Carson’s POV
The next morning, Gaby and I headed into Raelyn’s room, prepared for her morning shots. She was still curled up under the covers, her face pale but calmer than last night. As soon as she saw Gaby holding the syringes, her eyes widened, and she clutched the blanket tightly.
“Morning, bug,” I greeted her softly, sitting on the edge of her bed.
“No,” she said immediately, shaking her head. “No shots.”
Gaby knelt down beside her, her voice calm and soothing. “Raelyn, love, we’ve got two quick ones today. One is to keep your nausea in check, and the other is for the antibiotics. I promise, we’ll take it slow, and I’ll be as gentle as possible.”
Raelyn started to tremble, tears forming in her eyes. “No, Gaby. I can’t. I don’t want to!”
I reached out to take her hand, my voice soft. “Rae, listen to me. I know you’re scared, but you handled it so well last night. You can do this. We’ll be here with you the whole time.”
“No!” she cried, pulling the blanket over her head. “I can’t do it again. I hate it!”
Gaby sighed softly and stood. “I’ll be right back,” she said, leaving the room for a moment to prepare everything.
Raelyn peeked out from under the blanket, her eyes red and puffy. “I don’t want her to come back,” she whimpered.
I leaned closer, brushing her hair from her face. “I know, bug, but these shots are helping you get better. And Gaby’s going to make it as easy as possible.”
Before she could argue, Gaby returned with the syringes. She set her supplies on the bedside table and knelt down again. “Okay, Raelyn, we’ll do these one at a time. The first one is for nausea, and it goes in your hip, just like last night. It’ll be quick, I promise.”
Raelyn immediately started crying, shaking her head violently. “No! No, no, no!”
“Rae, look at me,” I said firmly, taking her face in my hands. “Breathe, okay? Just breathe. We’re going to get through this together.”
She sobbed, but she didn’t kick or thrash like before. I pulled her into my lap, holding her securely as Gaby prepared the first shot.
“Okay, sweetheart, we’re going to roll you onto your side, just like last time,” Gaby said gently.
Raelyn whimpered, clinging to me tightly. “Carson, please… I don’t want it!”
“I know, bug,” I murmured, stroking her back. “But it’ll be over before you know it. Just hold onto me, alright?”
Gaby swabbed the area on Raelyn’s hip, and she flinched at the cold alcohol. “Okay, love, here comes the first one,” Gaby said, her voice calm and steady.
Raelyn cried harder, burying her face in my chest as the needle went in. “No! No!” she sobbed, but her body stayed still, trembling in my arms.
“Almost done, bug,” I said softly, holding her close. “You’re doing so well.”
And then it was over. Gaby quickly withdrew the needle and covered the spot with a small bandage.
“There’s one,” Gaby said gently, smiling at Raelyn. “You’re halfway done.”
Raelyn’s breathing was shaky, and she looked up at me with tear-filled eyes. “I don’t want another one,” she whispered.
“I know, Rae,” I said, wiping her tears. “But you’re already halfway there. Just one more, and then you can rest.”
