I've Loved You Before

Chapter 22 - Unchained Melody

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Woah, my love, my darling

I've hungered for your touch

A long, lonely time

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Marlena answered the telephone, and heard John's gentle voice on the line, "Hey, Doc. I've got a quick question. Brady has a low grade fever, and he's fussy. With Hailey gone now, I've got to figure these things out on my own–"

" –check inside his mouth. Are his gums inflamed?" she asked. Brady was probably teething. She'd already noticed the four he'd gotten over the last few months. He would give her his wide gappy grin every time he saw her.

"Oh, wow. Yeah, they're a dark pink, and they do look swollen," John said, softly running his finger along Brady's gums. He must be in so much pain.

"Baby Tylenol will help. Do you have any Anbesol?" she balanced the telephone between her shoulder and her ear, as she started combing Sami's hair into a ponytail.

It was nearly 8:30 pm, and they were running late. She was supposed to drop Sami off for a sleepover at her friend Jaimie's, and Eric had been planning to spend the night with Shawn D at Bo's. Bo hadn't made any plans for New Years since his relationship with Carly had recently ended. He'd told her he just wanted a quiet night with the boys, but the plans had changed in the last hour. In an earlier phone call, Bo had informed her that Shawn D had chicken pox, which meant Eric was staying home. Sami, always worried about her twin brother, cancelled her sleepover with Jaimie. Marlena had scrambled to find a sitter, finding herself incredibly relieved to find out that Carrie was available for the night.

John rummaged through the box of medicines and creams that Hailey had labeled, and lifted out a small bottle of Anbesol. "I do," he said with relief.

Marlena almost laughed, as she wrapped the elastic around Sami's hair. "Put some directly on his gums. Dose him with Tylenol, and then... make sure you do this part, John. I need you to get a few washcloths wet, wring them out, and then put them in the freezer. You'll thank me for it later. Brady will probably fall asleep, but when he wakes he might be fussy until he cuts those teeth. Having a frozen washcloth to chew on will be a relief for him."

"You probably think I'm some kind of neurotic nut," he laughed. "But you gotta understand, I never took care of a baby before. I mean, think about it, the Twinner's, they were mere toddlers when you and I got married... and Carrie was an adolescent."

"You're doing a wonderful job. I think you should congratulate yourself."

John measured out the dropper of Tylenol, and as he was giving Brady the medicine, he said, "Have I ever told you how amazing you are, Doc?"

"A few times, I think, but I don't mind hearing it again." She leaned over and whispered to Sami, "Go and finish cleaning your room. Tell Eric to finish up as well. Carrie should be arriving with the movies and the pizza soon."

"Are the kids planning something for New Years?" he asked. Putting some Anbesol on his finger he gently rubbed it over Brady's gums.

Marlena sighed, "They were planning sleepovers, but Shawn D came down with chicken pox, and then Sami–"

" –Sami cancelled hers because she didn't want Eric to be sad?" he finished.

"How did you know?" she laughed. "Since Austin is playing the piano tonight at Wings, Carrie was free to babysit. It worked out." She sat on the end of her bed, and tried to decide which dress she wanted to wear to the party. She had one she hadn't worn yet. A soft brown animal print that flowed softly when she walked. She felt incredibly sexy in it, but she wasn't even sure Roman would notice.