To the Moon & Pluto | (A.O. - OneShots)

There Are No Sick Days in Motherhood

Word Count: 4281

October 2007

Nobody's POV

Alexis woke early, like usual, to find that Lizzie was no longer in bed. In fact, she woke up so early that it wasn't even light outside. Jumping down from their shared bed, she went exploring, on the hunt for Lizzie, of course. Alexis was careful and cautious as she carefully scanned the living room which was empty.

"Hey, Allie? What are you doing up?" a hoarse voice called out, making her spin around quickly.

"I-i," she stuttered, squinting her eyes at the bright lights that Lizzie had just flipped on.

"It's kind of early for you to be awake, sweetheart," Lizzie repeated after clearing her hoarse throat. It was that season again, flu season and worse, Lizzie thinks she might be coming down with something.

"You are awake?" Alexis questioned reaching her arms out for Lizzie to pick her up.

"I know, but I needed to get a drink," Lizzie explained as she lifted Alexis onto her hip. Alexis easily curled into her overly-warm embrace. If there's one thing Lizzie was stubborn about, it was admitting she was sick. Growing up life was always a moving train so sick days were a rarity in the Olsen household.

"Oh," Alexis echoed still not giving in to Lizzie's suggestion to go back to bed.

"Did you have a bad dream?" Lizzie asked quietly as she gently swayed the duo back and forth. Alexis nodded no before resting her head back down on Lizzie's shoulder.

"That's great news! Four days, no nightmares!" Lizzie cheered in an excited whisper.

"mmhmm," Alexis nodded as she struggled to keep her eyes open, maybe Lizzie was right. It's too early to be awake.

"Let's go back to bed," Lizzie decided as she flipped off the kitchen lights after grabbing her green tea and heading towards the bedroom. Lizzie set her tea down first before placing the half-asleep child down next. Once they were both situated, Alexis snuggled in close to Lizzie. Her head on Lizzie's chest, thumb tucked in her mouth despite Lizzie's constant protests, and her pooh bear snuggled under her left arm.

"Night-night, Alexis," Lizzie yawned to the already asleep toddler.

-----

Alexis woke in a chaotic toss as Lizzie tried to gently move out from underneath her before booking it to the bathroom. The sudden movement scared her as her small brown eyes began to tear up and she rolled over in the empty bed looking for comfort, but her comfort was busy throwing up last night's dinner.

"Lizzie?" Alexis cried out as she sat up in the bed alone. Lizzie could faintly hear her cries over the sound of the bathroom fan, but she was quite preoccupied at the moment. "lwizzie?!" Alexis called out again confused about why she was alone in the bed. "Lizzie!" Alexis tried once more before taking matters into her own hands and getting down from the bed.

Her teary eyes prevented her from getting a clear view but it wasn't too bad. She could still see where she was going and that the bathroom light was shining underneath the door. "Lizzie?!? Mama?" Alexis wailed, getting more upset that no one was answering her.

"Yes?" Lizzie huffed out as she leaned against the closest wall to the toilet.

"Lizzie?!?" Alexis cried still not hearing Lizzie's reply from earlier. Hearing the desperation and urgency in her voice, Lizzie quickly moved to flush the toilet, wash her hands and brush her teeth before opening the door to her wailing three-year-old.

"Shhhh, shhh, shhh," Lizzie hushed her after quickly noting how early in the day it was and how upset Alexis already was.

"You push me," Alexis continued to add on.