Tarnished Armor

Chapter Seven

"Are you feeling better, Bug?"
"Yeah, that's the last time I go that overboard with alcohol."
Colby smirked.
"You're only 21 once," He said. The smiled on his face was genuine. It was the first time I had seen it since our wedding.
"I think Brie has my dress. That's why I'm in Phil's clothes."
"I know she has it. She also has your shoes."
I had to laugh.
"Well, at least I know now."
"Yeah, I had Phil care for you because I knew the hangover would have been horrid."
"Are the girls okay?"
"Yeah, Ella cried and now Leni is. I think they both have ear infections."
"Aw, my poor babies."
"They're sleeping now."
I saw the looks exchanged between Phil and Colby. The tension was enough to electrify Wrigley Field. I looked at both of them.
"Phil, thank you for today and letting me sleep on your bed, the clothes and everything. I appreciate it. I'll talk to you Monday."
"Be ready to kick an ass."
"I will."
Before leaving, he stopped and extended his hand to Colby.
"Man, keep her. She's one of a few who has a work ethic."
"Anything else she has?"
"If you want the list, here goes; She has: Maternal Instinct, Loyalty, Respect, Honor, Pride in her family and an unrelenting spirit and that's the short list."
I stood there, beaming. Colby looked at him.
"You got all of that in one night.""I've gotten that since I've been training her. I just prioritized them last night." He said smiling. Colby extended his hand to Phil after Phil finished talking.
"I plan on keeping her."
"Good."
I took one look at my Leni as she started to wiggle. I saw her nose crinkle up and just then I heard her start to cry.
"Aw, Leniboo." I said lifting her. Phil looked at her and for the first time, she smiled at him.
"I knew it was just a matter of time." Phil said. "Could I try to hold her?"
I looked at Phil, then at Colby.
"I'll let you."
I handed Elena to Phil. She did something unexpected. She curled up in his arms and started to relax.
"Look at you, Mister Man. You have a father's touch." I said.
Both men looked at me.
"He's not gonna be a father to my kids." Colby said.
"Nope. They have an awesome one," I said. "With ones he could have in the future."
Phil looked down at Leni.
"Listen to me closely, Peanut, I'm your uncle Phil. I won't let anything happen to you, your sister or your mom. Your dad, however, I can't help."
Colby looked at him.
"I have Joe and Jon."
I looked at Colby.
"Mind if I use Joe for a minute?"
"Why do you need him? You have us here." Phil asked.
"I need a parent question answered. Can either of you answer it?"
Both men stepped back for a minute.
"Go ahead." Colby said.
"Thanks."
I went to the back part of the bus and found him laying on his bed reading Sports Illustrated.
"Joe?"
"What's up, Linds?"
"The girls are sick. I need a parent's advice on whether to give em something or not."
"What is it you think they're sick with, Linds?"
"Colby says they have their fingers in their ears."
"Well, you notice when they're happy right?"

"I sure do. Neither one are happy right now, they're not eating much either and they're pulling on their ears."

"It sounds like they have ear infections. Is Doc S awake?"

"I don't know."

"I got an idea."

Joe called Chel.

"Hey, Babe, what's going on, is everything okay?" Chel asked.

"Yeah, Gorgeous, everything with me is fine. I'm calling for Lindsay. Do you have Doctor Lewis's number handy?"

Chel got nervous.

"What's wrong with the girls?"

I took Joe's phone from him after he offered it.

"The girls have been cranky, not eating and they're pulling on their ears."

"Oh my babies have ear infections. I'll get you Doctor Lewis's number, Honey."

Chel got me the number for the pediatrician and I called the number. The nurse suggested I give them small doses of infant tylenol and rest them propped up a bit in their cribs. Colby set their crib mattresses up with our gym bags. I laughed.