Charlotte started to squirm a little, and her face got flush. What was she thinking? Finn wanted to ask her, but he didn’t want to embarrass her anymore than she already felt. He would have to ask later when they were alone.
“Just a couple more minutes, and then we’re done,” Michael said.
Charlotte started to play with his fingers, and he was thankful she relaxed some. He knew it was uncomfortable, but it was for her health, and that was important.
“She has a slight fever right now. Can you tell me her symptoms?” Michael asked as he pulled the thermometer out of Charlotte. Finn placed her legs down on the changing table, and she relaxed more.
“She’s exhausted, lethargic, warm but shivers, scratchy and hoarse voice, and it's achy all over,” Finn described.
He had kept a close eye on her while he talked to her before they left her house. She didn’t have to tell him how she felt because she was an open book at that moment. She didn’t hide a thing. Probably because it was so exhausting.
“It sounds like a common cold right now. I want you to make sure she gets enough fluid, eats three meals a day with some snacks in between, and gets enough sleep,” Michael said. “If she gets a fever, you can give her medicine. Snuggle her all she wants. If she doesn’t get better in the next couple of days, then call me, and we’ll run more tests to see what’s wrong.”
“Thank you again for coming this early. I really appreciate it,” Finn said.
“Welcome. Next time I see you, little one, I expect you to be all better. It’s no fun feeling icky, and I want to properly meet you.”
Charlotte didn’t look at him, but she nodded her head. Michael chuckled and headed toward the door.
“I’ll let myself out,” he said before he pulled something out of his bag and placed it on the table next to the crib. “Oh, wait, I suspected it might be a cold since it’s that time of the year and brought medicine. The special medicine.”
Finn couldn’t help but smile at that. Special medicine was the code word for suppository medicine. He couldn’t wait to give her some, feel her tight ring around his finger.
“Daddy?” Charlotte whispered.
He turned around and walked to her.
“You did so well for Daddy,” he praised her.
“I did?” She looked at him with big eyes.
“You did, little cupcake. So well.”
Relaxed, Charlotte closed her eyes and made grabby hands at Finn. His heart melted as she sought comfort, and he was going to give it to her.
Finn unfastened the restraints and picked her up. He walked over to the rocking chair and sat down, placing Charlotte bridal style on his lap. She immediately snuggled into his embrace as he started to rock.
“Daddy’s here. You fall asleep,” he whispered.
Charlotte brought a thumb up to her mouth and started to suck on it. Right now, Finn wished he was close to the crib to grab a pacifier, but he didn’t want to jostle her. She was about to fall asleep, and he didn’t want her to fight sleep if he tried to move.
Next time he would have a pacifier on him so she could use it.
Charlotte grabbed a fistful of his shirt with the other hand and snuggled closer to him.
“Daddy’s got you,” he soothed her.
Finn sat there for hours as he watched his little cupcake sleep in his lap, and it was the best time.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
FINN
Acouple hours later, Charlotte was awake again. She was moody, tired, slightly hungry, and just wanted to be held. She had woken up and started to cry, but once Finn picked her up, she settled down some.
Charlotte just wanted to be cuddled, and he was going to give her all the cuddles she wanted.
Right now, Finn was going to give her medicine because he didn’t after Michael had left. He had wanted to give her medicine, and should have, but thought against it because he didn’t want to distress her anymore.