This story isn't based on any particular episode...just my own idea. I hope you like it :)
As usual, every one was clucking over Katie and how beautiful she was. Brian loved Katie but she was all anyone was interested in these days. It was like he was invisible sometimes. Unless he was needed to do chores or watch the baby.
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"Pa can I go fishin?" Brian asked.
"Not today Brian." Sully said as he sent the log he was chopping into pieces and splinters with a whack of the axe. "I need you to watch Katie. She's gonna be awake from her nap soon."
"Aww but Pa ….I always have to watch her." he whined.
"I have to chop the wood Brian and do all the other chores while it's still light."
"But Anthony'll be waitin..."
"No Brian." Sully said sternly. "I said not today...Now go inside and watch Katie like I asked...you can go tomorrow." Brian walked inside slowly kicking the dirt as he went.
"Dumb baby." he said under his breath.
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Sully stacked the wood and moved inside the barn to feed the animals. He'd get as much done today as he could. Tomorrow was Saturday. Maybe he'd take Brian fishin tomorrow while Michaela was home. He'd be glad when Colleen got back from her trip to Boston. Another pair of hands would be a help.
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Brian sat down at the table and picked up a book. As soon as he'd read a few pages he heard his sister's cries.
He crossed the room and plucked her from her cradle and hugged her.
"Hello Katie..." he said. "Hello.." The baby touched his hair and blew a raspberry. "Xactly how I feel about today." They'd got off school early cos Miss Rosa was sick and he had to waste it and stay inside...tweren't fair.
Suddenly an idea came to mind and he smiled. "How would you like to go out with your big brother? The baby smiled her big one toothed grin. "I think it's a good idea too." he said. Kill two birds with one stone. He could go fishin with Anthony and watch Katie too. Fresh air was good for babies Ma said so.
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Sully was so busy with his chores that he didn't see a young boy darting through the trees with his blonde haired baby sister and a quilt on one hip and his fishing pole in his other hand. Katie gurgled happily and sucked her fists as she made several grabs for the pole. Brian tried to hold her tighter but he found his small bundle wasn't that small when carried so far. He sagged with relief when Anthony's dark hair came into view.
"Anthony!" he yelled. "Can you help me?" Anthony came running his eyes as wide as saucers.
"Your Ma and Pa know you brought Katie fishin?" he asked.
"Not xactly." Brian admitted. "I have to watch her again. I always have to watch her." Anthony shook his head.
"Won't ya get in trouble?" Brian shrugged.
"Sully said watch her. I am watchin her. I'm just sick of watchin her in the house."He passed the baby to his friend and spread out the quilt.
"She smells bad Brian." Anthony said wrinkling her nose. Brian took her and sniffed and then plopped her down on her soft makeshift bed.
"She'll be ok." he said. He hadn't thought to bring anything to change her. "At least we're outside." Anthony nodded and passed Brian the bucket of worms he'd already caught and the boys set about having some fun.
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Sully was just about to head over for a drink of water when Michaela's wagon rolled in. He lifted her from the wagon and into his arms before he placed a kiss on her lips. He was in no rush to let her go.
"Your early." he said with a smile.
"The clinic was slow...I thought I'd come home...spend some time."
"Brian'll be pleased." Sully said heading for the house. "He wanted to go fishin. It's not too late. I'll tell him he can go."
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"No Katie." Brian said as the baby crawled off the quilt and popped a handful of stuff off the ground in her mouth. He sat her up and stuck his finger in her mouth to brush out the dried up twigs
and leaves. Katie coughed distastefully at the taste of bait on her brothers fingers and then started to cry. "Oh...Katie sorry." Brian said. He dipped his fingers in the water to clean them even though it was a little late. "Look Katie the smell's all gone..." Katie couldn't care less. She opened her mouth wide and wailed...loudly.
"She's scarin the fish." Anthony said. "Can't you make her be quiet?"
"I know." Brian said as he picked up his sister."She doesn't understand about fishin." This wasn't such a good idea after all. He looked up at the sun. They'd been gone a while. He'd better get back anyways if he wasn't gonna get caught. "I should go."
"But you jis got here." Anthony said. Brian was torn. He was probably gonna catch it anyways...
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"Brian?" Sully called through the door. "Brian?" After searching the bottom floor of the house and not finding either of them he took the stairs two at a time. He looked in every room and there was no sign. He ran back down the stairs and headed for the door.
"Where are they?" Michaela asked. "Sleeping?"
"They ain't here!" Sully said. "He's takin Katie fishin."
"Oh Sully...how can you be sure?"
"I'm sure."
"What if he doesn't watch her...what if she falls in the water and drowns...wh..."
"I'll get her Michaela." Sully said quietly. "I'll get them both."
"I can't believe Brian would be that irresponsible." she said.
"He won't ever be again." And Sully was gone.
TBC