The One With The Cold
Chapter 1: The Cold Appears
It was a nice day in O-Town. The quadruplets, Gilbert, Shelbert, Norbert and Missy, are in the living room. They also seem to be looking bored.
"I'm bored," said Gilbert.
"Me too," agreed Shelbert.
"I wanna play outside," said Norbert.
"We better ask Daddy first," said Missy.
The four two-year-olds ran out of the room and ran into the kitchen to find Filburt.
"Daddy, can me, Shelbert, Norbert and Missy play outside?" asked Gilbert.
"Okay, but remember to stay in the backyard," replied Filburt. "Me and your mommy don't want you getting kidnapped."
"We will!" said the kids.
Filburt opened the door to the backyard and the kids ran outside. Dr. Hutchinson, Filburt's wife, appeared next to Filburt.
"Paula, isn't it lucky having nice quadruplets?" asked Filburt.
"It sure is, Filburt," Hutch giggled. "It's a shame that quadruplets are so rare."
"I know. But at least we're raising a nice family together. I love you, Paula."
"Awww, me too."
Filburt and Dr. Hutchinson both kiss on the lips.
--
A few minutes later, Filburt was sitting at the kitchen table, reading a newspaper. Suddenly, he and Dr. Hutchinson heard the voice of a crying toddler.
"For some reason, that sounds like Gilbert," said Hutch. "I better take a closer listen."
Then, she realised where the crying was coming from.
"Wait a minute, it is Gilbert!" exclaimed Hutch.
"Oh no! I think he might be hurt!" gasped Filburt.
The two parents ran outside to see Norbert running up to him.
"Mommy! Daddy! Gilbert fell over while we were playing tag!" said Norbert.
Filburt and Hutch gasp with surprise and, with Norbert, run up to Gilbert, Shelbert and Missy. Gilbert was crying while Shelbert and Missy stare at him with shock and worry. Hutch picked Gilbert up.
"Oh, Gilbert, are you okay?" questioned Hutch. "Where does it hurt?"
Gilbert reduced himself to sniffles as he pointed to his knee.
"Let me have a look," Hutch said.
She checked Gilbert's knee. She gave him the news:
"You seemed to have cut your knee. We better take you inside."
--
Later, Hutch was putting a plaster on Gilbert's knee.
"Feel better, Gilbert?" asked Hutch.
"Uh-huh," Gilbert nodded.
Suddenly, Filburt started to feel pain in his throat.
"You okay, Filburt?" asked Hutch.
"I think so," replied Filburt. "It's just…excuse me for a moment."
Filburt turned around, got out a tissue and coughed into it. Once he finished coughing, he noticed that he coughed up phlegm.
"Are you coming down with a cold?" Hutch asked again.
"I think I am," Filburt answered.
"Oh dear, I think you need some rest."
"You're right. I better lie down."
Filburt lied down on the couch.
--
An hour passed. Filburt is starting to feel a little tired and he now has a runny nose. Shelbert came up to him.
"Daddy, can you play with us?" asked Shelbert.
"Sorry, but I'm not feeling too well," replied Filburt. "But you can ask your mommy."
Shelbert ran off. He came back with Hutch. After a minute of playing, there was a knock at the door.
"I'll get that," reminded Dr. Hutchinson.
Hutch went to the front door and opened it. It was Heffer.
"Hi, Dr. Hutchinson," greeted Heffer. "Is Filburt allowed to hang out?"
"I'm afraid Filburt has a bad cold," Hutch told Heffer. "But he can hang out when he recovers."
"Oh, right. Well, remind him that I'm going to Vancouver, Canada for a 3-day holiday tomorrow."
"I will, Heffer."
Hutch closed the door as Heffer left. She came up to Filburt.
"Filburt, Heffer was at the door," Hutch explained. "He wanted me to remind you that he's going on a 3-day holiday to Vancouver, Canada tomorrow."
"I hope he has a nice time but he might be a bit homesick," said Filburt.
"I agree."
--
Okay, first chapter down. How will things go in the next chapter?