Jennifer and Rachel took Jessalynn upstairs and into Jennifer and Jonathan's room.
Jennifer went and grabbed a couple paci's, and a few diapers and a thing of wipes, and then came back to the bedroom.
She quickly threw on some lounging pants and a t-shirt and her running shoes, and threw her hair in a ponytail.
She quickly threw a bag together, and at the last minute, added a full change of clothes for her, just in case.
"Ok, you should probably try to sleep here in our room. It's closer to the nursery. You know the routine. I'll call the house if we have to stay. If you need me, call the cell phone".
Rachel gave Jessalynn a few kisses and then they all headed downstairs.
Jennifer took Jagger's car seat out of her car and quickly moved it to Rachel's car, just in case.
"Ok, we'll be back as soon as we can. I'm so glad you're here to stay with Jagger. Thank you so much".
As she drove to the hospital, she kept repeating the same thing over and over in her mind.
Jonathan…I wish to God you were here with me…
***Los Angeles Memorial Hospital***
Jennifer brought the baby in and got her signed in, and then they were taken back to a room right away.
"You are going to have to lay in the bed and hold her, for the doctor to examine her at first. They'll probably bring a crib in for her after that".
Jennifer nodded.
She carefully laid Jesslaynn down on the bed and then got their things settled, and then kicked her shoes off and climbed up in the bed with Jessalynn and got her settled.
The nurse came back in and started examining Jessalynn.
"Who is her pediatrician?"
"Dr. Susan Kendall".
Another nurse came in and started asking Jennifer questions about the symptoms that Jessalynn was experiencing. Jennifer was growing more and more frustrated and worried by the minute.
"How old is she?"
"Almost 5 months old."
"Any fever?"
"I've only taken it once, about an hour or so ago. 102.5".
"Ok, we are going to page the doctor, and they will be in to see you".
"Thank you".
Jennifer reclined the bed and got Jessalynn settled against her chest.
They both got a little bit of rest while they waited for the doctor, but Jessalynn just wouldn't completely settle down.
About 40 minutes later, Susan walked in the door.
"Hi…"
"Hi. I had no clue they were going to page you, I'm sorry".
"Don't be. I'm glad they did. Tell me what happened".
"Well, around 2:30, she woke up crying and wouldn't eat, and didn't need to be changed and she was so hot. Her cheeks were flushed and her hair was all sweaty. So, I took her temp and it was 102.5. So, I took her pajamas off her and was just going to let her stay in just a diaper, and she instantly started shaking, kind of, and started crying harder. So, we were going to try medicine to get her fever down, but the bottle said to contact a pediatrician at her age, so I called the nurses' line for your office and they said bring her here. She still won't eat, and she won't completely settle down, either."
"Ok. It's going to be ok. Let me take a look".
Susan examined Jessalynn and had the nurse prick her finger and do a couple of swab tests.
"Ok, we are going to admit her, at least until the fever breaks. And I don't like the fact that she's not eating. I understand she might not feel like it, but we don't need her to be dehydrated".
"I brought a formula bottle with me, but I don't have any hot water to put it in".
"We can order you some hot water from the cafeteria, and we also have formula that she can eat here too".
Jennifer nodded.
"I'm going to order a crib attachment so that you can both sleep and you won't have to hold her all the time. We are going to get you guys through this".
"Thank you".
"I'll be back in a few minutes after the test results are in".
After Susan left the room, Jennifer grabbed her phone and texted Jonathan.
Hi darling. Jessalynn is sick-coughing, fever 102.5, crying non-stop. Brought her to the emergency room of LA General, and Susan just admitted her. We love you, and we miss you and wish you were here with us. Rachel is staying with Jagger. Muah.
She put the phone away and laid back and tried to focus on getting Jessalynn to settle down.
About 20 minutes later, Susan came back in.
"Ok, so the news is not good. Sweet pea tested positive for the flu. It's the strain that isn't covered by the flu shot. So, we are going to start an iv and give her some fluids and meds through that".
Jennifer nodded.
"Have you called Jonathan?"
"I just sent him a message. He's probably asleep. He'll call us back in the morning".
"Ok sweet pea, Dr. Kendall is going to give you some medicine so you feel better. Let's take your temperature one more time so that we can be up to date".
Jennifer held her while the nurse took her temp. 103.8.
"Ok, we are going to start the iv meds".
Jennifer had to look away while they put the IV in, and tried so hard not to cry.
After it was over, she held her for a little bit and then finally, Jessalynn fell asleep.
***Several Hours Later***
Jessalynn woke up around 8, and took about half a bottle, and then refused the rest. She wasn't crying, but she wasn't her normal happy self either.
Her fever was still fluctuating, and her cheeks were still so flushed.
Jennifer grabbed her phone and called Jonathan again.
No answer.
"Ugh. We need Daddy so much right now, princess."
She called the house next, and Rachel picked up right away.
"Hart Residence"
"Hey. How's my son? And my best friend".
"He's perfect. He's so smiley this morning. And hungry. He sucked his bottle down in record time".
"Wonderful. Give him a kiss for me".
"How's Jessalynn?"
"She tested positive for the flu. And she had to get an IV because she wasn't eating. She ate about half of her bottle this morning, and she slept better for a good portion of the night, so now we just need to get her fever down".
"Well, we miss you guys. Everything is fine here, so try not to worry".
"I am trying, believe me. Listen, Max is supposed to come back from Vegas either tonight or tomorrow. So, don't let him scare you when he just comes in the house".
"Got it. Do you need us to bring you anything?"
"Not at the moment, but I'll call you if I do. I'm so thankful for you helping out like this".
"No problem at all. I'm happy to do it".
They hung up, and Jennifer decided to try and rest while Jessalynn was.
About a half-hour later, Jessalynn started crying and wouldn't stop. Jennifer was holding her and trying to console her, but it wasn't working.
Susan came and checked on them, and took Jessalynn from Jennifer.
"Ok sweet pea, let's see what's going on here".
She laid her down on the bed and started listening to her.
"I don't like what I'm hearing. I think I'm going to order some more tests".
Susan told the nurse what she wanted to do, and then turned back to Jennifer.
"I'm going to order a crib for her. I'm also going to give her some medicines that are going to make her sleep. If I'm right, she is going to need all the rest she can get".
Jennifer's heart sank.
She picked up the phone and called Jonathan. Again, no answer.
She was just about to cry when her phone rang. The word "Home" flashed across the screen.
She quickly answered it.
"Hello?"
"Hey, it's me. Someone from the office just called. I think it was Stanley, the guy that Stacie dated a while back. Anyways, he said there's an emergency and Techy needs to call him right away".
"I've been calling Jonathan. He's not answering. Can you call Jack and ask him to have Jonathan call me? I'll call Stanley and see if he can tell me what's going on".
"Sure thing".
They hung up and she called Stanley.
"Hello?"
"Stanley? This is Jennifer Hart. My friend said you called the house needing Jonathan and said it was an emergency".
"Yes ma'am. The numbers from the recent acquisition show that our margins are too high, our price point is too low, and our dividends aren't meeting quarterly projections. I understand that Mr. Hart is meeting with Zack McCall, of VSI Factory Warehouse, and I also know that Mr. McCall wants the people he meets with to come prepared. In order to raise our quotas, we are going to have to-"
"Stanley. I have no idea what you are talking about. Jonathan told me about a meeting and said it was in Texas but that's all he told me. Jonathan is out of town. I have been trying to reach him, because our daughter is sick. So, I tell you what. He put you in charge while he's gone on this trip, so just handle it the way you think is best and as soon as I get in contact with him, I'll pass along the message. If he doesn't like that, I'll take the responsibility".
"Thank you, Mrs. Hart".
She hung up. A few minutes later, her phone rang again.
"Hello?"
"Hey, it's me. Jack said you've been trying to get me".
"Yes. Jessalynn's in the hospital. Susan admitted her. She has the flu and she's not getting any better. I know you were looking forward to the fishing trip, but can you please come home?"
"I can't-".
"Jonathan! You have to! Your daughter needs you. I need you. Rachel is staying with Jagger, thankfully, but he needs you too. Plus, Stanley called about some company emergency. You have to come home!"
"I can't-"
"Jonathan, this is incredibly selfish. If you don't come home and help me through this…."
"I can't-"
"I wish to hell I had never given you this trip! Come home!"
Just then, the line went dead.
Susan came back in and listened to Jessalynn's chest again.
"Ok, so the tests are confirming what I thought was happening. She has the flu, and she also has RSV. She is very, very critical. I am going to give her some medicines, and we are going to give her a breathing treatment and then probably a feeding tube. The last thing we need right now is for her to be dehydrated."
Jennifer blinked back the tears and held Jessalynn while they gave her a breathing treatment.
After it was over, they inserted a feeding tube through her nose and started the formula feed through that. Jennifer was beside herself with worry and anxiety.
As soon as it was just them in the room, Jennifer grabbed her phone and sent Jonathan a text.
Jessalynn has RSV and the flu. Susan's direct words are "she's very, very critical". They gave her a breathing treatment, and a feeding tube, and she just looks so pitiful. Please, come home. I love you.
Jennifer leaned over and gave her a few kisses.
"Mama's here, princess. Mama's right here".
***Montana***
Jonathan walked from his cabin up to where he thought he could get a good signal. The text from Jennifer came through.
He quickly walked back to the cabin.
"Jack, we gotta go. Jessalynn's in critical condition and Jennifer's text sounds bad. Can we fly back tonight?"
"Sure".
They packed up and headed out.
***Montana airport***
Jonathan boarded the plane rather quickly, and Jack hopped in the cockpit.
He called for clearance, and then sat back and waited.
"All clear".
"Thank you".
Suddenly, a man dressed in black waving an official baton and wearing a reflective vest stood in front of the plane and started waving his hands and motioning for the plane to stop.
Jonathan, eager to see what was going on, came into the cockpit.
"Jack, did we get clearance?"
"Yes, but this person isn't allowing me to go".
"I'm going to go down and see what's going on".
All of sudden, he heard the familiar click of a gun being cocked right next to his head.
"Actually, you are going to sit down and do what I tell you".
Jonathan turned and tried to see who had a gun on him, but he couldn't.
"Walk to the seats and take a seat, Mr. Hart".
He did what they said.
Another masked individual stepped out of the back of the plane and headed to the cockpit.
"Look, I don't know what you want, or what you think you are going to accomplish. But the reality is, my daughter is very sick and my wife needs me, and we don't have time to fool around".
"Quiet!"
Just then, the door to the plane opened and the man from outside came aboard.
"Ok, we are all clear. Let's go".
"Who are you? Why are you doing this?"
***LA General Hospital***
Jennifer was trying to rest, but couldn't. She felt horrible about telling Jonathan he was being selfish. He was always putting her first, and he more than deserved for her to reciprocate. She grabbed her phone and texted him.
I love you, I'm sorry I said you were being selfish. Just please come home as soon as you can, we all need you.
A few minutes later, alarms started going off in the room. Before she could hit the button for the nurse, they started coming in the room. They started hovering around Jessalynn.
"What's happening?"
They didn't answer her, they just kept working on Jessalynn.
"Ok, she's not getting enough oxygen. We need to intubate her. And this IV is blown out, we need to place another one".
Jennifer felt so helpless while she watched them intubate Jessalynn and put a new IV in her leg.
After it was over, and the nurses had cleared out, Susan came and sat on her end of the bed.
"Sweetie, I know this was hard for you to watch. I'm sorry, we didn't have time to prepare you better. Where is Jonathan?"
"He went on a fishing trip in Montana. I called him and asked him to come home and all he kept saying was "I can't". And it's my fault that he's not here".
She started to cry even harder.
"How is it your fault?"
"Because I told him I thought he was being selfish. And then I hung up and he hasn't responded to any other texts of mine since. I think he's mad at me".
"I'm sure things will all work out. But he needs to get here. She needs both of you right now".
"I just don't understand. I mean, everyone that has come in contact with either of them has had the flu shot. We demanded that."
"This is a strain of the flu that the shot doesn't cover. And this is RSV season, but most people don't know they have been exposed to RSV and are carrying it around, until after they've exposed someone else".
"What can I do for her?"
"You're doing all you can. We need to let the medicines do their job".
Jennifer nodded.
"Now listen, she's going to sleep for 12 hours straight, thanks to the medicines. The feeding tube will feed her and the nurses will have to be the ones to change her diapers because of the wires. This would be a great time for you to go home, take a shower, take a nap in a real bed, love on your sweet boy. Just make sure you wash your hands first".
"I can't-"
"Doctor's orders. I insist. I'll be right here, I'm on shift till in the morning anyways. I promise, I'll call you if something happens".
Jennifer thought about it and finally agreed.
"Ok, but I'm only going to be gone a few hours. I don't want to stay away too long".
"Take your time. I'll call you if something happens".
Jennifer gave her a long hug and then gathered her things.
She walked over to the crib and leaned down and kissed Jessalynn a few times.
"Mommy's going to be right back, princess. I love you, you have no clue how much".
She left before she started to cry again and made it to the car.
As soon as she was in the car, she texted Jonathan again.
I love you, our argument was all my fault. Please just call me, or come home. Please.
She called her dad as she drove home.
"Hello?"
"Hey Walter, it's Jennifer. Is my dad around?"
"Sure, he's right here".
"Sweetheart, is that you? Walter said you sounded upset".
"Oh Pa…everything is falling apart. Jessalynn has had a cold and it won't go away. And now it's turned into the flu and RSV and they admitted her to the hospital. She has a breathing tube, and a feeding tube, and she just looks so sad and pitiful. They had to give her an IV and that one blew out and they had to give her another one in her leg. And Jonathan is out of town, and I called and told him to come home and all he said was "I can't". And then right after that, the doctor came in and said "she's very, very critical". And I'm just so, so scared, Pa. I'm so scared".
Jennifer was crying hard at this point.
"Ok sweetheart. It's going to be ok. I'm going to catch the next flight out. Call Jonathan again, and see if you can just talk things out with him. He'll come home, he loves you. How is Jagger?"
"He's fine. Rachel is staying with him. He hasn't been sick at all. I'm sure we'll owe her a mint for staying with him through all of us when it's over, but I'm so glad she's there".
"I tell you what. I'm going to bring your Aunt Marnie with me. She can help Rachel with Jagger".
"Great idea. I'm so thankful you're coming".
"It's going to be ok, sweetheart. I'll see you soon".
"Los Angeles General Hospital, room 518. I love you".
"I love you too, sweetheart. Aunt Marnie and I will arrive sometime in the morning".
"Ok, thank you".
She pulled up into the driveway and parked and went inside.
Rachel and Jagger were on the couch.
"Hey".
"Hey. How's Jessalynn?"
"Horrible. She has a feeding tube and a breathing tube. And she's critical. I came home to shower and change clothes and eat and love on him and then I have to go back".
She took Jagger and gave him some kisses and just held him for a moment.
"Mama missed you, so much".
He was smiling pretty big for her.
"So, I called Pa. And he's flying out in the morning. And he's bringing my aunt Marnie with him to help you take care of Jagger".
"Squishy, I'm fine taking care of Jagger".
"I know that. But we don't know how long you'll need to stay here with Jagger. And I know how taxing it is to take care of a baby around the clock. So, you two can take shifts and work it out however you want to".
"Did you call Jonathan?"
"Yes. And all he said was "I can't" and then he hung up. He's mad at me wherever he is and I have no idea if he'll come home ever again".
"He loves you, Squishy. He'll come home".
"I hope so. I can't do this without him, Mushy. He means everything to me".
***Jonathan***
Jonathan's plane was about to land. The kidnappers had planted one of them in the cockpit who instructed Jack where to fly to, and the other two stayed with Jonathan.
Just before they took off, Jonathan's phone went off, indicating he had a text from Jennifer.
The kidnapper took it and wouldn't let Jonathan see it.
"Nice try".
"I asked you earlier who you are and why you are doing this. And I never got an answer".
"And you won't get one, till I feel like giving you one. And might I remind you that continuing to ask me questions will prove to be very hazardous to your health".
He pointed his shotgun at Jonathan to make a point.
Jonathan had a sinking feeling that things weren't going to end well anytime soon.