Adopted by Luke Hemmings

36

I woke up at like 10 a.m and immediately went to check on Emma. She's probably awake.

I opened her door and walk over to her bed, sitting on the edge of where she was sleeping.

Yes, sleeping. She's still out. I move some pieces of hair from her face and notice she's warm. Damn, she's probably ill again.

I feel her cheeks and they were warm too. Yep, she's ill.

"Em," I whisper.

She didn't move.

"Emma," I spoke as I gently shook her.

"Emma Grace," I spoke again as she finally opened her eyes.

"Hi," I whisper, "it's time to get up sweetie. You need to take some medicine, you've got a fever."

"No daddy," she whined as she began to shiver.

"Please baby, you'll feel better," I spoke as I rubbed her hot back.

She eventually gave in and I carried her downstairs. I hate when she gets sick.

I sat her on the counter and grabbed medicine from the cabinet above the stove. I pull out some children's version of Tylenol. The only thing different is that it's liquid and it's not as strong.

I pour a small amount in a small cup and make her take it.

"If you don't feel better by later today we'll have to go to the doctor, okay?" I spoke as I picked her back up.

She nods and lays her head on my shoulder.

I go into the living room and set her down, going upstairs to grab a blanket or two and two pillows from my bed. I return to Emma and she was shivering on the couch.

I grab a pair of her sweatpants from the dryer that I put in before bed last night and slip them on her small legs.

"Daddy, can we watch a movie?" She asked.

"Yeah, do you wanna watch Tangled?" I asked as she nodded.

I put the movie in and went back to cuddle with her on the couch.

I put the two pillows behind me and laid her by my side. I covered us both up with both blankets and she held onto her stuffed dog as we watched the movie.

~

I fell asleep, along with Emma. I have no reason, but the Tylenol knocked her out.

I look over and she had her hand on my chest and her hair was a mess. This is something I wouldn't give up to anyone. I love seeing this everyday. She's changed my world, made me a better person.

I kiss her warm cheek and grab my phone from next to her.

3 in the afternoon. I guess Im taking her to the doctor.

I may wait until tomorrow, she may just have a bug a need a day of rest.

I get up and lay her back down with the covers on top of her. I go put some clothes in the wash and fold the ones in the dryer.

Boring, I know. But it's apart of life.

I felt a tug at my shirt and I look down, seeing Emma looking up at me.

"I'm cold," she whined as she hugged my leg.

I smile to myself as I pick her up, "We'll go get you a shower then."

I took her upstairs and got her in the shower. I got her out before she got too hot and dressed her in different clothes.

We returned back downstairs and I took her to the kitchen.

"No," she whined as I grabbed some cereal from the cabinet.

"You have to Em," I spoke as I poured a small amount on a plate.

"Daddy, no. I'm not hungry," she whined.

"Please, just eat a few. Then we can go cuddle in daddy's bed," I told her.

She ate some and looked at me sadly.

"What?" I asked worriedly.

"My stomach hurts," she spoke

"I'm sorry baby. You had to eat something," I told her as I carried her up the stairs.

"Do I have to eat again?" she whispers.

"I don't know babe, it just depends," I spoke to her as she jumped from my arms onto my bed.

My phone started ringing and I went to get it.

"Hello?"

"When are you coming home?"

"Who is this?"

"Jack, dumbass. When are you coming home?"

"Sorry, I didn't read caller-id. I'm taking care of Emma, but were home. Got in last night. I was actually about to call mum."

"Okay, well she wanted to ask where you wanted to do Christmas this year."

"It doesn't matter. We'll keep tradition going and go to mums. Is she cool with that?"

"We can't be there on Christmas Day, other than that she's fine with it. Or should be at least. Dad got her tickets to Dubai for her present and they leave on Christmas Day."

"Okay. Just have mum call or text me what day she wants us to come, we'll just come home on Christmas Eve."

"Okay little brother. How's my niece?"

"She's ill. She's up in my bed laying down."

"That sucks. Hope she gets better dude. I've got to run, but let me know how she is yeah?"

"Yeah, bye Jack."

I hung up on him and sighed. I grabbed the stuff from the couch and went up to my room.

"Daddy? Why don't we have a tree up?" She asked as a commercial with a Christmas tree came on.

"We haven't been here. But we can put one up, would you like that?" I asked as I laid next to her.

She nodded, "I've never had a tree before."

"We will definitely put one up tomorrow then," I spoke as I kissed her warm cheek.

"I miss Uncle Cal," she then whined.

"I know baby, I know. We'll see them soon, okay?" I told her as she nodded her head.

We stayed awake until she grew tired around 9:30. I picked her up and carried her across the hall to her bed.

"Goodnight sweetpea, love you," I whispered as I kissed her forehead and went downstairs to wrap her gifts.