TNN ONESHOTS

They are poorly - AMR & CV

The soft patter of tiny feet broke through Charlotte's sleep. She stirred, her eyes fluttering open to see her youngest daughter, Daisy, standing beside the bed, her face crumpled with discomfort. "Mommy, I don't feel good," Daisy whispered, her voice thick with sleepiness and a hint of distress.

Charlotte's heart immediately went out to her little girl. She scooped Daisy up in her arms, her warmth radiating against Charlotte's skin. "Oh, sweetie, what's wrong?" she murmured, gently carrying her back to her own bed. "My body feels ouchie." She tucked Daisy back under the covers, smoothing her hair and whispering soothing words.

Concerned, Charlotte placed a hand on Daisy's forehead, and her worry deepened. Daisy was burning up. She quickly fetched a thermometer from the bathroom and gently took Daisy's temperature, the numbers confirming her fears. Her little girl had a fever. Charlotte knew what the night would entail.

With a gentle touch, Charlotte coaxed Daisy to swallow the Calpol, the familiar cherry scent filling the air. Daisy made a small face, but dutifully took the medicine, trusting her mom implicitly. Charlotte then climbed into bed beside her, pulling a light weight cover up to Daisy's chin. She wrapped her arms around her little girl, feeling the heat radiating from her small body. She hummed a soft lullaby, the same one she'd sung to both her daughters since they were babies, and stroked Daisy's hair until her breathing deepened and she drifted back to sleep.

Carefully, Charlotte slipped out of Daisy's bed, making her way back to her own room. As she opened the door, she saw Mia asleep, curled around Lily, her eldest daughter. Lily was whimpering softly, her face pale in the dim light. Charlotte's heart ached for her girls. She knew that being unwell was hard, but seeing them so vulnerable always tugged at her. She gently stroked Lily's hair, whispering, "It's okay, sweetie, Mommy's here," before settling back into bed, grateful for Mia's comforting presence and hoping for a peaceful night ahead.

Lily stirred at Charlotte's touch, her eyes fluttering open, filled with a mixture of confusion and discomfort. She instinctively curled herself into Charlotte, seeking the warmth and comfort of her mother's embrace. A dry, rattling cough wracked her small body, and Charlotte held her close, murmuring soothing words. "It's okay, Lily-bug, I'm here," she whispered, gently stroking her hair.

Knowing what Lily needed, Charlotte carefully disentangled herself from her daughter's grasp. "I'll be right back, sweetie," she said softly, as she slowly moved to get the Calpol. She measured out the correct dose, her movements deliberate and quiet, not wanting to disturb Mia or wake Daisy.

Returning to Lily's side, Charlotte coaxed her to sit up and take the medicine. Lily obliged, her trust in her mother unwavering. After swallowing the Calpol, Lily snuggled back into Charlotte's arms, her body trembling slightly. Charlotte held her close, whispering words of comfort and reassurance, "It's going to be okay, Lily-bug. Just rest, and I'll stay right here with you." She knew that a mother's love was the best medicine of all.

Soon enough, Daisy woke with a start, her small chest heaving with a fit of coughs that rattled through her. Tears welled in her eyes as she stumbled out of bed, her little legs shaky beneath her. She needed her mum.

Padding down the hallway, she made her way to Charlotte's room, her cries growing louder with each step. "Mummy!" she sobbed, her voice thick with sleep and sickness. "Mummy, I don't feel good!"

The sound of Daisy's cries jolted Charlotte awake. She sat up quickly, her heart aching at the sound of her daughter's distress. As she reached for Daisy, Mia stirred beside her, her eyes opening with concern. Seeing Lily's pale face and hearing Daisy's cries, she knew what was needed. Without a word, she wrapped her arms around Lily, pulling her close and offering a silent, comforting embrace.