The rest of the day was spent sleeping, waking up for temperature checks every 4 hours, and occasionally a bit of soup or Jello or crackers. Meghan still felt pretty weak, but her blood pressures were staying where they needed to, and the nausea wasn’t so bad that she was throwing up or needing Zofran anymore.

Her fever finally broke that night, and she woke up feeling better than she had over the last couple of days. Meghan yawned, stretched, and threw off the covers. After a quick trip to the bathroom, she wandered out of the guest room and down the hall to the kitchen.

Kelsey found her a few minutes later setting up the coffee pot to run. “Good morning, Sis. Are you feeling better this morning? Must be, if you’re going after the coffee pot.”

Meghan smiled at her sister as she measured out coffee grounds. “Yeah, much better. I think my fever broke sometime last night – I’m not shivering, not constantly cold. And I’m actually hungry this morning.”

Kelsey gave her sister a quick hug. “That’s fantastic news. Tell you what – you get the coffee going, and then let me check your vital signs. By that time, the coffee should be ready to go.”

Meghan finished getting the coffee pot ready to brew, then turned on the machine. She heard it chug to life, then looked at Kelsey. Kelsey motioned towards Mitch’s home office, so Meghan headed down the hall to the exam room.

“Bottoms down,” Kelsey instructed as she went for supplies. Meghan lowered her underwear and PJ bottoms and lay down on the exam table in the center of the room. Kelsey made quick work of getting her sister’s temperature, blood pressure, and pulse. “Looking good Meghan! Your BP was 112/64, pulse 78, and temperature 98.2. I think you’ll live!”

Meghan chuckled as she pulled up her PJs. “One less invalid on your hands. How’s Mitch doing this morning?”

“He’s still miserable with a fever. Threw up once last night.” Kelsey finished putting supplies back. “Let’s go get some coffee.”

Meghan headed towards the kitchen. “How long did you have this bug? It took what? 48 hours for this to run its course for me?”

“People are reporting 2-3 days for the worst of it, fever, nausea, etc.” Kelsey confirmed. She pulled down coffee cups for both of them. Meghan brought over the carafe and poured the hot liquid into the cups. Kelsey brought over cream and sweetener, and they doctored their coffees.

“Mmm!” Meghan sighed in contentment as she had her first few sips. “I’ve missed my coffee!”

Kelsey chuckled. Mitch chose that moment to join them. “I thought I smelled coffee.”

Meghan raised her cup to him. “Want me to fix you a cup?”

He shook his head. “No, I think I’ll stick with ginger ale. My stomach is still not sure it wants to stay put. How are you doing? You must be feeling better if you’re drinking coffee.”

Meghan nodded. “Fever free for the first time in 2 days, and I’m actually hungry this morning.”

Mitch smiled. “Well, at least one of us is.” He looked at his wife. “Hon, could you grab me some Zofran?”

Kelsey reached into her pocket and pulled out a syringe, alcohol prep pad, and a vial of Zofran. “I came prepared.”

Mitch chuckled as his wife prepped the syringe of medication. “Can’t say my favorite nurse isn’t on top of things.” He held out the arm with the heplock and watched as she administered the anti-nausea meds. “Thank you. I want to keep some Jello and crackers down this morning.”

Kelsey excused herself to dispose of the syringe. Meghan sipped on her coffee, while Mitch went to the fridge and pulled out a can of ginger ale and a small bowl of Jello. He returned to the kitchen bar and sat down. He took a cautious taste of the Jello.

“What is the flavor of the day?” Meghan asked.

“Cherry. Why is it that the Jello you make at home tastes so much better than that at the hospital?” Mitch asked idly, taking another bite.

“Brand name versus generic,” Meghan replied. “That, and the fact that you’re at home and not stuck in a hospital bed.”

Mitch nodded. “I think you’re right. Plus you have a bit more say over the flavor at home.”

“Flavor of what?” Kelsey asked, returning to lean on the kitchen counter in front of the bar.

“Jello. I’m not subjected to green or pineapple Jello at home,” Mitch explained.

Kelsey smiled and nodded. “Of course, if you want those flavors, I’m happy to get you those from the store,” she kidded.

Mitch made a face. “No, thank you! I’ll stick with the red flavors.”

It was another quiet day in the Branston household. Mitch slept a lot, as did Meghan. She was fever-free, but her body was still recovering from the flu. Kelsey spent the day caring for her family and crocheting on her blanket.

Kelsey’s phone rang that afternoon. “Hello?”

Hi Kelsey! It’s Rick. How is everyone doing?

She smiled. “Well, Mitch is still under the weather, but Meghan’s fever broke last night.”

Excellent! Think she’d appreciate some flowers?

Kelsey laughed. “Do I ever! You two dating each other is fun to watch.”

Rick chuckled. Then I guess I need to call the florist and get some delivered. How are you doing? Need anything?

“No, we’re doing good on this end. I’m just treating home as my own private ward for a few days. Mitch will need to order some more Zofran, but we’re stocked enough for the next few days.”

Okay. If you need something, just holler.

“Will do. Take care, Rick.”

You, as well! Bye.

Kelsey hung up her phone and chuckled. Unless something happened, she had the distinct feeling that Rick was going to become her brother-in-law.