Be My Shelter (Book II)

Chapter 31

We got home at around nine that night.  Brayden was zonked out in the back and I was more than halfway asleep.

“You awake, Reg?” Nolan chuckled.

“Sort of.” I mumbled sleepily, rubbing my eyes and yawning. “Hopefully Bray’s down for the night.” 

“You go up.  I’ll put him down.”

“Kay.” I murmured, getting out of the car and stumbling towards the door.

“I’ll be up in a minute.” He chuckled. 

Somehow, I made it up the stairs and to our room without falling asleep.  After I had changed into my pajamas, I climbed into bed and rolled on my side.

“Are you as tired as I am?” Nolan groaned, climbing into bed and kissing my temple.

“Probably more.” I yawned. “‘Night, love you.” I said, closing my eyes and drifting to sleep

*

“Regan…Regan, Bray is crying.” Nolan mumbled sleepily, shaking me awake.

“Then go get him.”

“No.  I’m tired, and it’s like, two AM.”  He whined.

“Get up, lazy.” I muttered, whacking him in the head and snuggling deeper into the blankets.

“Fine.” He sighed, dragging himself out of bed.  A few minutes later, the crying got louder.  “I come bearing a very unhappy child.”  He said.

I sat up and held my arms. “Thanks.”

“Is he hungry?” Nolan asked when I tried to breast-feed him.

“No, he doesn’t seem to want food.” I frowned after Bray turned his head to the side and continued his incessant shrieking.

“Well what’s wrong with him?”  Nolan asked, exasperatedly.

“How should I know?! He doesn’t need a diaper change.”

“Well why is he crying?”

“I don’t know, Nolan.” I snapped.   “Maybe he’s just fussy?” 

“Maybe…”

“I’m going to try walking around.”  I said, getting up.

*

“Nolan…I know why he’s so fussy.”  I murmured to my husband the next morning.  We had gotten him to stop crying at around four, but he woke up every two hours, fussing about nothing.

“What’s wrong?”

“I think he’s sick.” I frowned, putting my hand on his forehead.  As if on cue, Brayden coughed, making both Nolan and I wince. 

“That explains why he’s been so fussy.”  Nolan said.

“My poor baby.” I cooed, lifting Bray out of the crib and wrapping a blanket around him.

“Do you need anything?” Nolan asked as I sat in Bray’s rocking chair.

“The baby thermometer.”

“Where is?”

“The top shelf of the cabinet above the ledge in the hallway.” 

“Here.”  Nolan said, handing me the thermometer.

“It’s 101…I don’t know if that’s high for a baby.” I said, chewing on my bottom lip.  “Call your dad.”

“I’ll be back.” He said, walking out of the room.

“My poor baby.” I cooed again when Bray coughed for the second time.

“Dad says it’s a low-grade fever, but he wants to know if you want him to come over and help.”

“Uhh…not yet, but tell him we’ll call if we need him.”

“Got it.” He nodded.

~*~*~

“Hey, guys.” Mom said, opening the front door.  “How is he?”

“Well, he’s still sneezing and coughing, but he’s finally asleep.” I sighed, flopping on the couch and snuggling up to Nolan.

“You two look tired.” She observed.

“Yeah, well…he’s been fussy since 2 AM.”  Nolan said.

“You two go sleep.  We don’t need either of you getting sick.”  She said.

“But-” I started.

“No ‘buts’ go.” She shooed us.

“Yes mother.” Nolan chuckled, pulling me up.  We walked up the stairs and I flopped on the bed.

“Well, I’m gonna take a nap.”  I stated. “Goodnight.”

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I feel like this story is getting boring.  Any ideas on what should happen?   I have ideas children-wise, but that’s about it.