Fate || BENNIFER

Alarming

Jennifer's P.O.V

It was late, past midnight, a time that was usually unfamiliar territory for us. As parents juggling a hectic schedule, we were often exhausted by ten in the evening, sometimes falling asleep in the most unexpected corners of the house. However, our toddler's newfound consistency in her night sleep and naps had brought a sense of calm to our household, allowing Ben and I to finally get the rest we so desperately needed.

On this particular night, the clock ticked closer to 2 a.m., and we found ourselves wide awake. We lay under the covers, Ben's hand moving lazily across my bare back. Our legs remained tangled, bodies pressed together in a sensual embrace.

But as anything that seems too good to be true, it didn't last, a sudden piercing cry shattering our peaceful moment.

"Maybe she just stops." Ben suggested, a mischievous expression on his face.

"Sam is in the same room. If Grace cries..." I trailed off.

"So does Sam." Ben finished.

"It was probably just a nightmare. We go, we soothe her, and we come back for a second round." I suggested. "How does that sound?"

"Sounds great." He replied before giving me a quick kiss.

We untangled ourselves from the warmth of the bed and quickly pulled on some clothes. Then we made our way down the hallway to Sam and Grace's room. Sam wasn't crying, but he was wide awake and seemingly worried about his little sister, who was crying more than usual. Ben tried to put him back to sleep while I approached Grace's crib. As I touched her forehead, I felt the heat radiating from her skin.

"Ben, she's really warm." Concern evident in my voice.

"She has a fever?" Ben said as he approached to place a hand on her cheek. "She's burning up."

"She was fine a while ago." I pointed out.

The sudden onset of the fever was alarming.

"It must've escalated quickly." He said.

"We should take her to the hospital." My eyes meeting his.

"Who stays with the kids?" Ben asked.

"I would go insane waiting for you to update me on how she is." I admitted.

"Me too. We should call someone over." Ben suggested.

Grace's sharp cry in the car was maddening as I tried to comfort her in the backseat, Ben trying not to get distracted as he gripped the steering wheel tightly. The hospital loomed in the distance, seeming farther away with each passing second.

Already in the hospital and after what felt like an eternity, the doctor gave us a diagnosis of an ear infection and a prescription for antibiotics. But Grace's fever was dangerously high, too much for an 18-month-old. She needed to stay overnight for observation.

In the dimly lit room, Grace lay in the hospital bed, her tiny frame looking even smaller against the white sheets. The beeping of the machines filled the room as she finally succumbed to the effects of the medication, her cries fading into soft whimpers as she drifted into sleep.

Ben and I cuddled up in a chair next to the bed, our eyes fixed on our daughter.

"She looks so small in that bed." Ben's voice broke the silence.

"I would switch places with her without a second thought." My response was immediate.

"I know." He hugged me tighter. "Their suffering becomes our suffering."

"Seeing her get so sick so suddenly, missing any warning signs..." I rested my head against his shoulder. "She's so little. It breaks my heart."

"You should try to get some rest." Ben suggested as the night stretched on.

"I couldn't even if I tried." I shook my head. "But you should sleep if you need to."

"Not even that miraculous medication she's on would make me sleep right now." His gaze never wavering from our baby.

"We can keep watching her sleep." A faint smile tugging at the corners of my lips.

"That's the plan." His cheek brushing against mine as I sat on his lap, our bodies pressed together as close as they could be.