Chapter 160

"Mr and Mrs Booth, I'm doctor Jeremy Lowe, the chief of pediatrics. We've looked at your daughter's results and the fact that the skin rash wasn't there at first we have misdiagnosed her." He said carefully seeing the questions and worry in the parents eyes without any of them saying a word.

"How can you do that? I'm trusting you to make my child better and you're telling me you've misdiagnosed her!" Alex yelled through clenched teeth, as she is still aware of Phoebe in the room. Ryan got up and put his hands on his wife's shoulders supportively as he stood behind her.

"Can you tell us what is wrong with her now?" Ryan asked as the two doctors looked at each other.

"Phoebe has bacterial meningitis." Doctor Lowe said carefully, while Alex felt like the wind was knocked out of her as she looked back at Phoebe laying on the bed drinking her bottle. "It is a rare infection of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord called meninges."

"But you can treat her right? She's going to be fine and make a full recovery." Ryan asked trying to keep his emotions at bay, while squeezing his wife's shoulders as he knew she was on the verge of breaking down.

"We've caught it early enough so she can make a full recovery, and we'll treat it. I have to add however that it is contagious so everyone who has been in close contact with her has to get tested for their own safety which includes the two of you." Dr Lowe explained and the parents nodded understandingly. "I have to add however, Mrs Booth since you are pregnant, for the risk of you and the unborn baby you will need to limit the amount of contact that you have with your daughter as pregnant women generally have a lower immune system."

Alex hasn't said a word since the doctors told her what was wrong with her daughter, but sniffing she looked up at them, "wh..what does that mean? That I'm not allowed to see her?"

The doctor nodded his head, "even with a facial mask and with gloves and body coverings you'll still be exposed to bacteria and we'd really not want you to take that risk. I can assure you that we will take care of your daughter and treat her to the best of our abilities ensuring that she'll make a full recovery. You'll be allowed to visit her but it'll have to be limited to about an hour each day until she's discharged." The doctor concluded and walked out the door, with his fellow team mate leaving the parents alone to process the news.

"Mama?" Phoebe said from the bed and Alex looked up at her husband with tears in her eyes as he kissed her forehead and she walked over to her daughter. "Mama up." She put the empty bottle aside and picked her daughter up kissing her forehead and running a hand through her curls.

"I love you bub." Alex whispered softly kissing Phoebe until she started laughing loudly. A sound they haven't heard from their daughter in a while. "Are you going to stay with her?" Alex asked Ryan and he nodded his head rubbing a hand up and down her back.

"Will you be okay on your own? Why don't you ask Nimah or Natalie to stay over until Phoebe can come home?" He suggested but Alex shook her head.

"I'll be okay. Just promise me you'll keep me updated on what the doctors are saying about her." She looked up at him. "I promise." Ryan said looking at Alex and Phoebe as they were talking on the bed smiling at the way Phoebe is forming words that actually makes sense. He had no idea how they were going to get through this week with him staying with Phoebe and Alex only allowed to spend an hour with her each day, his heart was once again torn between wanting to be there for his wife and his daughter as he cannot be on two places at the same time. The doctors came in a little while later explaining the course of action they will be taking on treating Phoebe's meningitis, and then it was time for Alex to leave as she wasn't allowed to spend the night there.

Ryan called for a cab and sat down with the two of them. Alex sighed looking at her daughter while she played with Barney and the minion. Ryan didn't say anything but he kissed the side of her head and she laid her head on his shoulder. "Sweetheart, are you sure you'll be okay on your own? I'll be much more at ease when I know someone is with you. I'll ask Nimah personally if you don't want to. I just don't want you to be alo…"

"I'm gonna start crying if I'm the one calling her and having to explain what is going on." Alex said as she handed her phone to her husband so he can be the one making the phone call while she played with her daughter before the cab arrived. Nimah agreed to it and settled the matter by driving over to Alex's house and wait for her there.

"Phoebe." Alex looked at her daughter and Phoebe looked up at her mother when she heard her name. "You're gonna have to stay here for a few days okay?" Alex explained and Phoebe looked up at her mother nodding her head. "And Dada's going to stay here with you, and I'll come visit everyday. I promise."

"Mama stay?" Phoebe asked scratching at the bandages that covered her IV, and Alex took her hand away gently to not let her scratch at it.

"No bub, I'm not going to be able to stay here." Alex shook her head while running a hand through her daughter's curls. "I'll be at home with Aunty Nimah, and maybe Nana and Grandma will come visit you also. But I just need you to get well okay." Alex nodded her head and smiled when she got a text from the cab saying they were outside waiting on her.

She got up and walked over to Ryan as he pulled her into a hug and kissed the top of her head. "I love you, and now more than ever I wish that I could be at two places at the same time." He whispered running a hand up and down her back.

"I know. If I don't leave now it'll only make things worse." Alex said looking up at her husband and he kissed the tip of her nose. She walked over to Phoebe one last time and sat down on the bed, "alright little miss, I have to go now and I need you to promise me that you'll be good for Dada and to the doctors." Alex said pointing a finger in the direction of Phoebe and Phoebe laughed once again. "I love you, and I'll see you in the morning." Alex kissed Phoebe's forehead and grabbed walked towards the door.

"Mama, nooooooooooo." Phoebe started crying and Alex leaned her head against the door and Ryan walked over to her.

"Babe please." Alex lifted her hand in his direction in an action to stop him from walking over to her as making it harder than it already was.

"Maaaammmaaaaa." Phoebe started and stood up on the bed but Ryan walked over to her and picked her up. "Hey it's okay Pheebs." Ryan said while his daughter continued crying. "Maaammmaaaaa." Phoebe tried to wriggle her way out of her father's arms. Alex walked over to her daughter one last time and kissed her, "it's gonna be okay bub, I'll see you tomorrow." She whispered with her eyes full of tears as she walked out the door and downstairs, getting into the cab.

Hey guys, apologies for the long wait once again. I've had some personal issues going on. I'm in the middle of a break up with the bf so it's been a really emotional day, that I've spent most of my time crying and I just wanted to do something to keep me occupied, so I turned to my comfort of writing. I apologize for always sharing such personal things but I'd like you guys to know that there are reasons why I don't update frequently as I always explain them. Because if I could update everyday trust me I would do that. So today has been emotional and still is, and I'm still crying so please excuse any errors that slipped in I couldn't see through my teary vision. And I think I've had one too many glasses of wine due to my heartache so hope this chapter makes sense. Hope you're all still doing good.

Enjoy the read

Lovies-S