Take It From Me

Run to You

"Okay, so they're both incredible offers..." I flopped back on the bed, sighing and groaning about the papers I had been sifting through with Hunter, "What do I do?"

"Babe, you could do what ever you want," He sorted the papers, "I personally think if you sign with Thirty Two Bridge, you will get the small-label feel, that individualized attention. You won't get lost in the hustle and bustle of a corporation."

"I like that perspective," I nodded, raking my long wavy hair into a ponytail, "I'll have to sleep on it." We were interrupted by some frantic knocking and Sutton barreling into our room.

"It's Beckett, he's having trouble breathing!" She raced back out and Hunter and I followed her downstairs to the kitchen where we had left the kids eating ice cream. One look at Beckett and I realized he was having an allergic reaction.

"Hunter, he's reacting to something - get the benedryl," I knealt down beside him, "Beck buddy can you swallow?" He nodded, his tongue was starting to swell and time was ticking. Hunter handed me the medication and I instructed Beckett to take the medicine. "Open your mouth, good. Swallow. We are going to the hospital. Sutton put whatever container of ice cream he had in a bag for me, Hunter grab my wallet and let's go." My adrenaline was pumping as we rushed out to the car and to the hospital. Beckett's breathing was raspy but the swelling halted. Hunter dropped us off and I carried him in to the emergency room.

"My son is having a severe food reaction," I said, gasping, "we need help."

A nurse recognized me and rushed us over to a bay where, within minutes doctors and nurses were pumping Beckett with antihistamine and fluids. "So, we reviewed the list of ingredients and when Beckett's body has calmed down, we need to perform an allergy test. For safety, I'd like to keep him overnight." Hunter and I nodded.

"I'm going to call my parents and have them go to the house, can you call Sutton?" I nodded and Hunter stepped out to talk to his parents.

"Hey Sutton, yeah he's going to be fine but the doctors need him to stay over night. Dad is calling grandma and grandpa. Yes, okay. Sure, that's fine. Thank you. No, just go in the backyard with her. Make sure all the doors are locked sweetie. Grandma has a key. Yes. Thank you. I love you guys." As I hung up, I turned to Beckett, "How are you sweetie?"

"I'm okay. That was scary. I was fine one minute, the next my moth was itchy and I couldn't breathe right."

"I know, I've been there buddy." I kissed him. "I'm going to get a tea for myself, would you like to play tetris?" He nodded and I handed him my phone. Hunter stepped back into the room.

"My parents are heading over," He hugged me, "I'm so glad you reacted the way you did babe." I hugged him back.

"Of course," I kissed his cheek and pulled back, "Need a coffee or anything?" He nodded and obliged before we parted ways.

The next day was long and grueling, however we ruled narrowed his allergy to nuts. "It's not uncommon for children to develop allergies, and there's a chance in seven to ten years, that he may possibly grow out of this allergy." The red bumps on Becketts forearms read that he had developed a life threatening nut allergy.

"So no more peanut butter, Reeses or trail mix?" His grey eyes were wide.

"I am so sorry buddy, your body says no." I looked at him. "We are going to the store to buy all new silverware, and snacks for school." I looked at Hunter, "And we have to purge the cabinets."

"I'm sorry mom."

"Beck, don't be sorry, I'm just glad your alive baby," I hugged him, "you know allergies can be dangerous. Yours is." His eyes met mine and he nodded. The nurse came in with three epi pens and showed Beckett how to use it.

"One for school, one to wear and one for maybe mom's purse or something like that," she said, "Also, you should teach your other children or anyone else who may look after Beckett on how to administer the epi pen."

"So if you ever suspect that Beckett is having a reaction, you take the cap off," I was demonstrating the administration of the epi pen for Sutton, Easton and Hunter's parents at home, "blue to the sky, orange to the thigh." The look on the kids faces was unsettling, "For Beckett, giving him this needle is a matter of saving his life. He will always wear one on him, we will keep one at school and I have one to keep with me." Once we cleaned the pantry, replaced the silverware and gave the house a thorough cleaning, I flopped on the couch beside Lynette.

"Jenna I know that was scary, I'm glad they found out what it was."

"Yeah I just jumped in to save him. Mother bear instincts."

"Easton and Sutton were a bit shaken up, and we did our best to calm them down but they might need to hear it again from you and Hunter."

"Absolutely. This will have to be an ongoing conversation." Hunter and I reassured the kids again as we wound down for the day.

"Thank you for reacting so quickly Jen," Hunter hugged me, "you are so strong and I know that was scary for everyone."

"Right? I don't want to be the over bearing mom now," I chuckled, rolling into Hunter's hug, I pulled back, kissing his cheek, "you are also very strong babe. Thank you."