The soft hum of the air conditioner was the only sound in the condo as Michael sat rigidly beside the twins’ cribs. The night was quiet, but his heart was anything but calm. Both babies had been restless for the past hour, and Marnie’s worry mirrored his own, though she tried to keep her voice calm.
“I think… they’re running a fever,” Marnie said, gently placing a thermometer under the first twin’s arm. Her hands trembled slightly, betraying her exhaustion.
Michael’s jaw tightened as he leaned over, squinting at the digital display. The number blinked: 38.5°C (101.3°F). His breath hitched.
“That’s… high,” he muttered, gripping the edge of the crib. “That’s… unacceptable.”
Marnie placed her hand on his arm. “Michael, it’s okay. Babies get fevers sometimes. It doesn’t mean something terr
