Loved By You

Seven

Demi

It's unusual for Hunter to cry so the fact that he had been crying and unsettled all night was very worrying.

"Here" I took the thermometer from Odell, holding Hunter against my chest as I pressed it into his ear.

"You're okay, Baby Boy" the screaming of Hunter had woke Kalen which left him a little unsettled as he sat on Odell's hip. The thermometer beeped and I sighed at the result. "101.4" I pressed my lips to his hot forehead as I tried to soothe him by gently swaying. "Hunter" I cooed as I tried to hold back my own tears of exhaustion and panic.

"Mama" I glanced to Kalen and flashed him a light smile. "Owie?" he pointed at Hunter, a look of concern on his face. It's amazing how intuitive this little boy is.

"He just isn't feeling very well, Honey."

"Shall we try and get some sleep, Buddy?" Kalen shook his head but Odell went to leave our room anyway, ignoring Kalen as he protested. "I'll be back in 5, Baby, okay?" I nodded, glancing down at Hunter as I tried to soothe him. The longer he screamed, the worse I felt. Why can't I settle him? I'm his mom.

"Baby, please" I pressed my lips back to his forehead. I only pulled away as his crying quietened. My heart hammered in my chest as I stared down at him. For a moment, he stopped breathing. My panic began to rise as he took in a sharp breath. "Odell?" I called, my voice basically a whisper. "ODELL?" I managed to force out as I adjusted Hunter in my arms. His breathing was suddenly rapid and noisy. "Hunter?" I lightly caressed the side of his face as tears rolled down my cheeks.

"Baby, what's wrong?" Odell looked panicked as he ran into the room, the sound of Kalen screaming filtered down the hallway.

"His-His breathings rapid and it sounds wheezy. He stopped breathing for like a minute and I-I think we need to take him to the ER" Odell stepped up to me, his eyes glancing down at Hunter. "O?" he reached to grab his phone off the nightstand and I sobbed as he dialled 911. His voice blended in with Kalen's screaming and my own gentle sobs. "You're gonna be okay, Baby" I tried to soothe, continuously watching his chest through my tears to make sure he was still breathing.

"They're sending an ambulance, Baby" I glanced up at Odell who's eyes danced between mine and Hunter. He leant to press a gentle kiss to my forehead. "He'll be fine, Baby, okay?" I nodded as I tried to catch my breath.

"Can-Can you please get Kalen to stop? He's gonna make himself sick" Odell nodded as he gently wiped my cheeks.

"Go downstairs and wait for the ambulance, okay? I'll ring my mom to come and watch K" I nodded as I headed downstairs. I kept Hunter cradled against my chest as I waited on the bottom step of the stairs. I don't think I moved my eyes off his chest until a knock sounded on the front door. I almost sobbed with relief at the paramedics stood on the porch.

"Hi, Honey. I'm Denise and this is my partner Francis" I forced a light smile. "Is this Hunter?" I nodded as I wiped the tears from my cheeks. "Can I have a look at him?" I gently handed him over, nibbling on my lip as they instantly began to run his vitals. "I'm so sorry, Honey" she cooed as she unclipped his sleeper. "How long has he had this wheeze for?"

"I-I don't know. It could be a couple minutes, it could have been an hour. I can't really remember."

"But it's new?" I nodded as I began to nibble on my nail. She strapped a monitor to his foot. "His heart rates elevated which I'm not surprised about. We're going to need to take him in, Sweetheart" I nodded as I glanced back at Odell has he walked down the stairs. "There's space for one of you in the ambulance."

"You go, Baby. I'll wait for mom to get here and then I'll meet you, okay? I grabbed your phone" I flashed him a light smile as I took it from him and shoved it into my pocket. "He's in the best hands, Baby" I nodded as he gently kissed my forehead. "I'll meet you at the hospital" I followed behind the paramedics and climbed into the back with Denise and Hunter. I lightly took a hold of his hand as Denise laid him on the gurney.

"Mommy's still here, Handsome" the ride in the ambulance felt like it took forever. He was whisked away the instant we reached the ER and the ambulance doors opened.

"Hi, I'm Georgia. I'll be the nurse looking after Hunter" I smiled over at her as I rapidly wiped my cheeks. "We're going to run a few tests on Hunter but I'll come and get you as soon as you can see him" I nodded, trying hard to hold in my sob. "I'll go grab you some tissues and a glass of water."

"Thank you" I dropped my head into my hands as she left me alone for a moment. Tears poured rapidly down my cheeks as I thought about my helpless little boy who lay on that gurney. Georgia returned with some water and a pack of tissues.

"I'm going to see how they're getting along. Hunter's in the best hands, I promise" I lightly smiled up at her. "Just ask the receptionist for me if you need anything or have any further questions" I nodded and then watched as she left the room. The tears continued to flow down my cheeks as I reached for the glass. The water thankfully helped to soothe my dry throat. I grabbed a tissue and dabbed at my cheeks just as Odell stepped into the room. He instantly locked his arms around me as he took a seat beside me. He pressed his lips to the top of my head as I softly cried into him.

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