Chapter Eight-The Fears
Leanne slowly opened her eyes, she knew she was running a
fever from the infection, but that was to be expected, a smile
crossed her face as she saw Severus fast asleep in a
recliner, his head lulled off to a side, in his arms was
their two day old daughter.
~~~~~~
"Harry, you have to sleep," Dumbledore spoke gently to
his grandson. Everyone had tried to get the fifteen-year-old
boy to sleep, but it was proving to be a very impossible
task.
"Harry, worrying about Lea isn't going to help,"
Remus tried. Roxanne had just arrived home and slowly walked
into the room.
"Come with me Harry," Roxanne said. Harry looked up
from his fetal position on the floor and slowly nodded.
Standing up he gripped the waiting hand as Roxanne slowly lead
him to a guest room. She smiled and handed him a stuffed
dog.
"What is it?" He asked.
"When you were born your father was set on giving you
both gifts, well sadly he never did get the chance to give
you yours, on account that you had to be moved so quickly
and you were sick. Well, this is the toy," she said
calmly. Harry looked at the stuffed black dog in his hands
and smiled.
"Looks like Sirius."
"Your dad knew that Sirius would be your god-father and
so he gave you something, a hint that maybe you would live.
Honey, I know you're worried and scared. I understand
believe me. I can't tell you what it was like losing my
mother at such a young age. However, I can tell you that
sleep will help, and sometimes when you sleep with a stuffed
toy that was given to you by that person, it does help."
"What if something happens?" Harry whispered.
"We'll be right here. Harry, I know you're scared, but
let me assure you of one more thing, if something ever
happened to Severus or Leanne we would care for you. You
would NEVER return to your aunt or uncle. Never, I promise. Believe me
when I tell you this Wolfie," she said brushing the hair
from his eyes.
"Am I childish?"
"No Harry, you're a boy with fears, no one can blame
you of that, especially after what you have been through.
Anyone whom accuses you of being childish is more childish
than you."
"I'd rather do something better with this stuffed dog.
I know dad originally gave it to me, but I'm too old for a
stuffed animal."
"Umm, what do you want to do with it then?" She asked smiling. Harry smiled and
handed it to her.
"Give it to Xavier, he's going to need it."
"I think you're going to be a great big brother,"
Roxanne whispered as her nephew hugged her tightly.
~~~~~~
The house was awoken by the shrill cry of an infant. Harry
rolled over in his bed and groaned.
"Merlin no," he whispered as he soon realized that
would soon be an all too well known sound about his house.
Suddenly he didn't want to be a big brother.
"Harry, I'm taking Emily to see your mother, would you
like to go?" Harry nodded vigorously at Minerva's
question.
"Get dressed then," she said and closed his door.
~~~~~~
Severus was awoken by the shrill beeping of his wife's
machines as she coded again. He looked around as Caitlyn and
Caden entered.
"Where's my daughter? What's going on?" He asked
nervously.
"She was taken back to the NNICU hours ago. Leanne's
fever has spiked, the infection just got worse. Now please go
outside," Severus nodded and stepped outside.
Watching what was going on inside the room. Fear gripped
his heart once again.
"Dad?" Severus turned to see his two children.
"Your mum just got worse, they're working on her
now."
"Severus, can we talk please," Caden said a moment
later as he left the room.
"Sure," Caden nodded, he looked at Harry and Emily.
"Go ahead inside, um, don't pull any of the wires out
please," they nodded and headed inside the room. Caden
stepped out of earshot for the twins in case they were still
by the door.
"Your wife has a very severe infection in her blood. She
could die; I don't know what is going to happen. We've
got her on major antibiotics and medications, however it
doesn't look good. She's very weak right now."
"What can we do for her?" Severus asked. Caden sighed.
"Talk to her, keep her warm. Anything, as long as she
knows you're there. Your daughter can go home today if she
continues getting well, I would recommend sending Harry and Emily home with her and
Dumbledore. You, however, really
need sleep because it's not going to help anyone if you
get sick."
"I can't sleep, I haven't really slept since Demi was
born."
"Then I suggest you take a sleeping potion. I will not
have you all here worrying your arses off. Go home, I'll
go discharge your daughter and I want the four of you out of
this hospital and sleeping in your own beds. I will floo you
if anything changes. I don't want to see your face before
nightfall. Do I make myself clear?"
"Caden…"
"Severus, don't make me admit you, I can always find a
reason. You have three children to take care of now."
"All right."
"Good, now go get everything ready, and please don't
use the floo with your daughter until she's two, I want
her lungs healthy until then."
"All right."
"All right, go get the car, I'll go pack up your
daughter and then your children can go home with you."
"Thanks Caden, for everything."
"I've been in your shoes Severus, twice and it isn't
fun. However it won't help if you don't care for
yourself. Get home, all of you take baths, change your
daughter, feed them all and send them off for a real nights
sleep. Make sure you sleep as well. I'll send you a bottle with milk for Demi."
"Thanks again Caden."
"Don't thank me, we're not even close to the end yet
amigo, now go." Severus hurried off and Caden shook his
head.
