A father's concern

Writers: Emma, Eimi
Date Posted: 11th February 2006

Characters: K'deren, Pacham
Description: A worried K'deren brings his youngest to see the healer
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 10, day 22 of Turn 3

K'deren

The child coughed again as she squirmed restlessly in her fathers arms.
"SShhh Deralie, it'll be all better soon," murmured a worried sounding K'deren as he entered the infirmary. It was fairly late in the evening, and few healers were around, or so it seemed.

"Can someone take a look at my daughter?" he called out.

"Sure, I do that for you," Pacham smiled after dismissing the apprentice who had been assisting him. "What seems to be the trouble?"

"She's got a cough, it sounds nasty, and she seems a little warm,"
replied the wingsecond, concern in his voice. "I thought I should get it checked out."

"Oh, colds are never very fun for little babies are they," Pacham grinned as he tickled the little girls tummy. He loved babies. "What is her name?"

"Deralie," he said, "She's eleven months old."

"All right," he smiled. He caught a passing apprentice by the arm.
"Will you pull Deralie's file for me and bring it to the examining room." Pacham smiled as he turned back to the father holding the little baby. "Come along this way," he said as he walked towards the examining room.

K'deren followed, his steps echoing to the sound of the child coughing.

"All right, lets just take a look at her. Can you sit her down right there on the table?"

K'deren settled Deralie down. She gave a little cry as he put her down, but relaxed once she realised he was still there.

Pacham got out his listening apparatus and used his hands to warm up the circular end. "So how long has this cough lasted?"

"The last day, maybe two," replied K'deren after a moment. "It's just she seems a little warm, so that's why I brought her in."

"I see," Pacham said as he listened to her breathing. He touched his fingers to her face and then in her little armpits. "She doesn't feel so unusually warm. In fact, I don't think its anymore than just the kind of cough babies are prone to."

The last relaxed K'deren a little. "Are you sure, that sounds so nasty?"

"Yep. Just a little cough. Should clear up in a day or two. I can give you a little something that should help ease the congestion a bit, though."

"Will it help her sleep, I think she's been keeping herself awake with this."

Pacham nodded. "It should. Her body needs sleep to get over this."

"Good," replied K'deren. "She doesn't stay with me that often, only when I have the time, and I was just a little concerned to see her like this." He grinned a little sheepishly, "She's my third, and I should know better."

"Trust me, the worry never goes away," Pacham smiled. "If I hadn't been a healer, I would have brought _all_ of mine as soon as they got a bump or a sneeze."

"I think it's all part of being a father."

"Well, I warn you now," the Weyrhealer chuckled, "it doesn't get any easier."

"My eldest is eleven, so I know what you mean."

"Oh, no, not yet. Next is when _boys_ come into their life. There is a whole new set of worries my friend." Pacham reached out and put a hand on the younger man's shoulder. "I'm sorry, I should be trying to make you feel _better_."

"I suppose I should be glad that she says 'boys are not interesting' for the moment then?"

"Enjoy it. It's a blessedly peaceful time," Pacham nodded.

"And once this one gets off to sleep it will be again."

Last updated on the February 13th 2006

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A father's concern