Chad and Meg were having dinner one night in their apartment.
Idina and Kristen were already in bed, so there wasn't anything to worry about.
"Chad?" said Meg.
"Yes, Meg?"
"Did you ever think maybe... what if neither of us were able to watch the girls?" said Meg.
"What do you mean? We're always there for them" said Chad.
"I dunno. I guess I'm just worrying" said Meg with a smile.
Chad laughed a little then cleared his throat.
"You okay?" said Meg.
"Yeah, fine. Throat's been a bit scratchy lately" said Chad.
"Lately? How long?" said Meg.
"Just today. Now no more worrying, my luv" said Chad.
Meg nodded and continued eating her meal.
But with every bite she took, she winced in pain as she swallowed.
"Meg, are you alright?" said Chad.
Meg winced again without answering.
"Sweet, maybe I should be the one worried. Why are you in pain?" said Chad.
"I don't know. My throat suddenly feels bruised when I swallow" Meg strained in a raspy voice.
"Oh, sweet, you sound awful. Getting a cold?" said Chad.
"I don't think so. My ears also hurt a little and I'm super tired" said Meg.
"Oh, Meg..." Chad sighed sympathetically.
He moved closer to Meg and put his arm around her. "Do I need to call your bosses?"
"No. I know what it is. I'm a highly trained surgeon, so I can diagnose myself" said Meg.
"What is it?"
"It's tonsillitis. I even feel like my tonsils are swollen" Meg said near tears.
Chad kissed his wife's head.
"It's pretty bad. I think I may need surgery for it" Meg whispered in her raspy voice.
"Are you sure?" Chad gasped.
"Positive" said Meg.
Chad was breathing heavily, but he needed to clear his throat after doing it too long.
"You sure you're okay?" said Meg.
"Don't worry about me, my sweet. Let's get you to the hospital" Chad whispered.
"But what about the girls? We usually get Jeremy, but he's at his mother's house" said Meg.
"I'll call your brother" said Chad.
"No, he's in the TV studio tonight. Calvin and Sam are both working" said Meg.
"Oh blimey... then I s'pose it's a good thing we put the girls to bed" said Chad.
"Chad, we can't just leave them; you could at least call me an ambulance" said Meg frantically.
"Meg. Please. You're what matters to me most right now. Your voice is so raspy and you can't swallow without wincing in pain. Please let me take you" said Chad soothingly.
He stroked Meg's hair and she gave into his loving embrace.
"There now... just breathe. I'm here" Chad whispered.