Title: Fever

author: Cindy Ryan

notes and summary: See part one

"I can catch the next flight home."Lucy said anxiously over Facetime at ten am. "We can come get my car another time."

Tim pulled the phone back so Lucy could see Ellie tucked in his other arm as they sat on the sofa. Their daughter was holding a favorite stuffed animal of a penguin and seemed to be not in any distress. She still had a slight fever.

"Ellie, tell Mommy that she should stay and have fun."Tim coaxed.

Lucy's face came closer to the phone as she drew the camera in. Tim hated to see the worry in his wife's brown eyes. He hadn't wanted to call her, but knew she needed to know.

"Is she really alright?"Lucy asked with concern.

Ellie hearing her mother's voice reached out to touch the phone's screen.

"Fever's gone down."Tim insisted. "Think we're on the back end of this. If anything changes I'll call."

Lucy's face went to normal size as she moved the phone back.

"Are you sure, Tim?"Lucy inquired softly.

"You've been looking forward to this trip."Tim responded with a smile."I can handle things until you come home."

"Alright."Lucy agreed reluctantly. "I love you both."

"We love you; have fun."Tim said as he held up Ellie's right arm to wave. "Wave goodbye to Mommy, Ellie."

The call ended and Tim placed the device on the coffee table. He looked down at his daughter.

"What do you say, little one?"Tim asked as he stood. "Time for a nap?"

Ellie gurgled and smiled holding tight to the penguin. Tim put her in the crib and quietly closed the door.


Three o'clock found Tim bundling a crying Ellie into her carseat in his truck. The fever had spiked after her nap. She'd woken up screaming and nothing had helped. Not medication, baths or juice. Tim tucked a pink blanket around Ellie and wiped the tears from her face. She sniffled.

"It's okay, little one. You'll be okay."Tim said softly.

Tim placed the stuffed penguin in his daughter's arms and shut the truck's door. He hurried around to the driver's side got in and started the engine. Tim knew he was probably acting like the classic over protective parent but he'd rather be safe than sorry. He put the truck into gear and headed to urgent care. Halfway there he changed his mind and pointed the truck towards the ER. An ER where a new friend worked.


Tim spotted Grace as he entered the ER and called her name. Grace spotted them and rushed over. Ellie was crying and Tim held her close.

"Tim?"Grace greeted with concern. "Is Ellie sick?"

"Had a fever since yesterday."Tim explained worriedly as he handed Ellie to the doctor. "It started to go down this morning so I thought we were in the clear, but then it spiked this afternoon."

"Fevers sometimes do that."Grace responded. "What was the last temperature you took?"

"One hundred."Tim said grimly as he ran a hand through his dark hair.

"We'll examine her."Grace replied as she placed a gentle hand on Tim's left shoulder. "Have a seat in the waiting room."

Ellie started to cry once more and Tim touched his daughter's right cheek.

"I'll be near by, little one."Tim soothed.

Tim watched Ellie until Grace walked behind a curtain. He walked to the waiting room and pulled out his cell phone. He was about to call Lucy when he put the phone away. No sense in worrying his wife until he had a report from Grace. Tim began to pace the small room. An elderly man was the only other occupant. He sat in a chair by the window holding a newspaper. The man nodded in acknowledgement of Tim's arrival but remained silent. Tim continued to pace and it was twenty long minutes before Grace appeared in the doorway without his daughter.

"Where's Ellie?"Tim demanded worriedly.

"In the pediatrics ward."Grace responded gently and motioned towards the sofa. "Please sit, Tim."

"What's wrong with my daughter?"Tim asked remaining standing.

It was an agonizing moment before Grace replied.

"Her temperature is up to one hundred and two now."Grace reported. "I want to keep her at least overnight so we can work at getting that fever down."

Tim swallowed hard.

"She'll be alright?"Tim asked his voice barely above a whisper.

"She's a healthy six month old with the exception of the fever."Grace said diplomatically. "We'll know more once the tests come back."

"Thanks Doc."Tim acknowledged quietly.

Grace patted his left arm and stepped back into the hallway. Tim tried to take solace that Grace didn't seem worried. He took his phone out once more and dialed his wife's number steeling himself for a difficult call.