Unfortunately, it doesn’t last long. By the time morning rolls around, I’m beyond waterlogged, as Cami’s body was violently evacuating everything she ate or drank, seemingly from the very first meal. She’s now a bit lethargic, so I call the shop and switch a few of my appointments around, then head to the doctor. I may not be a medical professional, but I helped Granny enough that I know what dehydration looks like and Cami is a textbook case.
“Oh, look at her, she looks pitiful,” the nurse says as she takes Cami from me long enough to get her weighed. “Oh dear, she’s lost two pounds and y’all were just here late last week for a check-up.”
“That’s not good, is it?” I question, still figuring shit out on the fly. I mean, I’ve been diligently reading the book that I was given, and I often ask either Esther or Holly questions if something comes up, but this isn’t one I remember being addressed.
“As a rule, no, but you said she started throwing up and having diarrhea yesterday afternoon, correct?” she asks as she leads me into a room.
“Yeah,” I reply. “I think all told, we took six different baths or showers, and she wouldn’t keep anything down, not even Pedialyte, which my friend’s wife told me to try.”
Before she can respond, Tracie, the nurse practitioner we saw last week, walks into the room and starts examining Cami. By the time she’s done, we’re heading over to the pediatric wing of the hospital for some intravenous fluids and anti-nausea medications. I’m trying not to freak out, of course, but lack of sleep has me holding onto a thin, frayed rope at this point, so when my phone rings, I don’t even think and answer it with all the emotions I’m feeling.
“Well, I was going to ask how your day was going and let you know there’s a horrible stomach bug going around, but I guess I caught you at a bad time.” Phoebe’s voice comes through the line as I’m starting my truck to head to the hospital. “We’ve had an influx of admissions, from kids to seniors.”
“I’m on my way there now,” I admit once the phone connects to my truck. “Cami started with it last night and she’s somehow lost two pounds since her check-up last week, so Dr. Goldman is sending us over for fluids and meds.”
“Is he admitting her?” she asks.
That’s one thing I admire about Phoebe, she never seems to get rattled. I guess it’s because she’s a nurse, but even though I can hear the concern in her tone, she’s not panicking which is doing a lot to calm me down.
“I don’t know,” I confess. “I just heard Tracie tell me to take her to the fourth floor which is apparently the pediatric wing, and they’d get us set up.”
“I bet they are and while I know you’re worried, Eli, it’s more precautionary than anything due to her age,” she says. “I’m on shift but if you text me when you get here, I’ll see about takingmy break if you want so I can give you a hand and explain whatever you need me to.”
“I’d appreciate it, babe,” I reply. “See you soon.”
Glancing in the rearview mirror, I frown. Seeing my normally bubbly little girl looking so listless and lethargic is concerning me. As I drive, I place a call to Rebel to let him know what’s going on, then one to Marnie to tell her she’s got control of the shop. She’ll handle my clients and they’ll either let her do the work or reschedule. At this point, I don’t give a fuck.
Because I plan to be by my daughter’s side for as long as she’s sick, no ifs, ands, or buts about it.
“I know, sweet girl, I know,” Phoebe coos as she holds Cami while another nurse tries for the third time to get an IV inserted. When she misses again, I see a side of Phoebe come out that doesn’t shock me one bit, since I’m ready to roundhouse kick the bitch. “Go get Annabelle from ICU and tell her to bring the portable ultrasound. You’re done trying to stick her. She’s obviously dehydrated, Jana, yet you’re acting like this is the first day you’ve ever tried to put in an IV.”
Jana looks like she’s going to smart off but after seeing the looks on both of our faces, she wisely removes her gloves and heads out the door to do what Phoebe ordered. Once she’s gone, Phoebe looks at me and says, “I’m sorry for overstepping, but even with her being so dehydrated, it should not be as difficult as she was trying to make it.”
“No, no, feel free to overstep any time when it comes to her and appropriate medical care. Do you want me to hold her for a few minutes?” I ask.
“I think she needs her daddy right now, so yes,” she replies. “I’ll get all this picked up while we wait for Annabelle. I promise you, she’s able to stick anyone regardless of how fragile their veins are, and she won’t have Cami practically in hysterics while she does it.”
Not long after, Annabelle comes into the room and in a matter of what feels like seconds, Cami has her IV inserted and taped down and she’s getting the fluids and anti-nausea medication that Dr. Goldman ordered. As she cleans up her mess, she says, “I think you scarred Jana for life, Fee.”
“Yeah, well, I don’t know what they’re teaching these days in school, but she could do with a refresher course. She should know better, especially working on the peds floor,” Phoebe snarks.
I find I like this side of her, quite a lot. It adds a layer of attraction that I’ve been trying to fight against, and I shove it down so I can focus on my little girl. “How long do you think we’ll be here?” I question once Annabelle returns to ICU and it’s just me and Phoebe once again. Cami has dozed off as apparently, the stuff they gave her causes drowsiness.
Phoebe covers her up with a light blanket and double checks that the sides of the crib are up and locked before she looks at me. “She’ll need to go at least twenty-four hours without any further vomiting or diarrhea before they’ll consider discharging her. I need to head back down as my break is over, but if you want, I’ll come back up once I’m done working.”
“I’d like that,” I admit. Taking a chance, I walk over to her and look down before pulling her into my arms. “Thank you for being here today. Don’t know what I’d have done if you weren’t.” Then, I lean in and kiss her forehead.
I hear a small gasp and hide my smile. That’s right, Phoebe Carter, the rules of the game are changing and you plus me is the ultimate prize. She grins and states, “I’d probably have to call Rebel to bail you out of jail.”
Since I had contemplated violating my rule of hitting a woman when the first nurse, Jana, was hurting Cami, I can only shrug. She’s not wrong, I’d definitely contemplated using my skills to get her away from my baby.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Phoebe
“I can’t do this any longer,” I huff out as Eli pulls out of my driveway. Cami only spent two days in the hospital but since then, if I’m off, they’re at my house. The ease in which he fits into my life has me so damn confused that I don’t know which end is up.
I love him.