This is a small drabble I posted a while ago on Tumblr and I decided to post it here now. To get everyone into the scene who hasn't read it yet, the character of Oliver is an OC that I created (and I'm planning to use on further stories). Oliver is Phyllis' son and through her marriage to Joe Molesley, he became Ollie's stepdad.

As usual, sorry for any mistakes you can find while reading. English is not my mother tongue. Hope they don't interfere with the reading

Disclaimer: I don't own DA and baxley, but I DO own Oliver. He's my baby and I love him to the moon and back (just as Phyllis and Joe)

It was past eleven when she heard the door opening. In less than a minute she discerned Oliver's slow dragging footsteps across the corridor towards his bedroom and Joe rummaging through the kitchen cupboards.

She couldn't help but smile at the sight of her husband when he entered their bedroom, dead tired and holding a mug of steaming tea. He mirrored her smile and handed her the beverage before kissing her softly on the lips.

"How do you feel?" he asked feeling her forehead with the back of his hand searching for any signs of fever. She had been feeling under the weather for several days and when she woke up that morning it was pretty obvious that she had to stay in bed the whole day.

"Much better actually. Homemade chicken soup and a warm bath can be miracle workers"

He chuckled as he began undressing.

"So. How was it?" she asked

"It was really nice. I think they outdid themselves this year"

"And Oliver? Did he enjoy it?"

Joe laughed "Are you kidding me? I practically had to drag him out"

It had been Joe and Oliver's first day of the summer holidays and a very important book fair was held in York, so they decided to go after lunch. The boy had been over moon the entire day didn't feel an inch of tiredness as they visited every stall at the fair. On the way back home, though, and after having some pizza for dinner, he felt asleep in the car.

"He will probably sleep until late tomorrow" Phyllis pointed out, snuggling into his welcome embrace as he got into bed beside her.

"Oh I doubt it. He was too excited with the two books I bought him. As soon as he opens an eye tomorrow he's going to have them for breakfast"

"Two?" she moaned "Joe, I told you specifically that he could only have one. You are spoiling him"

"No, I'm not" he retorted "I didn't buy anything for myself, so I bought him an extra one. Which reminds me…" He turned to his bedside table to search inside his bag and fished out a book "This… is for you. I even got the author to sign it for you"

She looked at him and rolled her eyes at his exultant and adorable expression.

"Thank you" she whispered after kissing him "But don't change the subject. We agreed that you would get him only one"

"But…"

"No buts. Listen, If it was up to me I would buy him one every day, but let's face it, darling, we don't have the space anymore. His room is crammed with books and I know you have lots of them also in the bookshelves of your study. They are even piled up in the kitchen window sill!"

Joe ducked his head at the evidence. She was right, of course. And it had been his fault as most of those books had been bought by him.

She noticed his mood change and cupped his cheek and kissed his forehead.

"Oh my love, don't be upset. I know you do it to make him happy and I love you so much for it. But we need to start doing something about it before it's too late"

"You're right Lissy. Something must be done" he conceded switching off the lights and kissing her good night.

And then, with her falling asleep in his arms, Joe's mind began to form a plan.