Love story

Chapter 3

The soft glow of morning light filtered through the drawn curtains in Camila Cabello's small apartment, casting gentle patterns on the floor. She moved quietly around the living room, careful not to disturb her son, Harry, who lay curled up on the couch. Even in his sleep, his little brows furrowed in discomfort, a telltale sign of the fever that had plagued him since the night before. Camila's heart twisted with worry as she brushed a damp strand of hair from his forehead, feeling the heat radiating from him.

"Hey, sweet boy," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "Let's get you feeling better, alright?"

Harry stirred slightly but didn't open his eyes. The cough he caught from a classmate at nursery school had deepened overnight into a rough wheeze that cracked through the otherwise still air. Camila's job at the diner didn't offer her the luxury of long hours off, but today, nothing would stop her from ensuring Harry got the care he needed.

With a determined sigh, she picked Harry up gently, cradling him against her shoulder as she forced herself to focus. She needed to call the paediatrician, but with the morning rush of customers waiting at the diner, the thought of leaving them unattended made her heart sink. It was a risk she had to take.

After a hurried breakfast, which consisted mainly of toast and her half-finished cup of coffee, Camila bundled up her son in a soft blanket and placed him snugly in his car seat. The trip to the hospital felt longer than it should have, each bump in the road a reminder of Harry's fragility. As she navigated through the familiar streets, her anxiety mounted.

"Just a little longer, buddy," she said softly, glancing back at his pale face. "You're so strong. Mommy's here."

The hospital loomed in front of them, a stark white building that was both welcoming and intimidating. She parked and rushed inside, her heart pounding in rhythm with her footsteps. The receptionist greeted them with a warm smile, though Camila could barely muster a response as they checked in.

"You're in luck; Dr. Jauregui has an opening," the receptionist chirped. "Just have a seat, and they'll call you soon."

It wasn't long before Camila and Harry were led into the examination room. As she settled Harry on the table, Camila felt a wave of hope mixed with trepidation. This wasn't the usual doctor he saw, but she had heard much about Dr. Lauren Jauregui, the town's beloved doctor, especially among worried parents.

When the door swung open, it felt as if a breeze swept through the room. In walked Lauren, with kind, sparkling eyes that immediately put Camila at ease. She exuded a palpable energy, and her warm smile brightened what had felt like a heavy moment.

"Hi there, what's your name?" she asked, crouching down to Harry's level, her voice soothing as honey.

"Harry," he mumbled, eyes darting to Camila, his small fingers clutching the edge of the paper-lined exam table.

"And who's this lovely lady?" Lauren prompted gently, clearly not expecting a response from Harry but trying nonetheless to draw him into the moment.

"That's my mommy," he whispered, and Camila felt a swell of pride.

"Hi, mommy of Harry," Lauren said, her gaze locking with Camila's. "I hear we're not feeling so well today."

Camila nodded, feeling her heart lighten slightly. "He's got a pretty bad cough and a fever. I didn't know who else to turn to..." Her voice trailed off as she watched Lauren patiently interact with Harry, who slowly began to unwind under her warmth.

"Alright, Harry," Lauren said, "let's have a look at you, yeah? I promise it's not scary. Just a few checks and maybe a magic sticker for being brave!"

With each gentle movement, Lauren coaxed Harry to respond—his breathing, his little squirmes, and incremental giggles earned him what she referred to as "magic points." He began to smile, slowly melting from the tension that had gripped him since they entered the room.

During the examination, Camila absorbed every detail of the interaction, relief flooding through her at the way Lauren made her son feel safe. A quiet bond began to form between the doctor and the boy, and she silently wished she had found someone like Lauren sooner.

"Okay, Harry," Lauren announced after checking his temperature and breathing, "I'm happy to report you have the flu. It's not fun, but it's just a nasty bug, and with some rest and medicine, you'll be back playing before you know it!"

"Does that mean I can still have ice cream?" Harry asked, the weakness in his voice now peppered with curiosity.

"Absolutely! With a mom like you, ice cream is a vital part of the recovery process," Lauren said, smiling down at him.

Camila felt tears of relief prick at the corners of her eyes. "Thank you so much, Dr. Jauregui. You've been incredible with him."

Lauren looked at Camila, her expression turning serious. "I work with a lot of children, but it's really about making them feel comfortable. Harry is lucky to have such a caring mom."

With the prescription in hand, Camila glanced down at Harry, who was already asking if he could get a 'sick day' from nursery school. The lightness in her son's voice tugged at something deep within her, and she knew that this moment should not be fleeting.

"Would you want to be Harry's main doctor?" Camila asked impulsively, the words tumbling from her lips before she could reconsider. "He connected with you. I mean, if you're not too busy, or..."

Lauren's eyes brightened with enthusiasm. "I'd love that. I'm usually tied up with appointments, but I can make it work. It'd be an honour to help Harry grow!"

As they walked out of the hospital, Camila felt a mixture of gratitude and relief swelling in her chest. Harry clutched the prescription bottle, his eyes dancing with ideas of ice cream and stickers he hoped awaited him. At that moment, Camila realized they weren't just leaving the hospital with medicine; they had found a spark of hope, a connection that would carry them forward into a brighter tomorrow.

"Next time, we'll just tell them we need the best doctor!" Harry announced as they stepped out into the bright afternoon sun, and Camila laughed, feeling the weight of the world momentarily lifted from her shoulders.