Fatherhood Fits

"You ever think that Eric or Calleigh would venture into parenthood?" Maxine Valera asked Tim.

"Venture into?" Tim said. "That's an odd way of putting it. I'm not sure 'bout Calleigh but it doesn't surprise me about Eric."

Tim had transferred back to the day shift a week before. The two watched through the large glass window at Eric walking up the hall, Chloe on his hip. The girl didn't look well at all. Alexx wasn't busy so Eric was going to get her to take look at Chloe to see if she thought the child had to see her pediatrician for any medication.

Chloe had thrown up at daycare and was complaining of nausea, dizziness and said her left ear hurt. Eric was pretty sure this meant an ear infection.

"Can Aunt Alexx take a look in your ear, sugar?" Alexx asked Chloe after Eric sat her down on the metal table.

Chloe frowned, shook her head and covered her ear.

"I'll be really fast," Alexx said, "you know I wouldn't hurt you."

Chloe then agreed.

"Is your tummy all right now? Do you feel like you might throw up again?" Alexx asked Chloe when she was done.

Chloe shook her head. "I'm thirsty," she said. Her attention went to the doorway and the three saw Horatio walk in.

"I heard someone's not feeling very good," he said, coming over to Chloe.

Both Eric and Alexx were silently counting the minutes till Horatio showed up. Six minutes.

"Why don't you go with Horatio and he'll get you some water while I talk to daddy?" Alexx said to Chloe.

Alexx certainly didn't need to tell Horatio he should carry Chloe instead of having her walk because she was dizzy. He would have carried the girl regardless. Because in recent days Chloe had associated her pediatrician with shots being the last time she were there she had two Alexx figured the mention of the other woman might upset her. That was why she sent Chloe out of the room with Horatio.

"You're right. She's definitely got an ear infection. She's running a bit of a fever, too. I have some children's tylenol you can give right now so she'll feel a tiny bit better quickly. You should take her to the doctor some time today. It's not urgent but the sooner the better.

"But first, you should assure her is that you can promise there's going to be no needles this time. Then tell her she's just going to get some medicine, it will be painless."

"Thanks, Alexx," Eric said as she handed him a chewable children's tylenol.

Chloe was sitting in Horatio's lap in his office when Eric came in.

"Here you go, princesa. This will help your ear not hurt so much," he said, giving her the bubblegum-flavored pink pill. "Drink plenty of water. Good girl."

Chloe didn't find the doctor's office so bad this time. Eric took her there right after work. She had stayed at the lab for two hours, asleep in her godfather's arms before her dad got off work. The doctor assured that there was no needles. She gave Chloe some ear drops. The three-year-old was pleased to get a lollipop as well. Still she wanted mommy, being sick and not seeing her since that morning.

"Quiero mami, papi," she said.

"Sé, princesa. Estamos yendo a casa," he said, kissing her forehead as fastened her seatbelt.

Translations

Quiero Mami, Papi. - I want mommy, daddy.

Sé, princesa. Estamos yendo a casa. - Yes, Princess. We're going home.

Translations come directly from Babelfish. I'm not just how correct they are sometimes so fell free to let me know!