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"Dinosaur Protection Group, how can I help you?"
"This is the school nurse at Howard Elementary. May I speak to Claire Dearing, please?"
"One moment." Zia hit the hold button and buzzed Claire.
"Hey Zia, what's up?"
"Claire, Maisie's school nurse is on line two."
Claire felt her heart rate jump. "Got it." She hit the blinking button. "This is Claire Dearing."
"Ms. Dearing, this is the nurse at Howard Elementary. I have Maisie Lockwood in the clinic complaining of an upset stomach. She doesn't have a fever, but she's requesting to be picked up."
"Of course, of course." Claire checked her watch. "I'll leave right now - I should be there in about 15 minutes."
"That will be fine. We'll see you then."
Claire grabbed her purse and left her office, stopping briefly to let Zia know what was happening. "Maisie's sick. I'm going to pick her up. I won't be back today - I'll let you know about tomorrow."
"Hey, don't worry about anything. Do what you need to do. Tell Maisie I hope she feels better."
"Will do. Thanks, Zia." She hurried out to her car and headed to the school. She arrived about ten minutes later and walked briskly to the main entrance. After showing her ID at the main desk, she was directed to the clinic. She found Maisie dozing on a cot with a brunette women organizing some supplies.
"Hi, I'm here for Maisie."
The woman looked up and stood, crossing to Claire and extending a hand. "So nice to meet you Ms. Dearing - my name is Cheryl Hughes. I'm the head nurse here."
They shook hands. "How is she?"
"She came in saying she felt nauseous and had a headache. I took her temperature and it was normal, but I thought it would be best for her to go home for the rest of the day. She's been drifting in and out since I called you."
"Thank you so much for taking care of her. I'll take her home now."
Nurse Hughes smiled. "My pleasure. She's a very sweet girl. She can technically return to school anytime, but I would advise giving her at least 24 hours in case she's developing something contagious."
Claire nodded her understanding as she gently woke Maisie. "Maisie, sweetheart? It's Claire. Let's get your stuff and head home."
The young girl opened her eyes. Her cheeks were flushed and her voice trembled. "Claire? I don't feel good. My stomach hurts."
"I know baby. Let's get you home and tucked into bed." She smoothed some hair back into the ponytail Maisie wore and slung the purple backpack over her shoulder. The little girl slipped her hand into Claire's as they walked out of the building and crossed the parking lot. Just before they reached the car, Maisie stopped in her tracks.
"I think I'm going...." That was as far as she got before vomit erupted out of her mouth, splashing onto the parking lot (and a bit on Claire's pumps). She threw up one more time and sagged against the redhead, a fat tear sliding down her cheek.
"I'm sorry I'm sorry! I didn't mean to throw up on you."
Claire kissed the top of Maisie's head and wiped her mouth with a tissue from her purse. "Oh sweetheart, it's ok. I know you couldn't help it." She unlocked the car and handed over a bottle of water. "Rinse your mouth and spit, you'll feel better." Maisie did as she was told, and Claire gently hugged her. "Let's get you home."
Maisie managed to make it through the car ride and into the house before she felt her stomach revolt again and bolted for the bathroom. She heaved into the toilet, bringing up mostly bile and saliva since she had emptied her stomach earlier. When she was done, Claire sat her on the edge of the bathtub and wiped her face with a cool wet rag. She helped Maisie change out of her school clothes and into a nightgown, then tucked her into bed. She set on the edge of the bed and stroked her soft brown hair, humming until the little girl's eyes drifted shut. When she was sure Maisie was asleep, she crept out of the bedroom and went into the living room to text Owen.
Maisie came home from school sick. We're at home now and she's sleeping. Just wanted to let you know - love you ❤️
A reply came less than a minute later. What's wrong? Is she ok?
She's thrown up a couple times, I think she might have a stomach bug. Can you pick up some ginger ale for her?
I'll go to the store right now and head home. See you soon - love you too ❤️
Claire jumped in the shower while she waited, leaving the bathroom door open so she could hear if Maisie woke and called for her. 15 minutes later, she was in the kitchen starting dinner, clad in a pair of sweatpants and one of Owen's old shirts. She heard the front door shut and Owen rushed into the kitchen, holding a bag with a 2 liter of ginger ale and some graham crackers. He kissed Claire and asked, "How is she doing? The store was out of saltines so I thought graham crackers might help her stomach."
"Such a good dad," she said, looping her arms around his neck and pecking his lips. She turned back to the vegetables she was chopping. "She's been sleeping for about 30 minutes or so. Why don't you go see if she feels up to some soup?"
Owen nodded and kissed her cheek before he quietly walked down the hall toward Maisie's bedroom and softly pushed the door open. He could see her eyes shining in the low light from the hallway.
He crossed to her and sat on the edge of her bed. "Hey kiddo. How are you feeling? Claire said you were asleep."
She carefully rolled into a sitting position, clutching her stomach. "I was. But my stomach hurts again. I feel like I'm...."
Maisie began making gagging sounds and Owen grabbed the wastebasket just in time. He sat it in front of her as she began heaving again, bringing up the water she had managed to get down before falling asleep. She slumped back against the headboard when she was done, tears rolling down her cheeks.
"I want Mom" she whispered, exhaustion creeping into her voice. "Daddy, can you get her for me?"
Owen struggled to remember how to breathe, his whole world screeching to a halt with those two sentences. "Uh, sure, Mais. I'll get her right now."
He stumbled into the kitchen, where an equally shocked Claire stood, knife frozen mid-chop. They just stared at each other for a second. This was actually real. They were someone's parents.
Claire broke first, dropping the knife and flinging herself at Owen, hot tears soaking into his shirt as she tried to process something she never thought would happen. Her boyfriend had a few tears of his own as he kissed her head and said, "Better get in there, Mom."
She nodded and wiped her eyes, quickly going to Maisie. She crouched by the bed and smoothed the girl's hair. "Hey, baby. Owen said you wanted me."
"Can you tell me a story?"
Claire smiled. "I'd love to tell you a story. How about if Dad brings you some ginger ale and you can sip while I do?"
Maisie smiled. "Can I lay in the big bed with you and Daddy? Then after my story we can all have a nap."
"I think that can be arranged. You go climb in our bed and I'll tell Dad."
Maisie climbed out of bed, her sock monkey tucked firmly under her arm, and headed for her parent's room. Claire joined Owen in the kitchen where he was pouring ginger ale into a plastic cup. She walked up behind him and slipped her arms around his waist, resting her cheek against his back.
"We've been requested for a story and a nap, Dad."
Owen put the bottle down and turned in her embrace. "DAD. Man, that came out of nowhere didn't it?"
"Kind of. But I'm so happy she sees us that way. I mean, I knew she'd get there with you, but part of me thought I'd always be in Charlotte's shadow. As silly as that might sound."
"You're a great mom. And you have been since the day we drove that traumatized little girl away from that house. Charlotte may have given birth to her, but you're the one who loves her every day."
Claire smiled at him and took his hand. "Grab the ginger ale. Our daughter is waiting for us."
THE END