Chapter 13
Chapter Thirteen
A raspy cough woke Blade. He glanced at the clock—three a.m. The hacking sound drew his attention back to the woman in his arms. Heat radiated from her. Concerned, Blade put a hand on her forehead. Sapphire was burning up.
A flurry of harsher coughs woke her. Blade drew her higher on the pillows. Sapphire pulled her teddy bear closer to her chest as she struggled to stop coughing.
“Let me get you something to drink,” he told her gently before rolling away.
He was back at her side with cool water in her favorite pink sippy cup. “Here, Blue Eyes. Try this.” Blade slid an arm under her shoulders to elevate her head.
She took several sips before sagging backward. “I don’t feel well, Daddy.”
“I’m sorry, sweetheart. You’re burning up.”
“I’m cold, Daddy. Can I have another blanket?” she said through chattering teeth.
“Of course, Little girl. Can you drink some more water?”
Sapphire shook her head and coughed again. “I’m sorry I woke you. Do you want me to go home?”
“You’re home with me, Little girl. You’re not going anywhere,” he told her firmly.
“I don’t want to make you sick,” she whined.
That was just one more indication of how bad she felt. Sapphire never complained. She met everything directly.
“I’m not worried about me, Sapphire. I am concerned about you. Let’s take your temperature.”
“Okay,” she said, opening her mouth before coughing.
“That’s not going to work. Give me just a second. I’m going to grab a few supplies.”
Blade pulled on a pair of jeans and headed to the door. The Shadowridge Guardians had created a closet near Doc’s office that held all sorts of things for Littles. As he passed the medical room, Blade nodded. He might need to enlist the medic’s help. Doc had treated a number of the Littles as well as the Guardians. Heavens knew the skilled man had stitched Blade up a few times. As he opened the closet, Doc came out of the treatment room.
“Is everyone okay?” Blade asked.
“Yes. I woke up and remembered I hadn’t recharged a device. The last time I did that, I needed it urgently. Not wanting to tempt the fates, I came to plug it in. Is Sapphire okay?” Doc asked.
“I’m worried about her. She’s got a terrible cough and is burning up but is shivering. I came out to get a thermometer.”
“There’s a nasty bug going around. Let me suggest a few things.”
Doc opened the supply closet and handed Blade a large thermometer. “Littles should have their temperature taken in their bottoms. That’s the most accurate way. Do you have lube?”
“Yes,” Blade answered.
“Good. Use a lot. Here’s a hot water bottle with a cute cover. Fill it with hot water and tuck it at her feet.”
Doc rummaged around and found a box of liquid pain and fever reliever. “Give her the recommended amount of this every four hours as long as she has a fever. Measure by her weight. Grab the tissues with lotion. Those are good for delicate noses. I have some prescription-strength cough suppressant, but I’d need to examine her first. They’re suppositories which are easier for a patient who’s coughing.”
Blade balanced all the items in his arms. “Thanks, Doc.”
“You want to get as much liquid into her as possible. Take this.” Doc grabbed a set of three colorful bottles. “Try different mixtures—juice, water, protein drinks. I’ll suggest one more thing that helps Harper when her throat is sore.”
Accepting the package of pacifiers equipped with a lozenge as the bulb to suck on, Blade nodded. “Good idea. That coughing has to make her throat hurt.”
“If her temperature is over 102, get her in a cold shower. She won’t like it, but keep her there until you can feel her skin cooling. Dry her and come get me.”
“Got it. I owe you one,” Blade said, so grateful that Doc had been there.
“Push my position up on your weaponry waiting list for some embellishments,” Doc joked. “Really. Don’t hesitate to knock on my door if you’re concerned. I don’t mind losing some sleep. The Littles are much more important than a few Zs.” Doc patted him on the shoulder and returned to Harper.
Juggling all the booty he’d collected, Blade headed back to his Little girl. He could hear her coughing before he got the door open. Rushing inside, he found the bed empty. Blade dropped everything on the dresser and followed the concerning sound.
“Blue Eyes? Are you okay?” he said at the bathroom door.
“Daddy.”
The weak response made him open the door and enter. Sapphire sat on the toilet with her head resting on her arms on the nearby vanity. He walked forward to brush her blue hair away from her flushed face.
“Let’s get you back in bed.”
She nodded slowly. “I ran out of energy.”
“Daddy will help you.” Blade quickly wiped her and flushed the toilet before scooping her up in his arms. Sapphire letting him care for her without protest was more proof that she felt awful.
Setting her on the mattress, Blade handed her Silver. “Daddy’s going to check your temperature, Little girl. Let’s roll you over on your side.”
Blade shifted her position and pulled the covers over her shivering body. He quickly opened packages. Heading to the bathroom, he washed his hands and the thermometer before returning to her. She wouldn’t like this. If he’d thought ahead, he would have introduced her to being cared for intimately.
Grabbing the lubricant from the nightstand, he coated his finger before turning back the covers over her cute bottom. He pressed her forward slightly and lifted her top buttock to expose her small entrance. Quickly, he applied the slippery mixture.
“Daddy. No. What are you doing?” she asked, coughs interspersed between.
“I’m checking to see if you have a fever,” Blade told her as he pressed his finger inside the tight ring of muscles.
“No, Daddy. Stop!”
“Do you trust your Daddy, Little girl?” he asked, continuing to spread the lubricant inside.
There was a pause, and Sapphire nodded.
“Good girl.” Blade withdrew his finger and inserted the thermometer deep into her bottom.
“Cold,” she protested, trying to wiggle away.
“I know, sweetheart. It won’t take too long.”
She relaxed on the mattress as if struggling took more energy than she had. When ten minutes had passed, Blade removed the device and checked the temperature. 101. High but not at the panic state yet.
He wiped away the extra lubricant with a tissue and re-covered her bottom. After cleaning his hands and the thermometer, he returned. Referring to the instructions on the liquid pain medicine, he measured out the correct amount for her weight. He’d carried her enough to have an educated guess.
Wrapping an arm around his Little girl, Blade helped Sapphire sit up. “I need you to take some medicine for me.”
She sniffed the cup suspiciously. “That doesn’t smell good, Daddy.”
“Try holding your nose, Little girl. This will make you feel better,” he promised.
To his delight, she followed his directions and pinched her nose closed. He placed the cup at her lips, and she drank all of it.
“Yuck, Daddy.”
“Sorry, Blue Eyes.”
“Tired, Daddy. Going back to sleep.”
Blade kissed her temple. Quickly, he cleared the dresser. He washed the bottles and filled the hot-water bottle. Returning, he tucked that under the covers at her feet. Her sweet moan of enjoyment made him smile as he shucked off his jeans. Sliding in next to her, Blade wrapped himself around her, sharing his warmth.
“Daddy,” she whispered and fell back asleep.