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Inside Sophie's bedroom at early morning, dim sunlight peeks through curtains as Sophie lies tucked in bed while Theo sits beside her, hand on her forehead, both faces worried.
Sophie woke up feeling terrible. Her throat hurt when she swallowed, and her tummy felt funny too. She didn't want to get out of bed. Her dad Theo came in with a gentle smile. "Good morning, sweetie," he said softly. "How are you feeling?" Sophie made a sad face. "My throat hurts, Daddy," she whispered. "And my tummy feels bad." Theo felt her forehead. "You have a fever. Let's call the doctor."
In Sophie's softly lit bedroom during afternoon, Doctor Lee shines a small throat light into Sophie's open mouth while Theo stands nearby holding a labeled antibiotic bottle.
Doctor Lee came to visit Sophie. She looked at Sophie's throat with a special light. "You have tonsillitis, Sophie," the doctor said kindly. "Your tonsils are very red and swollen." The doctor gave Theo some medicine. "She needs antibiotics to fight the infection," Doctor Lee explained. "And probiotics to protect her tummy." Sophie frowned. She didn't like medicine. "Will it taste yucky?" she asked. "It might," the doctor said honestly, "but it will help you feel better."
Afternoon in the bedroom, Sophie sits up with arms crossed and head turned away as Theo offers a dosing cup of antibiotic beside a glass of orange juice on the nightstand.
Theo brought Sophie her medicine with some orange juice. "Time for your medicine, Sophie," he said cheerfully. Sophie turned her head away. "No, Daddy! I don't want it!" she said. Theo sat on the bed. "I know you don't want it, but it will make you better." Sophie crossed her arms. "It will taste bad and make my tummy worse!" Theo sighed. He understood she was scared. "Let's try together," he said gently.
Evening lamplight bathes Sophie's bedroom where a steaming bowl of chicken noodle soup rests on a tray while Theo kneels to hug tearful Sophie sitting in bed.
Later, Theo brought Sophie her favorite soup. "I made chicken noodle soup for you," he said with a smile. Sophie shook her head. "My throat hurts too much to eat, Daddy." Theo's smile faded a little. "You need to eat to get strong, Sophie." "But it hurts!" Sophie said, tears in her eyes. Theo hugged her carefully. "I know, sweetie. But without food and medicine, you won't get better. You'll stay sick."
Morning inside the bedroom, Theo sits slumped on the bedside chair with tears on his cheeks while Sophie half-sits under blankets, watching her father's expression with concern; untouched spoon and medicine bottle sit on the nightstand.
The next day, Sophie still wouldn't eat or take medicine. Theo sat beside her bed looking very sad. "Sophie, I'm worried about you," he said quietly. Sophie saw tears in her daddy's eyes. "Daddy, why are you crying?" she asked. "Because I love you so much," Theo said. "And I want you to feel better. But you need medicine and food to heal." Sophie felt her own eyes get wet. She didn't want to make Daddy sad.
Late-afternoon sunlight filters through curtains in the bedroom as Sophie, sitting up clutching her blanket, looks earnestly at Theo who stands close, giving a hopeful nod.
Sophie lay in bed thinking. She missed playing outside. She missed her friends at school. She missed laughing and running. "Daddy?" she called softly. Theo came quickly. "Yes, sweetie?" Sophie took a deep breath. "If I take the medicine and eat, will I really get better?" Theo nodded. "Yes, I promise. It might take a few days, but you will feel better." Sophie thought some more. "Okay," she whispered. "I'll try."
Morning in the bedroom, Sophie pinches her nose and swallows a dosing cup of antibiotic, eyes squeezed shut, while Theo stands beside the bed mid-clap, smiling proudly.
Theo brought the medicine again. Sophie's hands shook a little. "I'm scared, Daddy," she admitted. "Being brave doesn't mean you're not scared," Theo said. "It means doing something even when you are scared." Sophie nodded. She held her nose and took the medicine quickly. It tasted bitter, but it wasn't as bad as she thought. "I did it!" she said proudly. Theo clapped. "You were so brave, Sophie!" Sophie smiled. She felt a little proud.
Evening lamplight glows in the bedroom as Sophie, propped on pillows, lifts a spoonful of chicken noodle soup toward her mouth while Theo sits nearby watching with a wide, encouraging smile.
Theo warmed up the soup again. Sophie picked up her spoon slowly. Her throat still hurt, but she took a tiny sip. The warm soup felt soothing. "It doesn't hurt as much as I thought," Sophie said, surprised. She took another spoonful, then another. Theo watched with a big smile. "You're doing great, Sophie!" he cheered. Sophie ate half the bowl. Her tummy felt better with food in it. "Good job, sweetie," Theo said, kissing her forehead.
Bright morning light fills Sophie's bedroom as she stands beside the bed in pajamas, hugging Theo tightly while an empty antibiotic bottle and probiotic box sit neatly on the nightstand.
Each day, Sophie took her medicine and ate her meals. She also took the probiotics to help her tummy. Slowly, her throat hurt less. Her fever went away. Her tummy felt normal again. "Daddy, I feel so much better!" Sophie said on the fourth day. Theo hugged her tight. "You did it, Sophie! You were so brave." Sophie smiled big. "Can I play outside tomorrow?" Theo laughed. "Let's ask Doctor Lee first, okay?"
Sunny afternoon in the backyard, Sophie dashes across green grass laughing while two friends from the neighborhood chase her in a spontaneous game of tag; bright sky and blossoming trees frame the joyful scene.
Doctor Lee said Sophie was all better! Sophie ran outside to play for the first time in a week. Her friends came over to play. "We missed you, Sophie!" they shouted. Sophie laughed and played tag with everyone. Later, Theo watched her play with happy tears in his eyes. That night, Sophie hugged her daddy tight. "Thank you for helping me get better, Daddy," she said. "I love you." Theo smiled. "I love you too, brave girl."