Ch. 7 Fever
Eric stared at his hands. It had been two months since he and Taylor got married. Taylor was pacing the floor of their hut.
"Come on, Eric! Just one kid! Come on!" she whined.
"I'm not ready yet!" he snapped back.
"I've given you two (insert swear word of choice) months to get ready, Eric! I want what Daley and Nathan have! I want what Melissa and Jackson are going to have! I don't care if you aren't ready for a baby! Because I am!" she yelled.
"We've only been married for two months! I am not ready for a kid!" Eric growled.
"I don't care if you aren't ready! I am!"
"WELL THAT'S OBVIOUS!" Eric spat.
They continued screaming at each other; when scream of terror was issued from a bit away. They looked at each other, and went running.
Lex, Abby, and Jackson were running as well. Melissa was running back.
"What happened?" Lex asked.
"Lexie has a really high fever, she's having chills and she's passed out," Melissa murmured, hobbling along (heavy pregnancy), "I'm getting wetted cloths and blankets!"
Everyone stared at each other, completely pale.
Lex seemed to be the only one not a nervous wreck, and instead of going to help Melissa he took off to go to the hut immediately.
Daley was rocking Lexie, who appeared to be in a sickly sleep, crying. Nathan was sitting on the bed.
"How high is the fever?" he asked immediately, taking Lexie from Daley. He pressed the back of his hand against her forehead.
"Okay, really bad. Melissa and the others are getting wet cloths. Daley, she's shivering- wrap her up in all the clothes you have."
Daley went and grabbed all of Lexie's stuff from her hamper. She helped Lex wrap Lexie up.
"Nathan- I want you to go out to the campfire and boil water. Luckily it is right outside," Lex shot out. Nathan fumbled and ran outside.
Daley lay crying heavily, and stared up at Lex.
"Lex, what if Lexie dies? I've already lost a baby!" she wailed. Lex patted her back and hugged her.
"Don't worry, Daley. I know what I'm doing," he whispered. Nathan came running back in.
"How is she?" he panted.
"Let her rest. There are some flu pills in the emergency kit. Nathan, go get them. Daley, get some clean water," Lex ordered as the others came back in bearing cool, wet cloths.
"Good, gently lay them on her forehead," Lex nodded. They all did, the cloths way too big for Lexie's little head.
Lex stayed by Lexie's side as everyone rushed in an out. Nathan and Daley came back in, bearing water and flu pills. Lex grounded them together, and gently slipped them down Lexie's throat.
"Are they safe for her?" Daley asked immediately.
"Yes. I know because I made sure when I looked through the emergency gear when we got here that all the pills and things were generic: made for everyone, all ages all genders all health conditions. They are."
"Oh thank God," Daley murmured, collapsing on Nathan.
"I'll watch her, okay?" Lex smiled sympathetically, "you guys go outside. If I need help I'll call you," he rested a gentle hand on Daley and Nathan, "don't worry guys, she's going to be okay."
29DWN29DWN29DWN29DWN29DWN29DWN29DWN29DWN29DWN29DWN29DWN29DWN29DWN29DWN29DWN
Melissa was pacing back and forth, her face in her hands. Her pregnant belly, now 7 months along, looked like it was ready to burst. She was so worried for Nathan and Daley, who didn't need this right now and definitely didn't need their other child to die; and she was worried for herself, Jackson, and the baby inside of her. Maybe the island wasn't a good place for kids. Maybe there were too many tropical diseases.
Jackson walked up to her and wrapped his arms around her, "Melissa, it'll be okay."
"No it won't!" Melissa sighed, "I wouldn't be able to handle what Nathan and Daley are going through! I would crack! I would become a withering blob! They are so much stronger than me! I hate death, Jackson!" she cried, "I'm so worried our baby is going to die! I don't want that to happen to me!" she wept in Jackson's shirt.
"How many people have you known who have died?" Jackson asked softly.
"8. My grandparents on my Dad's side, my little brother Anthony, my best friend until I was 12 Liam; Captain Russell, Ian, and Jory; and Liam Jr.," Melissa sighed.
"That is more than most people," Jackson admitted, "but I promise you," he began with a serious look on his face, leaning down to her level and gripping her elbows protectively, "I promise you that our baby isn't going to die. I swear it," his eyes were determined.
"I'm so holding you to that," Melissa smiled through her tears and wrapped her arms around him, and he held her till she calmed.
29DWN29DWN29DWN29DWN29DWN29DWN29DWN29DWN29DWN29DWN29DWN29DWN29DWN29DWN29DWN
Eric and Taylor had reconciled and were sitting next to each other by the fire, both worrying.
"I'm sorry I'm so 'afraid of commitment', Taylor,' Eric whispered softly.
"I'm sorry I'm so eager to have a baby. It's just that I see what Nathan and Daley have, what Melissa and Jackson are anticipating, and I'm so jealous of them and I want it to. I know you're not ready yet, and I guess I can wait…"
"Can you wait at least a few more months?" Eric grinned sheepishly, "So that I can get used to the idea?"
"Deal," Taylor hugged him tightly.
"I'm worried for Nathan and Daley," Eric murmured softly.
"Me too," Taylor nodded and didn't let go.
29DWN29DWN29DWN29DWN29DWN29DWN29DWN29DWN29DWN29DWN29DWN29DWN29DWN29DWN29DWN
Nathan and Daley were sitting, completely worried and scared, on their bed as Lex tended to Lexie. They knew by now to just stand out of the way and let Lex do what he's doing, because he knew what he was doing. Instead, Nathan held Daley as she cried and cried himself.
"Daley," Nathan murmured in her ear, "maybe we shouldn't push for another baby. It's obvious that the jungle's against us."
"Not for a while anyway," Daley murmured sadly and nestled up against him.
Nathan felt more tears fall from his eyes as he pulled Daley even closer to him.
Please, please let Lexie be alright…
(1, 040 Words) Dun Dun Dun…
