"Yes," Timothée answered, phone clamped between his cheek and his shoulder as he signed paperwork at the studio.
"This is Amy from Primrose. Rosalie is pulling at her ear and running a low fever, and we can't get in touch with Mrs. Chalamet. Is there someone who can come get her?"
Timothée stilled. His wife, Aria, had only just recently returned to work after their daughter turned one, and this was her first time to go out of town for a conference since. She was beside herself on her way out the door the morning before because she had never left the baby overnight, much less multiple nights. He reassured her that he had this all under control.
He could handle this, right?
"I'll be there in about 20 minutes."
After a couple more signatures and calls to his assistant and the pediatrician, Timothée was on his way to the daycare. As soon as they brought Rosalie to the front office, she reached out for him with her chubby little hands.
"Da da da," she whined pitifully.
"Come here, you," he cooed, taking her into his arms and pressing his cheek against her forehead. "You feel warm, baby girl. Let's get you to the doctor."
<><><><><>
"Timmy, I just got the voicemail from the daycare. Did they call you? Is Rosie okay?" Aria asked frantically, talking a mile a minute.
Timothée could hear the crowd of conference attendees in the background. "Yes, she's fine. I already took her to the doctor."
"You did? What did they say?"
"She has an ear infection, but they sent her home with some antibiotics. They said she should be feeling better by morning."
"I'm looking at changing my return flight, but it doesn't look like I can get out of here until 8pm. Everything earlier is booked."
"Aria, we're fine. Lizz has already rescheduled my meetings today and tomorrow. I've already picked up the meds and given her the first dose. She's napping now. I have this under control. You've been looking forward to this trip and I want you to enjoy your last night. Please, trust me."
Timothée heard Aria sniffle. "I trust you, I- It's just...my baby's sick and I'm not there."
"She's my baby, too, y' know."
Aria laughed wetly and sniffled again. "I know, I know."
Timothée looked over at the baby monitor and saw Rosalie stirring. "Looks like she is about to wake up. I promise I will keep you updated. Ok?"
"Ok. I love you. Please tell her Mommy loves her and misses her, ok?"
"I will. Love you, too."
"Ma ma ma ma ma." Timothée heard the baby babbling to herself through the monitor and hoped that she wouldn't be too terribly disappointed with him instead. She quickly changed her tune when he gently pushed open the door to her room and she spotted him.
"Da da da da da!" Rosalie chanted. She pulled herself up to the crib rail and bounced excitedly.
"There's daddy's happy girl. Glad to see someone is feeling better." Timothée lifted her up out of the crib. "Are you hungry?"
Rosalie pinched her fingers together at her mouth to sign for food. He chuckled and ruffled her hair. "Yeah, me too. Let's go find some yummy food."
"Num num num," she replied.
<><><><><>
Changed and fed, Rosalie was a happy girl again, playing and reading books with her daddy for the rest of the evening. Timothée was enjoying this one-on-one time with his daughter, despite how much he missed her mother - to whom he was constantly sending updates and pictures as promised.
If it weren't for the runny nose, one would never know she was sick. But as is the case with most small children, Rosalie got cranky around bedtime. She fussed any time Timothée tried to put her down and all but refused her medicine. He danced with her around the house, gently swaying side to side and bobbing her up and down until her drooping eyelids finally got too heavy to hold up.
Timothée dared not lay Rosalie down in the crib too soon for fear she would wake again, so he just sat in the rocking chair with her snoozing on his chest. He hummed and gently patted her on the back, soaking in the precious fleeting moments of baby snuggles until he nearly put himself to sleep as well.
