Chapter 54 - Check-ups & New Skills

                                    

                                          
A/N: Wow this is later than normal. Enjoy this 1200 word chapter of cuteness. Any ideas are welcome, I've only got 2 more chapter ideas left. 
                          
Melissa's POV
                          
A few weeks later, I was taking Kirstie and Kevin to the hospital. Dr Carlisle had called Kirstie in for a monthly check-up and she was particularly attached to Kevin that day. She insisted that her eldest brother just had to come along as well, so being the best brother ever, he agreed. There was nothing we were worried about; I think Dr Carlisle just wanted to track her progress after the new meds were introduced. Henry was home, so the other four were spending a few hours with him. 
                          
When we got to the hospital, Kirstie seemed very nervous.
                          
"You okay sweetie?" I asked her. 
                          
"No wan' needles." She replied. Her speech has definitely improved since she started the new meds. I've no idea how that works, but I don't care. My baby girl is making leaps in her progress and catching up with Mitch. 
                          
"I'm sure there's nothing to worry about. It's just a normal check-up." I reassured. 
                          
Kirstie insisted on holding Kevin's hand and sitting on his lap whilst we waited and he took the opportunity to read to her. She improved her skills a lot faster when one of her brothers was helping her. Especially when it was Kevin. Stuck like glue those siblings. We were waiting for at least half an hour, but none of us really cared about that. Kevin was busy trying to find as many ways as possible to make Kirstie laugh. She was giggling to the point that some other people in the waiting room were smiling in our direction. 
                          
Eventually we were called back. Kirstie was being carried by Kevin into the room, completely reluctant to let go. Kevin gave in to her puppy eyes and sat her on his lap on the bed. Kirstie fully cuddled into Kevin until Dr Carlisle came in. 
                          
"Good Morning all. How are you feeling Kirstie?" he asked.
                          
"Okay." She replied. 
                          
"Good, good. Melissa how are the new meds working out?" 
                          
"Seems to be great. She's basically back to her normal self. Running around, playing and her speech has improved as well. She's catching up to Mitch in school too." 
                          
"That's very good to hear." He said with a wide smile and then turned to Kirstie. "Is it okay if I check you over? Like Gemma has done lots of times?"
                          
"Okay. Can stay with Kevvy?" she asked. 
                          
"Of course you can." 
                          
The room was quiet for a good 15 minutes as Dr Carlie checked everything. Kirstie was fully used to this so she did exactly what Dr Carlisle told her. The physical check was perfectly fine and even with just that, things were looking great. There were no bruises from a recent seizure and her muscles were getting stronger. 
                          
"Okay, everything looks good. I'd like to take some blood to check on her vitamin levels to make sure that they're definitely where they should be." 
                          
"Alright. If it has to be done." I said, worried about Kirstie's reaction.
                          
"NO! No wan' needle!" she practically screamed. Tears were running down her face in seconds. She was so good the last time she had to have blood taken; I don't what changed in between. Kevin was very quick to distract her. 
                          
"Hey Kitty. Want to see what I learnt the other day?" Kirstie just nodded and sniffled. Kevin then started to make drum sounds that anyone could've mistaken for a real drum kit. Kirstie gasped and was so focused on Kevin that she didn't notice him gently hold her arm out towards Dr Carlie, who was ready to take the blood from Kirstie. It only took a few minutes for Dr Carlisle to get what he needed, but Kevin had to hold Kirstie's arm the whole time. 
                          
"Good job Kirstie. I know having that done isn't very nice, but you handled it very well. Would you like a sweetie?" he asked. Kirstie perked up instantly.
                          
"Yes please." She said. Dr Carlisle looked to me and I nodded, she definitely deserved a treat. 
                          
"I'll go and get this tested now. It'll be about 15 minutes if you're happy to wait here?" 
                          
"No problem." I said. Dr Carlisle gave Kirstie a lollypop and then left the room. 
                          
"Kevin where did you learn to do that?" I asked. 
                          
"The drum noises?" 
                          
"Yeah.
                          
"I heard Dad talking about someone at camp that could do something similar and I showed him exactly what I did just now. He said it's called beatboxing. Don't know where I picked it up from. Dad said that I might just have a natural talent for it." 
                          
"He's probably right. We are a musical family after all." 
                          
"Kevvy?" Kirstie said, lightly tugging on Kevin's shirt making both of us look at her. "More drums?" 
                          
"Alright princess." He said. We passed the time just listening to Kevin beatbox. A few times, I noticed Kirstie looking around the room, thinking that there was an actual drum kit, not completely understanding that Kevin was making all the noises. 
                          
After a while Dr Carlisle came back in. 
                          
"Okay, everything on the results is looking good. Little bit low on vitamin B2, so I'm just going to give a booster shot to get that back up." 
                          
"Alrighty." I said. Kevin pulled Kirstie into a cuddle and made sure she couldn't see anything that Dr Carlisle was about to do. She didn't cry about the needle this time and she almost stayed perfectly relaxed. 
                          
"All done." Kirstie smiled up at Dr Carlisle and then relaxed back into Kevin again. She looked very close to falling asleep. "You can sleep if you want to." He said with a chuckle. She was out shortly after. 
                          
"Melissa, as I said, everything on her results looks good. It was just that slight low level. The new meds are working perfectly and she's wonderfully healthy." 
                          
"That's good." 
                          
"I'm so happy with the results that Gemma doesn't need to do physical therapy with her anymore."
                          
"Really?" I was shocked.
                          
"Yes. She's developing at the normal rate and things are as they should be. For the moment I'd like Gemma to check in once per fortnight, but the need for the extra care has gone." 
                          
"And for school?" 
                          
"Probably best for Hannah to remain with her for now, just in case of a seizure, until one of her friends is old enough to know the signs. I'll see you again in 3 months' time. As long as Gemma sees her regularly, we don't need her in every month." 
                          
"Okay." After that we said goodbye and headed back home. 
                          
I explained everything to Henry, who was ecstatic that Kirstie was perfectly healthy again. She would be on meds for the foreseeable future, but that was a small price to pay in exchange for her health. I'm sure she felt the same as well. 
                          
Kevin showed the family his beatboxing and everyone was stunned by what he could do. Matt and Mitch were a little confused, as Kirstie was, thinking that an actual drum kit was around but enjoyed it nonetheless. Kirstie fell asleep on Kevin's lap that night. She had her hand wrapped around his and really didn't want to let go. Kevin had to carry her to bed because she was holding onto him so tightly, but she still didn't let go when she was in bed. He whispered something in her ear, which made her release his hand in her sleep and allowed him to go to his own room to sleep.