Free (Sequel to Trapped)

Ch. 166

Justin

Saturday, 3:43 am

Ariana couldn't go to sleep because her throat was hurting her so bad. We had been awake since 10 pm, and now I was considering taking her to the ER. Of course, she didn't wanna go, but I had to take her. There was no other choice. The only issue was I had no one to take care of the kids because I definitely wasn't bringing them.

My only choice was Joan, Frankie, or my parents, but I knew Frankie would be awake because he never sleeps. I text Frankie first, then when I see him typing, I call him, not waiting for his reply.

"How can I help you, brother in law?"

"Can you come over, like, right now? Ariana needs to go to the emergency room and I can't take the girls."

"Yeah, yeah. I'm on the way now." I hang up, placing my phone on the bed before turning my attention back to Ariana.

"Queen, how do you feel?"

"Still bad. And the headache is worse."

"Baby, I'm so sorry. I wish I could help you feel better, but Frankie is on the way to watch the girls while we go to the emergency room."

"Justin, no-"

"Babe, I am not going to let you lay here in pain while I can't do anything about it. We are going to see what's wrong with you, okay?" She nods and I move some hair out of her face.

"I promise I'll do everything in my power to help you feel better."

I stroke Ariana's cheek until Frankie arrives at the house, then I go open the door for him.

4:07 am

"Both of the girls are asleep in their rooms, but Bella might wake up because she's by herself. If she does, there's bottles of breast milk in the freezer. Just warm it up and give it to her and she'll go right back to sleep."

"I got it. Feel better, little sis." Frankie kisses Ariana's head before we leave the house.

I help Ariana into the car before going around to my side and getting in. After putting my seatbelt on, I put the key in the ignition and back out of the driveway.

It doesn't take long to get to the ER and when we get there, I help Ari out of the car and into the hospital.

"It's so cold outside." Ariana whispers.

"I know, babe."

I'm agreeing with her, even though it's almost 60° outside and not really that cold, for once. I know she's just sick and disagreeing doesn't benefit either of us an any way.

Once I tell the nurse at the front desk what's wrong with Ariana, she tells us we'll have to wait for about 10 minutes but we won't have to fill out any paperwork because we always come here. This is the hospital Bella was born in, and right across her street is where both of the girls get their check ups.

4:33 am

"Ariana Grande." A nurse pushes a door open, calling Ariana's name, and we both stand up.

I follow Ariana and the nurse through the hallway and into a room with a much more different set up than the rooms we're usually in when we come here. Probably because we never come to the emergency room.

The nurse, Diana, takes Ariana's vitals and allows Ariana to tell what's wrong.

"So to me, it sounds like you have strep throat, but strep does not give you headaches, or make you hot or cold, or even hurt as bad as you're describing it. Your high temperature gave away the fact that you also have a fever." Diana says.

"How do you get strep and a fever?" Ariana asks.

"You usually get a fever when you're trying to fight something else off, but this case of strep was obviously stronger than the fever. That's just the simple way to put it."

"How long will it last?" I ask, taking Ariana's hand.

"A fever usually lasts about two days and strep for five days to a week, but with the antibiotics, the fever should be gone by tomorrow and the strep won't be as bad. It'll be gone by at least Tuesday or Wednesday."

"How long do I have to take the antibiotics?"

"You take them for a week, just to ensure nothing comes back."

"That sounds good." I say.

"Alright, the nurse will have your prescription ready. You just take it to any local pharmacy and you can get it filled."

"Thank you so much for your help." I say, looking over at Ariana.

I could tell she was still in a lot of pain. My poor baby. Once the doctor does some last minute things, she leaves, followed by me and Ariana.

The nurse gives me Ariana's prescription and when we leave the hospital, we go to Walmart because it's the closest and get the prescription filled. Luckily for us, the pharmacy had exactly what we needed and we didn't have to wait multiple days, just a few minutes.

Once that few minutes is up, we take the prescription and go to the car.

5:46 am

Since Ariana took the medicine as soon as we got in the car, she fell asleep on the way home. When I pulled up in the driveway, Frankie was waiting at the door since I told him we were almost home and I would have to carry Ari inside.

I turn the car off and get out, walking around to Ariana's side of the car. I open the door, making sure she doesn't fall out or anything because that has happened before. Maybe not to her, but it has happened.

I plant a kiss on her cheek, before gently scooping her into my arms. Her eyes flutter a little but she doesn't wake up as I walk up to the house.

Frankie opens the door for me and I walk into the house, taking Ariana to our bedroom. I lay her in the bed and cover her with blankets, planting a gentle kiss on her forehead before leaving the room.

Frankie is in the living room with Bella, who's laying on the couch with her giraffe.

"She woke up a few minutes after you left. I gave her a bottle but she wouldn't go back to sleep. I think she just knows something is wrong."

"Yeah, she probably does." I pick Bella up, walking around the living room and rocking her.

"Thank you so much for coming, Frankie. I appreciate it."

"Anything for my nieces. But I think I'm gonna head home now because despite popular belief, Frankie Grande does sleep."

We both laugh and I hug him, awkwardly because I'm holding a baby, before he leaves.