No escape from reality Book 3 AU

Chapter 18

Brendon arrived back from the tour 3 days before Thanksgiving.
The kids loved having their father home.
Louise went to get the groceries for the Thanksgiving dinner. She got a huge Turkey and all the trimmings. Also, the ingredients for her mothers special stuffing.
Louise went down the alcohol aisle and bought several bottles of wine, beer, and some more spirits and mixers.
Louise paid and went back home. There were plenty of hands to help at the other end. Brendon had hold of Madison, who gurgled and smiled at her mother.
"Hey there, sweet baby girl." She said to her. Madison kicked her legs and slavoured all down her chin and bib.
Hudson was still napping. Poppy came and clung to Brendons leg.
Louise lifted Poppy up and cuddled her. "How's Princess Poppy?"
"Good." Poppy said, cuddling into her shoulder. "Can we play Barbies?"
"Sure, we can." Louise replied, and they went into the playroom.
Brendon took Madison upstairs to have a nap and brought Hudson down, as he was awake. Brendon went to get him a bottle. Louise is still nursed, but she expressed so Brendon can also do feeds.
Jenny arrived with her daughter Alice. Alice was blonde with green eyes, just like her cousin.

Thanksgiving dawned, and Louise felt terrible. Like sick, terrible. She sat up and the room span.
'No, no, no! I can't be sick!' She thought. Brendon turned over and faced his wife. He opened his eyes and looked at her.
"Morning gorgeous. " Brendon said. Louise loved his sexy morning voice.
"Morning handsome." She said and shivered. Brendon sat up and looked at Louise. He had a concerned expression on his face.
"Baby, are you sick?" He asked, touching her forehead.
Louise nodded. "It's fine, I can power through. I have to cook dinner, I can't be sick." She tried to get out of bed but went dizzy.
"You are going nowhere today." Brendon got out of bed and headed for the shower. He had a quick one and was dressed and ready for the day within 10 minutes. Louise started to protest.
"But the kids....."
"Lou, there are 3 grown ass adults and a teenage girl. One adult is a parent to those kids. We will be ok. We can handle the kids and Thanksgiving dinner. Now, before everyone gets up, I am getting you water, Tylenol, and some tea. You stay put. If you feel up to coming downstairs later, do so. But you are not to lift a finger. Ok?" Louise nodded at her husband.
"Just one thin-"
"Ah ah, nope." Brendon said, closing their bedroom door and going downstairs.
10 minutes later, he brought a tray up. It had everything she needed, plus some toast.
"My husband is the best." Louise smiled at Brendon. "Bren, I need to pump."
"One sec, babe." Brendon went quietly into the nursery to get the breast pump and some bags for the breastmilk. He returned with them and sat on the bed whilst Louise pumped and drank her tea. She ate half a slice of toast.
Little foot steps could be heard and giggling. Nico came into his parents' bedroom.
"Morning, Mommy! Morning Daddy!" He said loudly.
"Shhh, indoor voice, son." Brendon said. "Mommy is sick, so we all need to help look after each other and cook an amazing Thanksgiving dinner, ok?"
Nico nodded and gave Louise a hug.
"Feel better soon, Mommy." He said he gave his mother a kiss on the cheek and walked out of the bedroom. Brendon heard Nico go into the bedroom he shared with Poppy and tell her that Louise is sick. Next thing, Poppy ran in to see Louise. She climbed onto the bed and crawled over to Louise.
"Mommy are you sick?" She asked. Louise nodded. Poppy's arms came around Louise's neck. She hugged Louise tight. Poppy got off the bed and disappeared into the bedroom. She came back with her stuffie Rabbit rabbit.
"Mommy you can borrow him. He makes me better when I'm sick."
Louise felt herself welling up with the empathy her 3 year old daughter was showing. Louise hugged Poppy again. Brendon told the kids to go get washed, brush their teeth. He went and sorted some clothes out. Brendon helped Poppy when she needed help with putting her pants on.
Louise went back to sleep. She heard the babies crying and other people chatting.

When Louise woke again she could smell food. Her stomach growled. Louise checked the time. 2pm. She felt a little better. Louise got up and had a shower, put some sweats on, headed downstairs.
"Mommy!" Poppy said and walked towards Louise.
"Hey princess Poppy. Rabbit Rabbit really helped me. Thank you for letting me borrow him." Louisr gave Poppy her stuffie back. Brendon came from the kitchen and hugged Louise. He was wearing his glasses. A kitchen towel draped over his shoulder.
"How are you feeling?" He asked.
"A little better. My stomach was making noises." Louise laughed.
Nico came out of the playroom. He hugged Louise's legs.
"Where are the twins?" Louise asked Brendon.
"Napping. Edith just put them down. Do you want a snack? Dinner will be a while."
Louise nodded and went through to the family room. Alice was in there watching Catfish on MTV and scrolling on her phone. She looked up from her phone.
"Hey Aunt Louise." She said. "How are you feeling?"
"Hi Alice. I feel a little better." Louise replied. Brendon came through with some crackers, water, more Tylenol and Louise's tea.
"Aww thank you baby." Louise said to him.
"Anytime gorgeous." He winked at her as he went back into the kitchen.
"Lou," Alice began
"Yea Al?"
"How did you know Brendon was the one?"
"I don't know. I just did. I can't explain it. I fell in love with him the moment I met him and it was the same for him too. Why?"
"Well there's a guy at school, he's a senior too and I think he is. I love him and he loves me. My Mom doesn't like him. She thinks he's not good enough for me."
"Oh you talking about that boy again Alice?" Jenny asked walking into the family room. Nico came in as well and sat with Louise. He leaned against her as she drank her tea. Brendon then came and sat down.
"Mom, he's not that boy. I love him ok?" Alice said.
Jenny scoffed. Alice's father had left Jenny before Alice was even born. The only contact there is, is child support. Louise lifted her arm so Nico could snuggle into her. Poppy came in and went to thr little wooden basket they had with all the blankets in it. She picked one up and put it over Louise.
"Thank you honey." Louise said. Brendon picked Poppy up and kissed her cheek.
"I love you princess."
"I love you Daddy." Poppy hugged her Daddy tight.
"Where's Mom?" Louise asked.
"I think she's napping as well." Jenny said. Louise nodded.
Alice got up to use the bathroom. Louise finished her tea. Jenny took Louise's dishes out. Brendon checked Louise's forehead.
"You feel cooler than this morning." He said.