"I'm so sorry Clare, Spinner was driving and Erika fell asleep in the car I was sitting next to her in the back and Spinner noticed that he forgot his wallet at home and when he got out I moved a piece of Erika's hair away from her face and notice she was burning up. I took her out of the car seat, rushed her inside, took her temperature which was 101º at the time, so I gave her some children's Tylenol for fevers and about 15 minutes later it rose to 104º. I then called the doctor and explained what happened she told me to put an ice pack on her head and wait for 20 minutes and if it didn't go down to rush her to the hospital-" I cut her off

I put my hand on Emma's shoulder "Emma you did the right thing thank you." I said "This is why I trust you when it comes to Erika." I smiled at Emma.

"I need the parents of Erika Edwards." a nurse called.

I walked to her unwilling to let go of Eli's hand so I took him with me.

"Right here" I said

"Your daughter's has a fever of 104º, I'm aware the babysitter bought her in and informed us on everything, right now she's had the fever for about half an hour, we have an ice pack on her head and an iv hooked up to her as well as a monitor so we can keep an eye on her heart rate. She's sleeping right now do you have any questions before you go back?"

"Yea, she was fine this morning how come we didn't notice anything?" I asked

"Well in children under two, when they get sick sometimes we won't even notice it until their facial color changes or they fall asleep for a long period of time."

"What room is she in?" Eli asked

"2515"

Eli and I then rushed to Erika's room almost passing it. When we got into her room she was asleep in her crib. You can hear her heart beat. I stood over her crib holding Eli's hand as I rubbed her face with my free hand, her face was so hot. I started to cry again as I felt her face Eli then pulled me into a hug.

"She'll get through this I promise" he whispered

I nodded and Eli kissed my forehead, I looked up at him and his eyes looked teary too. Just then Erika woke up.

"Mommy, Eli" she smiled.

"How are you feeling sweetie?" I said

"I feel sick" She replied "Where are we?"

"You're in the hospital" I told her. "You are really sick, mommy and Eli were really worried."

"I'm ok and tired" she replied.

"Go back to sleep baby girl" Eli said "You're mommy and I will be right here when you wake back up."

"I love you mommy and Eli"

"We love you too" Eli said

She then drifted back off to sleep and a doctor walked in.

"Did she wake up yet?" the doctor asked

"Yes, but she went back to sleep." I replied

"Ok, I need her vitals"

The doctor then took her temperature.

"Her temperature is 103º"

Eli and I then let out a sigh of relief.

"She'll be going home tomorrow."

"Thank you doctor" Eli said smiling.

"You're welcome and feel free to stay the night we'll bring in a bed for you" the doctor said as he left.

Emma then came in to check on Erika.

"How is she?" she said as she walked over

"Good she goes home tomorrow" I told her

"Can I get you anything just name it and I'll get it." Emma said

"Clothes?" I asked her

"Sure, Eli do you need any?"

"No I'll just call my mom I'll be right back" Eli said as he left.

"I'll tell Snake you're here till tomorrow so you won't get in trouble at school."

"Thank you Emma"

"No problem Clare I'm just glad Erika's all right."

Emma then hugged me and left.

"My mom's bringing me clothes I didn't tell her why I was here I told her you're ok and I need clothes and we need food, shockingly she didn't ask questions."

"She'll probably ask why my mom isn't here so I'll tell her Erika's mine when she gets here, but what if she hates me?"

"Clare, she won't hate you" Eli said as he hugged me.

Just then Emma came in.

"Hey I called Snake and it's fine if the two of you don't show up tomorrow your work with be e-mailed to you it's due by midnight on Wednesday and Clare you mom wants her keys."

"Thank you Emma and she's not getting her keys until she works."

"Do you two need food?" Emma asked

"No my mom's dropping off some" Eli said

Just then there was a knock at the door.

"Speaking of your mom, I'm going to get going" Emma laughed as she left letting Mrs. Goldsworthy in on the way.

"Here are your things Eli." Mrs. Goldsworthy said

"Thanks mom"

"Hi Mrs. Goldsworthy, I'm Clare"

"It's no problem Eli and you can call me Tiff seeing how Eli took quite a liking to you Clare, oh and I bought food for the four of you." She said as she looked around the room. "So Clare where's your mom?"

"At home"

"She isn't here"

"No" I was too afraid to tell her that I took my mom's keys because she's drunk most of the time.

"Oh well then there's extra food, don't need Erika's parents here?"

I then looked up at Eli he then put his arms around me.

"They do and my parents are divorced."

"So where is her dad?"

"Mom there's something I failed to mention" Eli said

"And what might that be Eli"

"I'm Erika's mom" I said to Tiff

Jess looked beyond shocked.

"Mom before you say anything I love both Clare and Erika." Eli said "And I accept both of them just the way they are."

"Where's Erika's dad?"

"He moved to Alberta once he found out about Erika and I haven't heard from him since, but his mom calls once a month and sends child support."

"Who looks after her when you go to school? Who helps you?"

"No one helps me really I worked all last summer at the Dot and saved my pay checks to get her what she needs. Emma and Spinner Mason watch Erika while I'm at school, they said I don't need to pay them and they'll help anyway they can."

"That's good that you have a babysitter, but right now she's sick how are you going to pay for the hospital bill?"

"Erika has insurance"

"Well as long as my son is ok then I guess I don't really have a choice, I'm happy you can take care of your daughter and if you ever need anything I'm always here. Eli don't stay too long you have school tomorrow."

"Mom, Clare and I are spending the night, before you say anything Mr. Simpson already said it was ok our school work is going to be e-mailed to us and due by midnight on Wednesday."

"Well it sounds like you kids took care of everything, oh Clare when did you exactly have Erika."

"Well it was in July a year ago, she's now 18 months."

"So you had her just before you started 9th grade?"

"Yea I had gotten pregnant in late September when I was out with her dad I was mad because of all the fighting my parents did and his mom was an alcoholic. When I told my parents they had just gotten a divorce and my older sister had moved to our grandmom's so they blamed rebellion, Erika was born a few days late."

"Wow that's a lot to go through, but I would've blamed the alcohol. I'm glad Erika is ok."

"Me too and after that I never touched alcoholic beverages since, except when I take it off of my mom or pick them up."

"You're living with your mom when she drinks?"

"Yea, only because I don't have anywhere to go. I told Erika I'll get us an apartment when I can and right now I know my mom is safe because I have her keys."

"Why don't you move in with us Eli loves you and Erika and I think it'll be best and what exactly do you do with the car."

"I drive it I have my license I turned 16 in August before school started. I'll have turned 18 just before becoming a senior so it works out."

"Well I'll talk to you later and remember Clare you and Erika always have a place with us. Eli, take care of Clare and Erika until they move in I don't care how many nights you spend there."

"Thank you." I told her

"I love Clare and Erika mom so of course I'll take care of them" Eli said

His mom then walked out of the room and I turned to face Eli.

"I love you too." I told him.

We then kissed.

"See I told you she wouldn't hate you."

Then Erika woke up.

"Mommy, Eli I'm hungry."

"Ok sweetie we have food here, but let me see if you can eat."

I then found a doctor and he said Erika could only eat soup since she hasn't eaten since breakfast and it was now dinner. He also said to be careful when I take her out of the crib.

"Erika you can only eat soup since you're sick and haven't eaten anything except for breakfast. Want me to take you out of the crib?"

"Ok Mommy and I want Eli to take me out."

I went in the bag and seen a small container of Chicken Noodle Soup with Erika's name written on it, there were also plastic utensils in the bag. I took out the soup and a spoon for Erika as Eli took Erika out of her crib.

"Here sweetie it's hot." I said as I put the soup on a small table they had for her in the room.

"Thank you Mommy." Erika said "Thank you Eli for helping me"

"You're welcome." I said as I put the TV on for her

"You're welcome" Eli said to her. "So Clare how did she learn to talk so well at her age? I didn't know there was a TV."

"I put on baby development channels on the TV for her just like I do now and she's been learning to speak clearly and has a wide vocabulary for a baby. I didn't know there was a TV either until I seen the remote."

Eli and I then started to eat and a nurse rolled in a cot for Eli and I as well as a blanket and two pillows.

"I think this will be big enough for both of you what do you think?" He said opening the cot.

"It's fine" Eli said

The cot was the same size as my bed which was twin. After we finished eating we all watched baby developmental TV with Erika for about 5 minutes because it started to put Eli and I to sleep so we turned on Myth Busters which was educational and fun to watch at the same time. Erika went to bed at 9.

"I'm going to get ready for bed I'm getting tired" I told Eli as I went in my bag for clothes

"Ok and it's been a long day I'll change when you're finished."

I then went into the bathroom which was located in the corner farthest from Erika's crib and got dressed.

"Finished" I said as I walked out.

Eli then kissed me as he walked by me and into the bathroom. After he got dressed we both laid in bed cuddling and I drifted off to sleep.