Team8s and Counting

178. No Match for Sprinkle

Barf Bag spent the night with Sprinkle in the hospital, and it had to have been one of the longest nights of her life since he and his brother were born. There was so much going on in her head and she could hardly take it. What if he has...it? She kept thinking to herself. And she knew that if he didn't, it just meant more unknowns and more tests, and poor Sprinkle had already been through enough in such a short amount of time.

Regardless, she tried to get as much sleep as she could, because she knew tomorrow was going to bring a new set of challenges, whether he had what she thought or not. Sprinkle thankfully managed to sleep most of the night despite everything, and Barf Bag knew that he was going to need it.

When the sun finally rose, Sprinkle's eyes fluttered open. He was initially confused about why he was laying in a hospital bed, but yesterday's events soon reminded him why.

"Mom?" He mumbled softly, trying to wake up Barf Bag.

Barf Bag heard the faint sounds of her son, and opened her eyes almost instantly. She turned over to Sprinkle's bed, happy to see him up and alert. "Good morning buddy, did you sleep well?"

Sprinkle looked up at the ceiling. "It was okay, I guess."

"Sleeping in a hospital isn't the most pleasant place, huh?" Barf Bag reached out and gently squeezed Sprinkle's hand. "But at least you're feeling a little better, right?"

"A little." Sprinkles brow furrowed. "I just don't want to shake like that again, I don't want to scare Sack again like that."

"I know bud." Barf Bag said sympathetically. "That's why we're here, and I promise you that the doctors are doing everything they can to make sure it doesn't happen again, alright?"

Sprinkle nodded. "Are Daddy and Sack gonna come visit today?"

"Daddy definitely will." Barf Bag reassured him. "But I don't know if Sack's going to come. I think he might need a little more time to feel okay after what happened," Barf Bag explained gently. "But he loves you so much, Sprinkle. If he doesn't come today, it's not because he doesn't care—it's just because yesterday was a lot for him too."

Sprinkle's face fell slightly. "I didn't mean to scare him. I didn't even know what was happening."

Barf Bag leaned in closer, brushing his hair back from his forehead. "I know you didn't, sweetheart. None of this is your fault. And Sack knows that too, even if he's feeling a little shaken up right now. He'll come around. He's your brother, and nothing's ever going to change how much he loves you."

Sprinkle nodded quietly, though his lips pressed together in a way that told Barf Bag he wasn't entirely convinced. Before she could say more, there was a knock on the door, and a nurse stepped into the room.

The nurse offered a warm smile as she carried a small tray. "Good morning, Sprinkle. I just need to check your vitals real quick, and then the doctor will be in to talk with you both."

Sprinkle glanced nervously at Barf Bag, who gave his hand another reassuring squeeze. "It's okay, bud. Just a quick check-up. I'll be right here."

The nurse moved efficiently, taking Sprinkle's temperature and blood pressure while making light conversation to keep him at ease. "You have been such a champion kiddo," she said, glancing between Sprinkle and Barf Bag. "Not many kids your age can go through all of this as well as you have."

Barf Bag smiled faintly but didn't respond, her mind still preoccupied with the unknowns. Once the nurse was finished, she patted Sprinkle's shoulder gently. "You're doing great. The doctor will be in shortly."

Barf Bag could feel her nerves start to tingle. This is it. She thought to herself. The doctor could come in and say that nothing was wrong, or he could say something that could end up being life changing. Either way, Barf Bag braced herself, trying to stay as strong as she could for her little Sprinkle.