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Paul hadn’t been able to sleep much that night, continuously tossing and turning as his brain anxiously thought about anything and everything but sleep.
It must have been like 3am when he finally lay still in a light sleep, not ideal, but better than nothing.
But it was short lived as he woke to the sound of horrible retching.
He immediately turned to his right where Emma usually lay to find her side of the bed empty, the sheets carelessly thrown to the side.
“Emma” he called out, loud enough to be heard from the ensuite but quiet enough to not disturb their daughter who slept just a room over.
A groaned mumble was all he got in response.
“You okay?” He asked gently, making his way over to the small ensuite.
“Yeah” she began to say but immediately threw up again after. “I don’t feel great” she added once she had cleared her throat.
He gave her a sad smile, “I can see that.”
Sitting on the floor next to her he pulled her hair out of the way as she began to spew again, his other hand on her back rubbing little circles assuringly.
When it seemed to slow down she leaned back into his chest, it was then that he noticed the tears in her eyes.
“I don’t like this” she mumbled into his chest, allowing him to continue comforting her.
“I know baby” he leaned down to kiss her forehead, not liking how hot it felt.
Emma had embraced her small stature using it to her advantage as she pulled herself fully into Paul’s lap, letting him hold her like a small child.
There he gently rocked her in his arms, humming comforting words to her.
She held on to him like he was her lifeline, her head resting on his chest, occasionally looking up into his eyes to find them looking directly back at hers, never leaving her.
“Why don’t we go back to bed” he murmured to which she nodded, “okay.”
Emma slipped off his lap standing up herself before latching back onto his body for him to carry her back to bed.
Paul didn’t comment on her clinginess just mindlessly carrying her over towards the bed where he dropped her off, tucking her in with a kiss.
“Do you want anything?” he asked.
Emma shook her head, then nodded, “Sleep with me?”
“Okay” he murmured sleepily wandering around to his side of the bed, where he slid in himself.
Emma clutched on to him almost immediately, turning herself towards him so that she could bury her face into his chest.
Paul smiled to himself draping an arm over her body to pull her closer to him, if that was even possible.
There they both finally fell asleep for the night.
***
Paul woke with a start to the sounds of coughing, which he realised almost immediately was coming from Emma who he now noticed had moved off of his chest.
He quickly sat up patting his hand against her back gently until the cough had died down, before moving on to rubbing.
“You okay?” He asked.
Emma mumbled, “yeah”
“I’m sorry I woke you up” she added.
“It’s okay, did you sleep alright?”
Emma shrugged, “I guess, as good as one can”
Paul nodded, “okay.”
Sighing she laid back down, holding on to Paul’s hand to maintain contact.
It wasn’t long until they heard a whine coming from the room over, little cries of “mama” and “dada” joining them.
Paul sighed, “I’ll get her. Do you want anything? Something to eat maybe?”
Emma shook her head, “maybe later” she mused.
Paul nodded, “okay, you get some rest then.”
She nodded back, “okay” she murmured, allowing him to give her a quick kiss to the forehead before he left.
Paul smiled back at her, “yell if you need anything” he added before closing the door behind him.
Closing that door he then opened Eloise’s, smiling at the little lump of blankets in the middle of the small toddler bed.
“Hey baby” he whispered watching as a little head shot up to look over at him.
“Dada!” She called out, holding her arms out signalling she wanted him to pick her up.
Which he did happily.
“Did you have a good sleep baby?” He asked the small toddler, rubbing down the stray messy hairs that stood out of her bed hair.
She nodded “uh huh, you and mama were there, Tim too and we played at the park”
“Oh” he mused, “that sounds fun.”
“Uh huh. Ooh dad can we go park later?” She asked.
“Mm maybe” Paul laughed, “why don’t we get some breakfast first”
“Yeah” she cheered, “let’s go”
“Okay crazy pants let's go” he laughed at her hyper energy, following her lead as she made her way into the kitchen.
“What do you want love bug? Toast or cereal?”
“Mm cereal” she exclaimed pointing at the cupboard where the cereals were kept.
“Okay, cereal it is”
Paul grabbed a small plastic bowl out of the cupboard, intentionally grabbing one of Eloise’s favourites.
Then the milk and Eloise’s usual cereal choice, “this one?” he asked holding it up for her to see.
She nodded, “yeah.”
“Alright”
Paul poured a small amount of milk in the bowl first, because who would pour cereal first?, and then added a small amount of cereal into the bowl on top of the milk.
He pushed the bowl over to one of the spots on the breakfast bar, before moving over to lift Eloise up onto the chair.
“Here we are” he added when she was up, then handed over a small baby spoon.
Eloise dug straight in munching happily on the sugary goodness, “s’good?” He asked.
Eloise nodded, “uh huh” she mumbled with her mouth full.
Paul smiled moving on to get food for himself, deciding on toast.
“Where’s Mama?” Eloise murmured finishing off another mouthful of food.
Paul frowned, “she’s not feeling too well, so she’s resting still.
Eloise frowned, “sad” she murmured.
“Yeah, sad” Paul echoed.
“Ooh we could make a get well card” she excitedly explained.
Paul smiled, “that’s a great idea Elle.”
***
Emma hadn’t moved from the bedroom all day, mostly sleeping when her body allowed her to.
Paul had often popped his head in to see her when he had a moment away from Eloise.
He had brought her in some plain toast that she barely touched along with some medication and plenty of water and juice.
She had been able to drift off to sleep again when he saw her last, so he decided now was a good time to head off to the park which Eloise had kept bringing up, since it allowed for some silence for Emma to sleep.
He had dropped off a note letting her know where they were headed, reminding her she could text him if she needed anything, along with a get well card that Eloise had made for her, with some help from Paul.
And with that he had grabbed the stroller and his keys, leading the two of them out the door quietly.
Eloise had insisted on walking so Paul pushed an empty stroller as he followed a very excited Eloise along the path.
She pointed out many things as they walked, which Paul had to act excited about even if it was just a rock.
Till finally they had made it to the playground.
Eloise had first gone up the big play structure to go down the slide.
“Daddy! Daddy! Watch this!” She exclaimed sitting down on the edge of the slide.
“I’m watching” he assured with a smile.
And in the blink of an eye she came flying back down a laugh escaping her as she did.
“Again again!”
And once again she went climbing up, sitting back down on the top of the slide before pushing herself down with a squeal.
And again. And again. And again.
Until the amusement faded. Then she came running back towards Paul, tugging on his sleeve, “we go swing?”
Paul smiled, “okay sweetie.”
Paul followed her to the playgrounds swing set, picking her up and placing her in it when they had reached it.
Then he began to push.
Gently pushing her with the help of gravity Eloise slowly began to fly higher and higher into the air.
“Higher, higher!” She exclaimed every time she came back down.
“Higher?” Paul asked with a laugh, “are you sure?”
“Yeah! Higher.”
Paul pushed just a little harder, but in truth he didn’t think it could go much higher.
He stood there for ages it seemed, Eloise never seeming to get tired of it.
But eventually he had managed to drag her away from it, letting her climb just a little while longer before they left.
Eloise had opted for the stroller for the walk back.
Which Paul was happy to provide.
They had a much calmer walk back, and Paul was actually able to take in the scenery not having to watch out for Eloise running ahead.
And it was on the walk back that they passed a little pop up flower shop.
“You think Mama will like some flowers?” He asked in the direction of the stroller.
“Mm yeah” she replied.
Paul smiled moving the stroller towards the store so she could face the flowers, “okay, which ones?”
Eloise hummed in thought, “orange” she smiled, pointing at a bunch of beautiful orange lilies.
Paul hummed “good choice.”
He picked the bouquet up to inspect them closer.
Then once he had confirmed everything was good he moved the stroller over to the person running the stall, purchasing them off of them with minimal small talk.
Then once the flowers had been secured they continued on with their journey.
Walking back in peaceful silence.
They had only taken a few more minutes after their stop to make it back home, and it was there that he pulled a tired Eloise out of the stroller, cuddling her close as he held her.
“Time for a nap?” He thought aloud, Eloise shook her head, rubbing her eye with the back of her hand.
“I think it is” he mused.
“I’m not tired daddy!” Eloise whined.
“Okay baby” he sighed already walking towards her room, “why don’t you just rest your eyes a little while?”
Eloise whined but she was too exhausted to put up a fight, so Paul was able to lay her down fairly easily, resting a blanket over her sleepy figure.
“Night baby” he whispered with a kiss to the forehead.
“I’m not sleepy daddy” she mumbled as he began to leave.
“Of course not” he smiled, closing the door with a small click.
Once he was done with that he made his way back out to the living room to put away the stroller and the few other things he had moved.
Then he moved to get out a vase for the flowers that sat on the kitchen bench.
He then filled the vase with water before placing the flowers into it.
Placing the vase down on the bench he took a moment to admire them once he was done.
Then after he had taken his moment he had picked the flowers back up walking down the hall towards his and Emma’s room, gently opening the door.
He found Emma laying awake, her eyes trained on the ceiling.
“Hey” he whispered gaining her attention.
“Hey” she murmured back, her voice hoarse.
“How are you feeling?” He asked.
Emma sighed, “not great. Though better, I guess”
Paul smiled sadly, “that’s good I guess.”
“Uh we got you a little something while we were out” he added holding up the vase of flowers, “Elle picked them out.”
A small smile spread across her face, “thanks” she murmured, taking them off of him and giving them a little look over. “They’re beautiful” she smiled.
“Did you have a good time?” She asked.
Paul nodded, “Elle did” he smiled, “tuckered herself right out” he laughed.
Emma smiled, “good, I’m glad.”
“Thanks for looking after her” she added.
“Of course Em”
He sat down on the edge of the bed resting a hand on her leg.
“Is there anything in particular you want for dinner?” He asked with a sigh.
Emma shrugged, “maybe some Thai, some spicy curry to clear my sinuses” she chuckled.
Paul nodded, “I can do that. Eloise has just gone down for a nap but she should be fine till I get back.” He thought aloud.
Emma nodded, “okay.”
“Call me if you need anything” he reminded her again.
She nodded, “I know.”
Paul shook his head as he stood up.
“And uh Paul?” Paul turned to face her once more,
“Thank you. For everything.”