Chapter 14: Millie Is Sick 1

Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations

The car had just stopped when I saw my mother welcome us from inside. “Melanda, Millie seems to be having a fever. When I picked her up this afternoon, she looked a little lethargic. I thought she was too tired. I touched her forehead after dinner and it felt a little hot. You should go up and see.” Before my mother could finish speaking, I rushed up.

I ran to my daughter’s room and touched her forehead. She was a little hot. I immediately went into panic mode. Millie rarely got sick, but when she did, it was always the worst. Mike followed me into the room and sat at the foot of the bed.

“Everything okay, baby? Is Millie okay?” he asked me as he stroked Millie’s feet. I gave him an uneasy look and shook my head.

“I don’t know. She rarely gets sick. Every time she does, it’s always the worst thing,” I answered truthfully while hugging my daughter tightly.

I looked down at my daughter and stroked her face. Her face was a little flushed and her temperature was slowly rising. I kissed her head. Thank God I was home now. I wasn’t alone in my apartment in Manhattan. Otherwise, I would be in tears by now.

“Baby, let’s go to the hospital. Right away. I’ll drive,” Mike said firmly. This resolve inexplicably gave me strength. I looked up at him and nodded.

Mike picked up Millie and started to walk out. I quickly packed up some of the necessary items. Before I got into the car, Mom hugged me tightly and said, “Don’t worry too much. Many kids get sick just after kindergarten. You guys just got back from out of town. Millie just started her new kindergarten. I think she’s just not used to it. You’re already home, so you’re not alone anymore. We’re all with you.”

“Okay, Mom, thank you,” I choked out. I was a child with a mother who doted on me, too.

On the road, Mike drove carefully. Even though the car was moving fast, I couldn’t feel any bumpiness. I was grateful to him from the bottom of my heart. He didn’t know that Millie was his child, but he still gave a lot for us. From time to time, I saw him looking at Millie and me in the back with a worried look on his face. Millie slept soundly in my arms, but I could feel her temperature rising.

We arrived at the hospital quickly. We went straight to the emergency room. After we explained the situation, the nurse said, “Mother, hurry up and bring the child to the doctor. Father, go settle the procedures.”

“No, it’s not…” I was about to explain when I heard Mike cut me off. “Okay, I’ll be right back.”

The doctor asked about Millie’s condition and what she had eaten today. Then, he said, “Let’s do a checkup according to the list I gave you. Don’t worry too much. I think she just has ‘kindergarten syndrome’.”

After the checkup, we found out that it was similar to what the doctor had said. There were no other problems except a high fever. The doctor prescribed medicine for us and suggested that we stay in the hospital for observation for the night before returning.

We had to go to the ward. After the nurse in the ward settled Millie, she turned to Mike and said, “Don’t sleep too deeply at night. If you have anything, press this button anytime and I’ll come. By the way, your daughter looks so much like you!”

“No, no. He’s my friend, not the child’s father,” I quickly clarified.

“Huh, no? But they look alike,” the nurse said strangely, and went out to do her work.

“Mike, I’m sorry…” I had just started when he intercepted me. “I’ll stay. You can’t be here alone. I’ll stay and take care of Millie.”

“How can I do that? It’s too troublesome for you. I can handle it myself.” Although I was not confident, I still said that.

At this moment, Millie woke up. She reached out a hand and took Mike’s hand. “Uncle Mike, can you stay with me? I don’t want Mom to cry all night. She always does this when I’m sick. She never sleeps.” She looked at him pleadingly and asked softly.

Mike frowned tightly and looked worried. He looked at me again, and Millie looked at me. I had to agree. Didn’t I want someone to help me? Besides, this was his daughter to begin with. He had the right and the duty to take care of her, didn’t he?

But here was the problem. There was only one bed.. How were we going to sleep?