Illusions of the island *A LOST fanfic*

Chapter 19: Finding the source

"Coconuts?"

Jack nodded his head at Juliet and ran a hand over Cara's tiny forehead.

"The good thing is, we caught this allergy early. The best thing for you to do Juliet is to stop eating coconuts."

It seemed easy enough of a request. Juliet kissed Cara's forehead and picked her up.

"Baby I am so sorry."

Cara gurgled and grabbed for pieces of Juliet's shirt. Fear for a brief few seconds seized Juliet's gut and took over her entire body. She would have to lay off the coconuts for as long as Cara needed her. Turning to Jack, Juliet voiced her concerns.

"So, remnants of the coconut somehow got into my milk supply?"

Nodding, Jack tested Cara's reflexes.

"The nutrients from it absorbed into your body. If she has another reaction, it might be worse than the hives. Next time her throat could swell shut."

Cara was now looking up at Juliet intently and she realized she had hazel eyes.

"She has hazel eyes. I really thought her eyes were going to be blue like mine. Huh. So coconuts could kill her?"

Jack nodded his head seriously.

"Yes. I'm sorry this happened to her. Other than the allergy to coconut, she's relatively healthy. She has no other health issues to speak of."

Juliet was definitely grateful for everything Jack was doing for them. He'd done a lot of things to help her out. She'd known what to expect, but some things were out of her control.

"Thank you for catching this Jack. I'm glad you found the source of her hives. Some allergies are harder to pinpoint than others. I was afraid she'd gotten poison oak. But the island doesn't have any of that."

Jack sympathized with Juliet, he had to get his family off the island as well. But it was just going to take some more time.

"She's got a good appetite. Her reflexes are good. She responds to sound. Cara is a perfectly healthy little girl. Despite the coconut allergy. What I'd like to do is keep her here overnight. You can stay with her. A night in a real bed will do you some good. I'll keep an eye on her."

Juliet nodded and stroked Cara's head. She was becoming fussy. It wouldn't be long until she would start screaming.

"I know that look. You're getting hungry."

Jack observed for a moment as Juliet got Cara settled and then grabbed for a blanket.

"Did you finish all the antibiotics I gave you? We don't want another relapse."

Juliet nodded and stuck her head under the blanket. Cara was playing with her hands as she ate.

"Finished them last night. I'd forgotten how much that kind of infection hurt. Give me some credit, the last time I had this infection was 6 years ago."

Jack nodded and sat on the stool next to Juliet. James had gone to get her a tray with food.

"I understand. Were there any other things you experienced with Hayley that you haven't with Cara?"

Juliet looked up at the ceiling and thought for a split second or two.

"Hayley got colic early. I was up at all hours of the night trying to figure out how to get her to stop crying. I eventually figured out what I was doing. But it took time and a lot of patience. Along the way, my sister helped me."

Jack looked to Juliet and smiled.

"Well I hope to meet your sister someday Juliet. She sounds like a very nice woman."

Shifting uncomfortably on the stool, Juliet glanced under the blanket one last time. Cara had fallen asleep, but was still trying to suckle. Pulling her away, she waited to see if Cara would wake up and start crying. When that didn't happen, Juliet sighed and straightened herself out.

"Rachel is my sister and she's been through lots of stuff no one should have to go through. I helped her have a baby. That baby, my nephew Julian, he's a miracle. I just wish that I'd been there when he was born. Did you know I was the one that was supposed to deliver him?"

Jack looked down at Cara and then over at Juliet.

"Your sister would've been in a good hands. You're an excellent fertility doctor. You're intelligent. Like I said, your research could help a lot of women. Don't sell yourself short."

Nodding Juliet turned her attention back to the sleeping baby in her arms.

"She's alive and I have you to thank for it Jack."

Jack sighed. If only we could get off this island.

To Be Continued...