Whispers Turn to Whimpers: Could He Ever Change?

In the evening, Sherilyn bathed Jenna and then tucked her into bed, gently drying her daughter's hair with a soft towel.

As she was about to finish, Sophia walked in with a medicine cup. "Time for your medicine, Jenna."

Jenna pouted and snuggled closer to her mom. "Mommy, it tastes yucky."

No one enjoys taking medicine, especially not someone as young as Jenna.

In the beginning, when Jenna was first diagnosed, Sherilyn had to be incredibly creative to coax her into taking her medicine.

But over time, Jenna had learned to take it without making a fuss.

Sherilyn felt a wave of tenderness for her daughter, recognizing the plea for comfort. "I know it's not the best, but it's like a superhero, you know."

She touched Jenna's nose gently. "They're fighting the bad guys making you sick. Haven't you been feeling a bit better lately?"

"Yeah." Jenna blinked her big, watery eyes in agreement.

"So..." Sherilyn pointed to Jenna's mouth, "let's open the tunnel and let the superheroes in to keep protecting you, okay?"

"Okay."

Jenna pursed her lips and then bravely opened her mouth. "Tunnel's open!"

"Here we go."

Sherilyn quickly gave her the medicine, and Jenna took a big gulp of water from her bottle, then opened her mouth wide. ""Mommy, check!"

"Wow..."

Sherilyn held her daughter's face, pretending to inspect closely, "What beautiful teeth you have. How did they get so pretty?" Jenna, slightly confused, blinked her beautiful eyes. Wasn't Mom supposed to check if she took her medicine?

But the confusion lasted only a moment before she hugged her mom, smiling wide.

"Because I'm Mommy's treasure!"

Sherilyn laughed, embracing her daughter and rocking her gently, charmed by her little girl's sweet words.

Since it was Jenna's first night on a new medication, Sherilyn was extra vigilant, periodically checking on her daughter throughout the night for signs of discomfort.

Eventually, she noticed Jenna's fever was a bit high.

Jenna, feeling unwell, moaned in her sleep, restless and tossing about.

Sherilyn got up, lifted Jenna in her arms, and gently patted her back. "Are you feeling okay, sweetie? Don't worry, Mommy's here." Jenna, half-asleep, nestled on her mother's shoulder, her whimpers subsiding.

The phone on the nightstand lit up.

It was a message from Gilbert.

"Did I wake you? Just wanted to check in. How's Jenna doing with the medication? Let me know if there's anything troubling."

Wanting not to disturb Jenna, Sherilyn replied with one hand while holding her daughter with the other.

"She's running a slight fever, not sleeping well. Needs to be held."

Gilbert gripped his phone tighter, his brow furrowed with worry.

Jenna was having a reaction to the medication...

"Is the fever high?"

"Not very. Just over 99°F."

Gilbert didn't know how to respond. He could imagine the tough night Sherilyn and Jenna were having-Jenna uncomfortable and Sherilyn both worried and exhausted. He wished he could take Sherilyn's place, but he knew she wouldn't allow it.

Meanwhile, Sherilyn put down the phone and carried Jenna to the kitchen. They had medical-grade ice packs in the fridge. She placed one gently on Jenna's forehead, e

swapping it out now and then to keep her comfortable.

Jenna seemed to find some relief, her whimpers fading as she rested on her mother's shoulder.

Sherilyn tried to lay her down, but

the moment Jenna touched the bed, she began to fuss. "No, no, sweetheart. Mommy's got you," Sherilyn soothed, lifting her into her arms again.