I swallowed. “What’s wrong, Mia?”
I crossed the room watching her as she lowered herself into a chair by the door. “I’m not handling this very well,” Mia said, with tears welling up in her eyes.
“You’re trembling,” I said when I reached her side. “Take a few deep breaths. Then tell me what’s wrong.”
“Sophie is burning up with a fever. Parker went to check on her but told me to come get you. Do you have any medicine for a fever for her?” Mia asked. “Can you come check on her, please?”
“I’ll be right back. I need to put some more clothes on,” I said. “Wait right there. Actually, have Chloe bring her upstairs so I can take her temperature.”
By the time Parker and Chloe walked into Chloe’s room, Sophie had fallen back asleep. Parker filled me in. He’d had a chance to take her temperature, which was one hundred and five. We exchanged a few words, then I looked over to see concern etched deep into Chloe’s expression.
“I have a few calls to make, but Trey is here to help you for now,” Parker said, then left the room.
I walked over and dropped into a chair next to Chloe, who was still holding a sleeping Sophie.
“You don’t look like you’re feeling your best,” I whispered.
“I wouldn’t recommend that as a pick-up line,” she whispered back with a smile.
“Don’t worry,” I smiled back. “We’re going to get her all fixed up, but right now we have to get that fever down. We need to get her in a lukewarm tub of water if she’ll let us, or you can hold her under the shower.”
“I don’t understand,” Chloe wrung her hands as she clung to her little girl, “why in a shower?”
“You have to trust me, Chloe. This is the only way to get it down quickly,” I said. “I’ll be with you the whole time, and Parker has gone to send someone for medicine for her, but we can’t wait for that to kick in.”
“You want me to put her in water while she’s sleeping?” Chloe’s eyebrows creased. “Can’t we let her sleep for a few minutes?”
“Her fever is pretty high. I don’t really think we have the leisure of waiting for her to wake up,” I gently explained. “Do whatever you normally do to wake her up. She’s gonna be sleepy from the fever so she may not want to get up.”
“I’m gonna go change for helping you in the water.” Mia jumped up and left the room. “Be back in less than five minutes.”
I grabbed the remote and clicked on cartoons then hit the button that opens the curtains. The sun was blazing through the window now and Sophie was starting to wake up.
“Mummy, why is Mr. Trey watching cartoons in our bed?” Sophie moaned and hid her face. “He makes the tv too loud.”
“Sorry Sophie, I made it loud because I wanted you to wake up,” I said, sliding over next to her and Chloe. “I know you feel sick, but we need to have you play in the tub or the shower.”
Sophie was listening to what I had to say, so I motioned for Chloe to carry her to the bathroom.
When we went into the bathroom, Mia had already turned on the tub and changed into some shorts and t-shirt.
“Look Sophie, Aunt Mia is ready to play in the tub with you.” Chloe pushed her hair back. “Go to Aunt Mia and I’ll go get dressed to join you.”
“She looks frazzled. I wish I could make her feel better.” I leaned against the counter.
“Chloe has been a rock throughout the surgery and recovery, but right now, you’re right, she looks frazzled,” Mia said, standing close to me. “I don’t know what to do for her.”
“Just be fun Aunt Mia. This may not be anything but normal kid stuff,” I offered, just before Chloe walked back into the bathroom.
Mia handed Sophie back to Chloe and stepped into the tub.
“Hey, Sophie, I don’t know about you, but I really, really want to play in this big huge bathtub. Wanna come with Aunt Mia and play in the bubbles?” Mia asked, splashing the bubbles. “Can you make a bubble beard?”
“Mummy, can I play in the bubbles if I have a fever?” Sophie asked. “You could come play, too. It’s a real big bathtub.”
“Are you sure we’ll all fit?” Chloe asked in mock surprise.
“Mummy, you’re silly. You’ll fit with us. You’re little like me,” Sophie put her arms out to Mia. “Aunt Mia, can you hold me?”