Lissa kissed Isabelle's fevered little face and smoothed back her hair. "What can we do?" She asked in a trembling voice. Dr. Tanner stared at her sympathetically.
"We need to break her fever." He said calmly. "She needs as many fluids as she will drink. And lots of quiet and rest."
"She can't rest with this bloody cough!" Lissa exclaimed, her hands shaking. "It's impossible."
"The Ipecac should help her be able to get some sleep, Lissa." Dr. Tanner assured her. "Keep her from getting overheated."
"Momma…" Isabelle mewed miserably. Lissa leaned on her side, lying next to her baby and caressing her.
"Rob? You know what to do." Dr. Tanner said.
"Aye, sir." Robert said in a small voice.
"I know, lad." Dr. Tanner patted his shoulder. "It's alright to be scared. Have you any blocks of ice?"
"Huh? Oh, yes, sir! In the cellar. I'll fetch some. Come on, Jess." Robert called to the dog. Jesse gaped at him with big, sorrowful, brown eyes and whimpered. "Okay, boy. Stay here." Isabelle began coughing again, startling everyone. Robert swallowed hard and hurried to the cellar.
"Shhh. Shh." Lissa crooned to Isabelle who clung to her mother's arm.
"I'm going to stay to see if we can help her get some rest." Dr. Tanner said.
"Thank you, sir." Lissa whispered.
"I'll see if I can assist Robert."
Robert and his mentor shuffled inside the cottage with a couple large chunks of ice from the cellar. While Dr. Tanner broke it up to melt into water, Robert added some logs of wood to the fireplace and the stove. Lissa kept trying to cool Isabelle and sing her to sleep. That didn't happen. Though the medicine kept the sharp hacking to a bearable hearing range, poor little Isabelle coughed on through the night. She cried until she had no more tears, her throat dry and raspy, and she moaned for hours, clinging to Lissa. Robert brought warm poultices and laid them on her chest to help her cough up the phlegm. Her coughing died down a bit more but she was still so unhappy.
Robert kissed Isabelle's head and gazed at Lissa. She threw him a pleading, helpless look. It felt like a punch to his stomach. He was a doctor, a healer! He was supposed to heal his daughter. If he couldn't...no. He would do whatever it took to get her back to health. Robert's thoughts drifted back to when he was a boy, and his uncle who'd taken him in had explained to him that his parents had died of smallpox. Robert remembered being appalled, even at a young age, at what a virulent disease it was and how adamant he had been as a boy that he was going to be a doctor someday and save people. What he wouldn't give right now to switch places with Isabelle and bear this misery for her.
Lissa was having distressing deja vu. This reminded her too much of when Gaston had been away at war, and their mother had fallen sick. She'd grown so weak so quickly as the influenza took over her body. Lissa had tended her and the doctors had tried to help her, but in the end, Madame Legume had perished from the pestilence. And Robert had had his own serious experience with pneumonia over a year ago! That had been awful. And now here was her child, sick, maybe even dying in her arms!
A few hours before dawn, Isabelle's fever finally went down. She was dazed but couldn't fall asleep, even after all the hours Lissa had spent rocking her and giving her warm tea to drink. Dr. Tanner checked her over. "We'll do our best to keep the fever at bay." He said. "We'll try again with massaging her chest with lavender oil." While Dr. Tanner oiled his hands, Robert fetched another wet cloth and gently wiped his daughter's puffy, raw eyes.
"Rest, baby." He whispered. "Papa and Momma will take care of you. Go to sleep, sweetie." Isabelle blankly stared up at him, whimpering and exhausted.
"Lissa, why don't you try laying her on the sofa? It might help." Dr. Tanner suggested after he'd rubbed some oil on Isabelle's chest. Lissa nodded slowly. Her arms did ache from holding the baby for so long without a break, but she would never admit it. She slowly stood up, Robert's hands on her arms and carried Isabelle to the couch where she was propped in a reclining position with pillows. Isabelle's glazed eyes finally closed, as Lissa stroked her small face.
"Will she be alright now?" She asked Dr. Tanner hopefully.
"Let's hope so, but she may not be out of the woods yet. The more she sleeps, the better." He answered. "I must go into town and see to my other patients, but I will return in a few hours if nothing else serious comes up. Don't bother coming in today, Robert. I will handle your patients. You stay here and look after your daughter."
"Thank you, Sir." Robert smiled sadly. Dr. Tanner gripped his shoulder.
"Do the best you can. If she becomes worse in any way before I return, come find me right away!" He insisted urgently.
"We will!" Lissa blurted out.
"Alright." Dr. Tanner nodded as he packed his medical bag. "Don't lose hope, Lissa. Keep repeating everything we've done. Let her sleep as long as possible, and keep up with the fluids. I will be back. And take care of yourselves too." Robert saw him out then trudged back to the sofa in the small parlor. Jesse's head was leaning sadly on the edge of the cushion.
Robert came beside his wife and rubbed her shoulder."Lis?" He murmured softly.
"Hmm?" Lissa grunted wearily.
"Darling, go take a rest. You're worn out. Go get some sleep." Robert said softly, his hand resting on her face.
"No." Lissa shook her head. "I have to be here. I need to be with Isabelle."
"Lis," Robert spoke firmly, "get some rest, love. You're going to need it. You've been at it for hours. I'm here. Do as I say. Please? I will be right here with her, I promise." Robert said soothingly.
"Rob, I can't..."
"Darling, don't argue with me. Okay? You're going to need the energy for when she wakes up again."
Lissa huffed, unable to argue with that. "Do you promise to wake me as soon as she comes to?" She asked.
"Yes, Lissa. I'll come and get you when she wakes." Robert nodded, rubbing her hand.
"Okay then. Please wake me up in an hour." Lissa said.
"Alright. Go sleep." Robert lied. Make that two hours, he thought. Lissa nuzzled Isabelle's face with her own.
"Momma will be back soon, my love. Please be better." She murmured, then reluctantly staggered out of the parlor into the master bedroom. Robert's shoulders slouched with relief. He couldn't believe how easily Lissa had agreed instead of fighting him so hard on it.
Jesse whined. Robert patted his fur. "We're doing all we can, boy." He told the dog. "I'm worried too." He scratched the dog's chin. He re-positioned himself so that he was sitting with Isabelle's head lay almost on his chest. He tenderly caressed her hair and kissed her face.
Three hours later, Lissa woke with a start. She'd dreamed that Robert, Dr. Tanner, and everyone she trusted would not let her take care of Isabelle, and the little girl had died because of it! "Isabelle!" Lissa hollered, jolting from the bed and racing for the nursery. It didn't help that she heard Isabelle coughing.
"Lissa?" Robert caught her by the arms. "What's wrong, sweet? Are you alright?"
"Let me go, Robert!" Lissa cried. "Isabelle..."
"She's on the sofa, darling."
"Is she...is she breathing?" Lissa panted.
"Yes, yes, she is. What's the matter, Lis? Did you have a bad dream?" Robert asked sympathetically. Lissa hung her head.
"I did. None of you would let me help her. And she...didn't make it." She painfully bit her cheek.
"Aww, Lis." Robert grimaced, brushing a strand of wavy hair out of her eyes. "I'm sorry." He lovingly kissed her head. "Go to her." He said. Lissa nodded and sat down beside Isabelle on the sofa. She was sleeping, but still moaning and coughing. Lissa felt her forehead.
"Her fever's down." She whispered with relief.
"Aye." Robert smiled. Lissa pet Jesse who was lying stretched out on the couch, staying close to the little girl. "He hasn't left her side for anything." Robert mentioned. Lissa kissed the gentle giant's black furry head. "Would you like some tea?" Robert offered.
"Mmm." Lissa agreed. Robert poured her cup and brought it to her. Then he knelt down in front of her, gripping her hands.
"Lis, I'll do everything in my power to make her well." He promised.
"I know." Tears filled Lissa's eyes. They nuzzled foreheads, just breathing and soaking in the comfort of each other's presence. "Robert, I'm afraid."
"So am I." Robert whispered, kissing her hands.
"She's only a baby! How could this happen, Robert? She can't do anything for herself!" Lissa wept.
"She's not alone, mon amour." Robert assured her. It was the only thing he could think of to that would concretely soothe her tremulous fear. Just then, Isabelle moaned and turned in her sleep. She tossed around under the covers. "Shh. It's alright, angel." Robert crooned to her, caressing her her head, then his face fell. "She's growing warmer again."
Lissa forced herself to take a deep breath. She reached into the basin of water Robert had placed beside the sofa on a small table and rang out a rag then dabbed Isabelle's face with it. "Momma's here, angel. What's wrong?" She whispered.
"Momma..." Isabelle winced.
"Her head probably aches." Robert said, pressing his two fingers on Isabelle's temple and gently massaging it.
"I'll do that. Is there a remedy you could give her for it?" Lissa asked.
"Aye." Robert nodded, rising to his feet. Lissa continued to massage Isabelle's head. "It's lightly snowing." Robert remarked as he came back into the parlor.
"I hope it doesn't turn into anything harsh, and delay Dr. Tanner." Lissa said with some trepidation.
"I don't think it will come to that." Robert said. Lissa sat Isabelle up while Robert attempted to give her some more medicine. Isabelle groaned, hollered, and coughed in protest at taking the yucky liquid. "The Ipecac should take effect soon. Seeing as it is snowing, I'm going to see what I can do about the outside tasks. I'll be back."
"Alright." Lissa sighed.
Isabelle's cough did slightly dissipate, where she was able to breathe a bit without a hacking fit by the time Robert returned. It was still slightly snowing. Lissa tried to encourage Isabelle to eat. "No hungwy." Isabelle muttered. "Head owwie." While Lissa was in the kitchen making up new poultices, Robert sat by his little girl and read her a book. She clutched her stuffed rabbit, squeezing it when she coughed. Around noon she'd drifted off into a light sleep, with grunts and moaning. To their relief, her fever stayed down.
"It's been hours, and I don't see any sign of Dr. Tanner." Lissa sighed nervously as she gazed out the window for the fortieth time. "The snow is becoming a bit thicker."
"Lis?" Robert spoke up cautiously.
"What?" She asked suspiciously, watching him warily.
"We've given her every drop of Ipecac. There is none left, and she needs more if we're going to break this cough." Robert explained. "I must go to the clinic and fetch some before the snow becomes too deep." He headed for the coat rack. "If I leave now, I should make it back within the hour."
"Alright." Lissa gulped. "Be careful, Robert. And please hurry!"
"I will, darling. I promise!" Robert reassured her and quickly kissed her face as he threw on his black cloak."As long as her fever stays down and the cough doesn't return so badly, she may be able to sleep tonight. I'd best hurry if we're going to make that happen!"
"Be safe. Hurry, mon amour." Lissa begged. Robert grabbed his scarf and mittens then threw one quick look at his sick baby girl.
"I'll be back soon, angel." He said. And with that, he whirled out the door. Lissa watched him anxiously as he rode Stephen through the snow. Then her eyes fell on Isabelle lying miserably on the sofa with Jesse curling up around her in a protective circle. Lissa leaned with her back against the door, trying to calm her racing heart.
"You've got to be okay, Isabelle." She sniffled.
"Whoa, boy. The snow's beginning to pick up." Robert said to his horse. "Faster, boy. Come on!" He dug his heels harder into Stephen's flanks. The horse sped up to a canter, but snow was piling faster than it had when Robert had left home. He hunched his shoulders and pulled his cloak closer around himself. "It's getting colder. The temperature's dropping fast!"
Lissa had also noticed the dreaded change in the weather as she helped Isabelle drink some cool water. Her small body jolted every time the ragged cough took hold of her. "Please, God. Get Robert back quickly. I...I don't know what to do if Isabelle gets worse!" Lissa prayed, tears spilling down her face. She felt extremely alone. Jesse laid a huge paw on her lap and licked her hand. She scratched his ear. "Thank you, boy." She whispered. She felt Isabelle's face again: she was extremely warm.
It was difficult to see four feet in front of him with the gusty snow blowing in his face. Robert was sure he was close to town, he had to be! But it was nearly impossible to tell for sure. He kept weaving his arms back and forth to urge some warmth into them against the biting cold. "Stephen?!" He called over the wind. "Where are we?! Can you tell, boy?" Stephen anxiously whinnied. "To Villeneuve, boy! I'm going to have to trust you to get me there. Now come on!" Stephen wagged his main of the snow and neighed loudly, forcing his long legs to trudge through the snow.
Robert's heart sank. This storm had come up so suddenly and he could barely see. There was no way he could turn back and head home now: Isabelle would need the medication to help her heal. But Robert realized with horror that even if he did turn back now, he most likely wouldn't find home! It was too white out. The only thing he could do was keep going, hoping and praying he was going in the right direction.
Isabelle was coughing almost nonstop and she was shaking with chills. "Cold, Momma! C-c-cold!" She wailed.
"I know, darling." Lissa sniffled. She was extremely grateful that Robert had brought in extra firewood hours ago. She'd made a small next of blankets on the floor in front of the fireplace and picked Isabelle off the sofa and set her in the cushioned bedding. Jesse was lying right beside her, licking her tiny arm. Lissa sat down on the floor with a basin of water and rags and a cup of cool water on hand in case Isabelle became hot again. She rubbed her arms up and down and tucked her around with her favorite blanket.
"Cold! Momma, cold!"
"Shh. Calm down, Sweetheart. Calm down." Lissa tried to say soothingly. Isabelle's fever was going up quickly and her cough sound as if it were made of granite. "Have a drink." Lissa urged her. Isabelle wolfed down the cool water to soothe her raw throat. "Easy, honey!" Lissa warned, but it was too late and Isabelle vomited.
Stephen neighed, nudging Robert's hunched figure with his head. Robert squinted up and could faintly make out the steeple of the town church, right above him! His heart lept with hope. "Thank you, mon ami." He breathed, patting his faithful steed.
Dr. Tanner was stoking up the fireplace in his office when he heard a loud rapping on his door. He flew to the door and pulled it open. "Robert! Get in here!" He gasped, jerking his young partner inside and slamming the door. "Oh, you're chilled to the bone, lad! Here, get those wet clothes off." Dr. Tanner instructed firmly.
"G-gl-gladly." Robert shivered, standing in front of the fireplace. Dr. Tanner rubbed his trembling hands.
"Robert, I just finished around town and was setting out for your place when the storm came up. It's quite foul, isn't it?"
"Mmm-hmm." Robert nodded, his teeth chattering.
"What brings you here? Is Isabelle worse?" Dr. Tanner asked, placing a warm blanket around the young man's shoulders.
"N-no, sir. B-but we've used up a-a-ll of the Ipec-c-cac and she will n-n-need m-m-more." Robert explained.
"I see. You stand here and thaw out, lad. Have some hot tea. I will fetch the medication for you." Dr. Tanner handed Robert a steaming mug. It's burning sensation almost instantly warmed Robert's insides. Dr. Tanner marched into the medicine room where all the potions and remedies were kept. He stepped back into the front office in less than a minute. "Here it is, Robert. How was Isabelle when you left?"
"Still poorly, but at least she was getting some sleep. Thank you for the tea, sir. Excuse me. I must be on my way." Robert sighed and reached for his wet cloak. Dr. Tanner grabbed his arm.
"Robert, you must stay. It's too dangerous outside!" He urged. Robert gaped up at him.
"Sir, I have to get home!" He insisted. He was still shaking but he tried to ignore it.
"Wait until it lets up, lad."
"But Isabelle, she needs my help!" Robert pleaded. Dr. Tanner directly met his eyes.
"Rob, look at me, mon ami. Lissa will tend her until you return. I know you're very worried about your daughter, but if you head out now, you most likely may not make it home. Then Isabelle will be in even more jeopardy." He explained firmly. Robert looked crestfallen and gazed anxiously at the window outside. He couldn't even see the neighboring shops or homes outside.
"I...have to get home." He gritted his teeth.
"You barely made it into town. Wait, Rob. I promise that as soon as the storm lets up, I will go with you to your child. But you must wait."
Robert clenched the Ipecac in his fist. His baby girl needed him, and she needed him now, not six hours from now! What if she became worse in his absence? Would Lissa know what to do? She couldn't. She wasn't a doctor. And without Robert at her side to support her, she would be in a dreadful panic. He prayed with all his heart that Isabelle would be alright.
"Sit, Robert."
"I cannot, Sir." Robert shook his head miserably. Dr. Tanner handed him another mug of warm tea and patted his shoulder.
Lissa sat on the floor as close to the fireplace as she dared to sit without getting Isabelle overheated. Jesse was lying on the floor close to the little nest of blankets Lissa had made, keeping watch over baby Isabelle. Isabelle kept crying Lissa's name, desperately wanting her mommy to make her feel better. She couldn't relax. Lissa was sobbing. Normally, she would try very hard to be strong. But in this case, she was alone. And her daughter was suffering profusely, under her care!
"Oh, Rob! Please be alright! Please be safe." Lissa wailed.