I'm Not Sick I The O.C.

Chapter 10

Disclaimer: I do not own The O.C. I only own my OCs Mei, Jon, and Callie. Anything you may recognize belongs to Josh and FOX.

Ryan's POV

It ended up being a longer night than I anticipated when I first came home. Callie ended up getting sick twice more throughout the early hours of the night and Taylor insisted that I check on Mei more than I felt I should. Luckily I was able to get away with only checking once as Taylor was distracting by staying with our other daughter. Neither Taylor nor I slept much, maybe a few hours' tops.

It was around 7AM when I woke up, my eyes felt heavy and my head ached like you wouldn't believe. I felt like I hadn't slept a wink. Despite wanting to shut my eyes and go back to sleep, I forced myself out of bed. I had to check on Taylor and the kids.

"You're up?" I found Taylor in the kitchen and I smelled fresh coffee instantly.

"I could ask you the same."

"I never went to sleep," Taylor said. "I was just going to let you sleep in. None of the kids are up yet."

I shook my head as I went and poured myself a cup. I took a small sip before putting the cup down. Somehow coffee didn't taste right this morning.

"Anything happen after I passed out?" I was curious.

Taylor shook her head. "Callie managed to finally go to sleep once I forced her to take some medicine."

"You did?" I was surprised. Usually, Callie wouldn't give in and Jon was the same way unless it was Pepto Bismol. "How'd you bribe her?"

"Why do you assume it was a bribe? I'm her mother and—" I gave Taylor a look and she didn't even bother. "Okay, I promised money." And that made sense. "She was in pain and by three in the morning, I wasn't going to discuss how awful the medicine tastes."

"I'm sure she put up a fight."

"It amazes me how badly they will fight over a tablespoon of medicine."

"Too bad it wasn't Jon. The pink medicine is the only kind he won't fight us on."

"Speaking of Jon, I should probably get him up—"

"Let him sleep," I stopped her from leaving the kitchen. "He was up late last night."

Taylor nodded and then leaned into me for a moment but then pulled away and put her hand to my face. Then my forehead. "You feel warm," She noticed. "Are you feeling alright?"

"I'm exhausted, but that's from not sleeping." I didn't feel great, but I was the last person she needed to worry about. "Please Taylor," She was insistent and I managed to take her hand and push it away. "I'm fine."

Taylor wasn't able to argue as we both heard Jon's voice calling for. "MOM! DADDY!"

Almost immediately, both Taylor and I went into Jon's room. I stood a few feet back as Taylor went directly to his bedside. Jon was curled up onto his side and crying. He looked like he was in pain, which only concerned the two of us more.

"What's up, Jon boy?"

"What hurts?" Taylor asked next.