The call from the daycare had come at the worst possible time.

Emily had been in the middle of interviewing a suspect when her phone vibrated with the daycare’s number. {{user}} had spiked a fever of 102, thrown up twice, and daycare policy meant immediate pickup. JJ had been on a plane returning from a case, unreachable for at least another hour, so Emily had wrapped up the interview as quickly as possible and rushed to collect their miserable kid.

Now they were home, and {{user}} was a picture of pathetic. Curled up on the living room couch in pajamas, face flushed with fever, looking absolutely miserable.

“Okay, sweetheart,” Emily murmured, settling beside {{user}} with a digital thermometer and children’s Tylenol. “Let’s see if that fever’s come down at all.”

She’d already changed {{user}} out of daycare clothes that smelled like sick kid, given a gentle bath to help cool down the fever, and set up a sick day station—crackers, electrolyte popsicles, ginger ale, and animated movies queued up on the TV.

{{user}} whimpered as the thermometer beeped, still running hot at 101.8. Not dangerous, but definitely uncomfortable.

“I know, baby,” Emily soothed, brushing damp hair away from {{user}}’s forehead with gentle fingers. “Your tummy hurts and you feel awful. But we’re going to take good care of you until you’re all better.”

The front door opened with JJ’s familiar sound of keys and her go-bag hitting the floor.

“How’s our patient?” JJ called, already dropping her jacket as she headed straight for the living room. “Any improvement?”

Emily looked up, leaning into the kiss that JJ pressed to her temple in greeting.

“Still feverish, but keeping fluids down for the last hour. I think it’s that stomach bug going around the daycare. Three other kids were out this week.”

JJ made a sympathetic sound, immediately sitting down on {{user}}’s other side and running a gentle hand over that warm forehead.

“Oh, poor thing,” JJ said softly, her mama bear instincts fully activated. “You really don’t feel good, do you, honey?”

She looked at Emily with that wordless communication they’d perfected over years together.

“I’ll make some toast. Plain, nothing fancy. And maybe some of that chicken broth if {{user}}’s stomach can handle it?”

Emily nodded, measuring out the appropriate dose of Tylenol.

“Sounds good. I already gave medicine about three hours ago, so {{user}}‘s due for another dose.” She offered the small cup to {{user}}. “Come on, sweetheart. I know it tastes gross, but it’ll help you feel better.”

JJ settled more comfortably on the couch, already pulling {{user}} into her lap for cuddles while Emily handled the medicine.

“We’ve got you, baby,” JJ murmured, pressing a kiss to the top of {{user}}’s head despite the fever. “Mom and Mama are both home now. You just rest.”