Title: Fever

author: Cindy Ryan

notes and summary: See part one

At seven pm on a friday Tim picked up six month old Ellie from the daycare. The sitter a thirty something blonde named Molly caught up to him at the door.

"I think she's getting a cold."Molly warned.

Tim looked down at his daughter who was asleep in his arms. Then glanced back at the younger woman.

"Thanks."Tim acknowledged.

Molly nodded and went back to other clients. Tim rested a hand on Ellie's forehead and found no fever. Relieved he went out the door and to his truck.

Once home Tim placed Ellie who was now awake in the playpen in the living room. Lucy was in San Francisco visiting a cousin. She'd be back on tuesday. Being a single parent even temporarily was taking some getting used to. Tim fixed both of them dinner and then it was bath time for Ellie. Half an hour later Tim dressed Ellie in pjs and placed her in the crib. He turned on the musical mobile above her crib and turned the lights off.

"Good night, little one."Tim said softly. "Sweet dreams."


Saturday flew by filled with errands and laundry. He'd kept a close eye on Ellie throughout the day with the sitter's warning in mind. His daughter had been a bit fussy and a bit cranky at times but nothing unusual. She'd been eating and drinking normally. Sneezed a few times, but nothing out of the ordinary.


Sunday night Ellie's cries woke Tim. Blearily he looked at the alarm clock on the night stand and saw it was two am. He pushed the covers off and got out of bed moving quickly to the nursery. He turned on the light and walked to the crib. Ellie was on her back face red from crying. Tiny fists in the air, legs thrashing.

"What is it, little one?"Tim asked worriedly as he picked her up. "Diaper change?"

Tim checked the diaper and saw a change was not needed. That was when he noticed Ellie was sweating. He placed a hand on her forehead and found it warm. She had a fever. Gently Tim placed a kiss on Ellie's forehead.

"Sssh."Tim soothed. "Daddy's got you; you're alright. Sssh."

Tim walked into the bathroom found the thermometer and checked his daughter's temperature. He frowned at the digital readout of a hundred. Poor little thing no wonder she's crying. Tim got out the children's tylenol and administered the correct dosage to Ellie. He put things away and went into the kitchen and got some juice. He placed it in Ellie's favorite cup and then went into the living room turning on the lights. He settled onto the sofa and shifted Ellie to a more comfortable position. She'd stopped crying when he'd left the bathroom. Now she was drinking the juice which relieved Tim. He knew fluids were important.

Once the juice was gone Tim placed the cup on the coffee table. He smoothed back Ellie's dark hair. He watched as her eye lids drooped closed. Tim placed a kiss on the top of his daughter's head.

"Rest, little one. You'll feel better soon."Tim promised.

A few minutes later Ellie was asleep. Tim waited a half an hour before putting his daughter back in her crib. Quietly Tim closed the nursery door and went back to his own bed.