I know it's been forever. Once again, no excuses, just apologies. Hope you enjoy this chapter!
Chapter 18
Sherlock was called to Scotland Yard to discuss the case further with Lestrade since they were interrupted at the scene. He hated to leave Addie when she was so sick, but he knew John was just as capable as he was of comforting and caring for her. He quietly slipped out and pressed a light kiss to her forehead before leaving.
John was watching telly with the volume low in case Addie needed him. Mrs. Hudson had been by to drop off some of her special tea for Addie, saying it had great healing properties in it to cure the flu. John thanked her and told her they would try it when Addie woke up. He checked her temperature a few more times and was glad to see that the fever reducer was doing its job. She was no longer sweating and clammy. He hoped it would keep up and she'd be feeling better soon.
John wasn't even sure what he was watching on TV. It was mostly just to pass the time and get him some form of entertainment. He was sure to keep an ear out for Addie and any problems she might have. Sure enough, he heard her calling for him a few minutes later.
"Mr. John?"
"Yes, Addie? What do you need? Are you ok?" he said feeling a bit too overprotective.
"Where's Sherlock?" she asked.
"He had to go talk to Lestrade for a bit. He should be home soon," John reassured her.
"Oh," she said as she fidgeted a bit. "Ok."
"Why, what's the matter?" He noticed she seemed squirmy and unsettled.
"Nothing. I just…"
"What is it?" he asked, concerned.
"Sherlock said I can't move from the couch but…"
"Yeah…?" John prompted.
"But I gotta go potty…I mean, to the bafroom," she said, genuinely concerned and worried that she would get in trouble if she disobeyed Sherlock.
John laughed at her serious expression. "Addie, I don't think that's what Sherlock meant."
"He said I can't move from the couch and I had to stay here. I don't wanna make him angry!"
"Kiddo, I think he'd be ok if you got up to use the loo. He probably meant no playing around or doing too many things when you don't feel well. I think I trip to the bathroom would be ok," John explained.
"Are you sure?"
"I'm sure, Addie."
Addie still looked skeptical. "Well…I really do hafta go…I guess it would be ok…"
John nodded and held out his hand for her, "I'll tell you what, how about I take you to the toilet. That way, if Sherlock gets angry, we can say it's my fault. Ok?"
"Alright. I guess that would be ok," Addie agreed. "But let's hurry!"
John chuckled and led her to the bathroom quickly. He helped her wash her hands and had her brush her teeth also since she needed a fresh mouth after being sick so many times. John assessed Addie after she came out and decided, since she seemed to be feeling a bit better, that it would be a good idea for her to take a bath. She was already up, so what's the harm?
"Addie…" John started. "Would you mind if I helped you with a bath? It would be nice to be clean, wouldn't it?"
Addie seemed contemplative. "Alright Mr. John. That's fine. I'm not 'barrassed. But you've never given anyone a baf before. I don't want you to be uncomertable. And you have no 'sperience wif kids. You don't have to. You could wait for Sherlock."
"No, it's alright. I want to. I need to start learning how to care for you when Sherlock's gone. Plus, I'll just be supervising the bath. You're a big girl and I'm sure you can wash up without much help from me," John said.
"Yeah, you're right. I'm a big girl, but I do need someone in here wif me. Just to be safe," Addie agreed.
Once Addie was in the water, John brought out a brightly colored bottle. Addie eyed it curiously.
"What's that?" she asked, pointing to the bottle.
"It's bubble bath. Do you want to try it?"
"Bubble baf? I remember having bubble baf when I was littler. I would like to try it again though. If that's ok," Addie said.
"Of course, that's why I bought it. Want me to pour some in?"
"Yes please, Mr. John!"
John poured in the bubble bath mix and soon Addie was giggling and blowing the bubbles around the water. John loved seeing her smiling after being so sick and miserable for the past few days.
"Mr. John, look at my beard! I look like Father Chrissmas!" Addie laughed.
John laughed too and blew some bubbles back at her.
The rest of the bath went smoothly with little embarrassment and awkwardness. John was right; Addie was capable of washing herself, and he really only needed to supervise and make sure she was safe. Once the bubbles cleared he left Addie to dry off and get dressed on her own. But he stationed himself outside of the bathroom just in case.
Sherlock came home and found John waiting outside the bathroom door.
"Everything alright?" he asked as he took off his coat and scarf.
"Huh? Oh yes, it's fine. Just waiting for Addie to get out of the bath," John replied.
"The bath? Was she sick again? What happened?" Sherlock asked looking increasingly concerned.
"No, no, nothing like that. I took Addie to the loo and she felt well enough to take a bath, so I helped her take one. She's just getting changed now," John explained.
"You helped Addie with a bath…?" Sherlock asked skeptically.
"Yes. And it went very well, I might add. I'm not totally incapable of caring for children."
"I didn't say anything," Sherlock said innocently.
"Right. Oh, and you should specify with her about when she is allowed to leave the couch. I found her practically dancing because she needed the toilet but you told her to stay put."
"I would have thought that would be self-explanatory."
"Well, apparently not, since she was ready to wet herself on the couch," John said.
"Damn. I'll have to explain it to her again," Sherlock said.
"She was sick though. I'm sure she just misunderstood. And she was very worried about making you angry, so don't be too harsh."
"I am never harsh," Sherlock said haughtily.
"Sure…" John mocked.
Sherlock rolled his eyes as Addie opened the bathroom door.
"I'm done Mr. John! Thanks for watching over me while I was in the baf. I really-" she cut off when she saw Sherlock next to John.
"Oh, hi, Sherlock," she said nervously. "I'm sorry I'm off the couch. Mr. John took me to the loo. He said you wouldn't be mad. Are you mad?"
Sherlock adjusted her pajama top for her and buttoned her trousers. "It's fine, Addie. You're allowed to get off the couch for the loo. You don't have to ask. Did you have a nice bath?"
Addie nodded enthusiastically. "Oh yes, Sherlock! Mr. John was a very good supa…supaviz…watcher, for me. And he gave me bubbles! I got a bubble baf, just like when I was littler and mummy used to put it in my bafs! And Mr. John gave me a bubble beard like Father Chrissmas! Then I blew bubbles at him! It was fun!"
Sherlock smiled, relieved that she seemed to be feeling better and was beginning to get back to her normal happy self.
"Well, I'm glad you enjoyed yourself. That was very nice of John to help you, wasn't it?"
Addie suddenly launched herself at John and squeezed him around his middle. "Thanks Mr. John!"
John smiled, "No problem kiddo."
"How are you feeling, Addie?" Sherlock asked, checking her forehead for fever.
"I think my tempture is going down. I still feel a little hot. And my throat is still scratchy. But I don't feel like throwing up no more. And I'm kinda hungry," she said.
"That's great news!" John said. "I say we try Mrs. Hudson's special tea to see if it takes away the rest of the fever and the sore throat, then I'll make you some toast. Best stick with something light for now since your stomach is still sensitive."
"Ok, Mr. John! Can we make Sherlock some toast too?"
"I'll make my own toast, Addie, but thank you. Now, what do you say? You up for a ride on the 'Sherlock Express'?" he asked.
Addie's eyes lit up and she nodded.
"All aboard!" Sherlock exclaimed in his best engineer voice.
Addie jumped on his back and raised her fist in the air. "Chooo choooo!" she yelled, bringing her fist up and down.
"Next stop: kitchen! Chugga, chugga, chugga, chugga," Sherlock said walking towards the kitchen.
"Chooo choooo!" Addie finished as she took her ride on the 'Sherlock Express.'