Reassurance (#sytycw15) (#loveInspiredRomance)

Part Seventeen

November 31st, 1998

"John, Put me down this instant!" Isla yelled as John had lifted her spinning in his arms. They were busy preparing Isla's speech for student council and John had began spinning her around or no good reason.

"You need a break!" He stated before pecking her on her cheek. Isla and John had been recently getting close since their small date to the carnival in which he had planted a chaste kiss on her lips. Isla didn't know what to call their relationship at the moment, but she was way to shy to be questioning it before she got the wrong idea.

"No, I don't. I need to have this done by next week!" Isla shouted while slamming her fists on John's back.

"Ouch! Stop that," John faked hurt as he twirled Isla around some more. "John, if you don't put me don't right now, I swear to you right now, that you will not see daylight again!"

She was suddenly dropped on the ground gently. "You're no fun." He said to her before pouting like a child.

"I'm serious! These past few days, Claire has been terribly sick. Her asthma is acting up more then ever, and I'm worried about her." she said before packing up her things.

They had been bussing themselves for Isla's project the whole day at John's penthouse. Isla had realized John had been spending an awful lot of time here in Kansas and had been meaning to ask him why he was still here, not to be rude or anything, but he was on a vacation overdue.

"When are you heading back to California?" Isla asked him out of nowhere. John stared at her for a few seconds before answering, "I was thinking I would stay here for a couple of years, catch up with you since we lost so much time together." He began to scratch the back of his neck, something he did when nervous. But what could he possibly be nervous about?

"Are you kidding me?! John, if the world ever heard those words they-" Isla was cut off by John's hand that was covering her mouth.

"Would you relax, you sound like my father telling me to go study some books. It's my life, I think I should get the choice on where and how I want to spend it."

"Whatever, I have to go to church later, I haven't been there in a while... With school projects and exams and Claire getting sick all the time, I just-" Isla was cut of by John's mouth. He was kissing her.

Isla was shocked to say the least, but before she could doing anything he was already pulling away.

"I've been wanting to do that for awhile now," He said smiling at her shamelessly. Isla was still in shock, too much to say words. She must have looked like a dummy.

"You just-"

"Yeah, I did." John said as he grabbed her hand pulling her through the doors.

"Want to come over? Adel isn't here for the weekend." Isla tried to persuade John into coming over, but what would they even do, with Claire sick in bed wheezing and her project to finish.

"I can't I have a business meeting with my father for the weekend. But you're free to come to my next meeting in California. You can see my dad and brothers and sisters." He said looking at her for a sign.

"Well... If Claire isn't well enough by the end of Thursday, she's getting transported to the hospital."

"Why can't she go now?" John asked confused, she was unwell and needed medical attention.

"Because Adel is the guardian of Claire so she needs to be there, for some reason." Isla scoffed.

"That's two days from now, a full forty-eight hours... You sure she'll be alright. I don't want to take you anywhere if she's not." John said worriedly as he took her things in his arms. "Thanks, but Claire is a strong girl, she's been through way to much to have a little asthma get to her now." Isla said shrugging it off.

Though she couldn't hide to worry and fear held in her eyes.

***

 Rhonda was sitting on a small chair as she read aloud to Claire who's breath was laboured. She was carrying a high fever and wheezing loudly.

"How did it get this bad?" Isla rushed over to crouch down next to Claire who cracked open an eye.

"W-what are you talking about," She paused to let out a laboured cough. "I'm fine, don't worry about me, this was bound to happen." Claire said.

"What?" Isla asked.

"Oh, I said that it always happens." Claire lied.

"I took her to a nearby walk-in-clinic... they talked to her, privately." Rhonda said quietly, looking at Claire worriedly.

"That's amazing, Claire, what did the doctor say." Isla grabbed Claire's hand in her own. "She said that..." Claire looked at me and coughed a little before continuing. "She said that this was normal and it would soon blow over." Isla smiled in relief at Claire's words. She hugged Claire tightly before kissing her temple.

Quietly Isla thanked Rhonda before letting her off to go, she changed the towel on Claire's forehead before kissing her goodnight. "Get some rest now," Isla said.

before Isla left the room Claire whispered silently. "You know I love you right?"

"Of course Claire, I love you as well." Isla said leaning against the doorframe. Claire sent Isla a small smile as she finally closed her eyes fading away into sleep.

"Goodnight Claire, get well." Isla whispered closing the door softly.

That night Isla sent a prayer up to God asking him for guidance, peace, health and most of all strength. She asked for all of these for one person and one person only.

That person obviously being Claire.

"Get well Claire, fast... I don't know how much I'll last if you don't soon." Isla mumbled before drifting off to sleep.

***