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It was a chilly autumn morning in 2004, the sky was grey and a light drizzle of rain was pouring down. Ray woke up to the sound of Mikey coughing, the sound getting muffled by Ray’s shirt. Ray gently stroked Mikey’s hair. The caregiver knew Mikey usually regressed while sick, so he made sure to be extra gentle in case Mikey was little.
Mikey looked up at Ray before letting out a high pitched whine. “Hi precious. Are you feeling okay??” Ray said as he gently combed through Mikey’s light brown hair. The only response Ray got was another whine from Mikey. “Okay… Can you show me how old you’re feeling??” Ray asked the little who was laying on his chest. Mikey whined again before raising up 2 fingers. Ray’s heart melted as he looked at the little laying on his chest.
“Angel, you gotta take your medicine,” Ray said. It was a pain in the ass trying to get little Mikey to take medicine. “Don’t you want to feel better?” Ray asked the little. Mikey slowly nodded, hugging his unicorn plushie. “Then you have to take your medicine.” Ray said gently as he raised the spoon towards Mikey. Tears slowly fell down Mikey’s cheeks as he turned his head the other way. “Baby…” Ray spoke as he rubbed Mikey’s back. “If you take your medicine, we can cuddle for as long as you want.” That peaked Mikey’s interest. The little grabbed the spoon out of his caregiver’s hand and drank the yucky purple medicine in one gulp. Mikey wrapped his arms around Ray as he finished swallowing the medicine. “Aww..” Ray cooed as he scooped the little into his lap.
“Dada..” Mikey said with a bit of urgency in his voice. He had just woken up from his nap and was cuddling with Ray. “Yes, angel?” Ray replied as he looked down at the little laying on his chest. “T- Tummy hurts..” Mikey whined as he grabbed at Ray’s shirt. Before Ray could respond, Mikey started gagging. Ray scooped up Mikey into his arms quickly as Mikey coughed more. A pool of spit dripped down from Mikey’s mouth as Ray carried him to the bathroom as fast as he could. Before Ray could get them to the bathroom, Mikey threw up all over Ray’s shoulder and the floor.
The vomit was thin and milky at first, then brown and chunky. That was probably breakfast… “It’s okay, precious.” Ray gently said as he rubbed Mikey’s back.
A few minutes later, Mikey had stopped vomiting, “D- Dada..” Mikey whimpered, wrapping his arms around Ray. “I know baby boy… Let’s get you washed up..” Ray cooed as he cradled Mikey in his arms, walking slowly to the bathroom.
Ray set Mikey down on the bathroom counter. The caregiver grabbed a washcloth from the cabinet and put it under warm water for a few seconds. Ray began to wipe off Mikey’s mouth. Mikey sniffled, “M’ sorry, Dada…” Ray folded the washcloth in half and began wiping down Mikey’s arms and legs. “Why are you saying sorry, precious??” Ray asked the little. “B’cus ou’ had to deal with mwe all day..” Mikey mumbled. “An’ now you hav’ more to do b’cus i frew up..” Ray stopped wiping Mikey’s leg. He looked at the little before pulling Mikey into a hug. “Angel… Do you think you’re a bother to me??” Ray asked. A small nod from Mikey made Ray’s heart absolutely break. Tears poured from the little’s eyes onto Ray’s shoulder. “Baby, you’re not a bother to me at all.” Ray spoke gently, slowly rubbing small circles into the little’s back. “Prwomise??” Mikey whispered. “Promise.” Ray replied.
the end.