~Abuse~

Chapter 74

In the quiet of the night, Jay's itchiness grew worse. He was suffering from chickenpox.

Erin was roused from sleep by Jay's whimpering and his restless tossing and turning.

"Babe? What's going on? It's 2AM..." she whispered.

Jay continued to sob and squirm on the bed, scratching at his skin.

"Jay? Are you having a seizure?" Erin inquired.

Upon turning on the lamp, Erin saw Jay scratching at his skin.

"Oh no, you have chickenpox," she realized with a frown.

Jay cried, trying to fight the itch.

"Come here, babe," Erin soothed.

Jay scrambled onto Erin's lap and started to wriggle.

"Shh... Shh... No need to wriggle. You're safe with me..." Erin soothed.

Jay moaned and tried to reach an itch.

The door opened to show a drowsy Ashlyn, clutching her toy truck and baby blanket.

"Mama?" Ashlyn murmured.

Erin glanced up and beamed.

"Daddy's not feeling very well, sweetheart," Erin whispered gently.

Ashlyn pouted and came closer.

"Does Daddy want my toy truck?" Ashlyn offered.

Erin watched Jay cry; she knew he was in pain and exhausted.

"That's very kind of you, sweetie. Daddy's barely awake; he's going to fall asleep any second..." Erin responded.

Ashlyn pouted and climbed down from the bed.

"Okay! Bye-bye," she whispered softly.

She left the room and gently closed the door behind her.

"Sit up for me, darling. We'll take off this long-sleeved shirt, and then I'll check how severe your Chickenpox is..." Erin instructed.

Jay sat up, and with Erin's assistance, removed his shirt.

Jay fought the urge to scratch the tempting, red chickenpox spots and Erin made sure he did.

Jay cried and tossed on the bed.

"Whoa! Whoa! It's okay, just relax, babe..." Erin comforted.

Jay sat up and climbed out of bed.

"I can't! It's too itchy! I can't sleep! I can't lie down!" Jay exclaimed.

Ashlyn woke up to see her daddy walking around.

"Mama?" she murmured.

Erin looked over and sighed.

"Daddy's just having a hard time sleeping," Erin explained with a smile.

Ashlyn got out of her tiny bed and scurried over.

"What are these little spots?" she asked.

Erin walked over to comfort Jay.

"They're chickenpox, baby. They're causing Daddy a lot of pain, which is why he can't sleep," Erin explained.

Ashlyn nodded and then noticed Jay scratching.

"Mama!" she called out.

Erin observed Jay scratching himself.

"Oh, baby, I know it's painful. Let's get you back to bed," Erin proposed.