Neighbors

Chapter 27

"No, I can't—"

"You are staying here," Owen said staring her down. "You are ours and that means you don't have to care for our daughter by yourself. Now," he cleared his throat, "Kyler has already been notified and he and Axel will be staying at the other house so Kyler can focus on preparing for his tests and not have to worry about getting sick and missing them. Axel offered to stay with him so he is not by himself, and he can also help him with preparing for college. We have already sent him extra money to order food and anything else he might need. Dr. Green is on his way home and Marc is at the store getting things that she may need or want. You are not taking care of our children by yourself."

Her breath hitched as she realized how serious they were, "Yes Sir," She whispered as a tear slipped down her face. They barely smiled when they saw the hope and relief in her eyes as she took in everything Owen told her.

"Good girl," Owen praised as he walked over to her and wiped the tear. "Now, go lay down in the bed Raven set up and Corey will find whatever Barbie movie she wants to watch while North gets her some juice. Max is already waiting for you on the bed."

"But—" she looked at him confused.

"What did I say?" he asked a little sternly.

"Sorry," she whispered.

"We understand," he gave her a millimeter smile. "Now be a good girl and go lay down with our daughter, Silas has already tucked her in. He's waiting on you."

"I can't go back to sleep," she whispered as he cupped her jaw, "I just woke up. I'm worried."

"We know," he nodded. "But you can cuddle and rest with her while we take care of everything else."

"Okay," she nodded. "Thank you."

"Of course, Darling, now go."

"Yes Sir," She whispered as she headed over to where Silas was standing with a soft smile on his lips. She got onto the air mattress and laid down next to Kiairi, who was whimpering. "She's running a fever."

"Then let's remove this," Silas said as he pulled back the comforter.

"Oy, I grabbed the medicine from your cabinet when I was over there. I'll go see if there's any fever reducer," Gabe said rushing out of the room.

"Do we even have a thermometer?" Corey asked.

"I'm sure Doc has one in his office," Nathan said as he went to go look.

"Anything else we can do until Doc gets here?" Brandon asked.

"Cool washcloth for her forehead," Liza whispered.

"On it," Brandon nodded.

"Mommy," Kiairi whimpered.

"Okay, Little One, which Barbie do you want?" Corey asked as he pulled up various Barbie movies.

"Lopey, Hobie!" she smiled excitedly.

"What?" Corey asked confused.

"Barbie Rapunzel," Liza smiled. "The purple dragon is Penelope and the rabbit is Hobie, Rapunzel's friends," she explained. "She likes all of them but she hasn't watched Rapunzel in a while."

"Then Rapunzel it is," Corey smiled as he started the movie.

Liza took the cool washcloth from Brandon and laid it across her daughter's forehead. "Here is your juice, Little One," North said as he sat the cup on the table by them. "Do you want anything else?"

"No, tank you," she mumbled as she shivered. "Me cold, Mommy."

"I know you feel cold, Baby Girl, but you have a fever," Liza said softly. "We can put a thin blanket on you and see how that does okay?"

"Otay," she whimpered.

"Here is the thermometer," Nathan said coming back into the room.

"I got the fever reducer," Gabe said holding up three different boxes. "I um, wasn't sure which one to get so I just grabbed all of them."

"Let me check her out first," Sean said walking into the room. "Hey Little One, you aren't feeling well?"

"Me frowed up," she pouted. "Wots and wots."

"Yeah, it was a lot," Luke nodded. "I showered twice."

"Sorry Daddy," she pouted as tears welled up in her eyes.

"It's okay, Little One," Luke said picking her up. "I promise it's okay."

"Alright, let's see if I can figure out what's going on with you and make you all better," Sean said as he sat across from her in Luke's lap. "Can you open your mouth for me, Little One?" She opened her mouth a little and Sean smiled, "Can you open it a little more? Please?"

"Like this," Luke smiled as he opened his mouth wide and stuck out his tongue, "Ahhhh."

"Hurt," she pouted and shook her head.

"How long has it been hurting?" Sean and Liza asked at the same time.

"Shhh, Darling," Owen said coming up behind her since she got out of the bed once Luke picked up Kiairi. "Let Dr. Green work."

"Me come in pay with Matsie," she said. "Hurt wot now."

"Okay," Sean said taking his light pen out of his pocket, "Open as much as you can, okay?" She opened her mouth and Sean looked as much as he could then frowned. "Okay, let me check your temperature." He moved the forehead thermometer over her forehead, "Have you given her anything, Pookie?"

"Not yet," Liza shook her head. "Just cool washcloth."

"It's 102.2," he said and she gasped. "It'll be okay, we'll get it down, I promise." He felt around Kiairi's throat and smiled softly when she pulled back, "I'm sorry, Little One. Do you think you can take some medicine and drink some juice, please?"

"Me no thirsty," she shook her head. "Sleepy."

"Okay, how about you try and sip on some juice before going to sleep? I really need you to sip on some juice so you don't get dehydrated from all that throwing up the yucky sickness, okay?"

"I try," she nodded.

"Good," Sean smiled. "Let's get you some medicine to get your fever to go away and then I'll go get you some other medicine for your tummy and throat, okay?"

"Come on, let's what Rapunzel," Luke smiled, "I want to see this purple dragon and bunny Mommy was telling me about."

"Luke, once she goes to sleep, immediately change your clothes and wash your hands," Sean said softly so Kiairi didn't hear. Liza looked at him scared so Sean smiled gently, "She has strep, Pookie, and right now she is contagious so effectively immediately we are on lock down. Since we all have been around her, we all could catch it. But don't worry, Pookie, your favorite doctor will take care of you."

"What if you get sick?" Liza asked.

"I'll be fine," he chuckled, "I promise."

"Alright, homemade chicken noodle soup is ready," Marc said carrying in a tray. "Eat and drink what you can and then you can have a popsicle, okay?"