“I’ll be right back.” Chloe said. “I forgot to tie my hair up.”
I sat on the edge of the tub adding bubbles and entertaining Sophie.
“Are you coming in the big tub too, Mr. Trey?” Sophie asked, still standing in the water.
“No, I’m too big and this is a girls-only tub.” I stood and placed the bottle of bubbles on the counter. “But I’ll stay and visit for a little bit.”
“Hey kiddo, sit down in the water.” Mia tugged on Sophies hand.
“It’s cold water.” Sophie shivered. “Can we make it warmer?”
“Alright, a little bit warmer and more bubbles should make it perfect.” I turned on the warm water letting just a small amount drip. “Now down in the water. Can you make a long beard with the bubbles?”
About that time Chloe had returned with her hair in a short ponytail. There were bubbles everywhere.
“Uncle Parker just got here with medicine,” Chloe announced.
“Thanks, Uncle Parker,” I teased him, “you make a great nurse.”
“Looks like things are out of control in here,” Parker said, dodging bubbles being thrown in his direction. “Trey, how about you give Sophie her meds since you appear to be wet already, and I’ll go alert Diana about this mess.”
“Aw, come on Parker, stay and play with us,” I called out to him before shutting the door.
Chapter 34
Chloe
Thirty minutes later, Sophie’s fever had gone down to a hundred. Parker eventually came back and waved Trey out of the room.
“I want to get out now,” Sophie yawned. “I’m tired again.”
Mia let the water out of the tub, then stood with the handheld to rinse the bubbles off first herself, then handed it to me to rinse Sophie.
“Let me throw on a robe and grab a towel for her.” Mia darted into a connecting closet. “Come on, little one, step into this big towel.”
I tossed on a robe and dressed Sophie in a light pair of pajamas, then we snuggled into the bed to watch Dora the Explorer.
“Well, there’s the bathtub crew,” Parker said when he and Trey returned. “Mia, can you come to our room for a minute?”
“Hi, Uncle Parker. Do you want to watch TV with us?” Sophie asked. “We have room for you.”
“Well, Sophie, that looks like a fun thing to do, but I have a better idea,” Parker said. “How about we go in a princess car back to my and Aunt Mia’s house, and we can get some ice cream on the way and some more when we get there?”
“Uncle Parker, what a great idea,” Mia said, pushing the covers back. “I’m going to go pack my bags because I can’t wait to get ice cream.”
I looked to Parker and Trey, then to Mia. Mia climbed out of the bed with a nod in my direction.
“Chloe, Parker and I have discussed this, and we think it best to get her into the city to the bigger hospital,” Trey said quietly. “Don’t jump to conclusions, though.”
“Are you saying you want to go today?” I asked, looking to Mia as she returned.
“Yes. Now it could just be an ear infection with that high fever, but we’d feel better in the city.” Trey squeezed my hand then let go. “Can you get ready to go? I can sit with Sophie.”
Before I could answer, Sophie pushed back her covers announcing to everyone that they needed to hurry up and pack their bags so they could go in the princess car.
“Do we have to wear our princess dresses?” Sophie asked Parker. “Mine got a drink spilled on it.”
“No fancy dresses today. If you want, you can even leave your pajamas on because princesses can wear whatever they want to,” Parker said. “Chloe, we should leave within the next hour. Just let Diana know through the intercom when you’re packed up, and they’ll come get your bags.”