Chapter 9: The Fever
The Morning After
Jay woke to warmth.
Not the good kind.
Not Keifer's arms around her.
Not the cozy blanket.
The bad kind.
The too-hot kind.
She blinked awake.
Something was wrong.
Beside her, Keifer was burning up.
His face was flushed.
His forehead damp with sweat.
His breathing shallow and rough.
Jay sat up fast.
Too fast.
Her head spun for a second.
Then she focused on him.
"Keifer?
Keifer, wake up."
He stirred.
Mumbled something.
Didn't open his eyes.
She pressed her hand to his forehead.
Burning.
Definitely burning.
"Keifer!
Wake up!"
His eyes fluttered open.
Glassy.
Confused.
Unfocused.
"Jay?"
His voice was rough.
Strange.
"Weak."
"You're burning up.
Don't move.
I'm getting help."
She scrambled out of bed.
Ran to the door.
Threw it open.
"KEIRAN!
KEIGAN!
SOMEONE!
HELP!"
---
The House Wakes Up
Within minutes, the room was full.
Mamma arrived first.
Still in her robe.
Immediately at Keifer's side.
Hand on his forehead.
Checking his pulse.
Her face calm but worried.
Pappa appeared next.
Phone already in hand.
"Doctor?
I'm calling the doctor."
Keiran stood in the doorway.
Big eyes.
Scared.
"What's wrong with Kuya Kai?
Why is he sleeping?
Why is Mamma using her worried face?"
Keigan pulled him back.
Gentle.
"Come on, Keiran.
Let Mamma work.
Kuya Kai will be okay."
Percy and Aries arrived.
Out of breath.
Worried.
"What happened?"
"Is he okay?"
"Jay, what's wrong?"
Jay stood frozen.
Watching Mamma work.
Watching Keifer lie there.
So still.
So pale under the flush.
So unlike himself.
"I don't know," she whispered.
"He was fine last night.
This morning he was—
Burning."
---
Mamma looked up.
"High fever.
Hundred and four, I think.
We need to get it down."
She started giving orders.
Naturally.
Like she'd done this a thousand times.
"Percy, get cool cloths and a basin of water.
Aries, help Pappa with the doctor.
Keigan, take Keiran downstairs and make him breakfast.
Jay—
Jay, come here."
Jay moved to her side.
Took Keifer's hand.
It was so hot.
Too hot.
"Talk to him," Mamma said softly.
"Keep him awake.
Keep him calm.
I'll handle the fever."
Jay nodded.
Swallowed.
Leaned close to Keifer.
"Hey," she whispered.
"It's me.
It's Jay.
I'm right here.
You're going to be okay."
His eyes flickered.
Found hers.
Glassy but aware.
"Jay...
Hot...
So hot..."
"I know, baby.
I know.
But we're taking care of you.
Mamma's here.
The doctor's coming.
You're going to be fine."
He squeezed her hand.
Weak.
But there.
He was there.
---
The Vigil Begins
The next hours blurred.
Doctor came.
Checked Keifer.
Pronounced it a bad flu.
Maybe an infection.
Prescribed medicine.
Lots of rest.
Lots of fluids.
Mamma took charge.
Cool cloths on his forehead.
Medicine on schedule.
Temperature checks every hour.
Percy and Aries ran errands.
More medicine.
Gatorade.
Soup.
Whatever Mamma needed.
Pappa handled everything else.
Calls to the office.
Meetings cancelled.
Work covered.
Keigan kept Keiran occupied.
Built blanket forts.
Watched movies.
Explained that Kuya Kai was sick but would get better.
And Jay.
Jay never left his side.
---
She sat in the chair beside his bed.
Holding his hand.
Watching him sleep.
Willing the fever down.
Mamma checked in regularly.
Brought food Jay didn't eat.
Brought water Jay didn't drink.
Pressed cool cloths to Keifer's forehead.
Soothed him when he stirred.
"He's lucky to have you," Mamma said softly.
Watching Jay smooth his hair.
Jay shook her head.
"I'm lucky to have him.
He has to get better.
He has to."
Mamma squeezed her shoulder.
"He will.
He's strong.
And he has you fighting for him."
---
Afternoon
Keifer woke briefly.
Confused.
Restless.
"Jay?
Where—
What happened?"
She leaned close.
Took his face in her hands.
"You're sick, baby.
High fever.
But you're going to be okay.
I'm right here.
I'm not going anywhere."
He blinked at her.
Those storm-gray eyes hazy but focused on her face.
"Stay," he whispered.
"Please stay."
"Always.
I told you.
Always."
He relaxed.
Squeezed her hand.
Fell back asleep.
Mamma appeared in the doorway.
Watched for a moment.
Smiled softly.
"That's the first time he's rested properly since this started.
You calm him."
Jay didn't look away from his face.
"I'll always calm him.
Whatever he needs.
Always."
---
Evening
The fever broke.
One moment, Keifer was burning.
The next, he was drenched in sweat.
Shivering.
But cooler.
Much cooler.
Mamma checked his temperature.
Nodded.
Satisfied.
"It's breaking.
He'll be okay now.
Weak for a few days.
But okay."
Jay burst into tears.
Mamma gathered her in her arms.
Held her tight.
Rocked her gently.
"Oh, my darling girl.
You were so brave.
So strong.
He's okay now.
You can rest."
Jay cried into Mamma's shoulder.
All the fear.
All the worry.
All the love.
Pouring out.
Percy and Aries appeared in the doorway.
Watched their sister fall apart.
Moved to her side.
Percy took her hand.
Aries rubbed her back.
Both silent.
Both there.
Both loving her through it.
---
When the tears finally stopped, Jay was exhausted.
Drained.
Empty.
Mamma guided her to the chair beside Keifer's bed.
Pushed her gently into it.
"Rest now.
He'll sleep for hours.
You should too."
Jay shook her head.
"I can't leave him.
What if he wakes up?
What if he needs something?"
Mamma smiled.
"Then you'll be right here.
But you need to take care of yourself too.
He'll need you strong when he wakes."
Jay nodded.
Too tired to argue.
Curled up in the chair.
Head on the edge of his bed.
Hand still holding his.
She was asleep in seconds.
---
Night
Keifer woke to darkness and silence.
For a moment, he didn't know where he was.
Then the memories trickled back.
Fever.
Heat.
Confusion.
Jay's voice.
Always Jay's voice.
He turned his head.
Slowly.
Carefully.
And there she was.
Curled in the chair beside his bed.
Hand still holding his.
Face peaceful in sleep.
Tracks of tears on her cheeks.
Looking exhausted.
Worried.
Beautiful.
His heart clenched.
She stayed.
The whole time.
She stayed.
He squeezed her hand.
Gently.
Didn't want to wake her.
But needed to feel her.
Needed to know she was real.
She stirred.
Eyes fluttered open.
Found his.
For a second, she looked confused.
Then she saw him awake.
Alert.
Watching her.
"Keifer?"
Her voice was rough.
Hopeful.
Scared.
"Hey," he whispered.
Voice weak.
But there.
Jay was on her feet instantly.
Leaning over him.
Hand on his face.
Checking his temperature.
Her eyes searching his.
"You're awake.
You're okay.
Your fever broke hours ago.
Mamma said you'd be okay but I was still scared and—
"
He lifted a weak hand.
Pressed it to her cheek.
Stopped the words.
"I'm okay," he whispered.
"Thanks to you."
Her eyes filled with tears.
Again.
"I was so scared.
So scared, Keifer.
You were burning up.
You wouldn't wake up.
I thought—
I thought—
She couldn't finish.
Didn't need to.
He pulled her down gently.
As gently as his weak arms could manage.
Guided her head to his chest.
Held her there.
"I'm here," he murmured.
"I'm not going anywhere.
You're stuck with me, remember?
Forever."
She cried.
Quietly.
Against his chest.
Her tears soaking his shirt.
Her body shaking.
He held her.
Weak.
Tired.
But holding.
Always holding.
---
Morning
Sunlight streamed through the windows.
Keifer woke to warmth.
Not fever warmth.
Good warmth.
Jay warmth.
She was curled beside him in the bed.
Somehow.
At some point, she'd climbed in.
Head on his shoulder.
Hand on his chest.
Leg tangled with his.
He smiled.
Kissed her hair.
"Good morning," he whispered.
She stirred.
Mumbled.
Snuggled closer.
"Mmm.
You're still warm.
But good warm.
Not sick warm."
He laughed.
Quiet.
Careful not to jostle her.
"I'm better.
Thanks to you."
She opened one eye.
Looked at him.
"You scared me.
Don't do that again."
"No promises.
But I'll try."
She poked his chest.
Weakly.
Playfully.
"Try harder."
"Yes, ma'am."
---
The door burst open.
"KUYA KAI!
YOU'RE AWAKE!
KUYA JAY SAID YOU'D BE OKAY AND YOU ARE!
MAMMA! KUYA KAI IS AWAKE!"
Keiran.
Of course.
He launched himself onto the bed.
Careful.
Gentle.
But enthusiastic.
Keifer groaned.
Playfully.
"Little monster, I'm still sick."
Keiran hugged him anyway.
"I know!
But you're awake!
That means you're getting better!
Kuya Jay said so!"
Jay smiled.
Ruffled his hair.
"Kuya Jay was right."
Keiran beamed.
"I know!
Kuya Jay is always right!
That's what Peh says!"
From the doorway, Percy's voice:
"I said no such thing.
I said she's right sometimes.
There's a difference."
Keiran ignored him completely.
Snuggled between them.
Happy.
Content.
Keigan appeared behind Percy.
Assessed the situation.
Nodded.
"Good.
You're better.
Keiran was annoying without you."
Keifer laughed.
Winced.
"Don't make me laugh.
Still weak."
Keigan nodded seriously.
"Noted.
I'll save my jokes for later."
---
Mamma arrived next.
Tray in hand.
Soup.
Toast.
Juice.
Medicine.
"Well, well.
Look who's awake.
And looking much better."
She set the tray on the nightstand.
Felt his forehead.
Nodded approvingly.
"Fever's gone.
You'll be weak for a few days.
But you'll live."
Keifer smiled at her.
"Thanks to you, Mamma.
And Jay.
Mostly Jay."
Mamma glanced at Jay.
Still in bed beside him.
Hair messy.
Eyes tired.
Smiling.
"She barely left your side, you know.
Wouldn't eat.
Wouldn't sleep.
Just sat there holding your hand."
Keifer looked at Jay.
Something soft and fierce in his eyes.
"I know.
She's stubborn."
Jay shrugged.
"You're worth it."
Percy made gagging noises from the doorway.
"Okay, okay.
Enough love.
Some of us are trying to eat breakfast."
Aries appeared beside him.
"Ignore him.
He's just jealous no one sits by his bed when he's sick."
Percy gasped.
"I have you!
You sit by my bed!"
Aries raised an eyebrow.
"I sit by your bed to make sure you don't die.
Not the same thing."
Everyone laughed.
Even Percy.
Even Keifer, though it hurt.
---
The Day
Keifer spent the day in bed.
Ordered by Mamma.
Enforced by Jay.
She brought him soup.
Read to him.
Told him stories.
Sang softly when he couldn't sleep.
Keiran visited constantly.
Brought dinosaurs for protection.
Told long, rambling stories about nothing.
Fell asleep on the end of the bed twice.
Keigan came by with books.
Offered to read aloud.
Sat quietly when Keifer was too tired.
Asked Jay questions about singing.
Percy and Aries popped in and out.
Brought updates from the outside world.
Made inappropriate jokes.
Hovered in their own annoying way.
Pappa stopped by twice.
Once to check on him.
Once to tell him work was handled.
Short words.
But warm.
Loving.
Mamma was everywhere.
Bringing food.
Checking temperature.
Shoving medicine at him.
Kissing his forehead like he was five again.
And Jay.
Jay never left.
---
Evening
The house quieted.
Keiran was asleep in his room.
Keigan reading in his.
Percy and Aries watching a movie downstairs.
Mamma and Pappa in their study.
Jay sat beside Keifer's bed.
Holding his hand.
Watching him rest.
He opened his eyes.
Found her.
Smiled weakly.
"You're still here."
She squeezed his hand.
"Where else would I be?"
"Sleeping in a real bed.
Not this uncomfortable chair."
She shrugged.
"Chair's fine.
You're here.
That's all that matters."
He tugged her hand gently.
"Come here."
She raised an eyebrow.
"The bed?
You're still sick."
"I'm better.
And I need you closer.
Please."
She couldn't resist that please.
Or those eyes.
Or him.
Carefully, gently, she climbed into bed beside him.
Curled against his side.
Head on his shoulder.
Hand on his chest.
"Better?" she whispered.
He kissed her hair.
"Much better."
They lay there.
Quiet.
Peaceful.
Together.
---
"Jay?"
"Yeah?"
"I love you.
I know I say it a lot.
But I mean it more every time."
She smiled against his chest.
"I love you too.
And I mean it more every time too."
He was quiet for a moment.
Then:
"When I was sick—
Fever dreams—
Confusion—
Your voice was the only thing that made sense.
The only thing that felt real."
She looked up at him.
Those storm-gray eyes so open.
So vulnerable.
"You kept calling my name.
Telling me to come back.
Telling me you were there.
I followed your voice back.
Every time."
Tears filled her eyes.
"Keifer..."
"I'm not saying this to make you cry.
I'm saying it because—
Because you're my home, Jay.
Not this house.
Not my family.
You.
Wherever you are is home."
She kissed him.
Soft.
Gentle.
Careful of his still-recovering body.
"Then I'll always be your home.
Always."
---
Morning
Keifer woke feeling almost human.
The weakness was still there.
But the fog was gone.
The fever was gone.
He was himself again.
And Jay was beside him.
Curled against his side.
Still asleep.
Still beautiful.
Still his.
He kissed her forehead.
She stirred.
Smiled without opening her eyes.
"You're better," she murmured.
"I can tell.
Your heartbeat feels stronger."
He laughed.
Quiet.
"Were you listening to my heartbeat all night?"
"Obviously.
How else would I know you were okay?"
He pulled her closer.
"Incredible.
You're incredible."
"I know.
Now let me sleep.
You being sick exhausted me."
He smiled.
Held her.
Let her sleep.
---
An hour later, the door burst open.
Of course.
"KUYA KAI!
KUYA JAY!
MAMMA SAYS BREAKFAST!
AND KUYA KAI CAN COME DOWNSTAIRS TODAY!
BECAUSE HE'S BETTER!
RIGHT?
YOU'RE BETTER?"
Keiran.
Always Keiran.
Jay groaned.
Buried her face in the pillow.
Keifer laughed.
"We're better, little monster.
Tell Mamma we'll be down soon."
Keiran nodded.
Ran off.
Shouting the news to everyone.
Jay peeked out from the pillow.
"Our life is chaos."
Keifer kissed her nose.
"Best kind of chaos."
She smiled.
"Yeah.
Best kind."
---
Breakfast
They made it downstairs together.
Slowly.
Keifer still weak.
Jay hovering.
Everyone watching.
Keiran cheered when they appeared.
"KUYA KAI!
YOU'RE UP!
YOU'RE WALKING!
YOU'RE BETTER!"
Percy grinned.
"Look who survived.
We were placing bets, you know."
Aries nodded.
"I had three days until full recovery.
Percy had two.
Mamma had four.
Pappa had one."
Keifer raised an eyebrow.
"Pappa had one day?
That's optimistic."
Pappa looked up from his newspaper.
"I know my son.
He's stubborn.
Stubborn people heal fast."
Mamma smiled.
"Sit.
Eat.
Both of you.
You need your strength."
Jay helped Keifer to a chair.
Sat beside him.
Their knees touching under the table.
Always connected.
Keigan passed the juice.
Keiran passed the pancakes.
Percy made inappropriate jokes.
Aries kept everyone calm.
Pappa read his newspaper.
Mamma beamed at her family.
And Keifer looked at Jay.
At this girl who sat by his bed for two days.
Who held his hand through the fever.
Who followed his heartbeat through the night.
Who loved him when he was weak and broken and scared.
Mine, he thought.
She's mine.
Under the table, her hand found his.
Squeezed.
Yours, the squeeze said.
Always yours.
---
End of Chapter 9