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The house is strangely quiet, and it’s unnerving Maya.
Their older two had gone off to their respective week-long summer camps yesterday, their cases filled with at least three spare outfits each courtesy of their mom, and plenty of homemade snacks from their mamma.
However that had still left Gianna behind, their whirlwind of a ten year old. Maya and Carina had agreed that the kids could only go to a sleepaway camp once they had finished elementary school and were ready for middle school. However, Gianna still has another year to go and so one more year of a day camp.
Much to her dismay.
However, once Maya and Carina had pointed out that she could have unlimited mommy and mamma time without her older siblings interrupting, she had perked up. Then, once Maya had suggested a sleepover for Gianna and her friends with all of the traditional camp activities, she'd been completely sold and digging out her clipboards to plan it all.
So the quietness from her this morning is odd.
Carina is still snoring next to her, a day off almost always means a long lie in for her wife so Maya doesn't dare disturb her. She slides out of bed, kissing her forehead when she grumbles and then heads out of their bedroom.
She crosses the landing to Gianna's bedroom, knocking on the door and waiting for her to answer before going in. She's already up, her dresser open and five of her gymnastics leotards strewn across the floor as she keeps rummaging.
Her pyjamas are also sticking to her with sweat.
She’s sick.
Maya takes a deep breath, knowing that Gianna is not about to like what Maya is going to tell her.
“Hey tiny,” Maya says softly, stepping into the room.
Gianna looks up, her face pale even in the low light of her bedroom.
“Hi Mommy,” she says, her voice raspy. “I can’t decide what leotard to wear to camp today, what do you think?”
Maya swallows, knowing she’s about to break her little girl’s heart.
“I don’t think you can go to camp today sweetheart,” Maya says gently, kneeling down next to Gianna and putting a gentle hand on her back which feels like it’s burning up.
Her forehead wrinkles in confusion and she spins around quickly, wavering on the spot and Maya goes to hold her around the waist. “Why?”
“I think you might be a bit sick, tiny.”
Gianna’s bottom lip wobbles as she looks down at her leotard collection forlornly. “I’m not sick,” she protests weakly before descending into a painful sounding coughing fit that has her doubled over and reaching for Maya.
Maya reaches out and rubs her daughter’s back in soft circles until the coughing fit subsides.
“I’m not sick,” Gianna still protests, much to Maya’s disbelief. “I can still go to gymnastics camp.”
She knows Gianna has her stubborn streak but even then… She takes a deep breath, knowing that Gianna isn’t trying to be naughty, she just really wants to go to her camp. However that is definitely not an option for today.
“Don’t lie to me, Gianna,” Maya says gently. “You’re pale, you’re sweaty, and you can barely stand. And that cough sounds awful.”
Despite her gentle tone Gianna’s bottom lip still wobbles as her eyes go shiny, the first tear making its way down her flushed cheeks.
“I just-” Gianna hiccups, her voice still broken and raspy. “I just wanna go to camp.”
“I know,” Maya soothes, pulling her into a cuddle again which results in the ten year old flopping into her lap, clinging weakly onto her sports bra. “I know, tiny. It sucks, it really does, but you can’t go to camp if you’re sick. You can have lots of cuddles with me and mamma today though, how does that sound?”
Gianna huffs, heat still radiating from her little body. “Can I have ice cream? For my throat?”
Maya chuckles. “As long as your belly is feeling okay.”
“My belly is good,” Gianna insists. “Just my head and my throat and my bones and I feel all hot and sweaty and gross.”
“Your bones?” Maya questions.
“They’re all achy,” she whines.
“That’s probably the fever,” Maya concludes. “Speaking of, should we get you over to mamma so you can have snuggles while I get all the things we need to make you feel better. How does that sound?”
Gianna nods in agreement so, after being more of a hindrance than a help as Maya strips her of her sweaty pyjamas, she allows her mommy to carry her through to the master bedroom.
Carina is now awake, lying on her side and scrolling her phone although she abandons it as Maya carries in Gianna, who is flopped over her shoulder sadly.
“We’ve got one sick tiny girl, no camp for her today,” Maya explains.
“Che peccato,” Carina coos, sitting up properly and opening her arms for their daughter. “What symptoms have we got going on?”
“We’re reporting a sore throat with a nasty cough, a headache and achy bones. She also definitely has a fever, I was just leaving her in here with you while I grab some supplies if that’s okay?”
Carina nods, snuggling Gianna closer and grabbing a hair tie so she can braid her hair and get it off her neck, since it’s currently sticking to her skin.
Maya goes into the ensuite quickly, gathering everything she needs and then heading back to her wife and daughter, who are currently in an animated discussion as Gianna’s voice continues to go.
“Maya, did you tell her she could have ice cream?” Carina asks, her eyebrow raised.
“I said she could have some later if her belly is okay all day too.”
Gianna pouts, a small whine escaping from her. “But my belly is okay now.”
“We’re gonna do a little bit of plain toast first, tiny, see how that settles. Then if it’s okay, you can have some ice cream, okay?”
With a huff and crossed arms, Gianna mutters “fine” and then snuggles back into Carina, her pout only increasing.
They decide to divide and conquer, Carina taking charge of the medical side of things, while Maya heads downstairs and makes some breakfast for them all, calling the camp to inform them that Gianna won’t be joining them today.
Back upstairs, Carina has gotten medicine into her and Gianna is now sitting in the middle of the bed, leaning into Carina and scrolling through Disney on the TV to try and decide on something to watch. She looks up as Maya comes back in, carrying a tray with their breakfasts and coffees and a big glass of orange juice for Gianna.
“Come sit here, Mommy,” Gianna rasps, patting the empty space next to her. “Mamma says we can watch movies in bed and make a Gigi sandwich.”
Maya chuckles, setting the tray down on her bedside table and climbing into bed. “That sounds like an excellent plan, tiny. I’ve got you some toast and some orange juice, can you give that a go for me?”
Gianna nods, taking the orange juice first and giving it a big gulp. “Much better. That medicine was gross.”
They share a look of amusement - Gianna is the only one of their three children who has hated every flavour of children’s Tylenol, which has definitely presented its challenges over time.
Gianna eventually settles on watching The Parent Trap so they settle in, her legs draped across Maya’s lap while she leans into Carina. She makes it around halfway through her toast before she gives in, staring blankly at the screen.
They’re not even 30 minutes into the movie before they hear the sound of soft snores and they look down to see Gianna passed out, her head lolling onto Carina’s shoulder as sleeps.
“So much for her not being sick,” Maya chuckles.