Chapter 454 It's My Responsibility to Take Care of Him
The storm was going nuts. Rain was coming down so hard it felt like the sky and the ground were one big mess. Way off in the distance, there was this bright white lightning in the dark sky, like someone had ripped open the horizon.
Andrew's car roof had got hammered, and rainwater was pouring in like crazy. Even though it was summer, the rain made him feel like he was freezing.
After what felt like forever, he finally found a 24-hour pharmacy. He parked, jumped out, and ran inside, soaked to the bone. The clerk, who was half-asleep listening to the storm, saw this drenched guy walk in, looking pale and worn out.
She quickly got up, "Sir, you're out in this downpour? What do you need?"
Andrew caught his breath. "Children's antibiotics, fever reducers, and fever patches!"
Seeing he wasn't short on cash, the clerk grabbed the best stuff they had.
Andrew rented a charger, and as soon as he turned on his phone, he saw a bunch of missed calls from Chloe. He called back and just said, "I'll be there soon." Then he hung up and dashed back into the rain.
When he got back to the car, the inside was half-soaked, but luckily, it started up without a hitch.
By the time he got to Chloe's apartment, it was an hour later. The nanny opened the door, looking both surprised and happy. "Mr. Devereux, come in and change your clothes!"
Andrew quickly walked into the kids' room. "Let me check on Gavin first."
The nanny followed him.
Andrew walked in and saw Gavin lying on the small bed, his little face flushed with fever.
He dried his hands and gently touched Gavin's forehead. Maybe because his hands were cold, Gavin instinctively leaned into his palm. Gavin opened his eyes and saw him.
His little mouth mumbled, "Andrew."
Gavin didn't fully wake up. He pressed his face into Andrew's palm and murmured "Andrew" again.
Andrew felt a pang in his heart. Even though he wasn't feeling great himself, he softly stroked Gavin, then took the thermometer from under his arm, confirming a high fever.
Andrew put a fever patch on Gavin's forehead and asked the nanny to bring some water. On a night like this, they couldn't go out, and no doctor could come!
When he was coming, there wasn't a car outside, not even the subway was running.
The nanny brought the water. Andrew looked at his clothes and asked the nanny to bring a bathrobe. After changing into it, he let Gavin lean against him, gently patting him, "Gavin, take your medicine and then sleep."
Gavin was groggy. Andrew broke the medicine and brought it to his mouth, watching him swallow it. Then he gave him some water.
Gavin lay down after taking the medicine. But medicine isn't magic; sometimes he felt hot, other times cold all over.
When he felt the worst, he would hold Andrew's hand and call for him. Andrew's heart ached; he felt Gavin's burning body and went to the bathroom to wring out a warm towel, wiping him down over and over.
Half an hour later, Gavin's fever finally started to ease up.
The night dragged on. Andrew didn't dare to sleep, wiping Gavin down every half hour. In fact, he was exhausted and quite unwell at the moment, yet he seemed oblivious to it
The nanny tried to convince him, "I'll take over; you need to rest!"
But Andrew wouldn't budge. He insisted on taking care of his son himself.
Finally, Gavin's fever broke completely.
Andrew was so wiped out he didn't even have the energy to shower. He just crashed by the bedside.
The sky was starting to lighten up. The rain had stopped, and the city, washed clean by the storm, looked fresh and new.
Gavin woke up and tilted his little head to look at Andrew.
Andrew was asleep, so close that Gavin could see the new stubble on his face, tinged with blue.
Gavin thought, 'He must be really tired! Did he take care of me all night?'
Gavin pursed his little lips. Even though he was still a bit mad, he decided to forgive him for now.
He gently touched Andrew's hand and froze. Why was Dad's hand and face so hot?
He was about to climb out of bed to call the nanny when the door opened.
Chloe came in, looking worried, "How's Gavin? Is Andrew still here?"
The nanny had just finished cooking porridge and smiled, "Gavin’s fever has broken! Mr. Devereux stayed all night. With that heavy rain last night, Mr. Devereux rushed over, and I noticed his forehead was a bit injured."
Chloe quickly walked in. Gavin ran out of the children's room, his little face still a bit pale but clearly much better.
Chloe hugged him, trembling, "Dad has a fever!"
Chloe froze. She quickly entered the room and saw Andrew slumped by the bed, wearing only a bathrobe.
She gently touched him. His forehead was burning up!
The nanny was also shocked and quickly said, "He must have caught a chill from the rain last night! This is serious; Mr. Devereux isn't in good health."
Gavin's little face turned pale. He clung to Chloe's leg.
Chloe gently patted his head and immediately dialed 911, "We need an ambulance, now."
She also contacted Nathan, asking Andrew's primary doctor to meet them at the hospital.
After that, she found her legs trembling. She could barely stand. She leaned against the bed and slowly sat down, placing her hand on Andrew's forehead.
Gavin brought a towel from the bathroom. He didn't say a word, just kept wiping Andrew down.
Chloe called out to Gavin.
Gavin wept silently. He looked at Andrew and softly asked, "Will Andrew die?"
"No!" Chloe choked up.
The ambulance arrived quickly. Chloe didn't let Gavin go, leaving the nanny to take care of the other kids.
At the hospital, Nathan was already waiting, and the doctors were ready.
Andrew lay on the emergency bed, pale-faced and semi-conscious.
After examining him, the doctor frowned and scolded, "He should be more careful."
Nathan was a wreck, constantly asking about Andrew's condition. Chloe sat on the bench, staring blankly at the fluorescent lights, and softly said, "Gavin got sick, and Andrew came to him braving the heavy rain."
Just a bit ago, when she went downstairs, she noticed Andrew's car. The rear roof had a huge dent.
She could hardly imagine how he managed to get to her apartment in such a storm. Someone as cautious as him, yet he went without hesitation.
He cared about Gavin. Because Gavin felt he didn't love him, he had to prove it. Even if it meant exhausting himself like this!
Chloe tilted her head slightly, feeling a pang of sadness, and suddenly recalled Andrew's words about no longer being young and the fear of running out of time.
As she lowered her head, tears trickled down.
She asked softly, "Nathan, do you also think I've been bad to him?"
Nathan was taken aback. Then he sighed lightly, "No! Chloe, with everything that's happened between you two, any other girl might have given up on him long ago. But at the same time, if it were another girl, Mr. Devereux wouldn't be so attached."
Chloe took it in.
The waiting time was long, and she asked softly again, "How's Molly's leg?"
"Not bad! A month of rest should do it."
Chloe nodded. She suddenly said, "Help me buy a toy for her later, but don't say it's from me."
Nathan felt particularly conflicted.
Over the years, it was hard to say who was wrong, but it had come to this.
He also felt guilty; he wished he hadn't called Andrew that day.
They waited a long time. The examination room door opened, and the doctor came out, saying, "Acute pneumonia! Get him admitted first."
Nathan went to handle the admission.
Andrew was moved to a VIP room.
The doctor prescribed medication, and the nurse set up an IV. Seeing Chloe come in, she said, "Pay special attention these next two days."
Chloe nodded.
The nurse connected Andrew to a heart monitor and then left.
Chloe sat by the bed, her fingers gently stroking the space between Andrew's brows, which were slightly furrowed as if something was troubling him.
Chloe choked up, "Why do you always make people worry so much!"
Andrew, burning with fever, seemed to hear Chloe speaking and struggled to open his eyes and saw Chloe.
Andrew's voice was hoarse as he spoke, "Were you crying?"
"No!"
Andrew's whole body ached. His fingers gently touched her hand, closing his eyes to rest, "You're not as straightforward as you used to be!"
Chloe leaned lightly against him, "But Andrew, I'm not young anymore."
"In my heart, you're still a little girl!"
After a while, she couldn't help but say, "You're so foolish! I could have asked my dad or my brother to go over there. With your poor health, you still don't take care of yourself! What would Gavin and Natalie do if something happened to you?"
As Chloe spoke, she started to cry again.
Andrew held her hand tightly.
After a long silence, Andrew finally spoke, "Chloe, I'm Gavin's dad! With the rain pouring down like that last night, who else could go if not me? Your dad is old, and your brother has four kids to take care of!"
Chloe was stunned.
Andrew turned his head, opening his eyes to look at her. "Gavin is my son, and it's my responsibility to take care of him."
Chloe didn't say anything more. She just held Andrew's hand.
The door to the room opened a crack.
Gavin stood at the door for a long time, with a fever patch still on his forehead.
He was worried about Andrew, so he had begged the nanny to bring him over. Then he overheard what Andrew said.
Gavin bit his lip lightly.
The nanny wanted to call him in, but he refused. He bumped into Nathan as he ran away.
Nathan was quite surprised, "You're not fully recovered, why are you at the hospital?"
Gavin pursed his lips.
Nathan immediately guessed he was shy and squatted down to pat his head, "Your dad will be fine!"
"Dad..." Gavin murmured and then ran off. The nanny quickly followed.
Nathan watched the small figure, his eyes slightly moist.
He could hardly imagine that Molly, from such a wealthy background, had lived in a 200-square-foot rental for over two years.
Nathan entered the hospital room.
Andrew was still awake, mainly because he was uncomfortable and couldn't sleep.
Nathan bent down and covered him with a blanket, then softly said, "Gavin came by! For the sake of the child, you need to get better soon!"
Andrew mustered the strength to smile.
Andrew tilted his head. Leaning against Chloe, he said softly, "See how good Nathan is at comforting people!"
Chloe knew they were doing it on purpose, trying to cheer her up, but it made her even sadder. She wasn't that fragile; she could also shield Andrew from the storm. But she didn't say anything.
In the hospital room, Andrew closed his eyes lightly.
He said, "I'm most afraid she'll feel guilty! But what's there to feel guilty about? Gavin is my son, even if it costs my life, it's nothing!"
Nathan adjusted his blanket, speaking gently, "He called you dad just now! I think he finally let out that pent-up breath! Look at Chloe, she cares about you! She loves you very much."
Andrew closed his eyes lightly. Nathan patted him, soothing him to sleep.
Once Andrew settled down, Nathan went out to check on Chloe.
Chloe was on the phone, seemingly asking for leave from the crew.
Nathan offered, "Once Andrew gets better, you can go back to your work. I promise Andrew will be up and about when you return."
Chloe shook her head.
With Andrew this sick, how could she leave?
She didn't tell Nathan that because she insisted on staying in Syeattel, the role had gone to someone else.
But she didn't regret it.
Now, it wasn't just Andrew; Gavin and Natalie needed her too.
Andrew was right; they were the children's parents and should take responsibility.
She voiced her decision.
Nathan suddenly beamed with joy, saying, "That's definitely the best! With you taking care of Andrew, I believe he'll recover quickly!"
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