Even When (Ricky + Nini)

chapter 5 - i feel safe when you're holding me near

As soon as Ricky entered the house, he was greeted by the wonderful smells of bacon grease and fries. From the doorway he could see that, Nini was making her signature breakfast, home fries, bacon, poached eggs and roasted tomatoes. It felt good to be at home.

"I'm home!" Ricky shouted. Bob was first to greet him with slobbery kisses, then he heard the pitter patter of three year old feet.

"Daddy! You're back!" Ricky picked him up and bombarded him with kisses, making him giggle. "Stop! Stoppp!"

"You've gotten bigger."

"I have!" Joel said, "I'm the tallest boy in my class!"

"I wanna hear all about school, but first.." Ricky took out a small box from his bag, "Here's your gift."

Ricky helped the boy open the box and take out the London snow globe out of it. Joel was so excited he started shaking it. "Thank you daddy."

"You're welcome, bud. I missed you so much." Ricky picked him up once more and kissed his forehead. "Where's your mom?"

"In the kitchen!" He said pointing. "She's cooking."

Ricky walked in to the kitchen with Joel in his arms, only to find that Nini was not cooking. She was facing the window, one hand gripping onto the counter and the other one clutching her side. It only took Ricky a second to notice that something was wrong.

"Buddy, why don't you go play with Bob in the other room, I'll be right with you."

The boy and the dog ran along as Ricky rushed to his wife's side.

"Babe, what's wrong?" Ricky wrapped an arm around her shoulder. "What happened?"

Nini's face was contorted in pain, but she relaxed into his touch, and leaned on him for support.

"You're home." Nini said, "I was just finishing up breakfast."

Nini hissed in pain.

"What is it ?" Ricky asked. "What hurts?"

"I think it's just a gastric thing, babe. I'll just go sit down."

Ricky walks with her and helps her up the stairs to their bedroom. He checks her temperature, but everything else seems fine besides her gastric pain.

"Stay here." Ricky kissed her forehead.

Moments later he comes back with breakfast for her, a pot of tea and some meds.

Ricky begins spoon feeding her, but she protested.

"I can eat by myself, babe. You should go down and have some breakfast with Joel, and take s nap. You just landed in New York."

"Shh." Ricky said not even a little affected by her words, "Just let me take care of you. Joel's still playing with Bob anyway."

Nini decided she didn't really have the energy to fight back. Once she'd eaten a sufficient amount of food, Ricky gave her some medicine, and tea.

"I'm sorry." Nini said slightly drowsy. "We should've had breakfast together like we always do."

"It's not your fault." Ricky assured her and tucked her in bed, "Get some rest, babe. Joel and I will be fine."
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Nini woke up when she felt Bob's wet nose on her neck. She giggled when she saw that he was fast asleep next to her. When she got downstairs she caught a whiff of freshly delivered pizza, and what could only be described as boy smell.