Ghost

In Sickness and In Health

AN: For this chapter, I had trouble figuring out what was going to be the cause but decided with the classic was best. I based the pain and struggles of food poisoning off my own experiences with it. Also Charlie gets the brain cell for once and has an epiphany at the end. Enjoy!

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Charlie should have know there was something wrong when Madison didn't finish her dinner, drank water exclusively, and took a little too long in the bathroom. But he had been oblivious. Now he was very aware as he held back Madison's hair as she threw up what she had earlier, even the crepes he made her for breakfast that morning. Madison groaned and slumped against the toilet, trying to catch her breath. Charlie sighed and rubbed her back with his free hand. "Do you want some water, mon petit chou?" Madison groaned again. "Guess that's a no."

He felt horrible. It was his stupid decision to go out to that restaurant. And he had gotten Madison sick with food poisoning. What if she got a parasite or something? He had read stories of that happening. The timing was the worst too. Not only were they supposed to be working on their big duet coming up, it was also the month of the In the Heights premiere. She had a Spanish performance to rehearse. Getting sick at the moment was ruining lots of work.

"Charlie," Madison groaned, snapping him from his swirling thoughts. "I need held getting up," she mumbled. "My legs feel weak."

The 22 year old sprung into action and wrapped one arm around the Latina's waist and threw her other arm over his neck. He was leaning her against him as he slowly stood up when Ric came into the bathroom doorway. "What happened? Why is she sick?"

Charlie hated lying to the man and reluctantly replied, "She ate something when we were out that didn't agree with her stomach." As if to prove his point, Madison groaned again and threw her head into his neck as if it would lessen the pain. "I'm here, Mads. Don't worry. We'll get you better before you know it."

Ric looked at his daughter worriedly. Her skin had lost its glow and had almost yellow tint to it compared to the shining brown it usually was. Charlie could also feel her body was not as warm. He was also keeping her up right and not curled in on herself from the pain coursing through her stomach.

"I'm going to the store to find some meds for her," Ricardo said, his eyes watching Madison. "Where's Ghost?"

Madison was basically dead weight against Charlie causing him to change his tactic to sweeping her into a bridal lift. "Jer and Care are watching him. I don't want him getting worried for his Mommy. So I'll get him when Mads is able to sleep."

Ricardo nodded. "Alright. I'll be right back. Call if something happens." Ricardo left the doorway, off to get the keys to the rental they had gotten for the duration of filming.

Madison moaned in pain. "Charlie, it hurts," she grumbled, holding her stomach.

Charlie's eyes stung. He hated this. I know, mon petit chou. I know," he replied in a soothing tone.

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Charlie pushed Madison's curls behind her ear as she curled up further with the heating pad on her stomach. "The meds should kick in soon, I promise," he whispered as he stroked the back of his hand against her cheek. Madison tried to move closer to his hand. The pain across her face broke him. If only he could take her place so she didn't have to suffer.

"Charlie," she whimpered brokenly.

"I called your mom and she says you should take a warm bath and to massage your stomach. That will help ease the pain a bit," Ricardo said from somewhere to Charlie's right. He was too focused on watching Madison for any sign of distress to look at the man.