Slow Love 3-Chaos and Disorder

Chapter 17

"Baby, are you awake?"

"Umm, yeah. I couldn't sleep with the anticipation of Ethan and Violet coming to see us. The thoughts of that make me wide-eyed and bushy-tailed. I can hardly wait to see them. I realized this is the longest separation we've had from them and I miss them terribly." In a raspy voice,

"Babe, I don't feel good. I'm light-headed and my muscles ache."

Uh-oh. "Sweetie, do you have a fever? NANNY! Come quick!!!!!!" Panic in my voice calling dramatically for her help.

I place my hand on his forehead, he's burning up and not in a good way. Nanny is there in a flash. "Ma'am, what's wrong? Are the twins alright?"

"Yes, the girls are alright. It's my husband. He's burning up and says he doesn't feel good."

Nanny looks him over with her expert eyes, "Sir, I fear you might have a fever. This is not good for the littles. I am going to call the head nurse."

"No, Nanny. I'll be fine. The babies will be fine. No need to be alarmed. It's probably something I ate."

"Sir, nonsense. You have a fever which may indicate a virus. I will get the nurse to see what we need to do."

Nanny hotfoots it outta there on a mission. "Mama, I am not sick and I will not leave your side or the babies."

"Pappa, please do what's best. Here comes the nurse, cooperate for the sake of our children."

He gives me the severe side-eye. I give it right back at him. The nurse comes alongside the bed. "Sir, I understand you are not feeling well. Tell me what you are experiencing." 

He clears his throat, "It's nothing. I just feel a little lightheaded and my joints ache. I think my arthritis is flaring up. " She takes out a digital thermometer, zaps his forehead. "Sir, you have a slight fever of 100.8. You definitely have something brewing. I am going to call the on-call doctor to see you. Your babies have already been exposed as well as your wife and nurse. I will dispatch him here immediately."

"No, no. I will be fine. That's unnecessary."

"Sir, it's hospital procedure. We need to be sure it's not serious. We have medication that works quickly if you need treatment."

I pick up his hand, "Darling, they just want to make sure you're alright and our babies will be alright. Please do as they ask."

He sighs heavily, "Okay, but don't take away the babies, leave baby Adele on me. It's soothing to feel her connection and helps to keep me calm."

"Sure, Dear. The doctor will be here shortly." I weave and lace my fingers in his to hold onto his hand.

A young doctor comes in, "Hello. I am Dr. Byers. I understand you might have contracted influenza. The nurse relayed your symptoms. I would like to take a throat swabbing to confirm it. We'll have the results in about 15 minutes. Is that satisfactory?" 

He nods, opens his mouth, and the doctor swabs him and hands the sample to the nurse. "Run that STAT. I will wait here for the results." 

The Doctor examines me, feeling the glands in my throat, listening to my lungs, and tells me my temperature is normal. He checks out both babies the same way. "Mrs. Nelson, how do you feel?" 

"Dr. Byers, just a little tired trying to keep up feeding these girls. Otherwise, I am good. Do you hear anything wrong with the twins?"

"No, they sound fine but you don't." 

I gasp! "What? I don't feel sick. I can't be sick. I have to take care of my babies!" I burst out into tears falling down my cheeks. 

"Mrs. Nelson, please calm down, don't cry. It's nothing serious. I just hear a little congestion. Do you have allergies or asthma?"