< Monday 25th, 2021 >
{ Ashton }
I've been up for a little while, just laying in bed and scrolling through my phone. Oakley was awake but she was just sitting in her room playing with her stuffed animals, so I knew it wasn't desperate for me to get up.
Today we're going out shopping with Luke and Sierra. Oakley grew and is in need of new clothes now. Luke and Sierra wanted to tag along so of course we are letting them. Plus, Sierra is Oakley's favorite shopping buddy.
I sat my phone to the side when I heard the pitter patter of feet coming down the hallway. At first they passed my room but soon made there way back. I heard my daughter's giggle on the other side of the door. The door pushed open and she ran in and over to my bed,
"Good morning princess" I grinned, helping her up onto my bed and under the covers,
"Hi Daddy" she giggled and laid on my arm, "Go shopping?"
I laughed and kissed her head,
"In a little bit" I promised, "Are you hungry? Do you want some breakfast?"
"Mini muffies and chocowate milk and watch Blue's Clues"
I smiled and got out of bed, then picked Oakley up and rested her on my hip as she held onto her Pluto and baby blanket. I carried her out to the kitchen and grabbed her muffins and managed to get her sippy cup filled with one hand then sat her on the couch. I went and grabbed myself coffee then went back and joined her, turning the tv on.
As soon as I sat down, Oakley crawled in my lap. She was being clingy this morning. Usually she's clingy when she's super tired or sick. It was weird too because she likes to sit by herself when her shows are on.
"Are you okay Oakley?" I question, which made her turn to head to me. She nodded,
"Are you sure? Are you feeling sick?"
She shook her head super fast again,
"Will you tell me if you feel icky?"
She nodded this time and just kept watching tv and drinking her milk.
****
We got to The Grove shopping center and I somehow managed to get a spot right next to Luke. I killed the engine and before I could process, Luke had opened the back door and was getting Oakley out,
"My favorite person!" he beamed, unbuckling her, picking her up, and hugging her. I laughed and got out, pocketing my phone and wallet then locking my car and doing the same with my keys,
"You ready to go shopping and spend all of your dad's money?" Sierra beamed at Oakley who was still perched on Luke's hip,
"Yeah!" Oakley grinned and reached for me. I happily took her in my arms and we headed into the shopping center. There isn't a whole lot of places here that Oakley can wear clothes at, but Sierra suggested that we go to Janie And Jack. I haven't been there but I know Kay had bought Oakley clothes there before.
We walked inside and I put Oakley down and made sure she had her mask on right. Once Oakley was free to look, she grabbed Sierra's hand and they went straight to where the skirts were. I had a feeling we would be getting a lot of skirts today because that's all Oakley's wanted to wear lately and she surprisingly doesn't have many.
I stayed back with Luke and let Oakley pick whatever she wanted with Sierra. The girl has literally outgrown all her clothes so she needed a lot,
"Do you like doing this? Like going shopping and stuff with her?" Luke asked as we were now being handed the clothes to hold,
"Yeah. I like being able to do anything with her. I mean, she'll only want to hang out with me for so long. I'll take all the time I can get until she grows up and decides she's too cool for me"
Luke smiled lightly and Sierra and Oakley walked over to us,
"Is that everything?" I questioned. Oakley nodded and leaned into my legs. I studied her face and I could tell right away something was off,
"Let's check out" I ushered us to the counter. I paid for everything and Luke gratefully took the bags for me while I picked Oakley up,
"What's wrong baby?" I asked, pushing her hair from her face, stopping when I felt her forehead,
"Oakley, you're burning up. Why didn't you tell me you felt yucky?"
She shrugged as little tears came to her eyes and she rested her head on my shoulder,
"Let me go grab her a water then we can head to the cars" Sierra spoke. I nodded and thanked her as she walked up to a little stand, returning moments later.
I helped Oakley take a few sips then we headed back to the car. I buckled her in and kissed her head then sat the shopping bags on the floorboard,
"Do you feel like you're gonna throw up?" I asked. She said no, so I nodded and closed the door,
"Do you want one of us to go with you in case she gets sick in the car?" Luke asked,
"No it's okay" I assured, "Sorry about this. I shouldn't trusted my gut this morning"
"Don't blame yourself. Just keep us updated" Sierra smiled,
"I will. Hopefully this isn't Covid related" I sighed,
"I hope not" Luke frowned, "Call if you need us to bring over anything"
"Thanks guys"
****
I got Oakley home, bathed, and into her pajamas. She was now laying in my bed watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and munching on some Goldfish and sipping on some water.
I had checked Oakley's temperature when we got home and it was at one hundred and one degrees. I gave her some medicine but it hasn't gone down yet,
"Oakley, can you please tell me what feels yucky or hurts?" I asked, sitting on the edge of my bed. She pointed to her head, throat, and chest then broke out into a horrid cough. It wasn't any cough, it was the driest cough I've heard. I was beginning to think about my Covid theory.
I grabbed my phone and stepped into the hallway and called KayKay to see if she or a friend is sick. Oakley was with her a few days ago and could have maybe caught something,
"Hey Ashton" KayKay answered, sounding quite awful herself,
"Hey. Oakley is sick and I'm starting to think maybe, just maybe, it could be Covid. Have you or a friend been sick or around anyone who's been sick"
"Well I actually have Covid. I found out the day after Oakley went back to yours"
My blood slightly boiled,
"You didn't think to tell me? That's important information that I need to know. If she was exposed, I need to know so I could go about this safely. We went to the mall today, wearing masks of course, but we still went and now exposed others. Luke and Sierra we really exposed" I ranted,
"Then get her tested" KayKay retorted.
"I am, especially now" I huffed, "I'm hanging up now. I need to take care of our sick daughter"
I hung up and entered my room, beginning to search places that would test my toddler. I didn't find any that were open, but I did see some places were selling at home kits. I couldn't go anywhere but I could ask a favor of Luke:
-messages-
[ hey Luke. There's a possibility Oakley has Covid. Do you think
you could go and
grab me an at home
test and just drop it
off on my porch. I'll PayPay you"
Luke: [ yeah of course man.
And don't PayPal me.
It's cool. Be there soon ]
————
I'm very lucky to have amazing friends.
****
After Luke had dropped the tests off, I took a shower then grabbed it and sat with Oakley in my room,
"Princess, you are not going to like this and I'm very sorry. But I have to do this to see if you're sick" I told her. She whined but nodded and I swabbed her nose then put it in the liquid to see what results would come back.
Oakley did well. She didn't cry at all.
About fifteen minutes later, I looked at the test. It was positive. I sighed and immediately contacted her pediatrician who told me to isolate then bring her in at the end of next week.
When I had everything settled, I got in bed with Oakley and let her cuddle,
"I'm sorry you're sick but I promise I'll do my best to make you not feel yucky"!
Oakley nodded and closed her eyes as she laid on my chest, slowly falling asleep with her crazy heavy breathing.