Caitlin woke up one morning in early September. She had been living in Central City with Maddy for about a month now and she wondered what woke her up. Then she felt her daughter tugging on her quilt and rolled over onto her side to face her. "What's the matter, baby?" She chanced a glance at the clock and realized it was a little after five in the morning.
"I don't feel good, mommy," Maddy said, wincing and Caitlin was suddenly wide awake. Sitting up, she held her arms open for Maddy to clamber into and she was feeling her daughter's forehead the next moment.
"Oh, button," she murmured, carding her fingers gently through her auburn locks. "You've got a fever. You don't feel well, do you baby?"
Maddy shook her head, snuggling into her mother's arms before she started to cough. Caitlin rubbed her back, hoping to ease the coughs until they passed. When her daughter had been soothed through her coughing fit, Caitlin laid her down on her bed and got up, tucking in the covers the next minute. "Thank you, mommy."
"You're welcome, button," Caitlin smiled down at her daughter, knowing that even though she didn't feel well, she was still going to remember her manners. "I'm going to go get the thermometer and then I'll be right back with some medicine for you, all right?"
"Okay, mommy," Maddy smiled as much as her little tired body would let her and Caitlin kissed the crown of her head, before making her way into her bathroom. She got out the children's cold medicine, the thermometer, and wetted a washcloth with cool water so Maddy could have it resting against her forehead. Then she walked back into the room.
"Okay, button, we're going to take the medicine first," Caitlin murmured, pouring her a cup full of the purple liquid.
Maddy pulled a face. "That's the yucky kind."
"I know, baby, but you got to take it all if you want to start feeling better," Caitlin replied, holding the cup to her daughter's lips so she could drink it. After drinking it (and, complaining), Caitlin eased her daughter back down onto the pillows and placed the washcloth on her forehead. "Now, let's see how high your fever is."
She placed the thermometer in her mouth, underneath her tongue, and waited for it to beep. Once it did, she took it out of her mouth and looked at the numbers, frowning in concern. "Is it high, mommy?"
"101.2," she replied. "Not outrageously high but you have a fever all right. Get comfortable in bed and I'll bring you a movie. Which Disney Princess one do you want?"
"Belle, please," Maddy asked, and Caitlin nodded.
"You got it button," she said, then made her way down to Maddy's room, grabbing her Beauty and the Beast DVD. Snagging Bun Bun, her favorite stuffed rabbit she got from her grandmother when she was one, Caitlin headed back down to her room. "I'll put the movie in and then go make you something light to eat. Does your tummy hurt?"
"No, mommy," Maddy said, yawning.
"Okay, button," Caitlin said as she put the DVD in and started it for her. "Try to stay awake until you've had some breakfast."
"Okay," Maddy yawned again and Caitlin knew she was close to fighting a losing battle. Caitlin walked out of her room, making sure to leave the door open so she could hear her daughter if she called her, and then went and made her breakfast. She was in for a long day.
XXX
Later that morning, around eight-thirty, she got a text from Barry, asking if she and Maddy wanted to get breakfast with him. She was touched that he wanted to include her daughter but she had to tell him some other time. Just as she was contemplating to text or call him, her phone rang with his name flashing across the screen. Swiping to answer the call in time, she placed her phone to her ear. "Hey Barry."
"Hey, Cait," he greeted her. "How about breakfast?"
"I would love to but Maddy's sick today," she sighed, running a hand through her auburn locks.
"Oh no! Does you guys need anything?"
The first thing her old best friend did was ask if they needed anything. She didn't deserve him in her life. "No, we're okay, Barry."
"Are you sure?" Barry asked. "I can be over in fifteen minutes top and at least keep you company."
"As much as I would love that, I don't know if what Mads' has is contagious. I would hate for you to get sick," she replied.
"Caitlin," he laughed affectionately and her heart somersaulted. "If the flu in college couldn't knock me down, I doubt a three-year-old will be able to. If you want me to come help you out, I will."
"Well," she drew out, then sighed. "That'd be perfect, actually. Thank you. Maddy is oscillating between sleeping and watching Disney Princess movies. She's currently on The Little Mermaid. I'm sure she would love your company."
"See you soon, then," Barry said, and they exchanged a few more words before Caitlin went to go take Maddy's temperature again.
"Button, Barry is going to come over," she said as she walked into her room and swapped out her warm washcloth for a cooler one. "Are you okay with that?"
Her daughter's tired eyes landed on Caitlin as she nodded and spoke up in a hoarse voice. "Yes, mommy."
"Okay," she said. "Try not to talk too much when Barry gets here. Just rest your voice."
Maddy nodded again but didn't say anything and Caitlin took her temperature. She frowned as it beeped at 102. "Okay, button. Just sleep. We'll take more medicine in an hour."
Maddy nodded and then closed her eyes, and Caitlin left her bedroom, closing the door partially but leaving it open enough so she could hear her daughter if she needed to. She rushed around the apartment, straightening up – even though, it wasn't much of a mess to begin with – and turned on her dishwasher. When she was through, she heard a soft knock on her door and went and opened it. Barry was smiling at her, carrying a stuffed animal in his hands. "Hey."
"Hey, Barry," she smiled back at him, looking questioningly at the stuffed animal.
"Oh, I bought this for Maddy," he explained as she held her door open for him further and he walked in. "Today seemed as good as any of a day to give it to her."
"That's really nice, Barry," Caitlin replied. "I'm sure she'll love it. You didn't have to though."
"Stop it," he chided good-naturedly. "If I want to spoil my best friend's daughter, who I happen to think is the coolest kid on planet earth, please let me."
Caitlin laughed. "She is the coolest."
"Definitely the coolest," he smirked. "She in your room?"
"Yeah, I'll bring her out to the living room and you guys can watch movies," Caitlin said. "Hang on and I'll go get her."
"Okay," Barry agreed, shoving his hand into his pocket.
Caitlin walked into her room, peeking in on Maddy, who was watching her movie through half-closed lids. "Barry is here, honey. Do you want to grab Bun Bun and your blanket and come watch movies with us on the couch?"
"Okay, mommy," Maddy rasped, going to sit up on the bed and swing her little legs over the edge. She sat there for a moment and Caitlin knew she had gotten short of breath and then she stood up, grabbing her blanket and pillow and Caitlin grabbed her rabbit. "I'm ready."
"Let's go, honey," Caitlin said, leading her out into their living room where Barry was standing, waiting for her.
"Hi, I hear you're not feeling well, Maddy," he crouched down on one knee so she could give him a proper hug.
She shook her head, eyes screaming how tired she was. "No. I'm sick."
"That's okay," Barry murmured, patting her back. "Your mommy has been taking good care of you?"
"She made me cheese toast but I had to take yucky medicine," she mumble, pointing to the couch, and then Barry. He got the hint and stretched out, with Maddy curling up onto his chest the next moment and Caitlin placing her blanket over her. She went and sat down at the end of the couch after putting in a new movie and turned it on.
Barry laughed quietly. "No one likes yucky medicine, but it'll help you feel better."
"I know," she pouted, snuggling into his chest and Caitlin smiled warmly as Barry placed a protective hand on her back, so she didn't roll off.
"I got you something, Maddy," Barry added, handing her the stuffed animal from by the couch.
Maddy smiled. "Thank you!"
Barry laughed, tucking her into his side gently. "You're very welcome. Let's watch Cinderella now."
The rest of the day was spent watching movies and making sure Maddy felt better.
All was well.
Author's note: Just a soft one tonight because I'm going to be bringing in some angst in the next couple of chapter. Sorry! Xx