It'll Come Naturally

"It's late, Leena. What's going on?" Shannon opened the door and was surprised to see Leena standing outside.

"Sorry to interrupt you, Mom. Kevin is having a severe fever. I don't know where the medical kit is." Leena finished her words hastily with her hands rubbing anxiously.

"What? He got a fever? You can go and take care of him. I'll ask your Dad to call the doctor from the army. We'll be there soon." For a while it seemed like being anxious was communicable and Shannon caught it too. She already said it earlier! Her son might be strong but it wasn't a guarantee that his body could take a long run under that freezing rain. It was Nathan who didn't listen to her and now Kevin was sick!

"Yes! I see. Then I'm going back now." Her mother-in-law's words rendered Leena a little relief. It was nice to know that she wasn't alone as she faced the ordeal.

"Go! Don't worry. The doctor is not far away from here. He'll be here soon," Shannon comforted her and just as she said, the doctor did come shortly after. Leena was a bit surprised to see the doctor arrive in such a short time. It was indeed true that every man in the army was quick to respond.

"How's he doing? Is he alright, Dr. Pei?" Shannon asked anxiously after the doctor finished checking on Kevin.

"Don't worry! Major General is not that bad. He just caught a cold. I'll have him on an intravenous drip and get him some pills. He should be fine with these." Dr. Pei was not a young man but it was evident that he talked to Shannon in a respectful tone. She was his superior's wife after all.

"Tsk! Such a weakling. It's just some rain. How did he catch a cold?" Nathan could not help murmuring despite the relief that flooded him. He was deeply worried too upon knowing that his son was sick.

"Okay! So it is you who have a strong body. Why don't you go out and run in the rain, Nathan?" It was Shannon's angry voice that replied to the man. She was even staring at him defiantly. Dr. Pei was still there, thus, it was not appropriate for her to complain against Nathan. Nonetheless, she couldn't stop herself. She had warned that Kevin did not need to be punished to run in the rain but her husband just put a deaf ear to her suggestion. He had insisted on saying that Kevin should be a tough soldier and should keep his words. It was all thanks to him that her son was sick.

"Don't make a fuss. It's just a fever, nothing serious. He'll be fine as soon as he takes the pills. He is just pretending to be seriously ill as if something terrible is happening to him," Nathan rebuked Shannon as she nagged. It was just rain. Why so serious? It was just common for him to be under the rain when he was younger. He was not as weak as Kevin and never had he caught a cold. What happened now just meant that Kevin needed to be trained more. It was his lack of training that caused him to be that sick.

"You are not the one who is lying on the bed because of a fever. You're not in the position to judge him." Shannon was not as angry as she seemed to be at the beginning, but Nathan's retort blew up her fuse. She grew angrier and blamed him in a more serious tone. "Don't get angry, Dad, Mom. It's all my fault. This wouldn't happen if I hadn't run away in an impulse. It is because of me that Kevin's sick." Leena cut through the fight with a humble apology. She felt guilty seeing them quarrel with each other because of this. She gave them a sincere look and wished for the conflict to stop.

Shannon opened her mouth a couple of times but then just decided to shut her mouth. She didn't want to see Leena depressed because of what was going on.

On the other hand, Nathan glanced at Leena with an admiring look. Her action made him realize that she was thoughtful and sensitive even though she was born and raised up in a rich family. It was possible that he had made a mistake on stereotyping her and should start treating her better next time.

"Dr. Pei, do you need to check him more? He ran for a long time in the rain. I'm afraid there might be some complications such as pneumonia." Leena was still extremely worried. Pneumonia and fever always got her in a combo whenever she was sick. She was worried Kevin might be in the same situation.

"Take it easy! I've already checked carefully. The Major General is fine. It's just a fever. His temperature should go down soon as he finishes having his ivy drip." Dr. Pei was patient enough to explain to Leena. He paid more attention to her as he talked. He found Leena really thoughtful from what he just heard earlier though he dared not to interrupt with their family affair.

"Oh! Thank you so much," Leena said in a grateful tone. She reached out to touch Kevin's forehead. He was still hot but his condition was way better than before.

"You are welcome. I'll get him some medicine. He can take some after he wakes up." A mild smile appeared on Dr. Pei's face before he got busy with his medical kit.

"Yes! I see," was Leena's reply. It was only then that she finally managed to smile sweetly since Kevin got sick. She looked extremely happy and delightful.

"Okay. I've noted the way and time of taking the medicine. Just follow it. I'll wait until he finishes the drip." Dr. Pei handed the medicine over to Leena and emphasized the way to take the medicine. He was afraid that she might ignore the note.

"Since everything's all good, let's have a cup of tea downstairs, Dr. Pei. It's going to take some time for the drip." Shannon smiled and invited Dr. Pei enthusiastically. It was undeniable that the woman was a part of Nathan's success. He partially owed his high position to her as she had always been a wife who could deal with various people and supported him from behind."