Will You Love Me?

Chapter 25

Writing baby talk is hard, so please forgive me xD

1 year later...

*****

"Alright, I'm off," Ben announced as he walked quickly through the house. He's been out and about lately to promote The Imitation Game. He has two interviews today, then just a few more this week before he's all done. They wanted him to travel several places to promote it, but he didn't want to leave you and the kids for too long, especially since Em's heart has been a growing concern lately. She also hasn't been physically growing. She might be a three year old, but she looks the same as she did when she was barely two.

Ben made his way into the kitchen, where you were cooking breakfast for the energetic kids at the table before school. "Bye, love," he said, pecking a smooch on your lips. "Call me as soon as your out of the doctor's." You promised and gave him a long, lingering kiss that got him very excited. The only reason he pulled back was because the kids were making noises.

With a quick laugh at their commentary, moved to the table to say goodbye to his kids. "Bye baby girl," he said, kissing Em's cheek. "Bye, daddy," she sweetly responded. "Awe you coming to da dawctor's?" He frowned and told her, "No, baby, not today. But I'll see you a little after you come home, alright?" He said goodbye to Nate and kissed his cheek, as well before cooing, "And you, my baby boy, behave for mummy." He kissed your youngest son, Conner's, puffy, pink cheeks several times.

Conner was the world's best baby, so it was always a joke when Ben told him to behave for you. Conner hardly ever cries, he picks up after himself (as much as a one year old can), says "please" and "thank you" in baby language, and is absolutely and completely taken with you. He is the definition of a momma's boy.

Conner gurgled a laugh at his father's kisses and attempted to kiss him back. Ben stuck out his cheek and was greeted by a tiny, sloppy kiss. He chuckled and gave Conner one more smooch on the cheek before saying, "Right, I'll be back in a bit. Love you guys!" The kids shared their, "Bye, daddy!" and you simply blew him a kiss, which he caught and placed on his heart before walking out.

"Alright," you announced, "after breakfast, you need to get ready quick so we can get out of here early, okay? Em can't be late for her appointment." Nate frowned at you and said, "I wan'to go wif Em." Nate was so dedicated to his sister, it was adorable. Several times when you've had to talk to them about her heart and how she shouldn't play roughly, he's gotten very concerned. If he sees her running or jumping, he's telling her to stop because she's "sick" and he doesn't want her to be "hurt".

Needless to say, your kids are amazing.

After breakfast, you helped the kids get ready as quickly as they could move and you were out the door in no time. Nate wasn't thrilled that he had to go to school while Em went to the doctors, but once you told him she'd be home by the time Ben picked him up, he seemed a little more content.

Once at the doctor's office, you, Em, and Conner were taken back into a room. It's become routine lately, where she has to dress into a gown and lay on the table to be put into an MRI. This goes on every month. The first time this happened a little over eight months ago, you and Ben were both in tears. She's was fussy and didn't like it one bit, but now she's gotten used to it.

When Ben is usually here, he talks to her through the mic that goes into the machine. There have been several times where he's made her giggle so hard that they had to restart the MRI. You knew that she would want him here more than you, mainly because you can't do impressions into the mic or read stories in a smooth, baritone voice.

After the MRI, you were all taken into a room painted with princesses and horses. She loved it, but Conner would point at the pink wall and go, "Ew!" You can thank Nate for that influence.

Dr. Levi came in and smiled at you three. "Well hello there everyone! And how are the Cumberbatch's this morning?" You smiled back at him and said, "Pretty well. Bit of a hectic morning, but we got here just in time." As he checked over Em and her oxygen tank and tubes, he asked her, "How are you feeling today, Emma?" He looked concerned to see her slumping over on the table with tired eyes.

"Good," she sleepily answered. "I'm sleepy." Dr. Levi furrowed his eyebrows and said, "Yes, I see that, sweetheart." He turned to you and asked, "Has she been getting in her naps?" You nodded. "Every single one, and then some. We've had the school call us several times because she's fallen asleep during class and is nearly impossible to wake up. Ben's had to just pick her up from the classroom as she slept. When she wakes up, she doesn't remember falling asleep."

He hummed in thought and looked at Em as her eyes started to droop. "Well, we'll have her lay down on here so she doesn't end up falling off." He lifted her and set her back on the table, giving her head support with a pillow from the cabinet. She was out as soon as her head was down.

"This does concern me," Dr. Levi mumbled. "I've looked over her growth charts and nothing has improved. If she isn't growing, then neither is her metabolism, immune system, or sleep cycle. A toddler should automatically develop one, but since she isn't physically developing, it's getting harder and harder for her body to cope."

Your tears started stinging with tears. "What do we do?" You asked, your voice cracking. Dr. Levi sighed. "I'm afraid, [Y/N], that you and Benedict should highly consider surgery. Not only for her heart, but we would have to go in and repair her lungs and such, as well. We can wait, but I wouldn't suggest it."

You bit your bottom lip in thought. You didn't want your little girl going into surgery this big, no way! But it could save her life. "Can I step out and call my husband?"