Little Hands -:- Fifth Harmony Kidfic

chapter thirteen || forever is long enough

The girls' doctor's appointment went as well as could be expected.

Dinah was fine after her asthma episode and small pout of sickness, and was all in all a healthy girl still.

Camila was completely back to normal despite the terrible flu she endured over a week ago. And her lung was healthy and was clearly managing without the help of her second one.

It was Normani that was causing more concern, having only gained a couple of pounds but nothing significant, especially after her struggle with keeping anything down while she was sick. She was still too small and Demi was starting to run out of options.

"She might have to be admitted to the hospital," Demi said, marking the point of the growth chart that Normani was currently at. She was way behind her peers.

"But," Lauren began, faltering as she wasn't sure how to argue the doctor's statement. Truth is, she didn't know how to prove that they could help her get better without Normani actually having a significant change in weight.

"No hos'ti'tal," Camila spoke up, having heard what Demi said about her baby sister. "N'ani can't leave me," the girl said, shaking her head in refusal. Her anxiety about the situation was clearly growing, causing Ally to set Normani in Lauren's arms before she scooped up the four-year-old and tried to calm her down.

"It's okay, baby. Lauren and I will make sure that Normani is okay," Ally promised in a whisper.

Demi chewed her lip unsurely, looking at Normani's charts once more as she tried to think of something.

"What about an NG tube," Ally said, the thought clicking in her mind as she swayed with Camila.

"That could work," Demi said, nodding in agreement. "However, I don't get to make the final call on this. Normani needs to see a specialist at the Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition center at Children's Hospital. They'll determine what course of action to take with her."

"How soon can we see someone there?" Lauren asked, pressing some loving kisses to Normani's head as the baby slowly fell asleep. She couldn't help but cradle Normani a little bit closer as her protective mama bear instinct kicked in. This was her baby and she was going to protect her with all she had.

"I'll try to get her in quickly. Hopefully, before next week. If no one calls you from the hospital just call my secretary and she'll get things moving. I'm certain they'll see Normani soon, though."

"I hope so," Ally sighed. They just couldn't seem to catch a break.

~.~.~

Friday swung around and it was time to face the family.

Dinah was practically bouncing off the walls all morning with excitement as she'd missed her grandparents and wanted to show them her new sisters.

Lauren and Ally worked together in the kitchen to prepare lunch, however, the task was proven to be anything but easy as Normani had been particularly fussy all morning and Camila was more agitated than usual.

Dinah, who was basically oblivious to the moods of her sisters, continued to dance around the kitchen as Disney music played through the house.

For a solid ten minutes, both women managed to work on the food together until Normani began her loud wailing again, drawing Ally away so she could comfort the little one who clearly didn't want her nap today.

In her wife's absence, Lauren kept an eye on all of the food that was keeping warm on the stove, all the while looking back to Camila who was sat at the table with one of Dinah's dolls cradled in her arms. The girl looked oddly childlike, which was new to Lauren, as she'd only seen her take a keen interest in toys that were puzzles.