Author's note: A huge thank you to the kind readers who have shown their continued support for my writing! After being away for so long, I wasn't sure how many readers I had left. I'm very blessed to know you are still out there! I still have a lot of personal stuff going on, and an opera right now, so I'm not having much time to write, let alone publish. But I managed to finish this chapter, so enjoy, and I hope to hear from you. Thanks for your concern, guest Fiona, my loved one is still in hospital, but we pray he will get to go home very soon.
Molly awoke to see Sherlock putting on a shirt, and she looked at the alarm clock. It was only seven.
She gave a little cough to clear her throat, then sniffed. Quickly, she reached over to the box of tissues and grabbed one, then blew her nose.
"Morning, love," said Sherlock. "How are you feeling?"
Molly offered him a wry smile. "My throat hurts, and my nose is running. Feels like I'm getting a cold, and I don't remember the last time I had one."
Sherlock perched on the edge of the bed and bent over to give her a kiss on the forehead. "I read somewhere that if you feel you have cold symptoms, it's probably Omicron. I'll head out to the pharmacy after I get the girls their breakfast."
Molly sat up. "Well, you can't leave them alone while you do that. I'm getting up too."
She groaned a little as she swung her legs to the floor, feeling the weight of her abdomen pressing on her bladder. "But first, I need to use the loo."
She sneezed, grabbed another tissue, and headed to the bathroom.
Thirty minutes later, the family was dressed and eating breakfast. Sherlock had made Marmite toast for the girls, and he had strawberry jam on toast. Molly had opted for cereal, not wanting to irritate her throat further.
She ate without enthusiasm, sniffing several times. Oh yes, there was no doubt in her mind that if this wasn't Covid, it was, at the very least, a cold.
"Mummy, you're sick?" asked Victoria, after observing Molly reach for a tissue for the third time during breakfast.
"Yes, it looks like Mummy has a cold," supplied Sherlock.
"Poor Mummy," said Victoria, with a crease between her brows.
Christina, from her high chair, echoed, "Poor Mummy."
"It's nothing to worry about, princess," Molly told her older daughter. Seriously, if this was really Covid, she didn't know what all the fuss was about it. People got colds all the time.
"Daddy has to go out now and pick up some things," said Sherlock, looking over at Victoria. "Can you look after Mummy and your sister while I'm gone?"
Victoria beamed. "Course I can. I'm a big girl!"
Sherlock smiled. "Yes, you are." He looked at Molly. "I think I'll pick up a few extra boxes of tissues while I'm out."
"Can you get me some Strepsils as well, please,? Preferably blackcurrant." It had been so long since Molly had been sick, she didn't know if they even had anything in the house for a sore throat.
"Of course, love. Anything else?"
Molly thought for a moment. If her runny nose turned into a congested one, a nasal decongestant would be a good idea. "Some Vicks Sinex nasal spray might be useful. I used to have some, but it's been so long since I've used it, I wouldn't know the first place to look for it." She sniffed and reached for yet another tissue, looking at her cereal bowl which was still half full of Coco Pops and milk. By now, it was soggy, and she really didn't care for soggy cereal, even with a sore throat.
"Not a problem."
A few minutes later, with the dirty dishes successfully placed in the dishwasher by Sherlock, assisted by Victoria, Molly was on the sofa in the front room. A tissue box sat beside her, and the seldom-used little rubbish bin from the utility room was in front of the sofa, ready to collect the used tissues.
Molly watched as Sherlock went online to order a kit of 7 lateral flow tests, and he received the collect code for it. "Should've just kept a box in the house," he commented as he prepared to leave.
"Hindsight is 20/20."
"Indeed." He gave Molly a quick kiss goodbye and departed.
The television was already tuned to a cartoon, but Victoria was in the playpen with Christina, keeping her entertained with a picture book. Victoria was obviously taking her job as a helper seriously.
Molly blew her nose, threw the tissue into the bin and turned her attention to the cartoon, glancing periodically at her daughters.
When Sherlock returned half an hour later, five used tissues had joined the first one.
"Everything's in the kitchen for you," announced Sherlock when he entered the room, after having walked past it when he entered the house.
"Thanks, honey." She stood. "Guess I'll be back in half an hour or so," she told him, having done a couple of the lateral flow rapid tests already, knowing the results took thirty minutes.
Molly went to the kitchen and withdrew the kit from the bag Sherlock had brought inside, withdrawing one of the tests. It was rather ironic how they were similar to pregnancy tests, yet in this case, a positive result was not the hoped-for result.
Molly followed the instructions, which included washing her hands thoroughly beforehand. Carefully, she swabbed the inside of each nostril, sneezed several times at the tickling sensation it created, and placed the swab into the vial with the liquid, swirling the swab to make sure the nasal discharge was released into the liquid. She removed the swab, squeezing the plastic sides of the vial onto the end of the swab to make sure as much liquid remained in the vial as possible and screwed on the cap with built in dropper of the vial. She opened the dropper cap and turned the vial upside-down, squeezing three drops of the liquid into the specimen well. Molly then set the timer on her phone for thirty minutes.
As she waited at the dining room table for the results, Molly amused herself on her phone with her new daily pastime, doing the Wordle for the day, followed by the Nerdle. Three guesses for each was enough to find the correct answers today, and she then went to check her emails on her phone. It had been a few days. Most of them were the usual ads for companies she had purchased things from, but there was one from her American fanfiction author friend, Violetta. Violetta and her family had recently contracted Covid, but thankfully, things were getting back to normal in that household.
With still fifteen minutes to wait for the test result, studiously avoiding "cheating", Molly began to write back to her friend with her own latest news.
Hi Violetta,
Great to hear from you. Sorry I haven't been in contact much lately. I'm really glad things are getting better in your family. Sherlock's parents have also recently recovered from Covid.
Things are going fine with the pregnancy. Thanks for asking. I feel as big as a house, and I'm always tired. Mike took me off of doing post-mortems so I wouldn't be on my feet as much, but it can get a bit boring being in the lab all day and doing paperwork. I'm due to start maternity leave next month, but I might end up starting it earlier.
And here's my big news, if you can call it that. My friend, Kaitlyn, tested positive for Covid, and she sent me a text yesterday to let me know. At this very moment, I am awaiting the results of my own test that Sherlock picked up for me. I have a feeling it is going to be positive. My throat started feeling sore yesterday, and my nose is running like a tap.
She paused in her writing to rise. She took a tissue from the box on the counter and blew her nose, tossed it in the bin, and sat down again to continue her email.
I remember you told me your Covid was like a bad cold. Kaitlyn said hers is also manifesting that way. A few more minutes and I will know myself.
But anyway, Mike suggested that if I test positive I should just start my maternity leave early, and I think it's a good idea. Being pregnant with twins, as well as being almost 42, is definitely exhausting.
She continued to update her friend on the latest activities of the girls and Sherlock's most recent case.
Her phone timer went off, and Molly set it down temporarily. She walked to where she had put the test on the counter, feeling a sense of inevitability.
And there it was: the control line joined by another line that indicated a positive result.
Molly left the test on the counter and returned to finish her email.
Well, guess I've officially joined the "Covid Club". The test was positive.
She ended the missive, wishing her friend good luck with her upcoming opera rehearsals, and sent it off, then returned to the front room, where Sherlock looked up at her with a raised eyebrow. "Positive, I'm quite certain."
"Yes," she confirmed. Suddenly, she felt at a loss on what to do next. "Now what?"
"Let Mike know you're starting your maternity leave early, as he suggested."
"Good idea." Molly sniffed, snatched up another tissue to blow her nose, then called Mike. She wasn't surprised that he was not there, seeing as he'd been in the office late the day before, so she left a message.
As soon as she hung up, she glanced over at the playpen. Victoria was now occupied in giving Christina blocks for the wooden shape cube.
"So," she said, looking at Sherlock, who was utterly relaxed in his position on the sofa, "What are the chances you won't get Covid?"
"Practically zero," he responded, shrugging as a corner of his mouth tilted upwards in a wry smile. "I'm not afraid of getting it." Then his look became sober as he patted the seat next to him. "But I do insist that you take it easy. You are not only worrying about yourself, but our sons as well. There is at least a small risk for premature labour in pregnant women, and I would prefer you rest as much as possible."
Molly sat and rested her head against his shoulder. "Do you think we can pray together about it?"
She felt him press a kiss to her hair. "Of course we can, love. Do you want me to do it?"
By now, Sherlock was completely comfortable with praying aloud, and she nodded. "Yes, please."
He reached a hand to link with hers and prayed.
"Father, You know what is in our hearts, and we know you always want what is best for us. Thank you for protecting us during the height of the pandemic, when the virus posed the greatest risk for people before vaccinations or treatments were available. Thank you for answering my prayers and having my parents also recover from the virus. Now, I pray that you will help us as we navigate this new, uncharted territory. Keep Molly safe from severe illness and protect our unborn children. And if it is your will that our daughters and I also contract the virus, I pray that you will bring us through it without complications as well. I put my trust in you, Lord. In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen."
"Amen," echoed Molly, opening her eyes to smile at Sherlock, before reaching for a tissue.
As the day wore on, the bin became full of used tissues. Molly honestly could not remember the last time she had needed to blow her nose so often. Where did all that mucus come from? she wondered to herself, even as she could feel the area beneath her nose becoming irritated.
Sherlock refused to allow her to cook, instead ordering pizza for dinner.
"I'm going to give John a quick call," he informed her after dinner, once the girls were occupied in playing with some toys.
Molly raised a brow at him. "Why do I feel you are planning on doing more than just letting him and Kayla know I have Covid?"
Sherlock smirked. "I might ask for his medical advice on the best way to keep both you and the babies safe."
"We probably should be asking Laura," said Molly, thinking about the midwife who had delivered both Victoria and Christina, and who was once again serving as their midwife.
"I know. I should have thought of that earlier, but it's too late in the day to talk to her, so I'll ask John for now and call Laura tomorrow."
Molly nodded and watched as Sherlock made the call.
From Sherlock's side of the conversation, Molly knew John was expressing sympathy, followed by asking questions about her condition.
"That's a good idea," Sherlock said shortly before hanging up the phone. "I'm going upstairs," he informed her. "I'll be right back."
Molly gave him a curious look. "Why?"
"I'll tell you shortly."
"Alright then." She plucked a tissue from the box and blew her nose as she watched Sherlock leave the room.
"Mummy, I need to wee."
Molly looked over at Victoria and Christina and made a decision. She didn't want to leave Christina alone. Maybe it was time to take a more active role in Christina's potty training. Christina recognised after the fact at times with an announcement of "I wet", so Molly felt sure she would soon understand the purpose of the potty. Perhaps she would want to be like her big sister. The little potty chair was in the utility room next to the downstairs toilet, just waiting to be used.
"Both of you come with Mummy."
Fortunately, Victoria showed no signs of embarrassment in demonstrating to her sister how she was able to use the toilet all by herself, pulling her little step in front of the toilet so she could perch herself on top. She didn't even need the child-sized toilet seat insert anymore, although she preferred to have Molly hand her the toilet paper.
"You can be a big girl like Victoria," Molly told Christina, removing her nappy to place her on the little potty chair which she positioned into the sightline of the toilet, even as Victoria did her own business. Christina's nappy was dry, so at least there was a possibility of success.
Christina obediently sat on the potty as Molly got Victoria her toilet paper.
"Can you make a wee like Victoria?" Molly asked Christina.
"Wee," echoed her daughter, and Molly decided to let her sit on the potty while she tended to Victoria.
Victoria flushed the toilet and brought her step over to the sink so she would be high enough to reach into it to put her hands under the tap. Molly squeezed some liquid soap onto Victoria's hands before turning on the tap of the sink to wash them.
"Okay, princess, you can go back and play. I'll stay with Christina for a bit."
"Alwight, Mummy."
Molly waited with Christina still sitting on the potty for a few minutes, then lifted Christina off to check. Nothing. Oh well.
"Alright, let's get your nappy on again," she told Christina, but Christina shook her head.
"Wanna sit."
Molly sighed and sniffed. She hadn't thought to bring in any tissues. "Victoria, can you bring Mummy a tissue?" she called.
Thirty seconds later, Sherlock appeared at the door to the utility room with the box of tissues. "Potty training?" he enquired completely unnecessarily, holding out the box.
Molly took a tissue and blew her nose. "Obviously. She wants to keep sitting for now."
He smiled and squatted next to Christina. "Do you want to be a big girl too, like your sister?" he asked.
"Big girl," said Christina.
"So, are you going to tell me why you dashed upstairs?" asked Molly.
"Oh, right." Sherlock looked at her. "John suggested that I monitor your blood pressure, because there is a slightly higher risk for pre-eclampsia in pregnant women with Covid."
Understanding dawned."You ordered a blood pressure monitor for me, didn't you?"
"My clever Molly. Yes, and I paid for overnight shipping."
Molly rolled her eyes. "That probably cost almost as much as the unit."
He grinned. "Almost, but there's hardly a point in buying something that will not arrive until after the weekend when you need to be monitored now."
"Fair enough."
A sudden grunting sound had both of them looking in Christina's direction. There was a fierce look of concentration on her face.
"Is she doing what I think she's doing?" asked Sherlock in a low voice.
"I think so. I've heard that grunting sound before."
She had to grin when Christina announced a minute later, with a proud smile on her face, "I done. I wee."
Sherlock bent down to drop a kiss to the top of her head. "Not a wee, but close enough."
Molly took some toilet paper to wipe Christina's bottom and replace her nappy, while Sherlock flushed the thankfully solid mass down the toilet.
"Good girl," she praised Christina after washing her hands. She knew some children recognised the urge for a bowel movement before understanding the urge to make a wee. It was a good start.
Molly picked up the tissue box while Sherlock washed his own hands and scooped up Christina, and they returned to the front room.
The evening passed, and Molly, although uncomfortable with the constant need to blow her nose, felt no other symptoms. The twins moved occasionally within her, which was also reassuring.
It was only after the girls had been tucked into bed for the night that Sherlock said to Molly after they had taken showers and retired for the night themselves, "My throat is feeling a little sore."
Molly sighed. "I was hoping you would be one of the lucky ones who, even if they have Covid, is symptom free."
"I guess we'll see how I feel in the morning. Even if I end up having the same symptoms as you, my priority is to look after your needs. There are three of you and only one of me."
"I love you, Sherlock."
"And I love you too, sweetheart."
During the night, Molly woke to feel Sherlock shifting restlessly, his body radiating heat.
His hand was at her hip, and she placed hers over it. "Sherlock?" she asked softly, unsure if he was awake.
"Molly, I think I might have a fever."
Molly let out a soft giggle. "You only think? The famous detective isn't sure?"
He huffed. "You know it's just an expression. I should think it is fairly obvious I am running a fever, considering how I am feeling so cold, but one does not just randomly say, 'I have a fever'."
Molly rolled her eyes in the darkness. "Do you want me to get something for you, like an extra blanket?" she asked, already thinking about the spare blanket on a shelf at the top of the wardrobe.
"I'm supposed to be taking care of you, not the other way around. I can get it myself." Even as he said the words, she felt him give a little shiver.
"It's fine. I can do it. I deduce you have the virus as well, even if it's manifesting differently for you. Funny how everyone reacts differently."
"Just like with the vaccine." That reminded Molly of how Sherlock had been ill the day after the 2nd dose, being sick periodically for several hours, while she herself had just had a sore arm for a couple of days.
Hearing no further admonition about how he should take care of her, Molly slipped out of bed and went to the wardrobe for the blanket.
She opened the blanket and placed it on the bed over Sherlock before getting back into bed herself. Given Sherlock's unfortunate response to the 2nd vaccine dose, Molly hoped he wouldn't be one of the rare healthy people who became very ill with the virus. The chances were slim, of course, but she was only human, and she couldn't help a tiny twinge of anxiety.
Getting back into bed herself, she offered up a quick, silent prayer.
Lord, take care of Sherlock so that he doesn't get too ill.
In the morning they would know for sure whether he had Covid, but she didn't really need the proof when the evidence was already there.
She reached over for a tissue to blow her nose and then felt Sherlock pulling her back into his embrace. "Let me grab some Panadol for you," she said, annoyed with herself for not thinking of it earlier. Fortunately, she kept the tablets in her bedside drawer, so it was easily accessible.
"I'll be fine, Molly."
"You're having it whether you like it or not, Sherlock," she said, moving away from him again to find the tablets and hand him the glass she had taken up to bed with her. It was still half full of water.
Sherlock accepted the glass and tablets, taking a big sip of water and handing the glass back to Molly. "Thanks, love."
"You're welcome."
She replaced the glass on the table and didn't wait for Sherlock to reach for her, instead shifting herself so he could once again hold her from behind with his overly warm arm. It was slightly uncomfortable, feeling the heat radiating from his body against hers, but not enough that she would need distance between them. She hoped his fever would settle soon.
Yes, Molly was 99.9% sure that when he did the test in the morning, the result would be positive, and not as in the good news kind.
Author's note: Oh dear, looks as if more bad news is on the horizon. But let's face it, the reality is that when one person in a family gets Covid, the rest are likely to follow.
I had a little opportunity to "break the fourth wall" in this chapter, as I've done before. Hope you don't feel it is too out of place.
Are you a Wordle or Nerdle fan? I recommend them!
I have had to do some rapid tests myself lately, so I could describe the process accurately, although I also looked at some video examples. I found it interesting that the UK tests require 30 minutes, while the ones I have been required to do only need 15 minutes for an accurate result.
Finally, a quick word of thanks to THEONEWITHWHEELSASH and Wandering Soprano for their help with me informing readers accurately about UK guidelines and the rapid test kits.
