Page 6 of Deprived No More

“Okay. I’ll pick them up later.”

“You’ll do no such thing. Take your shower before I leave so I know you’re okay. I’ll get Dad or Gavin to pick up the kids if I can’t get out of work early.”

“Nick, I’m fine. I’m sure it’s nothing. But could you go check on the kids? I’m worried one of them could be sick since we were all together yesterday.”

“Okay, kitten. Cool your body down. I’ll bring you some orange juice and toast once you’re out,” I add, kissing her clammy forehead before heading toward the kids’ rooms. Stopping in the doorway, I watch as she swings her legs to the side of the bed and pulls her hair off of the damp skin behind her neck. A lump forms in my throat, suddenly taken back to a time when I had to watch my father dote on my cancer-ridden mother. Shaking that horrific memory away, I remind myself,it’s just a cold, Nick. Don’t go there.But, if anything ever happened to her, I wouldn’t survive it. I’m sure of it.

“Hi, Daddy,” my bright blue-eyed toddler greets from behind me.

“I didn’t know you were up, princess.”

“My tummy woke me up.”

Crouching down in front of her, I lay my hand across her forehead and examine her complexion. Her wispy blonde hair is flying in every direction, but otherwise, she looks as angelic as ever. “Does your tummy hurt?”

“No. It needs a doughnut.”

A snicker escapes just as I hear the boys bound down the steps, Grace hot on their heels. “Good morning,” I greet, ruffling the boys’ hair and giving Grace a side hug and a kiss. “We have a change in plans this morning. Mom isn’t feeling well, so I’ll take you to school. Grace, can you help get Olivia dressed and ready? I’ll see if I can find clothes for the boys.”

“Yes, sir. Is Mommy okay?”

“I think she’ll be okay. She has a little fever and needs some rest. Are all of you feeling okay?”

The boys instantly look at each other, their facial expressions appearing as if they’re speaking in a silent morse code only they understand. Suddenly they both start coughing and rubbing their head and belly. “I think we’re sick too.”

“Ah. You two have a fever also?”

“Yes,” they blurt.

“Okay. I guess you’ll need to stay home too.” I observe the shared glances, shocked their scheme is working so well. “Let me just get the medicine Mom got for when your tummy aches.” Turning toward the high kitchen cupboard where the medicines are stored, I grab a random bottle. “I need you to meet me in the bathroom and decide who’s going first.”

“The bathroom? Mommy usually gives us our medicine in the kitchen with water or apple juice,” Grace says as if on cue.

“Not this kind. Because their tummies ache, I have to use a different kind. This one goes in their butt.”

Mason and Logan immediately begin thrashing their heads back and forth like possessed bobblehead dolls.

“I’m not that sick, Daddy. I don’t need that,” Logan blurts.

“Me eitha,” Mason cries.

“Okay. If you’re sure. Do you think you can go upstairs and dress quickly?”

“Yes!” They chime like little soldiers as they run for the stairs.

“And boys…”

They swiftly stop and whirl to face me, eyes wide in anticipation.

“Where does your underwear go?”

“Not on my head.” Mason laughs as Logan pulls the waistband of his pajama bottoms out to ensure he’s still wearing a pair.

Lord, how does Kat do this every morning? I reach for a sippy cup and three travel mugs and fill each with orange juice before pouring the fifth glass for Kat. Opening the pantry, I find a loaf of bread and drop two slices into the toaster. Gazing about, I locate a box of mini muffins and divide them up among four sandwich bags before grabbing bananas for each of them. That should cover them for breakfast on the way to school. At least, I hope that’s enough. Admittedly, I haven’t had to feed this crew their morning meal on a weekday in some time.

Pop.

Toasty pieces of bread interrupt my thoughts, and I grab a tray to carry Kat some juice, water, a banana, and buttered toast. I’ll put on a pot of tea before we head out, knowing she’ll crave a cup when the chill inevitably hits. Carrying the tray into the bedroom, I place it on the chair next to the bed and turn to find Kat propped up on pillows, wrapped in her white terry robe, which falls to mid-calf. Normally, I’d become fixated on whatever bare skin I could gawk at, but I’m too worried to let my mind go there.

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