Disclaimer: I don't own anyone but Kali.
Cosmo's little voice chatters in my ear as I move around the kitchen trying to fix a snack for all of us while Cosmo, perched on my hip, takes up the use of one of my arms. I pour some juice into a bottle and set him down on the floor with it. Quickly and efficiently I spread some jam and peanut butter on multiple crackers and pour two tall glasses of juice for Alex and I. My first day of school vacation and I'm babysitting. But I didn't mind it too much.
"Okay little man, let's go bring this to the living, room," I tell the little infant that's trailing after me. We go to the living room where Alex is watching TV and I set the tray on the table.
"Thanks Kali," Alex says, reaching for a cracker.
"Tanks, Lee," Cosmo mimics.
"No problem guys," I laugh. The phone rings and I get up to grab it yet it's not on the base. Grrr! Abby never puts the phone back and this happens. I search frantically and try to follow the rings. Sure enough it's in Abby's room on her side table.
"Hello?" I say breathlessly.
"Kali, it's Kerry at the hospital," the voice on the other end said.
"Oh hi Dr. Weaver, what's up?" I ask. Although I feel comfortable around all the doctors and call them by their first names, I don't think I'd ever call Dr. Weaver by her first name.
"Susan told me you were babysitting Cosmo and Alex today and I was wondering if you could take Henry," Dr. Weaver asks politely.
"Okay, sure. Do you need me to come get him?" I say in my most responsible voice.
"If possible yes please, I'm at the hospital," she tells me.
"Sure, I'll be there soon," I say and hang up.
As I leave the room I spot Cosmo trying to climb up on Abby's bed.
"Hey, hey, hey! Cosmo, you know your not aloud in here, come on little man," I say, scooping him up and heading back to the living room.
"Come Alex, we gotta go to the ER. Dr. Weaver wants me to watch Henry today," I tell him as I set Cosmo on the couch and start applying sunscreen on him. I smother the baby in sunscreen then hand the bottle to Alex so he can douse himself too.
"Alex will you please carry Cosmo for me?" I ask, handing Cosmo over to his idol and slinging the diaper bag over my shoulder.
"Sure," my little gentleman says.
…………
We walk down the crowded streets in the uncomfortable heat. Even though I only have a tank top and shorts on, I feel like I have a million sweaters on! I look over at Alex and Cosmo and see Alex fixing the baby's hat. But Cosmo is starting to fuss so I swap the diaper bag for the baby.
"Hey baby, wanna go on the train?" I coo to the little boy as we climb up the stairs to the El platform.
"Twain!" he squeals excitedly.
I show my pass to the ticket taker and tell them Alex is ten. (Kids ten and under ride free.) He doesn't object, he knows the drill.
We weave through the people on the train and find some seats. Cosmo crawls onto Alex's lap and peers out the window with a grin.
"Wanna go see your mommy?" Alex asks the baby as we arrive at our stop.
"See Mommy?" Cosmo shrieks happily.
I take the joyous infant from Alex again and we pick up the pace when we see the ER. ER equals air conditioning!
The doors swoosh open and we are greeted with a cool blast of air.
The waiting room is packed and I hug Cosmo close to my chest and put an arm around Alex as we make our way to the doors. Punching in the code, the glass doors swing open and we hurry in before they close.
"Hey Jerry, is Dr. Weaver around?" I ask the desk clerk.
"Lounge," he grumbles, hardly looking up from the computer game I know he's playing.
Alex sprints ahead and knocks into the doctor as she exits holding her son. I panic for a second but sigh with relief when he steadies her.
"Sorry Dr. Weaver," he says politely.
"Hi Dr. Weaver, sorry it took so long," I smile, walking up beside Alex.
"No problem, thanks again for your help. Usually his grandparents watch him but today they couldn't for some reason," she says.
"Well, I'll take good care of him. What time are you off?" I ask.
"Um…" she starts.
"Sorry, dumb question," I laugh.
"Here's his diaper bag, it has everything in it that he'll need. You probably know the hospital number but I put my office number in there too," she rattles off.
I hand Cosmo over to Alex, and take Henry and his diaper bag.
"Hi Henry, my name is Kali, and this is Alex and Cosmo. Do you want to play with us today?" I chirp to the little guy in my arms.
"Play?" he smiles.
"Yes, we can go play," I reply.
"Yay!" he screams.
"Say bye to Mommy," I instruct Henry, handing him back to Dr. Weaver.
They say their good-byes, I take Henry back and we head towards the doors.
"Frank where's Susan?" I ask when we reach the desk again.
He mumbles something I don't get at all.
"Frank!" I say loudly, slapping my hand on the desk, "Think, answer."
"She is…" he starts.
"Mommy!" Cosmo squeals from Alex's arms. I turn and see Susan and Sam coming out of the elevators.
"Hi baby," Susan grins at the surprise of her son dropping in during her shift. She lifts Cosmo from Alex and cuddles with him.
"Who's this little guy?" Sam asks, draping her arm around Alex, and looking at Henry.
"Dr. Weaver's little boy, she asked me to come get him," I explain.
"Oh Kali, sorry that's my fault. I told her that you babysit but I didn't think she would actually call," Susan mourns.
"It's okay, he seems okay so far," I indicated, looking down at Henry cradled in my arms.
"Can we stop for Freezies?" Alex inturepts.
"Sure okay. Well we better get going, see you cool cats later," I call as Alex grabs Cosmo and our foursome heads back into the heat.
