Chapter Seven
Ladon
“Dad-dy, I don’t feel good.”
Not the words I wanted to hear, especially the morning of my next date with Blaze. Kirin lay on the floor with his arms and legs spread out. His face was flushed and sweat beaded across his forehead.
“Hang on. Let me get the thermometer.” He didn’t complain about a belly ache, so I worried less about him being sick to his stomach and more about a fever.
There were always so many viruses spread at ST Kids Care Center.
It didn’t matter that we cleaned the toys and surfaces every single day.
All it took was one sick kid sneezing or coughing in the same area as another child, to spread their germs. And though Kirin rarely caught anything, it seemed he had been the recipient this time.
Grabbing a chair from the table, I pulled it toward the counter to reach up to the top shelf of the cupboard with all the things I didn’t want my son to have access to.
I found the thermometer and a bottle of children’s acetaminophen that I had last used when he was teething. I hoped it hadn’t expired yet.
I took them out to the living room, finding Kirin still on the floor.
That was strange for him, considering he rarely ever stopped moving, even in his sleep.
It seemed only intense concentration or an illness could render him immobile.
A fact that left me worried about what he could have caught.
We’d both gotten our flu shots at the end of the year before, but there were other illnesses not covered by that vaccine.
After putting the lens cover on, I gently pulled on Kirin’s ear then placed the probe inside and pressed the button.
101.3°F. Definitely a fever, but nothing too drastic.
I measured out the suggested amount of the pink liquid into a marked plastic cup then handed it to my son.
“Drink this. It will help you feel better. I’ll get you something else to drink, too. ”
Back in the kitchen, I put the medicine and thermometer away then found one of the electrolyte drinks I liked to keep on hand, at the back of the fridge.
Though it was orange flavored, Kirin liked when I added a couple drops of plant-based red food coloring to give it the look of fire.
I took the unshaken drink, along with a cold bean bag, out to him to try and get him feeling better.
“Okay, up on the couch.” Once he settled into the corner, against a couple pillows, I handed him the drink then placed the bean bag around the back of his neck.
Then I pulled the blanket off the back of the couch and tucked it around him.
“Looks like it’s a stay-at-home-and-watch-movies type of day. ”
Kirin pouted. “But we’re supposed to go out with Blaze. You said we were.”
I brushed a clump of sweat-soaked hair off his forehead and kissed the warm skin there. “I know, Bubs, but you can’t go anywhere if you’re sick. We’ll have to reschedule.”
He handed me his drink and threw back the blanket. “I can be better.”
Holding him down, I smiled and shook my head. “It doesn’t work like that. I’m sorry, but we’ll go out with him another time.” At least, I hoped so, anticipated him to be understanding.
Once I had Kirin settled and watching one of his favorite shows, I looked around for my phone so I could text Blaze about needing to postpone our date.
As much as I’d been excited about going out with him, I also worried he would lose interest after spending a day with us.
Having to cancel because my son was sick proved another drawback to dating as a single father.
Hey, sorry, but I’m going to have to cancel today.
Kirin woke up with a fever. I didn’t know if he’d text back right away, or at all.
Maybe this would be the excuse he was looking for to get out of the date in the first place.
Because I didn’t understand why such a hot alpha would want to date me, an average omega with a kid.
Sure, we were likely both dragon shifters, but in Saramto, shifters more often than not, mated with a different kind of shifter. Sometimes even with a human.
My phone buzzed and I nearly dropped it. Blaze texted back already.
Any vomiting, diarrhea, or congestion?
I didn’t understand why he cared. I’d expected him to reply with maybe another time and never contact me again.
None of those. Just a fever, but I don’t want to take any chances or spread anything to you.
Maybe we can change our plans then, he replied.
Sure, we can reschedule for another weekend when you’re off. Which wouldn’t be for two weeks, giving him plenty of time to forget about me and find someone else without baggage.
I was thinking I could bring dinner to you. If Kirin doesn’t develop any of those other symptoms.
I read the message three times to be sure I read it right. Did Blaze really want to come to my place when I had a sick kid? I glanced at Kirin, finding him sitting up and drinking his juice. Only his cheeks were flushed now, and he wiggled to the music on the show.
It’s up to you. I don’t want you to get sick from both of us. I didn’t catch as many viruses as the EAs, but I was almost always guaranteed to come down with the same illness as my son a couple days after him. Just in time for him to start feeling better.
I want to see you. I’ll wear a mask if I have to. Plus, I have a surprise for Kirin.
My heart felt like it would explode with the sweetness of this man. I still had no idea how I’d been lucky enough to catch and keep his attention. Sure, if you’re willing to take that risk.
I’m willing. See you around four. What apartment number?
205. As I hit send, I glanced around the apartment at the scattered toys and craft supplies, the random bags and baskets of unfolded laundry.
If Blaze was coming over, I needed to clean up while taking care of a sick child.
All while butterflies attacked my stomach because I had another date with the hot firefighter.