Long road ahead.

Day 5

5:30 A.M.

I woke up to my phone alarm beeping obnoxiously in my ear. I quickly turned it off. I got up just as Justin woke up.

"Mom? What are you doing?" he asked groggily.

"Nothing, Sweetheart, go back to sleep." I noticed he was shaking violently, his teeth chattering. He looked like he was freezing, his face so pale it was honestly ridiculous.

"You want a sweatshirt, baby?" I asked. He nodded. I went over to his dresser and got out a black, comfortable-looking sweatshirt, his favorite one. He likes how soft and warm it is. I walked back over to him and helped him sit up. I slipped the sweatshirt over his head and guided his arms through the holes. He laid back down and I covered him, but he was still shivering madly.

"You still cold?" I asked. He nodded, teeth chattering. I went and got another blanket and laid it on top of the bed. He was now covered with the sheet, comforter, and two blankets. And he's still cold.

"Try to go back to sleep, baby," I said, sitting on the edge of his bed and stroking his cheek. He responded by turning away from me and burying his face into his sleeve.

"Hektshoo!!" He sneezed harshly, and it sounded painful.

"Bless you."

"Hupshh!!" He sneezed into the crook of his arm, the intensity of his sneezes forcing him upwards from his laying position.

"Bless you."

"Thanks," he croaked. He's so congested, it's insane. His voice is scratchy and thick, and VERY congested. I laid a hand on his forehead, still alarmed at the radiation coming from his fever-ridden body.

"How about this: you go to sleep, get some rest, and when you wake up, I'll have a surprise for you. How does that sound?" He smiled weakly.

"Good. Thanks, Mom," he said quietly. I kissed his forehead.

"No problem. Now, go to sleep, Sweetheart," I urged, looking at the clock. Shit! I'm gonna be late picking them up. He closed his eyes and was asleep in minutes. I rushed to my room and got dressed. I wrote a note for Scooter explaining where I was if anything were to happen while I'm gone. I grabbed my phone and my purse and ran out, then jumped in my car and took off for the airport. I was late; it was gonna be about 6:30 by the time I got there. I called my mom once I got on the road.

"Hey, Pattie. Where are you?" she asked upon picking up.

"I'm so sorry, Mom. I'm on my way. I couldn't get Justin to sleep, and I didn't want to leave him there awake and alone in case he needed something, and-" I explained, and she cut me off.

"Pattie, calm down. It's alright," she reassured.

"Okay. Thanks, Mom. I'm on my way, though."

"Okay. I'll see you in a sec," she said.

"You, too. Bye, Mom," I said.

"Bye, Honey!" I hung up and concentrated on where I was going. Once I got there, I found them in the waiting area with their bags already. My dad was asleep in a chair, holding Jazzy, who is also peacefully sleeping. My mom stood up and hugged me tightly.

"Hey, Mom!" I greeted her, smiling.

"Hi, Honey," she said, pulling out of the hug and also grinning. She nudged my dad.

"Bruce, she's here. Time to go." My dad stood and gave me a half-hug, holding Jazzy.

"Alright, let's go. I wanna see my grandson. I'm worried about him," my mom said.