Why do I feel this way?

Chapter 57: Should I be Worried?

It's now Monday and Vivian is driving Siobhan and Jamie to the nursery. Her mind preoccupied thinking about how Jamie's clothes were fitting differently. His shirt seemed to be tighter around his stomach. He was still complaining of a stomach ache and hadn't really eaten the day before. He hadn't been sick or ran a fever, but she was calling the doctor's office today to make an appointment for him.

I just have a feeling that this isn't some normal stomach bug. I've seen so many kids come through the ER with stomach issues. Sometimes it's just a virus, but other times it's been their appendix. I really hope it's not appendicitis... maybe I should have just taken him into the ER. Am I overreacting? But what if it's serious... Am I going to regret waiting?

Vivian snapped out of her thoughts and got out to give Jamie a hug, "Have a good day okay?" He wrapped his arms tightly around his mom's neck, "I will! I love you." Siobhan walked around and took Jamie's hand to walk into the nursery. She turned to Vivian, "I'll keep a check on him today, okay? Try to stay calm." The blonde placed her free hand on Vivian's cheek, gently brushing her thumb over her skin. She leaned in to give her a kiss, "I love you, Viv." The brunette smiled as she whispered, "I love you, Bon."

The brunette watched the two pieces of her heart walk hand in hand into the nursery. The knot in her stomach continued to grow, but she knew he was in good hands with the nursery staff. Also, she knew that by the end of today he would have a doctor appointment scheduled. The worried mom took a deep breath, settled into her car and drove off to work.

Siobhan entered the preschool room and did handover with Sorscha. "Hi Siobhan. How are you and Jamie today?" The blonde bent down to get eye level with Jamie, "Have a good day Jamie. Try to eat a little today... okay?" The small boy wrapped his arms around her neck, "Okay Bonnie. I'll try." He ran over to Winter and sat down at the table for a little breakfast. Her eyes follow him as she clenches on to her locket. Her eyes intently focused on every movement he made.

As Siobhan stood up she was met with a concerned expression from Sorscha. "Is everything okay with Jamie?" Siobhan took a deep breath before explaining, "Well you remember Jamie's stomach was bothering him Saturday at the end of his party." Sorscha shook her head. "He barely ate anything yesterday and complained about his stomach hurting. He hasn't been sick or had any fever. Viv is making him an appointment with the doctor." The redhead looked over at Jamie, "Don't worry— we'll keep a close eye on him. I'll let you know if anything seems off." Siobhan smiles, "Thanks Sorscha. I really appreciate it. I'll come back and check on him some throughout the day."

Siobhan walks down the hallway, her mind clearly elsewhere and enters the office. "Hi, my love. You okay?" Marjorie asked as she entered. "I'm alright. You?" The brunette smiled, "Yeah. I'm doing well." The two women get to work on the stacks of paperwork. Siobhan's phone pings and as she looks at the message she lets out a sigh of relief.

Meanwhile at the hospital, Vivian has just made a call to Jamie's doctor's office. She was trying to make an appointment, but when she was explaining the reason for the appointment the receptionist transferred her to speak with a nurse. "Hiya Viv, what's going on with little Jamie?" The knot in Vivian's chest tightened, "His stomach has been bothering him to the point of him not wanting to eat. His clothes are fitting tighter around his stomach and he just overall seems to have less energy than normal." There is a pause from the other side of the phone before she hears the nurse, "Hold on for me okay Viv? I'm just going to speak with Dr. Tulip and see what he thinks."

The anxiety grows exponentially as she waits for the nurse to return to the phone. After a couple of minutes she hears the scratching sound letting her know the phone is being picked up from the counter. "Hey, Viv. Dr. Tulip said bring him in after lunch. He wants to work him into the schedule today." Vivian begins to twirl the phone cord tightly around her fingers as she choked out, "Should I be worried, Angela?!" A short pause echoes loudly in Vivian's ear before the nurse responds, "I think he is just being cautious. He wants to make sure nothing serious is going on."

I'm feeling sick. As an ER nurse I see a range of illnesses, but honestly I don't know what is normal and what's not in children. I'm glad his doctor is being cautious, but my gut is telling me there's more to it than that.

To Bon-Bon:
Hey Bon, I spoke with the doctor and he wants to see Jamie today. I'm going to come collect him after lunch. Love you

From Bon-Bon:
Okay. Do you want me to see if I can leave early to come with you?

To Bon-Bon:
No. It's okay... I can handle a doctor's appointment. You are so thoughtful. <3

From Bon-Bon:
If you change your mind, let me know. I love you too.

To be honest with myself though— if this is something serious, I'm going to need Bon by my side. Maybe Mia can bring her to the hospital if it comes to that, but I hope it doesn't.

While Vivian is trying to busy her mind with work,  Siobhan lays her phone down and can't help but wonder what made the doctor want to see him so quickly.

Does the doctor think it's serious? I need to go check on Jamie.

Marjorie noticed how distracted Siobhan had been all morning and as the blonde stood to check on Jamie she spoke up. "Siobhan, is everything okay? You seem distracted." Her shoulders slumped as she turned back towards Majorie. "Something is going on with Jamie— we just don't know what. Viv got him an appointment for today so hopefully we will figure it out." With a deep sigh she continued, "I'm going to check on him now. Maybe that will help put my mind at ease." The nursery manager gave Siobhan a sympathetic look, "Yeah, of course. Let me know if I can do anything to help."

As Siobhan made her way down to the preschool room, she could hear a little bit of commotion. "Siobhan, I was just calling the office. Jamie has just been sick." The blonde woman's heart dropped as she heard what Sorscha said. "Viv is coming to collect him soon. I can take him to the office with me in the meantime."

Jamie takes Siobhan's hand and follows her out of the room. "Hey big man, how are you feeling?" The tears forming in his eyes, breaks her heart as his voice trembles, "Bonnie, my stomach hurts a lot. Can you hold me?" The sobs began to break through and she leaned over to pick him up. He wrapped his legs around Siobhan's torso and laid his head on her shoulder. She held him tightly, one hand rubbing his back trying to comfort him and the other holding his head gently to her shoulder.

I wish I could make this pain go away! What is going on? Please let the doctor figure this out so he can get relief...

Returning to the office, she sits with Jamie clinging to her. The weight of his weakened body pressing on her. She could feel his tears dripping onto her shoulder and feel his head jerk as he sniffled. Siobhan picks up her phone to call Viv and let her know what has happened. As the phone rings, she takes some deep breaths to make sure she speaks as calmly as possible.

"Bon? What's going on?" Vivian's voice cracked slightly, worry seeping through. "Hey baby, Jamie has just been sick. He is really upset and his stomach is really hurting him. I have him in the office with me now." Siobhan can feel the tension and anxiety through the phone. "I'm coming now. I'm just going to have to let my supervisor know I'm leaving a little earlier than expected." Jamie's sobs echo through the phone causing the woman's breath to catch in her chest. "Bon, tell him mommy is coming as fast as she can."

Everything around her became a blur and the sounds muffled. Ending the call abruptly, she runs down the hall to speak with her supervisor. Within minutes she made it out to her car to drive to the nursery. Her grip on the steering wheel so tight her knuckles turned white. Laser focus was evident as she weaved in and out of the traffic lanes. Anxiety pushing tears into her eyes causing them to burn. Vivian's chest tightened as she pushed the gas pedal harder, her heart beat increasing with every passing second.