A New Chapter

ten

'Hey...What's going on? What you doing in here?' Courtney asks as she makes her way into Tilly's room to find Leah sitting cross-legged at the side of the little girl's bed, a bucket placed strategically on her lap.

'She's been throwing up since like 3am? I was going to bring her into bed but I figured one of us may as well get some sleep.' Leah replies causing Courtney to sigh.

'You should've woke me. You should be getting your rest.' Courtney says softly and Leah shakes her head.

'It's fine; I'm okay. I'm now just wondering what the hell we do about Charley's party today? I thought for sure now that she was over the worst of it that we'd be fine to continue with the party but we can't have a party while Tilly is ill, surely? Plus what is the likelihood that Bunny isn't going to start throwing up at some point over the weekend and then we'll just have infected all of the children at the party?' Leah asks as Courtney lowers herself down onto the floor beside the blonde.

'That is a valid point, bubs. Do you think it's probably best that we postpone the party for now?' Courtney asks causing Leah to pout slightly and nod her head.

'I think it makes sense, Court. She's not going to feel up to going to a party. She's got a temperature. I think we're just going to need to cancel and ride this one out.' Leah replies and Courtney nods her head as she drops her head to rest on Leah's shoulder.

'Probably the sensible thing to do... Right, let me take over here. It's only 5am, you get back to bed for a couple of hours and get some sleep.' Courtney says. Smiling, Leah kisses the top of Courtney's head before passing her the bucket and pushing herself to her feet. One benefit of the sickness bug going around their house is that she's been so preoccupied cleaning up sick that for the most part, her mind has been taken off the very fast approaching second blood test.

****

By 11am, Bunny has joined Tilly in the poorly category. Both girls are barely keeping any food down but Leah and Courtney are somehow managing to get small amounts of water into them to keep them hydrated. Amanda has thankfully taken Charley out for the day giving Courtney and Leah a chance to focus on the girls who are each curled up on a sofa with Leah and Courtney sitting on the floor in front of them.

'You okay?' Courtney asks softly as she watches Leah lean forward and rest her head in her hands.

'Mm...' Leah mumbles.

'You look peaky? Are you feeling sick?' Courtney asks watching the blonde slowly nod her head.

'Mm-hmm...' Leah replies, her hand covering her mouth as she glances up at the brunette. Sliding the bucket towards the blonde, Courtney lets out a small sigh as she glances up at Tilly who's dozing on the sofa next to her.

'Go up to bed, Le. I'm fine down here with these two. Try sleep it off.' Courtney says softly causing Leah to shake her head.

'I'm not leaving you on your own.' Leah replies clutching the bucket as she takes a deep breath.

'Look, chances are I'm going to get this at some point and then we'll need to tag-team looking after the kids and throwing up but for now I feel absolutely fine. So I want you to go upstairs and sleep. Take the bucket with you and I'll bring you up some water in a bit, okay?' Courtney says.

'Only if you're sure.' Leah replies.

'I'm absolutely positive. Go sleep it off and I'll see you soon.' Courtney says. She watches the blonde make her way upstairs before she reaches for her phone and begins to compose a new message.

To Amanda:
Another one down... Just sent Le up to bed with a bucket! Just as well we cancelled the party! Xxx

From Amanda:
Oh no! Let me know if you guys need anything and I can drop it by or else I can keep Charley overnight if that is better for you guys xx

****

'How are the girls?' Leah asks groggily as Courtney reaches forward to gently move some hair out of the blonde's face.

'Okay... Tils has actually perked up a little bit. I managed to get some soup down her and it's stayed down so that's a plus. Bunny is still puking but I'm hoping in a few hours she'll perk up as well. Your mum has offered to keep Charley overnight; I wanted to run it by you because well she's never properly stayed away from us, has she?' Courtney says and Leah shakes her head.

'She's not.' Leah replies.

'What do you think then? I can ask her to bring her home if you're not quite ready for that?' Courtney says.

'I think her staying at my mum's is probably for the best, don't you?' Leah replies.

'Mm-hmm... I really do but I wanted to make sure you were okay with it.' Courtney says.

'Tell her she can keep her... Does she have her stuffy with her though? If not she's gonna need to come pick that up because she won't sleep without it?' Leah asks and Courtney nods her head.

'She took stuffy with her when she left.' Courtney replies.

'Okay.' Leah says.

'Okay?' Courtney repeats and Leah nods her head.

'I feel like absolute shit, Court.' Leah mumbles.

'Can I get you anything, bubs? Some soup? Maybe some toast?' Courtney asks and Leah shakes her head.

'I don't think I could even stomach anything.' Leah replies. Reaching out, Courtney rests her head against the blonde's forehead and shakes her head.

'You've not got a temperature... Have you thrown up at all?' Courtney asks and Leah nods her head.

'Mm-hmm... A few times.' Leah replies.

'Try get some more sleep, bubs. I've left some water on the bedside table for you whenever you feel up to it, okay?' Courtney says and Leah nods her head as she slides further under the covers.

****

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