would stay in bed and mope instead of running around and making himself worse. "Not too hot, We want to lower her temperature."

"Are we going to dip her in ice water?" Robert asked.

"Obviously not, Robert." she said, "I only meant that the water shouldn't be too warm." Was his illness affecting his ability to think rationally? Why did he always act like a child when he was sick? "I can handle it, you should go to bed."

"I'm not incapable of doing small tasks." he said, "You act as if you've never had a cold before."

"And you act as if I've done something wrong by suggesting you go back to bed at 4 in the morning," she said.

Robert only glared at her as he tested the water temperature with his hand, "It's not too warm and not too cold." he said. Rosalind placed Elizabeth on the ground and ignored her whining as she undressed her.

"Stop that, we're just giving you a bath." Rosalind said, "Please get her something to where." Robert looked as if he wanted to argue but he left instead. She could not deal with his attitude all day, it was already getting on her nerves.

She felt the water again before placing Elizabeth in the tub

"No!" Elizabeth kicked her legs ad held her arms up. She usually loved her baths…

Rosalind cleaned her quickly and finished just as Robert returned with a towel and diaper, "I cleaned the mess in her crib." he said.

"Mess?" Elizabeth mumbled.

"Yes, you made a mess this morning." Rosalind reminded. She took Elizabeth from the tub and dried her off. Elizabeth attempted to climb into her arms but Rosalind held her back. She may have been clean now but Rosalind still had a bit of vomit on her own gown, "I don't want you to get dirty again." she said as Elizabeth started to cry.

"I've got it." Robert sighed and picked her up. Elizabeth's crying grew louder and Rosalind went back to her room to change. "She's miserable," Robert said from her doorway.

"She's sick and she barely ate yesterday." Rosalind should have assumed something was wrong then. While Elizabeth hardly ever ate a full meal, she was constantly asking for food. The child had turned down almost everything she was offered.

Rosalind went down to the living room and grabbed the glass of milk. She returned quickly and motioned for Robert to follow her into her room. "She'll just throw it up again," Robert said.

"She isn't wearing anything but a diaper," Rosalind sat down on the bed, "Clean up will be easy if she does." Robert didn't seem convinced and she rolled her eyes, "Just give her to me, she has to eat or she won't get better."

Robert cleared his throat, "No, I don't think that's a good idea."

"What?"

"You're the only one who isn't sick, I think I should take care of her," he said.

"I thought you said you weren't sick anymore." Rosalind said, "Just give her to me." Robert handed Elizabeth over and the girl calmed immediately, "You don't need to worry about me."

Rosalind attempted to feed her again but she pushed the glass away, "Did I make her sick?" Robert asked suddenly.

"Hmm?" Rosalind looked at him and shook her head, "I don't think so." Elizabeth's sickness had come so suddenly that Rosalind was sure that she was sick before Robert. It was likely that Elizabeth had made Robert sick somehow but Rosalind would never be sure.

"We should call the physician," Robert suggested.

"No one's open yet," Rosalind said

"So we shouldn't do anything?" Robert was growing angry again

"What can we do besides care for her? If you ring his office, no one will answer. We have to wait until they open." Rosalind said, "Until then, we make her comfortable and try to get her back to sleep." Rosalind was certain that she could do that on her own. Robert was doing nothing but irritating her at this point.

"I'll find one," he said. Robert left the room and Rosalind shook her head. She didn't know how much energy he had but she knew he would push himself until he was bedridden. She couldn't remember if she had ever done anything like it but it seemed possible.

She placed Elizabeth on the bed and sat down beside her. Elizabeth crawled into her lap and Rosalind sighed, "I can't hold you all day." she said, "Robert will find a doctor and you'll be fine." She wasn't sure if she was saying that to Elizabeth or herself.

"I found a doctor," Robert said as he returned

"Already?" Rosalind didn't take her eyes from Elizabeth.

"He'll be here as soon as the gondolas are running." Robert walked over to her and she finally looked at him. He still looked horrible. The half-hour he had been awake had done him no favors.

"We should have him examine you too," Rosalind said.

"I'm fine." Robert shook his head, "I can handle myself. We just need to focus on Elizabeth."

"She's comfortable for now." Rosalind gently rubbed her back, "You can rest, I'll sit with her until he gets here."

"No-"

"Go." she snapped, "If you actually want to help, you need to rest. You're getting sicker by the second and I can't take care f both of you."

"I didn't ask you to." Robert crossed his arms, "I'm an adult and I can care for myself."

"Then do that." Rosalind said, "But I will not be dealing with your miserable attitude. You know you're only getting worse as the day goes by."

"When that time comes, I'll be fully equipped to care for myself. Until then, I'll stay here." Robert sat down in her chair. If he was going to act like this, it would be a long day.

0.o.0.o.0

The doorbell rang and Rosalind jerked awake. Elizabeth was still asleep and Rosalind looked towards Robert. He had fallen asleep in the chair as well. "Robert," she called

"Hmm?" he stirred slightly.

"The door." It must have been the doctor.

"I'll get it." he didn't move and Rosalind sighed. The doorbell rang again and she stepped out of bed. She gent;y placed Elizabeth down on the bed and rushed down to the lobby. She didn't care that she looked terrible.

"Madame Lutece," the man at the door smiled, "I'm Dr. Andrews, your brother called me."

"Thank you for coming." Rosalind stepped aside and let him inside. She was suddenly aware of the mess in the drawing-room and kitchen. She had not cleaned up after Elizabeth had made a mess the day before, "Excuse the mess." she said sheepishly, "I've had my hands full."

"Mhmm." Dr. Andrews followed her up the stairs and to the bathroom. Thankfully Robert had gotten up and was waiting outside for them, "Mister Lutece," Dr. Andrews nodded, "May I?"

"It's not my room," Robert mumbled.

Rosalind resisted the urge to roll her eyes, "Robert, you're blocking the door." she pointed out.

"Ah, yes." Robert stepped aside and let Dr. Andrews into the room.

"How long has she been like this?"

"She was like this when I woke up." Rosalind said, "She's been coughing and shivering for the past hour. She won't eat and she's thrown up twice so far."

Elizabeth was awake now but she was calm. She looked over at Rosalind with a questioning glance before settling her eye son Dr. Andrew. "If you'll leave me be, I can do the exam."

"I'll stay right here," Rosalind said firmly. Dr. Andrews did not argue and instead started his exam. Rosalind watched as he pressed down on Elizabeth's belly. She squirmed and wailed as he did so but he acted as if he didn't hear her. Rosalind watched the full examination and wondered how he was going to diagnose her when all he had managed to do was make her uncomfortable.

Dr. Andrews took Elizabeth's face and held it firmly as he stared into her mouth. "Hmm." he frowned. What did that mean? was that bad? What had he found?

"I need to listen to her lungs," he let go of her face, "Perhaps you could help me? I won't be able to get a clear sound while she's crying."

Rosalind sat down on the bed and pulled Elizabeth onto her lap. It felt strange to comfort her while someone other than Robert was watching. She had barely been seen out with Elizabeth and she did not like strangers witnessing this at all. "Alright, enough crying," she said quietly. Elizabeth hiccuped and calmed slightly, "I know, you're uncomfortable."

Would the doctor judge her if she couldn't get Elizabeth to calm down quickly? It took a few minutes but Elizabeth did eventually stop crying. Dr. Andrews pressed his stethoscope against her back. Rosalind wondered what it was he was listening for. He moved it to several spots before placing it on her chest.

Rosalind looked up at Robert. He was still lingering in the doorway but he was watching closely. He looked very concerned and confused. Neither of them knew anything about medicine.

"And she has a fever." Dr. Andrews said.

"Is she okay?" Rosalind asked.

"Perhaps in a day or two. Things could go either way at this point." Dr. Andrews said, "But for now she has a fever. Her throat is red and I can see mucus in the back too. That's why she coughs when she lays down, it's irritating her throat and her body is trying to expel it. Her bowels are very active, if she doesn't already, she'll probably have diarrhea. Her pulse is strong and her lungs are clear. She's doing fine fighting off this sickness."

"But when will she get better?"

"I can't give you an exact timeline, Madame." Dr. Andrews said, "She's a new patient to me and I don't know how well her immune system is. It would have been helpful if you were bringing her in for checkups but it can't be helped."

She hadn't realized that she was supposed to do that. Why would they see a doctor if she wasn't sick? Could this have been prevented if she had taken her in to be seen?

Dr. Andrews and Robert both went out into the hall and Rosalind focused on Elizabeth. "Start her with water. Milk might be too thick for her." Dr. Andrews said, "Once she can hold down water, give her milk, then bread, then fruits. I can prescribe something to help with her symptoms but this is really a waiting game."

A waiting game… She did not want to play games when it came to Elizabeth's life. Maybe they needed to call another doctor and get a different opinion. Someone had to know how to make her better.

"The apothecary will be in at 8 but I imagine the young miss will be fine until then. Madame Lutece will probably hold her all day but that normal. Mothers are usually protective over their children, especially first-time mothers." Rosalind did not like that they were speaking about her. She wanted to remind the doctor that she was not Elizabeth's mother but she decided against it. There were more important things to worry about.

Robert closed the door and she heard them talking about payment as they moved away from the door.

"You'll be okay," she whispered. Elizabeth was no longer speaking. She alternated between whining and whimpering and Rosalind didn't like it.

She had finally put Elizabeth to sleep when Robert returned, "I'll pick up the medicine when the shop opens." he said. Rosalind placed Elizabeth in her crib before turning to him.

"Did you talk to him about your illness?" she asked.

"No…" he looked down at Elizabeth, "It slipped my mind." Rosalind frowned and went back to her bed, "I'm not as sick as she is."

"I know." she said, "But I'm still worried about you both. What if he's wrong?"

"I suppose..." he paused, "There's always that possibility." How helpful... "But you know better, you can't dwell on that."

"She's not like you..." Rosalind shook her head. Robert had survived the impossible and even though he still scared her when he bled, she knew he would be fine. Elizabeth was just a baby. She couldn't care for herself at all and if she took a turn for the worse... There was nothing that they could do to change that.

"This isn't the same." Robert reminded, "She's only sick

"HE said it could go either way at this point." Rosalind could only think of the many ways that things could go wrong.

"I don't think we have anything to worry about." Robert pulled her into a hug, "She'll be better again in no time. Give it a day or two and she'll be running around the music room again."

As usual, Robert's endless optimism was needed. He was a great contrast to her own negative thoughts and she needed him to calm her thoughts. "I'm going to go back to bed," she said.

"I'll stay up a little longer." he said, "Let me know if you need anything." Robert let her go and gave Elizabeth one final glance before he left. Rosalind watched the rise and fall of Elizabeth's chest before returning to her own bed. Elizabeth would be a handful when she awoke so it was best to get rest while she could. The next few days would be busy but Rosalind was sure that she could get through it if she had Robert's help.