Chapter 11 - Mr. Reid

Day 11 - I rolled another blank!  So, we are going to have events every day for the last 50 days of this challenge!  They are definitely needed. So I re-rolled for a daily event and rolled the flu…. This is definitely more fun! 😛

Kaitlin woke up excited. Today they were going to go to the festival! This was good because the fire station didn't allow them to carve the pumpkins. They did allow her to set them around as decorations which was little consolation. The Chief apologized profusely - but rules are rules.

It was quieter than normal so Kaitlin started looking for the boys. She was shocked she couldn't hear Ben milling around downstairs working on his costume. Then when she peaked around the partition, she saw Reese cuddled up on his bed. Strange. She figured he would be on the phone with Jade arranging times to meet up that evening.

She left him sleeping and went in search of Ben. He too was sleeping - on the couch. Who are these strangers and where are my children, she thought. Then she heard Maddy crying. Maddy didn't cry. Now she was alarmed.

When she got up stairs, Ben had gotten out bed and was soothing her. When he saw his mother he said, “Mom, I don't feel so good and I think Maddy is sick too. She feels hot.”

“Oh no! I bet Ben has whatever you two have. He is curled up on the couch. I am calling the doctor.”

“Wait, take her," said Ben, "I’m gonna be sick!” and shoved Maddy in his mother's arms and ran.

When she took her daughter she was alarmed. She was burning up. Screw calling he doctor, she thought, we are going to the hospital now. 

Kaitlin roused Ben who was also feverish and they grabbed a taxi to take them to the hospital.

When they arrived, Reese, even sick had to carry Maddy.  She screamed if he gave her to Kaitlin and only whimpered when he held her. Ben hung back, crying that he didn't want a shot.

Kaitlin turned around. She didn't have time for this. “Come on or I will carry you inside Benjamin James Murdock!”

“I’m not a baby!” He protested.

“Then come on!”

The doctor saw Maddy first and then Reese so he could hold her since she screamed bloody-murder when they took her from his arms. He took her outside as soon as they were done and pushed her around to help her calm down while he waited for Ben and his mother. He couldn't wait to get home and get back to bed. At least the shot they got for nausea helped.

$600 later, plus a day's wages missed, they arrived back home and Kaitlin settled everyone in bed. Reese went back upstairs but Ben wanted to be close to Kaitlin. Maddy had calmed down with the medicine they gave her and was content in the playpen, so Kaitlin sat on the couch to watch TV. Then she figured that would disturb Ben so she looked in the bookshelf and found a book on Mixology. That gave her an idea for a job. She heard bartenders made good tips. If she could learn, then just maybe that could be her out. So she read while the kids slept.

* * *

With it so quiet in the station, Kaitlin thought she could hear water running...but where? She followed the sound to the kitchen. Water was spewing everywhere! Kaitlin quickly got out the wrench and went to work. She finally got it fixed realizing that her Reese usually did these things for her - she had to remember to thank him. He really did take on so much as evidenced by the way Maddy clings to him and the jealousy that Ben has. It's as if he has become the parent in 4 1/2 short months.

Now that the sink was repaired, she had a mess to mop up.  Ben - he would have done it immediately. He always took it upon himself to keep things neat and tidy. She never realized how much the boys had taken on until they couldn't do it. Not much longer. They will be in an apartment. Then they can go to school. Things can get back to normal.

* * *

Kaitlin Hadn't heard from Reid in almost a month, not since she saw him at the movie theater. Maybe she misread his signals and he was just a flirt. She had tried not to think about him, much. So when he called and asked if it was okay to stop by she was surprised.

‘Hi Katie!’ he said in that smooth baritone, ‘I'm sorry I haven't checked in sooner. I had to pull a double shift. A nasty flu was going around. I would really like to stop by and see you and your adorable kids - I’ll bring pizza!’ he added as an additional enticement. That made her mouth water and she knew the kids would love it so she agreed.

Reid chatted up Ben and Reese while they were eating. Kaitlin was thrilled with the way he brought Ben out of his shell. After they ate Reid asked Ben if he wanted to take him on with a video game of his choice. Ben was all over it. ‘I’m pretty good,’ Reid warned Ben and thus the trash talk began.

Reese ran off to call Jade and the remaining trio started up the games. Of course, Kaitlin was terrible and Ben and Reid were laughing so hard at her without missing a beat on the trash talk Reid started at the table. Kaitlin was happy and sad. This is what fathers did with their sons. Newt had never spent any time with his kids.

Then Ben said something that made Kaitlin hold her breath. “Mommy, Mr. Reid is my nice Daddy! Can he stay with us?”

Reid chanced a glance at Kaitlin and answered her son smoothly. “I can come see you whenever you like and you can come to my house anytime you want too. I have some cool games. We just have to ask your mom first. How's that Ben?”

Ben turned to Kaitlin, “Pleeeease Mom, can Mr. Reid come over again?”

Not quite sure what just happened, Kaitlin found herself agreeing then saw the smirk on Reid's face. He was good. He knew exactly what he was doing.

Go to Chapter 12 

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