Dinosaurs in love

4

Richard lifted Meredith into his arms, the poor girl was so weak but at least they could bring her home again. Richard sat down on the couch with a sleeping Meredith in his arms and made sure she was comfortable

"You can go to work-" Ellis quietly said

"I'm taking a leave of absence, I wanna stay with her until she's better" Richard firmly said

"Then I'm going to work" Ellis quickly said, she was pissed at Richard and grabbed her bag before she left

"Mommy angry?" Meredith quietly muttered in Richard's chest

"No sweetheart, no one could be angry at you" Richard tried to assure her

"Can we cuddle all day?" She quietly asked

"All day" Richard nodded and held Meredith tightly in his arms

...

Hours later Meredith and Richard were watching a movie on the couch. They had taken a bunch of naps already, which was important for Meredith's recovery

"How are you feeling, sweetie?" Richard asked her once she had taken her meds

"Okay" She smiled "I like being home" She whispered with a soft smile

"You do?" Richard smiled and cuddled her tighter in his arms "I love you, Meredith" He smiled and felt the girl wrap her arms tighter around him "What do you think? Should we go for a small walk?"

"Wanna try" She muttered with a soft smile

"Let's get ready" Richard helped Meredith up and changed her into her pair of Converse. He helped her in her favourite jacket and got himself ready before they walked around in the rather small garden, not wanting to take her out in public yet with all the germs

"I love playing outside" Meredith smiled as she slowly walked further

"I think we should look into getting you a swing" Richard smiled

"Mommy said I couldn't have one" Meredith quietly explained

"Maybe we can convince her anyway" Richard smiled at Meredith but it didn't go unnoticed how the girl got quiet since he mentioned Ellis's name. "Don't worry about that. We love you lots and lots"

"Richard?" Meredith quietly asked

"Yes Meredith?" Richard kneeled down

"Do you think-" She started but shook her head

"What's wrong, Mer?" He whispered

"It's okay" She breathed "Can I go to my room?" She quietly asked without looking up at Richard, scared for how he'd react

"Of course, do you want me to come with you?" He asked the girl

"I'm fine" She whispered and walked inside, throwing off her shoes and jacket before she slowly made her way upstairs to her room where she locked her door and climbed up her bed, clutching her stuffed animal in her arms "It's okay now" Meredith whispered

She clutched her stuffed bunny tighter in her arms, smelling the familiar scent of Carrot

"It's okay now, Carrot. Mommy's away" Meredith whispered "I won't feel sick then"

...

The next morning Meredith woke up and slowly made her way downstairs. She immediately heard her mother talking to Richard. The little girl wanted to turn around and walk back upstairs but Richard had spotted her

"Meredith, hi" He walked towards her and lifted her in his arms

"Hi" She quietly said before Richard carried her to the kitchen where Ellis was sitting down with a cup of coffee

"Goodmorning, Meredith" Ellis said "I made you your favourite pancakes" She smiled

"Hi mommy" Meredith quietly muttered and Richard set her down on the chair, brushing his hand over her head

"Try to eat a little, Mer." Richard rubbed Meredith's back softly

"Hmm.." Meredith whispered "Just a little"

"That's good, sweetie" Richard smiled

Meredith carefully took a few bites but it didn't take long before she felt her stomach turn

"Meredith, can you take a few more bites?" Ellis urged her

"It hurts" Meredith whispered as she clutched her stomach before throwing up all over herself

"Oh sweetie! Shh, it's okay" Richard wrapped her in his arms

"Awww" Meredith whimpered in her stepdad's arms, her stuffed bunny in her lap

"It's okay, we got you" Richard rubbed her back

"She needs to go to the hospital" Ellis whispered

"Shh, maybe it will stop in a bit" Richard scooped her up and brought her to the bathroom to clean her up

"Richard! She's sick!" Ellis pushed

"Ellis, just give it some time to pass, maybe her stomach is just upset" Richard sighed, he didn't knew Ellis like this, usually she was rational and calm

"I'm calling an ambulance, I don't wanna take any risks "We need to find a way to help her"

"Don't wanna go to the hospital" Meredith quietly whimpered in Richard's arms once her mother had left the room to call

"I know, sweetie. Maybe we can go home after a few hours" Richard asked her "Is there anything you want me to grab before we leave?"

"I want Boots and Carrots to come" Meredith whispered

"Okay honey, stay here and I'm gonna grab clean pajamas and your stuffies" Richard promised her and sended Ellis in as he left

"I promise you will feel much better soon" Ellis smiled "Take this, you will feel better" Ellis pushed a pill down Meredith's throat, not even handing the girl some water

"Where are Boots and Carrots?" The girl quietly asked

"Richard will bring them soon!" Ellis promised