Consequences

Chapter 20

Throughout the night, Zoe had kept checking on her and despite the antibiotics and pain relief, her temperature kept rising and her breathing became worse. By morning, she was struggling even with the oxygen on so Zoe had insisted on staying with her; by the time Grace and Charlie had arrived, Connie had been moved to HDU having been diagnosed with Pneumonia.

"Mommy" Grace whimpered as she stood at her bedside and took her hand.

Connie was lying in the bed, the mask over her face and another bag of fluids hanging from the IV pole attached to the back of her hand; she wasnt asleep but wasnt quite awake either.

"How is she?" Charlie asked.

"I've put her on a stronger course of antibiotics via the IV drip; her temperature is still high but it has started to decrease. My main concern is her lungs and chest; i cant give her anything to stop the cough so we need to try and keep her talking to a minimum and get her drinking warm honey and lemon drinks" Zoe answered.

"She's a fighter, she'll come through this" Charlie reassured her.

"I should've spotted it sooner; i must've missed something"

"You did what you were supposed to; it was always a risk with any patient. You look shattered, go home"

"No, not until i know she's okay"

"Okay but at least go and get a break; see Max and i'll come and find you if you're needed"

"I want someone with her at all times" she insisted before leaving the room.

Charlie stood the other side of the bed and took Connie's other hand as she looked at him.

"What's happening?" She whispered.

"You have Pneumonia; the other antibiotics weren't strong enough so we've changed them. You're gonna be fine Connie, i promise; try and get some sleep"

She turned her head to look at Grace.

"Hi baby"

"I miss you mommy; when are you coming home?"

"Soon" she answered before starting to cough again.

Resting against the Pillows, she sighed heavily and drifted off; an hour later, Zoe re-entered the room with Max, holding a brown paper bag of goodies for Grace and Charlie and a honey and lemon drink for Connie.

"Grace, come here darling" Zoe said as they sat on the sofa, noticing her girls' terrified expression.

Grace sat on Zoe's lap and cried as she snuggled against her.

"You're mom is gonna be fine; all this...looks worse than it is but it's all to help her, i promise" she said, stroking her hair.

"Is she really sick?"

"She's getting better by the minute; the new antibiotics will soon kick in and although she'll be tired for a few weeks, she'll soon be back on her feet looking after you. We just need to give her time to rest; she will have to stay in for a few days though so do you want to stay with us or with Charlie?"

"I'm staying with mom" she answered, wiping her eyes and resuming her position at Connie's bedside. "I'm here mommy"

"Gracie..." Connie whispered. "I love you"

"I love you too mom; please get better for me?"

"I will..." she coughed.

Charlie helped her to sit up and passed her the warm lemon and honey drink.

"This might help; i'll be back later"

Connie nodded and sipped her drink as Charlie squeezed her hand and left.