Virus

"You can now go in and see her." The Doctor said. "Please follow me."

We followed him to one of the wards just adjacent to his office. The room was white with cartoon characters on the wall. Chloe was on the third bed near the wall. She was sleeping on her right side. Her face did not have the smile she usually has when she was sleeping. Her little hands were held in a fist.

"So what was the diagnosis?" Fred asked sitting on one of the chairs placed next to the bed.

"We did several tests on her but unfortunately we found she had Rubella." He said.

"What's that?" I asked seemingly shocked with the news.

"It is basically an infection caused by Rubella Virus. It usually starts with a rash on the body then one experiences vomiting, fever or sore throat."

"But I did not notice any rash on her?" I asked.

"At times it not that noticeable."

"Is it fatal?" I asked.

"No. It is easily treatable as it clears on its on or responds to the medicine that is given to treat it."

"Okay, so how long do we have to keep her here?" Fred asked.

"I would prefer to keep her here for the next two days. As I told you, the disease is an infection caused by a virus. We have to make sure that we keep it at bay and prevent it from infecting further or spreading to other members of the family as it is easily contagious."

"That's okay." I responded.

"You will have to excuse me for a bit, I have other patients to check on."

Fred and I remained in the room holding baby Chloe's hand. Personally, I was praying. Please God, make this go away. How did she get this? When? We are so careful with her! 

I looked at my wrist watch and noticed it was 8.45am. Oh my...I have to call my boss and tell her that I won't be coming. 

I tried her cell like three times and it wasn't being answered. I then called the switchboard and asked to talk to her. Was told that she was in a meeting so I left a message to let her know that I won't be in the office today.

Chloe is sick

"Fred!" I shout.

"What?" He asked lifting the bedspread to cover his face.

"I need you to drive me to the hospital." I shake his body even more. "Chloe is sick."

He wakes up startled and looks at me like he has seen a ghost.

"What happened?" He asks.

"Can we talk about this on our way to the hospital." I reply while wearing my sandals which were next to the bed.

He wakes up and looks at the baby whom am holding on my arms. She has closed her eyes while her hair is spread around her small head.

We rush downstairs to the parking lot and off we go the hospital. The distance seems to be infinite but we arrive at the hospital entrance after an ambulance. We hurriedly walk to the pediatric center and go directly to the nurse at the reception.

"Yes, how can I help you?" She asks not bothering to look at us.

"The baby has had several vomiting episodes and has a high fever." I tell her almost handing her the baby.

The sentence seem to startle her as she comes next to us, puts her back side of her hand and felt Chloe's temperature.

"OMG!" She says and quickly take the baby inside.

I was confused so I looked over to Fred and we rush to follow her.

"What is wrong?" I keep on asking. She wasn't responding.

Finally, she stops on the second room on the right down the hallway. It was the doctor's office. He wakes up from his seat and looks at the nurse. Without saying anything, he takes his stethoscope, lifts the baby's vest and listens to her heartbeat.

"Nurse, please give me the thermometer." he asks.

He takes her temperature and gets a surprise look. "How was she before you came here?"

"She vomited several times. I also noticed her poop was a bit watery."

"We need to admit her as soon as possible." He says. "The nurse will give you some forms to fill."

He starts walking away with the baby before we stop him.

"Excuse me, what is wrong with the baby?" Fred asks with concern all over his face.

"The baby has a high fever of 106 degrees F. We need to check her as quickly as possible." 

With that, he went to the wards and left us still standing in the hallway. Tears rolled down my cheeks. We wait for a few minutes. I feel so weak. My baby must survive this.

After about thirty minutes, the doctor emerges and calls us to his office. After we have settled, he takes a long look at the file he has on his hand.

"The high temperature on your baby is not normal. It can be caused by several factors including meningitis. The reason as to why the baby has to be admitted is because we have to perform several tests to rule out any chances of infections or diseases that she might have." He starts.

"What about the vomiting?" I cut him.

"Yes, the vomiting. It may have been caused by the fever but we need to ascertain the cause."

"So what next?"

"The tests to be done." He answers. "Do you have insurance?"

"Yes we do." Fred says.

"Okay, we will also need your information in order to continue with the process. The nurse at the reception will guide you through it."

"Can we see her?"

"Unfortunately at the moment you cannot." he says. "We can arrange that in a few hours."

Fred glances at his phone. It is 5.17am. 

"Okay, we will wait." Fred says.

Staff Appraisal

"Have you finished with those files?" My boss shouted from her office.

"Not yet." I replied to her.

"Why?" She asked. "I thought you promised that you would be done by today?"

"Yes I did. I'm sorry."

"Yes you should be." She said while looking at her wrist watch. "I'm getting late for a meeting at the Brookside Towers. Send me the report on my email by 6pm."

"Yes."

She left my office and went back to hers to pick her laptop and handbag. She banged the door and left.

I was currently working on the staff appraisal file and the deadline was really putting a lot of pressure on me. Mrs Wright was to look at the final review before she would approve the salary increment on the staff or any other recommendations. Since we had so much to do during the earlier days on the year, we had decided to do the appraisal in mid April. I was alone in my department hence the delay.

I dropped the pen that I was holding in my right hand and stood up to stretch. I was so tired. I walked to the open space area and took some water from the dispenser. The cold flow of water down my throat came as a relief that I had been looking for. I threw the plastic cup in the bin nearby and went back to my desk to try and complete the work.

After an hour or so, I was done. I went over the report and after confirming everything was as okay, I sent it to Mrs. Wright through the office email. 

The computer clock indicated it was 5.45pm. At least I managed to send it before the time she gave me. I packed my stuff, cleared the desk and left to my house.

Fred was seated on the couch, feet on the table holding Chloe on his left side. Both of them were watching the telly. 

"Chloe, there is mama." Fred said as I came in. 

The baby turned her head towards me, smiled and lifted her tiny arms towards me.

"Come to mama!" I said as I picked her up. I kissed her on the cheeks then leaned in to give one to Fred.

"How are you?" I asked.

"I'm good. You? Today you came in a bit late." He asked.

"Yea, I had a deadline to beat. But I finished the reports." I replied placing Chloe into his arms again.

"That's good." Fred assured me.

"Yes." 

I sat down and removed the heels that I had. My feet were killing me. 

"I'm so hungry." I said.

"There is some mashed potatoes and stew in the fridge." Fred responded. "Can we warm it up for you?"

"Thanks but let me go get a shower then ill warm it as soon as am done."

Banana Smoothie

After we were done, we lay naked on the bed giggling at each other whenever our eyes met. It was epic! He reached over and held my boobs.

"I understand why Chloe was so attached to it?" He said squeezing the nipple.

"Stop it!" I shouted. He really pinched it so hard.

"I'm sorry." He apologized but still continued to caress it.

"What's up with your fascination with the boobies today?" I asked.

"They really look good! Have they grown bigger?" He asked filing his hands with the gland.

"Don't be silly Fred. Its still the same."

We rested for about thirty minutes before I got up and went into the shower. The warm water was so calming to my body that I took more time before I got out. I wore a tshirt and a short before joining Fred in the kitchen.

"What are you doing?" I asked.

"I was making us something to eat." He answered without taking his eyes from the blender.

He was preparing a banana and milk smoothie. On his left, he had placed some cookies on a place ready to be served. Since the situation seemed to be good, I went back to the bedroom and checked on the baby. She was still deep in her sleep. I covered her little feet with a shawl then went to the living room and started watching the T.V.

"Here is yours." Fred said after placing the drink on the table.

"Thanks." I replied and took a sip. It was heavenly.

"I hope I did not disrupt you so much from your work."

"No, don't stress yourself. Monday is also another day I can work." I replied.

"Is work that much?"

"Unfortunately yes. Its end-month and people are looking forward towards their pay. So we have to do a little much to make everything ready."

"Sorry about that." Fred said and patted me on the back.

There was a game showing on the TV and Fred become so interested in it that I stopped talking. Stephen Curry was dribbling the ball in the court in the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. He saved his team by scoring a three pointer with about six seconds remaining. Ain't he the best? Fred almost left his seat when he scored! 

Come Here Cutie

Ann was discharged from the hospital after two days. Mike was already back from his work assignment so he was able to take care of her before she recovered.

This past weekend was hectic. I had to go back to work on Saturday since I had work pending and the deadline was Monday. My mind was so focused on work that I didn't notice that time had flew by until when a text came through.

           "I think you ought to come home now."

It was from Fred. I looked at my wrist watch. It was 2pm. Six hours had already gone by and yet I had not even managed to finish what I had to do.

        "I have tonnes of work to do. I may be here for a while. Hope everything is okay."

I replied the text and got back to work. Another text came in. Fred insisted that I go home and it was urgent. My heart skipped a beat! What could be wrong? Is Chloe okay? I wrapped everything, picked the laptop and drove home.

The front door was unlocked so I pushed in hurriedly looking for any sign of trouble but there was none. I walked over to the other side of the house and found Fred on the bed with Chloe. The baby was asleep while Fred was lying next to her.

I signaled him to come out of the room and waited for him along the kitchen. He was smiling as he was approaching me.

"What was so urgent? Is everything okay?" I asked as I put down the laptop bag.

"Everything is okay." He replied still smiling.

I felt like I could smack him across the face. Why was he smiling?

"Fred, this is no time to joke." I said. "And where is the nanny?"

"I released her."

"What?" I asked looking around the kitchen. "Why?"

"Because you work so damn hard and I wanted you." He said as he moved closer to me. 

He held my waist and kissed me.

"Really?" I asked amid the kiss.

He didn't reply but rather kissed me again this time so passionately. Although I was protesting a bit, I relaxed and gave in. His left hand touched my neck, slowly moving along my breasts. I shivered.

"Kate, the baby is asleep. Lets take this to the living room."

"Was this what was so urgent?"

"Yes."

I laughed, held his hands and led him to the living room. I closed the front door which was still wide open when I came in and joined him in the sofa where he was eagerly waiting for me like a kid who wants candy.

"Come here cutie!"

Visiting Ann

After work, I drove to Fred's office and parked at the front area. I was to pick him up then we go and visit Ann at the hospital. I looked at my wrist watch. It was 5.27pm. 

I heard a knock on the passenger's seat. I looked over and saw that it was Fred. I opened the door for him, reduced the volume of the radio and gave him a hug. He smelt so good.

"Ready?" I asked.

"Yes, let's go."

We arrived at the hospital after about ten minutes. A crowd of people zoomed by us at the entrance as we entered. We walked straight on, took a left turn then entered the first door. Ann was sleeping peacefully. Her left arm was holding the metal part of the bed.

"Maybe we should wait outside." Fred whispered. "She is still sleeping."

"Don't go." 

We looked at each other surprised that Ann had heard us walking in. She opened her eyes and repeated the same words.

"Don't go."

We went near her bed excitedly and asked her how she was doing. She was feeling much better and was even scheduled to be released the next day. She stretched her hands above her head and laughed.

"Oh God! I know I look bad. Look at my hair." She said touching the tips of her jet black hair.

"No you don't." Fred answered.

"You look beautiful." I added.

"Who has my baby?" Ann asked looking concerned.

"The baby is at my place. My nanny picked him up when we left for hospital." I replied.

"Oh, that's good. I was worried about him." She said. "He is good?"

"Yes he is."

"Fred, I hope you have not called Mike."

"Not yet. Kate adviced we do not tell him anything."

"Thanks. I need him to concentrate on his work. What has happened has already happened."

We sat with her for about 30 minutes before we excused ourselves to go home. I was to come back again tomorrow at ten and help her get discharged. 

Back home, the nanny was still playing with the kids. Chloe was on her baby walker while Ann's baby was running around in circles. The look on the nanny's face was priceless. She was exhausted and just watching them do their thing. She did not even move when she saw us. 

After having a quick shower, I prepared dinner while Fred looked after the kids. The nanny had already left. It was hectic as Chloe kept on crying for me. Since I could not hold her as I was cooking, Fred took over the duties until I was done. 

Foot in the Mouth

When I stepped into her room, Ann was lying on her bed in a side position away from the door.

"Is my baby alright?"

I wasn't sure how to reply that question so I just shook my head.

She gave me a grim look, shook her head and a tear streamed down her face from the left eye. 

"No." She whispered.

"I'm sorry." I said while trying to comfort her.

"Why did God take her away?" She cried holding tightly to the bedsheets. "What did I do?"

I stayed silent. I should not have said anything. The doctors should been the one to talk to her. Me and my big mouth!

After a few minutes, Ann stopped crying. She sat up in her bed and gave me a hug. 

"Please make sure Mike does not know about this. It will really affect his job." She said. 

I nodded.

The nurse interrupted us politely asking me to leave Ann to rest. I leaned in and gave her a kiss on the cheek then stepped out to the corridor. I stood at the hallway for a minute blinking several times to hold the tears. Ann was going through much.

I removed my phone from the side pocket of my trousers and called Fred. By now he would be at work.

"Hey dear." He started.

"Hey, I'm okay. Ann received the necessary treatment and needs to stay overnight at the hospital." I replied.

"What was the issue?" Fred asked.

"She had a miscarriage."

"What? That's so sad." He exclaimed. "That's tough. How far was she?"

"About four months."

"Wow. Do you think that we should call Mike? He ought to be here."

"No, no, no. That's the reason why am calling." I replied. "Ann told me not to call Mike."

"Why?"

"He is working outside town and if we tell him the news at the moment, it might really affect his work and his journey back."

"Oh, okay." He said. "What about you? Are you okay?" 

"Kinda. But I still have to go to work."

"Do you have to?" He asked. "You should take a rest."

"I know but I have a lot of work waiting for me. I will manage." I replied.

"Alright dear, Ill call you in a few hours to check up on you."