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You wake up feeling awful.
It was probably only an hour ago that Vi brought you into the playroom and put you down for an afternoon nap, but somehow in that brief time, the symptoms that you’ve been trying to ignore all day have all decided to become absolutely horrible, all at once.
The scratchy throat from earlier now feels thick and painful every time you swallow, leaving a dry, gross taste in your mouth. Your head is throbbing and your face feels too hot while your body feels too cold, and your nose is hopelessly stuffed up.
Tears are already brimming in your eyes and you feel yourself slipping down into littlespace, the way you always do when you don’t feel well. You want your mommies and you want them now.
You wrap yourself up in a fleece blanket like a cape. It helps a little with the chills, but you still start shivering the moment your bare feet hit the floor. You let out a quiet, sad whine, wishing your mommies were here to make it all better.
You stumble out of your room and shakily make your way downstairs. When you spot Vi lounging on the couch and Caitlyn doing yoga nearby, you feel your shoulders drop with relief.
Your mind only has one thought and that’s get to Mama. So you make a beeline for Vi and climb into her lap before she’s even managed to set her novel aside, curling yourself up as small as you can and tucking your head under her chin. You rest your burning face against her chest, feeling the gentle rise and fall of her breath. Finally. This is where you want to be.
“Hey, sweetheart,” Vi says, a hint of surprise in her voice at how quickly you’ve installed yourself on her lap. But her hand comes to your back anyway, rubbing slow, soothing circles over the blanket. “Someone’s feeling like a snugglebug, hm?”
You don’t answer, just make a small sound and curl tighter into her, your hand fisted in her shirt. Everything feels too big and hurty and you’re small. You need Mama to fix it, but you can’t find the words.
“Is she alright?” Your eyes are closed but you can hear Caitlyn coming over, and her long, cool fingers start threading through your hair.
“Hi, darling,” she murmurs, leaning down to kiss your mop of hair. “Mommy’s here. Are you okay, my sweet girl?”
You shake your head against Vi’s chest, whining, and then promptly burst into tears. You feel so icky and overwhelmed that all you can do is cry.
“Oh, my darling,” Caitlyn coos, a definite note of worry in her voice now. You feel yourself being passed from Vi’s lap into Caitlyn’s, so you cling to Mommy instead, your whole body shaking with sobs as you cry into her shirt.
Caitlyn rocks you slowly, making shushing noises, while Vi scoots closer. Vi gently takes your chin in your hand and tips your face up so that she can see you.
“Let Mama have a look at you, baby girl. What’s going on, huh?” Vi murmurs, and when you look up at her you can see that her blue eyes are full of concern. She strokes some hair out of your face, then pauses. A look of realization dawns on her face and she presses the back of her hand to your cheek. Her eyebrows raise.
“She’s burning up,” Vi informs Caitlyn, who shifts to lay her own hand on your forehead.
“Oh, sweetheart,” Caitlyn coos sadly when she feels your temperature, pulling you closer into her. “You’re not feeling well at all, are you?”
You shake your head no, still crying. You feel comforted that at least your mommies know what’s wrong now, but you’re still too upset to speak.
“Okay,” Vi says, leaning in and pressing a tender kiss to your forehead. “Okay, precious girl. Your mamas are gonna take care of you, alright? Everything’s going to be okay, bug.” She gets a tissue from a nearby box and holds it to your nose. “Can you blow for Mama?”
You blow your nose, feeling too little to care about being gross, and Vi gently cleans you up. Your tears are starting to slow now, your sobs being replaced by a bone-deep exhaustion that has you going limp against Caitlyn’s chest.
“Don’ feel gud, Mommy,” you whimper, slumping against Caitlyn. She gathers you up tighter in her arms, kissing the top of your head.
“I know, my little love, I know,” Caitlyn murmurs sympathetically, and pulls up the blanket so that it covers your shoulders. “We’ll take care of it, sweet girl. You just rest, hm? Mommy’s got you.”
You nod, relaxing against her, finally feeling safe in her arms and trusting your mommies to take care of you. You hear her murmuring something about a thermometer and medicine to Vi, but you’re too small to really pay attention.
Caitlyn continues to hold you and rock you slowly while Vi disappears out of the room. “When did this come on, hm?” Caitlyn asks gently, stroking your hair. “Have you been feeling unwell all day, darling?”
“Throat was icky this mornin’,” you mumble, feeling a little guilty now that you didn’t say anything earlier.
Caitlyn hums. “What’s our rule about when you don’t feel well, my love?” she asks, her voice soft.
You bury your face into her chest. “Always tell my mamas when don’ feel gud,” you mumble.
“That’s right,” Caitlyn affirms, still rocking you slowly. You can tell there’s no anger or disappointment in her voice, just gentle patience. “That means right away, sweetheart. As soon as something feels off, or icky, or even if you’re not sure – you tell us. So that we can take care of you, darling. We can’t do that if you don’t tell us.”
You look up at her with watery eyes. “‘m sorry, Mommy,” you say, pouting and feeling tears threaten to spill over again. “Din’ wanna bother you.”
Caitlyn’s expression is full of love and tenderness. “Oh, my sweet girl.” She cups your jaw, her thumb smoothing a stray tear off your cheek. “You are never, ever, bothering me or Mama. Never. There is nothing too big or too small for us to know about, that’s our job. To take care of you, sweetheart.” She holds your gaze, stroking your cheek. “Undersatnd?”
You nod, your chest feeling full and warm. “Yes, Mommy.”
“Good girl,” Caitlyn praises, pulling you back to rest against her with your head on her shoulder. Vi returns to the room carrying several items in her arms. You light up when you see your favorite stuffed rabbit.
“Candy!” you exclaim, making grabby hands. Vi grins and hands the stuffed animal over.
“Thought she might make you feel a little better,” Vi says, crouching down in front of you. She holds up a thermometer. “Open, baby.”
You clutch Candy to your chest and look at the device warily. “Do I hafta, Mama?”
“Yes, baby girl,” Vi says patiently. She kisses your forehead then tucks some hair behind your ear. “Mama needs to know how high this little fever is. Then you get some medicine and afterward you can have a treat, ‘kay?”
You’re still not really excited about the thermometer or medicine part of things, but the promise of a treat is enticing enough to have you opening your mouth. Vi sticks the thermometer under your tongue, then sets a timer on her phone.
When the timer goes off, Vi looks at the number, then shows it to Caitlyn. They don’t tell you what it is, but neither of them seem pleased about it, judging from their matching frowns. Vi pours a dose of the red syrup into a small plastic cup, holding it out. “Bottoms up, sweetie. Then treat time.”
You eye the medicine. “What kinda treat?”
Vi smiles softly. “Take your medicine and I’ll tell you, little one.”
You huff, which makes you cough, but you swallow down the medicine anyway. Vi hands you a glass of water to chase it down with, and you take a few gulps.
“Icky,” you declare afterward, making a face and sticking out your tongue.
“Definitely icky, but it’s going to help you feel better,” Vi says. She jumps to her feet, giving you a mischievous grin. “Ready for your treat, baby?”
You nod excitedly, and Vi heads off to the kitchen.
“I have no idea what she’s planning,” Caitlyn mutters, seemingly more to herself than you.
You giggle. “Mama always has great ideas!”
Caitlyn chuckles, stroking your hair again. She makes a noncommittal noise.
When Vi returns, it’s with your favorite bowl of the moment, a pink My Little Pony one. She settles down next to you on the couch and you excitedly grab for the bowl, looking down at the contents. There’s a generous scoop of rainbow sherbet ice cream, topped with whipped cream and gummy bears.
Vi grins. “How’s that for a treat?”
“Thank you Mama!” you chirp happily, already scooping up some ice cream and gummy bears.
Caitlyn gives a small huff. “Vi – she’s ill, she needs nutrients and –”
“I have soup heating on the stove,” Vi interrupts, giving Caitlyn a knowing look. “And I’ll give her juice and fruit. Don’t worry, cupcake. Besides, I think our baby girl has a sore throat, judging from that croaky little voice, and the ice cream will help.”
You nod in vigorous agreement, your mouth full of ice cream. Caitlyn sighs but smiles down at you anyway, picking up a tissue to clean your mouth. “Alright,” she acquiesces, rubbing your back. “I suppose it can’t hurt.”
As excited as you were about the ice cream, you only manage a few bites before your tummy feels full and you’re too tired to continue. Vi notices immediately, taking the bowl from you and setting it aside.
“Getting tired, honey?” Vi asks gently, putting the back of her hand to your cheek again. “You’re still really warm.”
You nod, coughing a little.
“Time for a rest,” Caitlyn declares. “Come here, darling.” She repositions to lay down on the couch with you on top of her.
Vi pulls the blanket up to drape warmly over you. She sits down next to the couch so that she’s at eye level with you and starts combing her fingers through your hair. Your eyes close immediately.
“Get some sleep,” Vi murmurs, pressing a kiss to your hairline. “We’ll be here, sweet girl.”
Caitlyn tightens her arms around you, humming agreement. “Rest will help you feel better.”
You cuddle in closer to your two mommies. Your head still hurts and your throat still burns, but you feel endlessly safe tucked between the two women who will always take care of you.
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