Reunion (Camren)

Chapter 17

Camila and Lauren had kept their relationship quiet, the two stealing moments when the others weren't looking or when Reagan willingly slept in her own bed.

Two nights before the girls were set to fly to the first stop of the South American leg of the tour, Camila had slept with Lauren, the two talking until late and then snuggling close as sleep took them at around two in the morning.

An hour after that, however, Reagan came into the room, her cries awakening Lauren as soon as they came into earshot, which sent the woman into an upright position and Camila into a stunned frozen position due to the sudden shift.

"Mommy," Reagan cried, sniffling as she stuck her thumb in her mouth and rubbed the bridge of her nose with her finger. Whatever scared her had regressed her to the point of thumb sucking. A habit Lauren broke her out of two years ago.

"Baby, what's wrong?" The woman asked, flipping on the lamp by her bed. Camila sat up at this and looked at the whimpering child.

"Mommy," Reagan repeated, hiccupping past her thumb as she started what sounded like wheezing.

"Shit," Lauren said quickly, jumping from the bed.

"What?" Camila asked fearfully, watching her girlfriend scramble for the bottom dresser drawer. Reagan sobbed louder suddenly, prompting the woman still on the bed to quickly pick her up and comfort her. It was when Camila was bouncing her that she noticed the blue tinge to her lips.

"Got it," Lauren jumped up with the inhaler and puffer, attaching the former to the latter and pulling Reagan's thumb from her mouth. She adjusted the puffer over her mouth and nose while Camila whispered comforting words into the child's ears.

Lauren pressed out one puff and went to administer another but the inhaler made a different noise. "No, fuck, shit, no," Lauren pulled the inhaler off and shook it furiously before trying again. The inhaler made the exact same noise.

"What's wrong? Is it empty?" Camila asked as her panic also swelled. Reagan began to cough furiously from her asthma attack.

"She hasn't had an attack in months. Shoot. Okay, Reagan, try to relax. We're going to the hospital."

"You don't have another one?" Camila asked as she pulled the blanket from the foot of the bed and wrapped Reagan in it.

"The new pediatrician never gave me a prescription for a backup inhaler," Lauren explained as she grabbed her keys and phone.

"Mommy," Reagan choked out, her words not coming through as this usually happened with her attacks.

"We're going to get you better baby, I've got you," Lauren took Reagan from Camila and whisked the girl downstairs, her girlfriend following closely after grabbing her own phone and shoes for everyone. Camila dropped the shoes in front of Lauren and told her to put them on while she buckled Reagan into her car seat.

"Go drive, I'll watch her," Camila said, knowing Lauren was a faster driver in general.

"Sc-cared," Reagan said as she sobbed and wheezed some more. Camila wiped the child's nose with the tissues kept in the backseat before pressing a kiss on the side of her head.

"The doctors will make you feel better," Camila promised, looking nervously to Lauren. "Her lips are really blue, Lo."

"How about her finger tips?"

Camila quickly took the little shaky hands into her own and examined the tiny nails and tips. "Also blue."

"We're almost there," Lauren said, stepping on the gas a little more while Reagan continued making noises clearly showing just how constricted her airways were.