Afternoon slowly rolled by. Ciel was still struggling to breathe. Stacey was asleep beside him on the bed. She woke up when she heard the front door open and Bella barking.
Robert: Hi, Bella. Stacey! Where are you?
Stacey came downstairs and barked happily at him.
Robert: I missed you, too. Where's Ciel at?
Stacey whined and looked upstairs.
Robert: Is he still up there? Okay, I'm going up.
He went upstairs and into Ciel's room. He gasped at what he saw. Ciel was in bed, still struggling to breathe. Ciel saw him.
Ciel: (in a whisper) Daddy?
Robert: Hey. Have you been up here the whole time?
Ciel tried to nod, but couldn't. Robert went over to his 'son'. He tried to touch his tummy, but that only resulted in him screaming in pain.
Robert: Is this a stomachache?
Ciel: Yes. It really hurts. So does my chest.
Robert: Why didn't you call me or Angie or your mother?
Ciel: I couldn't move from the bed.
Robert: You're in that much pain?
Ciel again tried to nod.
Robert: Don't worry. I'll call Mommy for you.
Ciel: Okay.
Robert hurried downstairs and went to the phone. He called his wife's work phone number. She picked up immediately.
Kelsey: Hello?
Robert: Kels, it's me.
Kelsey: You're home early. Is something wrong?
Robert: It's Ciel. He's really sick.
Kelsey: What does he have?
Robert: He has a really bad stomachache and chest pains. He's also having difficulty breathing.
Kelsey: That's why he didn't come downstairs this morning.
Robert: He can't move from the bed.
Kelsey: Well, I'm busy right now. Since you're home now, why don't you take care of him?
Robert: Honey, I don't know how to make a stomachache better!
Kelsey: Just drive him to the hospital. I'll pick up Angie and Stephanie and we'll meet you at the hospital once I get done here.
Robert: Okay. Thanks, dear. I'll see you later.
He hung up and went upstairs to Ciel's room.
Robert: Okay, son. We're going to the hospital.
Ciel: But I can't move.
Robert: I'll carry you to the car.
Robert put one hand under Ciel's legs and the other under Ciel's back.
Robert: You're going to have to hold on to me so you don't fall off.
He managed to finally pick him up. Ciel held onto his 'dad's' neck gently. Robert carried the sick boy downstairs and outside to where the car was. Robert made Ciel lay down.
Robert: Okay. Now to take you to the hospital.
Robert got in the driver's seat and drove to the hospital.