Amazon Adventures

Chapter Nine: Sick Day

Jewel awoke alongside her sleeping mate.

"Wakey-wakey, sleepy-head." She nuzzled him.

Blu yawned loudly.

"Well, good morning to you too." He smiled.

"And what a gorgeous morning it is." Jewel walked over to the opening of the hollow. "Just perfect for... for... AH-CHOO!"

"Geshundteit." Blu declared.

"Thanks, sweetie." Jewel sniffed. "AH-CHOO!"

"Are you okay, mom?" Carla asked, she and her siblings having been awakened by her sneezing.

"I'm fine." Jewel declared.

"I'm not so sure." Blu put a wing tip to his mate's forehead. "Oh, you're burning up!"

"It's probably nothing." Jewel shrugged.

"What's probably nothing?" Mimi asked as she entered the hollow.

"Mom's feeling a little under the weather." Bia declared.

"No, I'm not." Jewel insisted. "I'm just..."

Jewel swayed as she walked, almost falling over.

"...A little dizzy." She finished.

"Okay, let your aunt Mimi take a look." Mimi declared, walking over to Jewel for a thorough examination. "Mm-hmm. Just as I thought. You have the flu, dear."

"See?" Jewel smiled. "No big deal."

"What's not a big deal?" Eduardo suddenly entered the hollow.

"Mom has the flu, pop-pop." Tiago announced.

"Oh, dear." Eduardo gasped, rushing over to Jewel. "What are you still doing up? You need to rest, dear."

"Dad..." Jewel cringed. "It's not that bad."

"It's bad enough that you should stay in for the day." Mimi declared. "Rest and plenty of water, that's what'll lick this."

"I'll go get some water." Blu suggested, donning his fanny pack.

"Can we help?" Carla asked.

"Don't worry about me, kids." Jewel smiled. "No need for this flu to ruin your day, too. You just go out and have fun."

"Thanks, mom!" Tiago smiled, as he dashed out of the hollow.

"Get well soon." Bia declared as she followed her little brother.

"See you later, mom." Carla smiled.

"Now that's enough standing, little missy." Mimi instructed. "Eduardo, fetch some leaves for her to lie on."

"On it." Eduardo nodded.

Meanwhile, Blu was at the lake shore, filling the collapsible cup from his fanny pack with water. Roberto landed beside him.

"Hey Blu, what's up?" He asked.

"Jewel's not feeling well, that's what's up." Blu replied.

"Oh, poor Ju-Ju." Roberto gasped. "It's not anything serious, is it?"

"No, just the flu." Blu declared. "I'm getting her some water."

"Mind if I drop in?" Roberto asked. "A friendly face may help Ju-Ju feel better."

"Sure, I guess." Blu nodded, the cup full. "Let's go."

"I'll catch up." Roberto told him. "I'm gonna pick up a 'get well soon' present along the way."

"Suit yourself." Blu shrugged.

By the time Blu returned to the hollow, Eduardo and Mimi had Jewel lying on a pile of leaves.

"I got the water." He declared.

"Great." Jewel croaked. "I've been feeling a little parched..."

Blu held the cup under Jewel's beak, allowing her to drink at her leisure. Just as she finished, Roberto flew in, carrying an orchid.

"Hey, Ju-Ju!" He smiled. "Blu told me about what's goin' on. I got you a little something to help cheer you up."

"Thanks, Beto." Jewel smiled, as she got up to reach for it.

"Ah, ah, ah!" Mimi stopped her. "You stay put, missy!"

"Aunt Mimi..." Jewel groaned.

"Here, let me." Eduardo declared, taking the orchid from Roberto and giving it to his daughter.

"I'm not helpless, you know." Jewel groaned. "It's the flu, not dengue fever!"

"Nonetheless, you need to take it easy." Mimi retorted. "Or it might result in something worse."

"Are you hungry?" Eduardo asked. "I'll get you some nice, healthy starfruit."

"And I'll fetch some Brazil nuts." Mimi added. "Your favourite."

"I'll come too." Roberto added. "Anything for Ju-Ju."

The three birds flew out of the hollow, leaving Blu and Jewel alone.

"So, how are you feeling?" Blu asked.

"Lousy." Jewel replied. "And not just from the flu. I know they mean well, but I don't need them fawning over me like I'm some helpless chick!"

Blu understood Jewel's feelings. When they had first met, she was greatly independent. That trait had faded with time, but not entirely. It still reared it's head every so often.

"I just want to rest, and get this flu out of my system." Jewel sighed. "Is that too much to ask?"

"No, it's not." Blu agreed. "So why don't you just tell them?"

"How can I?" Jewel groaned. "They all just want to help. I can't throw it back at them like that."

"Then don't." Blu declared, spotting the others flying back to them. "Leave this to me."

Blu flew out into the hollow, intercepting the would-be caregivers.

"Sorry everyone, but I'm afraid this is as far as you go." He announced.

"Say what?" Roberto asked.

"Jewel doesn't want to say it to your faces, but she doesn't need you all fawning over her like this." Blu told them.

"'Fawning'?" Mimi repeated. "We're family. This is what family does."

"I know, but Jewel really doesn't want you to make a fuss." Blu insisted.

"I doubt that." Eduardo retorted. "My little girl is sick, and she needs her father."

"With respect, sir, you're wrong." Blu said, the ghost of a wince on his face.

"I think I know my own daughter, Blu." Eduardo growled. "I've known her since she was a chick."

"Correction: You knew her when she was a chick." Blu countered. "You've known her as an adult for what, a month? Maybe two? In that respect, I've known her much longer then you. She's strong, independent... the last thing she wants is for others to treat her like she's helpless."

"That sounds like my little wild flower, alright." Mimi chuckled.

"Maybe Blu's right, Eduardo." Roberto agreed. "Maybe we should back off a little."

"It looks like I'm outvoted." Eduardo conceded. "Fine, Blu. We'll play it your way. But if she gets even a little worse, it'll be on your head. Clear?"

"Crystal." Blu nodded nervously.

With that, the three others left, and Blu (stopping only to refill his cup) returned to the hollow.

"There we go, problem solved." He smiled.

"Thanks, Blu." Jewel grinned. "I heard a little of what you said out there. Nice speech."

"Thanks." Blu grinned.

"Now, you get out there and play with the kids." Jewel urged. "I'll be just fine here."

"Just in case, though..." Blu pulled a whistle out of his fanny pack. "If you need anything, blow on this."

"Thanks." Jewel took the whistle. "Love you."

"Love you too." Blu smiled, rubbing his beak against Jewel's.

At the end of the day, Jewel showed signs of improvement. By the next morning, she was completely recovered.

"Mmm, I feel great." Jewel grinned. "That whole 'rest' thing really works."

"I knew you'd shake it off quick." Blu chuckled. "My Jewel doesn't let a little thing like a virus get her down for... for... AH-CHOO!"

"Oh, great." Carla sighed. "Now dad's got it."

"Guess it's your turn to rest up." Jewel smiled as she led Blu to the leave bed.

"I'll go get you some water, dad." Bia declared.

"Thanks, sweetie." Blu smiled.

"You gonna be okay?" Jewel asked, as Bia flew out of the hollow. "Need a nurse?"

"If you can tough it out, then so can I." Blu declared. "Take the kids and catch up on some fun."

"You got it, honey." Jewel handed him the whistle. "You need anything, just blow."

Just as Jewel, Carla and Tiago were about to leave the hollow, Blu blew the whistle.

"What is it?" Jewel rushed back.

"Love you." Blu smiled cheekily.

"Love you, too." Jewel chuckled.

The two engaged in another beak nuzzle, to the disgust of Carla and Tiago.

"Ewww!" They grimaced.

"What's wrong, guys?" Bia asked as she returned with the water. She then saw her parents nuzzling. "Ew!"

"It's not just dad who's feeling sick right now..." Tiago groaned.

To Be Continued...

(Rio 2 and all associated characters are the property of Blue Sky Studios and 20th Century Fox.)