tests of a new mother

[slayers_desire]

April and Jonathan went shopping today. The new mother decided to travel into Smallville to avoid the noise and confusion of Metropolis itself. And shopped at the flea market, and a couple of small-town places that she knew would provide approprate supplies at good prices.

Her best find of the day was a small wooden music box. It had an older tree feeling to it, which she particulary liked. And felt would be a good addition to the nursery.

Jonathan was tired when they returned home. So April placed him in the crib, and quietly took out the music box to gently play for him while he slept.

Two seconds after leaving the nursery, Jonathan started to cry with a piercing scream. Quickly, April returned to the nursery. She could feel that he was in pain... so gently she picked him up. And attempted to soothe him. She could not figure out why he was in such pain however.

And her first attempts to soothe him didn't work. Holding him, April left the nursery and headed into the living room to call Dr. Hamilton. Jonathan calmed slightly, but still whimpered.

Comments

[jla_npc]

Emil is at the hospital, doing his rounds, when the call comes in. He knows April has his number on speed-dial, as he's the best doctor on-hand to help with any unusual problems that come up with the new baby.

"Dr. Hamilton," he answers the phone, so that she knows that it's him, and to maintain professionalism to any listeners.

[slayers_desire]

"Hello Dr. Hamilton. Jonathan is very upset over something. He is in pain... but I can't tell what is causing the pain." He can sense the worry in her voice.

[jla_npc]

He frowns slightly. Most new mothers have moments like these, when they haven't learned yet how to read all the cues that a baby gives to indicate what's wrong, but he'd expected she would have an advantage. "What are his symptoms?"

[slayers_desire]

"He doesn't feel hot. Or wet. He was just going down for a nap, and then starting to cry in pain."

[jla_npc]

"Can you tell where the pain is located? Is he favoring a limb, or is it abdominal?" Jonathan is far too young to hurt himself playing or trying to walk just yet, and if there was an obvious cause, she would be able to figure it out herself.

[slayers_desire]

"I don't know... I don't think it is physical." April gently places Jonathan on a blanket on the floor. He whimpers softly.

"He is rubbing his ears."

[jla_npc]

"It could be an ear infection, that's common in young children, but it's strange that it would come on so suddenly. Do you want me to come over and take a look at him just to be sure?"

[slayers_desire]

"Yes please." If it is an ear infection, Dr. Hamilton will know what to do. Right now, April just can't bear the sadness projecting from her son.

[jla_npc]

"I'll be there as soon as I can," he promises. "Give me ten minutes."

[slayers_desire]

April is glad that he is just a call away. Speaking of calls, she projects out to her husband after hanging up the phone.

Clark?

[kalel_ofkrypton]

I'm here. He heard the baby crying, nothing unusual exactly, though there was a tone to it that had him worried. And it had been taking a lot of effort to pay attention to his work, rather than dropping everything to rush home.

[slayers_desire]

Dr. Hamilton is on his way to the apartment. Something is wrong with Jonathan.

[kalel_ofkrypton]

What's wrong? In a distant sort of way he can hear Lois talking away, not noticing that he's not paying attention. And whatever she has to say is not as important as this.

[slayers_desire]

He is in pain. I can't tell why

[kalel_ofkrypton]

That has him even more concerned. It could just be first-time-mother jitters, but he doubts it very much. Not with April. I'll come home and see if I can help. If only to keep her company while they try to deal with this new situation.

[slayers_desire]

Thank you April doesn't figure that this is first-time jitters. Something is wrong with her son. She can feel it.

[kalel_ofkrypton]

Hang in there. And give Jonathan my love. He's not sure how long it will take to make his excuses, but he doesn't plan to delay any longer than he has to either.

[slayers_desire]

Jonathan still is rubbing his ears, his eyes wet. He is not crying as much right now. But something is still bothering him.

"I wish you could talk, little one." April kissed his forehead.

[jla_npc]

Emil arrives at the apartment building. He has a small bag in hand, and presses the button that calls the Kent apartment so they can allow him access to the elevator.

Once she lets him in, he goes straight there, ready to check Jonathan over.

[slayers_desire]

"Thanks for coming so quickly Dr. Hamilton." April shows him where Jonathan is lying on the floor. The small child was still whimpering.

[jla_npc]

"You're quite welcome." He's already getting out some of his diagnostic tools, glad that Jonathan is still too young to find them frightening, only new. "Hello there, Jonathan. I'm going to have a look in your ears, and see if there's anything that might make you hurt." Even though the baby is too young to understand the words, Emil is used to working with kids, and sometimes the tone of voice is better than anything else.

"Could you hold him while I examine him?" he asks April.

[slayers_desire]

"Of course." April gently lifts her child up off the floor, and holds him so that Dr. Hamilton could examine Jonathan.

While a little curious about the Doctor and the tools, Jonathan whimpers softly. He is too upset to play right now.

[jla_npc]

For his part, Emil is gentle when he has to peek into the newborn's ears, but he does frown at what he sees. He checks the other ear, just to be sure. "Normally with an ear infection, the eardrum becomes reddened and inflamed," he tells April, keeping his voice low and even, to help keep the baby at ease. "I don't see any signs of infection."

[slayers_desire]

"So it is not an infection." But Jonathan still rubs his ears and whimpers.

"What else could it be?"

[kalel_ofkrypton]

Emil might suggest perhaps it's a noise, but all he hears besides the usual apartment sounds is a music box, and that's normally a soothing sound for young children. So he doesn't think to mention it. "I'm not sure. Perhaps an itch he doesn't know how to scratch..."

While the exam is happening, Clark arrives downstairs, making his way to the elevator.