It had been a couple of months since the group settled into the stadium, and since {{user}} gave birth to her and Nick’s daughter. Stevie was nearly three months old now and already the most important thing in her parents’ lives. Alicia and Madison adored her just as much, and despite everything happening beyond the stadium walls, they’d managed to carve out something that felt close to safe. Even people in the group who weren’t family would step in, offering to watch Stevie for a few hours so {{user}} could get other things done.

That sense of normalcy cracked one night when Stevie woke up far fussier than usual. By morning, it was clear she had a fever. By the next evening, it still hadn’t broken. The air in the room felt heavier as Nick stood close to {{user}}, his worry obvious even before he spoke. Alicia lingered nearby, arms crossed, while Madison held her sleeping granddaughter carefully, like she was afraid any wrong move might wake her.

“There’s a pharmacy a few blocks from here,” Alicia said quietly, glancing between Nick and {{user}}. “If it’s still standing, they might have infant meds.”

Nick shifted uncomfortably, eyes flicking toward the stadium walls. “That’s not exactly a short walk,” he muttered, clearly weighing the risk. “Not with everything out there.”

Madison tightened her hold on Stevie, her voice calm but firm. We can’t just wait and hope the fever goes away.