Nathaniel's POV:

  I awakened early the next morning.  I glance over at my wife, the baby, and Sarah.

  My wife and eldest child are asleep.  The baby is wide awake.  I smiled at Madison. "Hello, little one, I am your father, and I love you, your mother, and your big sister so much,"  I say as I picked her up. I carried her to the diaper changing table and changed her diaper. As I tossed out the old one, I saw the smirk on her face. "I can see already you will give us so much trouble when you are older." I put a fresh outfit on her, blue pants, a purple shirt, and purple socks, then carried her with me into the living room. I sat on the sofa holding her while I waited for the others to wake up.

   I heard footsteps approaching a few minutes later. I looked up to see Sarah gleaming at me. "Dad, I see you have my little sister on your lap," Sarah said. "Yes, that I do," I remarked.

    "Dad, you need not worry, I know you and Mom have plenty of love to go around. You love us all, I can tell," Sarah stated. I wondered how someone so young could be so smart. I gently patted her head. "Sarah, could you check in on your mother for me?" I asked. "Sure thing, Dad," Sarah said. I smiled, she had gone from calling us mother and father to calling us, Dad and mom a few weeks ago, but  I did not mind. It was an honor to be important in Sarah's life and the lives of Chole, and baby Madison.

      Sarah left the room to check on Chole. I heard her gasp. I stood up holding gently onto Madison. "Sarah, is everything alright?" I asked. Sarah shook her head. She had tears rolling down her cheeks. "Dad, it is horrid. Mom, she is not waking up. What do I do?" I handed Madison to Sarah who immediately held her gently.  I walked over to Chole and laid a hand on her forehead, "Chole, dear, it is time to get up. Come on Chole this is not funny. You are scaring us all, now get up, sweetheart," I said.  Only Chole did not budge. She did not even turn to face me.

    I knew then something was seriously wrong. "Sarah, call your grandpa, quick!" I shouted. Madison started to cry. Sarah spoke to her gently, "Shh, everything is going to be alright, Dad will see to it. You will see."  Sarah held her and called her Grandpa, making sure not to drop her sister as she dialed the number. She frowned as her Grandpa answered the phone.

    "Hi, there, granddaughter,"  The retired mayor, Andre Bougerious said.

      "Hi, Grandpa, we need you to come watch us. It is an emergency," Sarah said into the phone.

           I held Chole in my arms. I carried her out to the car and performed CPR  on her. She started to stir and looked confused when she looked at me. "Why are we in the car?" "Babe, I am taking you to see the doctor, because Sarah could not wake you. I have to revive you with CPR," I explained. I placed a pillow behind her back. It was one she insisted on keeping inside the car at all times. I helped her with her seatbelt. I got in and drove to the hospital.

       Meanwhile, Sarah stayed put with Madison. I was glad she knew how to care for Madison since it might be a while before her grandpa arrived.

          I drove as fast without violating the speed limit to get Chole the help she needed. Once there, I parked and entered the place holding onto her hand. Chole shook her head. I could tell she did not want to be here. "Listen, you need this, darling," I said. "Why?" She asked. "You died and I brought you back with CPR, so just listen to me," I pleaded with her. She stood still. I could tell by the shocked look on her face that she was not sure what to think.

       The doctors and nurses were kind as I explained the situation to them. A nurse took notes, and a doctor took her to a room. I followed them. I sat on a chair across the room from them. Chole sat on the bed, the doctor on his stool. He checked her pulse, heartbeat, and other things like her blood pressure, iron count, etc.

     "Well, Mr. Kurtzberg, I am not sure what happened to cause this issue, but I assure you we will do all we can to get to the bottom of this. We will need to keep her overnight." The doctor said.

      "Yes, Doctor if you think that is the best, Doctor Fredricks, then, I say, I am all for it. I will do all I can to help my wife, Chole,"  I said. Chole waved to me. I came over to her and she squeezed my hand. "Nath, take care of the children, and don't forget Sarah is allergic to Strawberries. Also, my father can help too," Chole said. "Yes, I will dear, you just focus on getting better, sweetheart," I told her. I kissed her. She kissed me.

   I went home sad. I did not know what was troubling my wife, but I knew I did not want to lose her. I entered the house feeling hopeless. My father-in-law hugged me, and we had a nice cry together. Sarah was drawing. Madison was sitting on her lap. My father-in-law sat beside them, and I sat in the chair.

   "How is Chole?" Andre asked. "I am not sure, the doctor is running some tests and plans to have her stay overnight," I said. 

      "Mom is sick," Sarah said. Madison pouted. I kissed my girls on the cheek. 

       "Yes, but the doctors are helping, "I remarked. "I know Dad, and I know she will get better soon," Sarah mentioned. She kept on drawing.

     Madison started to squirm, so I took a turn holding her to make sure did not get hurt. I smiled despite the bad day.  I had my two daughters and father-in-law with me. I knew that despite everything, somehow, things could only get better.

      The story continues in Chapter 52

   Until then,

bye-bye,

little owlets!

Summer out!