Baby Steps

You're Her Momma

Brooke Lynn's POV:

It's been about two weeks since our adventures alone. We vowed to do it once a month, which in turn, we'd do it once a month. (Vanessa's words, not mine.)

One Wednesday, Vanessa was taking the students that she teaches at the center on a little 'field trip'. She was anxious. It would be her first full day away from Emma.

"Do you have everything?" I asked, softly, as Vanessa sat in the rocking chair in Emma's room, the baby fast asleep still in her arms.

"I think so. Main thing is the pump. Since I'll be gone all day."

"Babe I know you're anxious but it's going to be okay. We will be fine." I squeezed her hand reassuringly, "you should go. You don't want to be late."

I took Emma from her and placed her back in her crib, and walked Vanessa to the door.

"Will you update me every hour?" Vanessa asked, her doe eyes even wider with concern.

"Babe." I said, rolling my own eyes, "she's probably going to sleep most of the day."

Vanessa scowled, and I kiss her on the tip of her nose.

"It's okay. Go. Have fun. I got this."

We said goodbye and Vanessa was out the door. I decided that while Emma was asleep, I was going to lay back down too.

I don't even know why I was trying.

After a half hour, Vanessa texted me.

Then again after an hour.

Then again after another hour.

B: Babe, she is fine. Just focus on the students.

I received an eyeroll emoji. I sent a kiss face emoji back.

The texts stopped coming though. I figured she just didn't have service. The museum they were going to was known for that.

I had finally gotten a short nap when I was woken up by a scream from the baby monitor. I jumped out of bed and ran down the hall to the nursery. Emma's skin was red and she was screaming crying with giant tears running down her cheeks. I picked her up and immediately felt why.

Emma has a fever. Emma is sick.

What do I do?

B: Hey babe, not to alarm you, but Emma has a fever. I don't know what to do.

After a few minutes, no reply. So I went to get the thermometer to take her temp. She was still screaming. I held her close to my chest and bounced.

"Shhh, baby." I said against her ear as panic set in my chest.

The thermometer said that Emma's temp was 102.

Instead of texting Vanessa, I called her. Immediately went to voicemail. Damnit. Her phone is dead.

Emma continued to scream. I continued to panic. I bounced her, rocked her, and bounced her some more. I didn't know what else to do. I could call my mom.

No, I thought to myself, I got this.

Do I?

I'm panicking.

Emma is screaming.

I try calling Vanessa again, still voicemail. I finally cave and call my mom.

"Mom." I said as soon as she answered, my voice thick with panic. She instantly knew something was wrong.

"Hi, baby, what's wrong?"