Chapter 13
Chapter Thirteen
Hadley woke with a cry.
“Shhh, it’s okay Hadley. I’m sorry, baby.” Finn soothed as he lowered her into the tepid water.
“I’m cold,” she cried, her teeth rattling as she shivered.
“I know, baby, but you’re burning up. Daddy gave you something to bring it down and Nurse MacIntosh told me to try a bath.”
“The water is cold!”
“I know it feels that way, Peeps. I’m so sorry.”
“I wanna get out,” she begged.
“Hang in there just another minute for me, little one. I promise Daddy will get you warm again.”
Laying her head back on his arm, she sobbed
“Can you tell Daddy what feels bad right now?”
“My t-throat and my h-head.”
“The medicine I put in your bottom will help your head too and how about some warm soup for your throat?” he offered.
She sniffed and nodded.
Finn splashed the water over her a few more times before pulling the plug on the tub. He wrapped her in another fuzzy towel and carried her to the changing table. Shivers still wracked her body and she didn’t know if she’d ever be warm again. Hadley thought maybe this is what it felt like to live at the North Pole. She decided she never wanted to live there.
Finn dried her skin, put her in a diaper, and zipped her into a long sleeper. Picking her back up, he carried her to his bed, and laid her in the middle.
“No,” she cried when he didn’t climb in with her.
“Shhh, Daddy’s just going to make you some soup. I’m coming right back.”
Hadley tossed the covers off and struggled to climb out of the bed. “Daddy,” she cried.
Finn stopped her movements and lifted her to his chest again. “Okay, okay, you can come with me. Don’t get all worked up. You need to be resting,” he soothed, patting her bottom as he walked into the kitchen.
“Do you want noodles or stars?”
She didn’t want anything but knew he wouldn’t settle for that answer. “Stars.”
Finn shifted her to his hip, opened a can of soup, and dumped it in a microwave safe mug. “If anyone asks, Daddy has never fed you soup he nuked in the microwave.”
The joke would have been funny if she hadn’t felt so bad. Finn swayed her as they waited for the microwave to beep.
Once it did, Finn grabbed the plastic mug and held it away from Hadley just in case it sloshed over the side.
“Can you grab a spoon, baby?”
She did as he asked.
Carrying Hadley back into the bedroom, he set the mug on the bedside table, took the spoon, and set in the soup, before helping Hadley get comfortable against the pillows. He touched the back of his hand to her forehead. “I think your fever is starting to break, Peeps.”
She laid limply against the pillows. Spooning up the soup, he blew on it, before offering her a bite.
They sat in silence as Finn slowly and patiently fed her. Every so often he would wipe her mouth and Hadley thought maybe she fell a little more in love with him each time.
About halfway through, she turned her head away. She couldn’t take another bite in her belly.
“You did such a good job, baby. You ate about half,” he praised, setting the cup to the side.
Hadley was finally warm and full, and so very sleepy. Finn rubbed her belly softly. “You just relax, baby. I’ll stay right here with you,” he promised.
“All day?”
“All day, baby.”
Hadley reflected over her morning so far. She hadn’t liked going to the infirmary or having an enema and two shots, but she cherished the way Finn had taken care of her. He’d been so attentive and supportive.
Bending, he kissed her forehead. “I’m sorry you feel so yucky, little one.”
“Thank you for taking such good care of me, Daddy.”
“It’s a pleasure taking care of you, Hadley. I’m so lucky.”
“Shhh, it’s just Daddy,” Finn told Hadley as he checked her diaper.
She stretched and Finn kissed her tummy, making her smile.
“Where are my clothes?” she asked, realizing she was naked.
“You were pouring sweat, little one. I stripped you off so you’d be more comfy.”
“Thank you, Daddy.”
“How are you feeling now, Peeps?”
“Better.”
“Yeah?” he asked, observing her with a furrowed brow.
“Yes, Daddy.”
“Do you feel like eating? I ordered a few things and had them delivered for you.”
“What kinda things?”
“Some popsicles, apple juice, grape juice, some electrolyte drinks, and some yogurt that’s two different colors.”
“Oh!” That was lotsa things.
“Do you think maybe you could have a popsicle and some electrolyte drinks for me? Nurse MacIntosh said to push fluids, so you feel all better faster.”
“Yes, Daddy. I’m thirsty.”
“You rest here and Daddy will go get your snackies.”
“Nu,” she whined, poking her lip out.
He smiled indulgently.
“Do you need to come with Daddy?”
“Yeah, just to make sure you don’t get lost.”
“Oh, well, that would help. I don’t want to get lost.”
She nodded. “I’m a good helper.”
“The best,” Finn chuckled, picking her up from the bed and carrying her into the kitchen. “What color popsicle?” Finn asked, opening the freezer.
“Red and blue.”
“Oh, two popsicles?” Finn asked.
“Yas-huh, one for each hand.”
“Oh, one for each hand. That’s a good idea. We don’t want any hands to feel left out,” he teased her with a chuckle. He kissed her forehead and pulled out a red and blue treat for her.
“Do you want a red or a blue drink to go with your snack?”
“Hmmm,” she said, tapping her chin. “Blue.”
“Blue it is,” he said. He pulled the drink from the fridge, sat her on the counter, and poured it into a bottle for her. “Do you want to be super naughty and have your snacks in the bed?”
She giggled and nodded.
“Maybe we can watch your favorite grumpy little green man,” he said, referring to one of her favorite Christmas movies.
Her eyes lit up with excitement. “We can watch it together?”
“Of course, Peeps. You’re not getting rid of me today.”
“I love spending time with you, Daddy.”
“I love spending time with you too, little girl. I just hate you feel so bad. That’s not a very fun way to spend your vacation.”
“No, but it’s okay. You took such good care of me and I’m already feeling better.”
“That makes me feel happy, knowing you’re starting to feel better. After you finish your snacks, we’ll take your temperature.”
Hadley sighed, deep and long. “So many things have been in my bum today.”
Finn laughed. “That’s part of being a Little one, Peeps. I’m always going to do everything I can to keep you healthy. That means enemas, suppositories, and temp checks.”
“I really think we should negotiate this first.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah, like how about those things stay at Rawhide Ranch.”
“You think we should only do those things while we’re here on the Ranch?”
“Yes, I heard those things are illegal in Georgia and we shouldn’t do them once we cross the state line.”
“Yes, you definitely feel better, sassy girl,” Finn teased. He picked her up off the counter and carried her back to their bed.
“Maybe we should check it out just in case, Daddy. We wouldn’t want to be criminals.”
“I’ll make sure to check that me taking your temperature in your ass isn’t illegal,” he said dryly.
She shot him a cheeky grin before taking a lick of her popsicle. “I’m just looking out for our well-being, Daddy.”