“I called you to help with Sophie.I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself.”
“Sure you are.When you’re not sick as a dog.Temperature?”
She rolled her eyes.“A hundred and two.”
“Good Lord, Aria.Why didn’t you call me sooner?”
“I kept hoping I’d feel better.”
He handed her the sack of medicine.“Take the flu test first.It’s quick.Where’s Sophie?I’ve got her medicine in there too, assuming it is the flu.Jack said it was fine and she can take it prophylactically.We don’t need to test her unless she has symptoms.”
“She’s in her crib in the bedroom.I’ve tried to stay away from her unless I’m nursing but it’s not working very well.I’ve been wearing a mask when I nurse her.I thought that might help a little, anyway.”It was damn near impossible not to pick up her baby when she cried.“Do you know how to give her the medicine?”
“I can figure it out.But first, you need to take the test.”
Grumbling, she did so while Ryan went to check on the baby.Shortly afterward the test came up positive.
“Sophie’s still asleep,” he said upon his return.“What’s the verdict?”
“It’s the flu.”She wanted to cry.She’d been praying it wasn’t the flu.
“I’ll give Sophie her medicine when she wakes up.And there she is,” he said, hearing her cry.
Aria got a glass of water and took the pills while he went to the sink and washed his hands.She followed him into the bedroom.Sophie was looking at her mobile and kicking her legs when they entered.Thank goodness she’d stopped crying.
Ryan leaned over the crib rail and sniffed.“I think she could use a diaper change.”
“Knock yourself out,” she told him.This wasn’t the first time he’d changed Sophie’s diaper, but he tended to give her to Aria if she was dirty.
Ryan picked Sophie up and put her on the changing table.Not surprisingly, he was quick and competent.He put her in her crib and went to wash his hands again.After that he picked her up, held her in his arms, and cuddled her.Aria wished seeing him like that with the baby didn’t make her hormones sit up and take notice but no such luck.
“Go back to bed,” he told her.“I’ve got Sophie.”
“I made up some formula and put it in the refrigerator.The doctor doesn’t think she’s gaining like she should so I’ve been supplementing my milk with formula so I can gradually change her over.You’ll call me if you need me?”
“Yes, but we’ll manage.I’ll take her in the living room.Is there a blanket in there I can use so she can play on the floor?”
“In one of the chairs.”Her furniture had come not too long after she moved and now she at least had some decent living room furniture.“There’s a pack and play in there if you want to put her to sleep in it.But she’ll play for a while.Also there’s a bottle of milk in the fridge.There’s a bottle warmer in the kitchen.Don’t use the microwave.”
He rolled his eyes.“I know.”
“I’m going to bed.”
“Good.Don’t worry, I’ll take care of Sophie.”
*
Ryan had wantedto bring Sophie to his place but with Aria so sick he didn’t think it wise to leave her.So he’d wait until things had settled down a bit.
Once he got Sophie down for her nap, he checked on Aria.He thought she was asleep, though he wasn’t sure.But he gathered some diapers and wipes, having used what was in the other room.
“Ryan, is the baby okay?”
“She’s fine.She just went down for her nap.”He crossed the room to Aria’s bed.“Have you taken your temperature again?”
“I’m fine.”
He put his hand on her forehead.“You’re burning up.When did you last take aspirin or ibuprofen?”
