Chapter 15
CHAPTER 15
O ver the next week, her daddy transformed the spare bedroom into a nursery. He’d cleared out the third bedroom of his gear and fitness equipment—except for the fancy bicycle that had an entertainment screen and everything. Pippa had begged him to leave that in her room.
First, he’d painted it a beautiful blue color like the sky. Pippa loved how cheerful it was. Then boxes arrived, and he’d allowed her to help by reading the directions as he put together pieces of furniture. Each item he constructed made her less nervous and more excited. They were physical representations of the little girl inside her.
Looking around the room, she stared at the large toy box shaped like a treasure chest, the adult-size crib, and the large table with a padded top and drawers underneath. Zale had locked one drawer and told her she was not allowed inside. Studying it as she and her daddy put together a puzzle, Pippa shrugged. She didn’t want to know what was in there, anyway. Probably boring stuff.
Refocusing on the jigsaw in front of her, Pippa propped her chin on her hand to search for a blue piece that might fit in the section nearest her. A cry of triumph burst from her lips when she spotted it. As she reached for that piece, a massive yawn forced her eyes closed and she lost it.
“Crap!” she said, before slumping down to the tabletop. Her exclamation rasped over her irritated throat, making her cough.
“Naptime, kitten.”
“I don’t need to nap,” she said, hacking a bit more. Everyone at the daycare had gotten sick this week. Something was going around.
“I’m worried about you. Let Daddy make sure you’re okay before you stretch out with Toothie in your new crib,” Zale instructed, standing and holding out a hand to tug her to her feet.
“No, Daddy. I’m fine,” Pippa protested as he led her to the changing table and slapped her hand over her mouth to muffle her cough.
He didn’t answer but wrapped his hands around her waist and lifted her to sit on the padded mat on top.
“Pippa. Lie back on the table.”
“I don’t want to.”
“I know. It’s important that I keep an eye on your health. I don’t like the sound of your cough.” He pressed a hand to her forehead and shook his head.
“I don’t want you to put something in my butt.”
“Better a thermometer than medicine, because you can’t swallow.”
Astonished, she stared at him. Her mouth opened several times and closed without a single word coming out. Finally, she pulled herself together enough to ask, “They make medicine that goes in your butt?”
“Lots of them. For things like nausea and many other symptoms. Your rectum absorbs important nutrients. You, kitten, will start getting a vitamin as soon as I get one formulated. Your immune system obviously needs a boost.”
“In my butt?” She could only focus on that part.
“You’re repeating yourself, kitten. Lie back.” Zale helped her move into position and pulled her leggings and panties down to mid-thigh. “Now, onto your side. Face the wall. Can you find the secret message Daddy left you?”
She immediately spotted a heart. Squinting, she could make out the I love you written on the shape.
As she did this, Zale took advantage of her distraction. He bent her legs at a ninety-degree angle before opening that forbidden drawer below her. The click of a lid opening made her peek over her shoulder. “None of that,” he corrected her and rolled her back into position. Zale swiftly wrapped a thick band across her torso and attached it to the far side of the table.
She tested the restraint and found herself firmly held in place. Pippa closed her eyes as he lifted her top buttock to expose her entrance. Wiped out completely by whatever bug she’d picked up, she didn’t have any energy to fight.
“Are you going to make me better?” she whined and coughed again.
“I’m going to do my best, kitten. Sorry, this lubricant is cold,” he warned when she jumped as he spread the cool substance over her small entrance. “It will get better fast.”
She shivered as the chill moved inside her on his finger. Zale spread it liberally around before removing his finger and inserting the thick thermometer. He pressed it deep inside her and cupped his hand over the end. The feel of his hand cupping her bottom made this so intimate.
“You are being so good, kitten. Thank you. I’m worried about you.”
She peeked over her shoulder to see him watching her with a concerned expression. She’d seen him stitch up a small, deep cut on Max’s finger when he stabbed a shard of glass into his skin. No one had known a couple of beer bottles had shattered inside the cooler. Zale had put the two necessary stitches in with impressive efficiency as the guys had kidded around. There hadn’t been a lick of worry on his face.
Her sickness was obviously completely different. That thought made her relax on the table. He was going to take care of her and help her body heal.
“That’s it, Pippa. Leave it all to Daddy.”
Pippa was almost asleep when he removed the thermometer. The silence that followed made her peek back at him again.
“You’re running a fever, little girl. I have some fever reliever here. There are certain medicines I suggest all Daddies have.”
She nodded and opened her mouth to take the tablets.
“This is a liquid that goes in your bottom, kitten. It will just take a minute.”
Liquid gushed into her bottom. Pippa tightened her bottom muscles automatically to keep from making a mess.
“That’s a good girl. That’s going to make you sleepy quickly. Let’s get you safe in bed. Daddy will take care of everything.” He lifted her into his strong arms and carried her to her crib. “Close your eyes, little girl.”
After snuggling into the soft bedclothes, she followed his directions and drifted off quickly. She roused a couple of times as he adjusted her clothing and then when he settled her under the softest blanket ever.
“Sleep, kitten. I’ll be here when you wake up.”
Filtered light dimly illuminated the beautiful walls of the nursery when she blinked her eyes open. Pippa rubbed her chin on the soft blanket as she looked around, trying to remember how she got there. Her gaze landed on her daddy sitting close by. His computer was open on his lap.
“Daddy?” she croaked and was instantly appalled at the harsh sound of her voice.
“Hi, kitten. Did you have a good nap?” he asked, closing the lid and setting the laptop on the floor.
She nodded as he stood and walked to the side of the crib. Still feeling lousy, she held out her arms to him.
“Come here, little girl.” Zale scooped her up in his arms and carried her back to the oversized rocking chair. Sitting back down, he cradled her in his arms as he set the chair in motion.
Pippa sighed and rested her cheek on his shoulder. There was no better place than in her daddy’s lap. A racking cough erupted from her, disrupting her peace. Tears gathered in her eyes. This was miserable.
He sat her up a bit more and rubbed her back. When the hacking fit passed, he leaned sideways to pick up a sippy cup and held it to her lip. “Drink, little girl.”
The cool water soothed her abused throat. “Thanks. Stupid cough,” she rasped.
“You’ve definitely got something going on with you. It could be viral or need antibiotics. I’m going to keep a close eye on you. Your job is to rest. I’ll call your supervisor and let her know you won’t be at work for a couple of days.”
“I can go to work,” Pippa protested, shaking her head.
“Not going to happen. That’s not good for both you and the kids in the daycare. You don’t want anyone else to get this ill, right?”
She wanted to argue, but how could she? Pippa definitely didn’t want anyone else to feel this bad—especially the kiddos she loved seeing each day at work. Sighing deeply, she whispered, “Okay. I’ll stay at home. But I’ll call my boss.”
“Of course. If you’d rather. Let’s call her now.” Zale picked up her phone and handed it over.
Bristling, Pippa glared at him. It was so obvious he’d already decided this and even gotten organized for it. Who did he think he was?
“Don’t frown at me, little girl. Your phone was next to the puzzle we worked on earlier. I brought it over here to answer it quickly while you slept.”
Instantly, her ire fizzled out. “Sorry.”
“Apology accepted. Call your boss.”
Pippa found her number in her contact list and called. When her supervisor answered, Pippa apologized, “Sorry, Elizabeth. I’m sick and running a fever…” A spasm of coughing erupted from her mouth. As her eyes watered, Pippa handed her phone to Zale.
“Elizabeth, this is Zale Reynolds. I’m a medic on the base. Pippa can’t talk without coughing. Plan for her to be out for two days. I’ll update you as soon as possible if she’ll need more time off.”
He listened to the phone for a few seconds before saying, “Thank you for letting me know. I’ll test her for that.”
When he disconnected the call, Zale explained, “There’s a flurry of strep throat and some children are dealing with a nasty stomach virus. They’re closing the daycare tomorrow to do an intensive cleaning.”
Pippa shook her head. Of course, everyone was sick. She instantly felt better, knowing she wasn’t creating more work for the other staff members. “Thank you for making me call. I do feel awful.”
“I know, kitten. I had already planned to test you for strep. Now, it’s even more important. And for you to rest and let me take care of you.”
She nodded reluctantly. Inside, she celebrated he loved her even when she was sick and grumpy. Pippa clung to him when he stood and carried her to the changing table where the swab test waited.
When he’d finished, her daddy settled Pippa on the couch with the soft blanket from her crib, a fresh sippy cup of juice, and Toothie. Wrapped in his arms, she watched the animated movie she’d always wanted to see but hadn’t found the time. He always made things better. Even when she got embarrassed by his intimate care.