Chapter 234

Richie lifted his hand, pressed it against her forehead and cheek, and frowned at the heat he felt. She shifted and murmured at his touch. He wasn’t sure whether or not he should wake her, but he knew he had to do something. She was burning up. “Angel?”

“Mmmm.” She frowned and burrowed even closer against him, obviously not wanting to be disturbed.

Concerned, he slid out of the bed and headed for the bathroom. After rummaging around in the drawers for a few minutes, he returned to the bed and reluctantly woke her. “Angel wake up honey.” She just frowned. “Tori, I need you to wake up for just a minute. Where’s the thermometer?”

“Hmmm?”

“Honey, you’ve got a fever and I need to know how high it is, but I can’t find the thermometer. Where is it?” He had to shake her again. “Tori!”

She finally cracked open her eyes. “What?”

“Where’s the thermometer?”

“Bathroom. Medecine cabinet.” Her eyes closed again.

He shook his head at himself. The one place he hadn’t looked. Search successful, he once again sat on the bed and shook her gently. “Angel open your mouth.”

She huffed in annoyance, but complied, automatically placing the thermometer under her tongue. When it beeped he pulled it out, checked it and with a grim face pulled on his robe and headed downstairs to look for the doctor’s phone number and let Rosa know that Tori was sick.

“Her temperature’s 102.” He replied to the doctor’s question as he headed back upstairs.

“Okay. It’s high, but don’t panic Richie. We do need to get it down though. Any vomiting?”

“Not so far.” He entered their bedroom to find the bed empty. A glance towards the bathroom told him where she was. The noises told him what was happening. “Uh scratch that. Yes.”

“Give her some Tylenol, make sure she gets plenty of fluids, as much as she can keep down and let her sleep. She’ll probably get the chills next, so keep her warm. If she follows the path of this most recent bug, she’ll be pretty miserable for the next couple days, but she’ll recover quickly.”

“And the baby?”

“The baby should be just fine. She’s got an appointment at the end of the week, and she should be feeling better by then. Let me know if her fever gets any worse.” When he was silent she tried to reassure him. “Richie, Tori and the baby are going to be okay. Just keep her as comfortable as possible.”

He sighed. “Okay. I understand what you’re saying, it’s just….she’s my world. I don’t like to see her like this. I feel so helpless.”

Dr. Crandall smiled at her end. The big, strong rock star really had a soft heart when it came to his loved ones. “I understand. Everything will be fine. Go take care of your wife, and call me if you have any questions.”

“I will. Thanks Doc.” Hanging up, he set the phone done on the night table and went to help Tori. She had stopped vomiting, but was huddled on the floor, shivering, too weak to make it back to the bed. “Oh honey, let me help you.” He picked her up and laid her on the bed, throwing a blanket over her while he went to the closet. Returning, he pulled back the blanket against her protests, dressed her in sweats, socks and one of his sweatshirts, then bundled her under the covers once again. Next he got a glass of water from the bathroom and urged her to take the Tylenol and drink, holding firm when she tried to push it away. “The doctor says you need to drink. Come on sweetheart, take the pills, drink this and then you can sleep.” When she still refused, he played dirty. “Peanut needs it angel.” She blew out a sigh, but obediently did as he wished. “Good girl” He kissed her forehead and tucked her in.

He sat beside her on the bed supposedly watching T.V., but every movement and sound she made had his attention on her. After half an hour she still hadn’t stopped shivering. In fact, now her teeth were starting to chatter. Not knowing what else to do, he stripped off his robe, crawled under the covers and took her in his arms, hoping that his body heat would help. It seemed like an eternity, but was actually about twenty minutes before she finally stilled and slept peacefully.

Rosa brought him breakfast and some juice for Tori. He’d just finished eating when Tori started fighting to get out of the bed. “Easy angel, just rest.” He put a hand out to stop her, and suddenly realized what the problem was. Very quickly, he scooped her up and rushed her to the bathroom, barely making it in time. He held her until she was finished, helped her rinse her mouth, then carried her back to bed and tucking her in. This time he didn’t have to fight with her to get her to drink.

And so it went throughout the morning and early afternoon. He checked her temperature regularly, gratified that the Tylenol seemed to be helping. She still threw up every couple hours or so, but she was able to keep fluids down in between, and he kept feeding her as much as she would take. Mostly, she just wanted to sleep. When she got restless, he’d stroke her cheek and hair and she’d calm at his touch.

At about 2:00, Tori finally opened her eyes and looked around. He smiled and leaned over to kiss her forehead. “Hey there. How are you feeling?”

“Awful. Guess the crossed fingers didn’t work huh?”

“’Fraid not.” He moved a lock of hair off her face.

“What time is it?”

He checked the clock. “About 2 in the afternoon.”

She frowned. “Bean’s soccer game’s this afternoon isn’t it?”

“Mmmhmm, but you’re in no condition to go anywhere.”

“I know, but you should go.”

“I’m not leaving you when you’re sick like this.” He protested.

“It’s okay. Go to the game. You should be there for Ava.”

“She’ll understand. We’ll go to the next game.”

“Rich, go to the game. Don’t disappoint her. I’m not even leaving the bed, and Rosa will look after me until you get back. Tell her I’m sorry I couldn’t make it.” When he would have argued, she gave him a push. “Richie please! Go! I’ll probably sleep the entire time you’re gone anyway.”

“But…”

“Richie! Go!”

Grumbling about pushy, ungrateful, cranky patients, he quickly showered, shaved and dressed. She was dozing again, but opened her eyes when he set a garbage pail at the side of the bed. “Just in case.”

She smiled and inhaled when he leaned over to kiss her. “Mmmm. You smell nice.”

He chuckled. “Thanks.”

He made her drink another glass of juice before he would finally leave. Two minutes later Rosa appeared and pulled up a chair. Knowing that Richie had sent her, Tori just smiled and let the sleep dragging at her pull her under. When she opened her eyes again, she found Richie sitting out on the balcony. “Rich?”

Hearing her, he rushed in. “Hey angel. How are you feeling? Do you need anything?”

“I feel a little better than this morning. At least I’m warm, and my stomach seems to have settled.”

He felt her forehead. “Hmmm. When did you last take some Tylenol?”

“Whenever you gave it to me. Except for Rosa waking me a couple times to drink, I’ve slept ever since you left. How was the game?”

He stuck the thermometer in her mouth before he answered. “Not bad considering their eleven year olds. Ava’s actually pretty good. She said to tell you that she hopes you’re feeling better.” He hesitated. “Heather was there.”

Her brows rose. When the thermometer beeped and he pulled it out she was able to speak. “Really? That must have made Bean happy. I’m glad she’s showing some interest in her daughter’s activities.”

“Mmmmhmmm.” Was all Richie said and reached for the Tylenol bottle.