In Line at Timmy's
Braddock Home – Master Bathroom – 5:00 am
Sam stared into the mirror. The reflection staring back at him was scraggly at best. As he towel dried his hair he thought he really should shave. He glanced down at the razor and decided that slitting his throat wasn't in the works for today. With as tired as he was, even the safety razor was a bit too scary to use.
As he pulled out the toothpaste and applied it to his toothbrush Jules and Sadie wandered into the bathroom. Well Jules wandered. Sadie stormed in and he had a three year old around his leg as she started yammering happily at him. Where did she get the energy? He wished he could find the plug and power up like Sadie did.
Sadie spoke so fast he didn't catch what she was saying. Sam looked down at her expectant face. He had no clue what to say. Sam looked up to Jules with a questioning look.
Jules pulled his toothbrush out of his hand as she answered slowly "Sadie wants to know if you will take her to the park when you get home." She rinsed off his toothbrush.
Sam looked at Jules bemused as he realized she had just rinsed off the toothpaste from his toothbrush. She must be exhausted also to have done something so daft.
He said "Hey I was gonna brush my teeth. You do realize you just rinsed off my toothbrush don't you?"
Jules arched an eyebrow "Um, yeah. I do."
"Why?" Sam queried.
Jules then chuckled "Sam, I don't think you really want to brush your teeth with antibiotic cream. But if you do, by all means put some more on."
Sam turned his gaze to his hand holding the toothpaste. Crap. He dropped the tube of antibiotic cream into the drawer and picked up the toothpaste tube. Sam slowly shook his head, he was the daft one. Lack of sleep was screwing with him.
"Thanks Jules. I must be a little more tired than I thought" Sam admitted.
Jules sighed "You and me both. You'd think all those months of bedrest would have helped. But ten week old twins that are colicky tends to put a dent in sleeping. You sure you are up for shift? You know the guys are willing to cover for you a few more days."
Sam nodded "I know but I'm good. I just need to get some coffee in me."
Jules lightly rubbed his arm as Sam brushed his teeth and said "I'll go make you an iced coffee you can take with you. The boys should sleep for at least another hour."
Around the toothbrush Sam answered with an approximation of the word thanks. Jules headed out. Sadie was still wrapped around his leg. Sam gave Sadie a frothy toothpaste filled grin and Sadie giggled.
When he was done Sam picked up Sadie and kissed her "Good morning poppet. If I get off shift on time we will go to the park."
Sadie happily clung to her daddy as he picked up his go bag and slung it over his other shoulder and carried her out of the room and down the stairs on his hip. As they entered the kitchen Sadie said to her mommy "Daddy said we can go to the park if he gets home in time."
Jules lifted Sadie from Sam's hip and put her on the stool in front of her breakfast "Good. Maybe we will make it a family affair and have a picnic dinner."
Sadie grinned as she took a huge bite of her strawberry jam laden toast. Sam bent down and snitched a bite. He then kissed Sadie's cheek.
Jules was about to kiss Sam and tell him about his coffee when the twin's started crying. She sighed "Go. I've got them. Your coffee is in the fridge in the blue travel mug on the left side." Then Jules raced up the stairs.
Sam turned to Sadie "Be a good girl today and help Mommy if she needs it."
"Copy that" Sadie replied then took another huge bite.
Sam opened the fridge and grabbed the blue travel mug on the right side. Then he headed out the door calling out up the stairs "I'll text you later sweetheart."
He heard Jules respond with bye and have a good day.
SRU HQ – Parking Lot – 6:00 am
He put the truck in park and turned off the ignition. Sam then ran his hands briskly over his face. He stared out the windshield and had that scary sick feeling you get when you are not quite sure how you got from point A to point B. Sam remembered leaving the driveway and now somehow he had parked at SRU HQ. Everything in between though was just gone.
Sam grabbed his go bag and was about to close the door when he remembered Jules had made him iced coffee. She made the best coffee. Better than even Timmy's and that was saying something. He grabbed the travel mug out of the console and headed into the barn.
He nodded to a few guys heading out. Shift started in one hour. He was not late because the guys all knew that for the next several weeks he would not be joining them for workout. Mostly it was on Dr. Fraser's orders; the doctor wanted him to take it easy on his foot and not run on the treadmill for a few more weeks. Sam agreed because it gave him a little more time in the mornings with his family.
This was his first day back after eight weeks of medical leave and another two weeks of paternity leave since the boys had been born. Getting nailed and fracturing his foot when he and the subject fell through the rotted floor had given him extra time off. He had not pushed his recovery this time enjoying the extra time with his family.
But now Sam was ready to get back to work. Part of him felt bad leaving Jules to handle two colicky babies. But he was exhausted and he actually thought that it would be more restful at work even if he was running subjects down all day.
Sam lifted the mug to his lips and took a long drink preparing to sigh with contentment.
The contents of his mouth were spewed out with great force. Sam was spitting repeatedly. "Ack … gak … gak … yuck."
It was not coffee. His expression was one of disgust as he continued to spit and unscrew the cap. What the hell did he just drink?
His phone started ringing. It was the tone reserved for Jules. Sam quickly answered "What the hell was in the mug?"
[At the same exact time Jules spoke over Sam "You took the wrong mug."]
Sam registered Jules words and said "I took the blue one like you said."
["No Sam, you took the blue one on the right not the blue one on the left" Jules answered.]
Sam reviewed in his head which mug he had pulled out of the fridge. Crap, Jules was right.
He asked "It was disgusting. What the heck was in the mug?"
Sam was shocked when Jules giggled. She actually giggled. Why the hell was she giggling?
["Oh Sam you drank some?" Jules asked when she finished giggling.]
Spitting again Sam responded "I wouldn't quite call it drinking. Spewing all over the ground would be more accurate. Do I really want to know what it was?"
[Unable to stop her giggling again Jules answered "Probably not. Um … remember last night I told you I had a doctor's appointment today and Shel was gonna watch the boys?"]
All kinds of disgusting possibilities entered Sam's head as he warily replied "Uh-huh."
[Jules let the silence hang a moment as she gained composure and looked at the twins who were now sleeping quietly "Well, Donny and Jimmy are not gonna be pleased their Daddy took their milk."]
"God, Jules you don't mean … that I … that this is … "
["Yep. You took the breastmilk I expressed last night" Jules confirmed.]
Sam looked down in the mug "Aw Christ Jules. We need a different container for that. I never want to taste …"
He stopped as Jules starting laughing heartily. Sam couldn't help but laugh too. If anyone had ever told him of the perils of fatherhood he would not have believed them.
When Sam quit laughing he said "You can't tell Spike."
["Oh and why not?" Jules teased knowing well and good she would never tell Spike.]
"You know very well why. It will be all around SRU in an instant and … come on Jules you wouldn't … would you?" Sam questioned with a note of uncertainty.
[Sitting in the rocker Jules admitted with amusement in her voice "No I wouldn't. But it is fun to tease you."]
"So do I need to bring this home? The boys won't go hungry will they?" Sam asked with real concern.
[Jules heart warmed, Sam was ever concerned about all of them. Softly Jules said "No you do not need to bring it home, just dump it out. The boys will not be hungry; I'll just pull one of the frozen ones out for Shel to use. And you are right. We will get something that won't get mixed up in the future."]
Timmy's – 6:40 am
Sam needed coffee in the worst way. He yawned as he stood in line. He had changed quickly then dumped and rinsed the travel mug. He decided to head over to Timmy's to grab coffee for the whole team.
But Timmy's was very busy today and service from the new barista was slower than normal. It looked like they had a bunch of new employees. He didn't recognize any of them.
Their favorite barista, Tia, had graduated university and gotten her dream job as an underwriter just before Jules gave birth to the twins. Tia was now working for one of the premier companies in the surety industry. She was happily working providing contract bonds for building schools, courthouse or highways and commercial surety bonds for wineries, tax preparers, etc.
Grinning Sam thought that the SRU must have financed half of Tia's tuition over the years in tips alone. They always tipped way more than expected. If she had been a foster kid or orphan he would have made sure Tia got a scholarship.
But Tia wasn't, so he did the next best thing and helped how he could. All of SRU did. Tia was worth it. She was a bright young lady that worked hard to make her dreams come true.
Sam yawned hugely and covered it with his hand as people around him looked at him. Sam wondered if he should have done what Jules suggested and taken another few days.
He took one small step forward and leaned on the support pole that was in the middle of the room. At this rate he wondered if he would make it back in time for shift. There were still ten people ahead of him.
Yawning yet again Sam covered it and then crossed his arms over his chest. He closed his dry, scratchy, sleep deprived eyes as he waited for the new barista to call the next customer.
SRU HQ – Briefing Room – 7:05 am
Rollie sat down and looked at Team Three. He was shy one man. He asked "Anyone seen Braddock this morning?"
They all shook their heads.
Spike and Ed were walking past on their way out after shift when they heard Rollie. Spike said "I saw Sam's truck in the parking lot when we got back from our last call about ten after six."
Peter, the dispatcher overheard and informed everyone "Sam came in, changed and said he was heading over to Timmy's to grab coffee for the team."
Rollie nodded "Thanks Peter, when was that?"
"About thirty five to forty minutes ago" Peter answered.
Ed and Spike looked at each other. That was quite a long time to do a Timmy's run even if they were busy.
Spike said "I'll go see what is holding Sam up."
Ed added "I'll go with you."
Rollie said "Thanks."
Timmy's – 7:10 am
Spike and Ed strode quickly over to Timmy's. It was not that far from the barn.
As they crossed the street Spike said "Sam looked wiped out the other day when I stopped by."
Ed chuckled "We all know the sleepless nights with newborns. That first year with Izzy was tough with Sophie starting her catering business. Don't think I got much sleep that first year."
Spike nodded "Yeah MonaLisa was a quiet baby and Winnie got her sleeping on a schedule early on but I know what you mean. But two? Sam said Donny and Jimmy were colicky the past week so he has been up helping Jules with the babies at night and taking care of Sadie in the day so Jules can rest."
Ed pulled open the door to Timmy's and Spike entered first. He stopped dead in his tracks. Ed ran into him not expecting Spike to stop.
Spike's face lit into a grin. Ed's jaw dropped open and his eyes danced with amusement.
Tia, their favorite former barista, walked over to Spike and Ed. She was dressed smartly in her business suit and held a large Timmy's cup in her hand. She smiled and said "I figured someone would be coming to look for Sam soon. I came in to get a coffee and found him leaning on the pole."
She turned and looked at her handi-work. She had surrounded Sam with chairs to prevent anyone from running into him. She had put signs on the chairs that said SHHHH, DO NOT DISTURB. DO NOT WAKE.
Spike asked "Who put the chairs around him?"
Tia said "Me. I guess Sam must be pretty tired with having the twins and Sadie. He didn't wake when I called his name several times loudly. I remembered from one of the conversations years ago that Sam can be dangerous if startled awake. I figured that would be best for everyone. At least until one of you came looking for him."
Ed was laughing as he said "I still can't figure out how the hell Samo can sleep standing up."
Sam was standing, leaning against the pole with his arms folded across his chest in the middle of Timmy's. And Sam was most definitely sound asleep. Everyone in the Timmy's was intrigued by the sleeping SRU officer.
Ed stated loudly but not loudly enough to startle Sam "We got it. He's a new father of twins."
There were murmurers of empathy from several men and women.
Spike walked forward and stood just outside the ring of chairs protecting Sam. How best to wake him? He grinned. He could not help it. Spike stepped back and took out his phone. He took several pictures of Sam and quickly sent them to Jules.
His phone rang and he answered "Hey Jules. How should I wake him?"
[Jules laughed "First you are deleting every one of the photos you took. Second you are gonna put me on speaker phone. Third you are gonna bring Sam home. Clearly he is not fit to be at work today."]
Spike put her on speaker phone and said "You are on speaker now. Ed and I will make sure we bring him home and arrange to get his shift covered. What do you want me to do now?"
[Jules said "Put the phone closer to Sam."]
Spike stepped forward again and then reached out the phone close to Sam. "Okay Jules you are close."
["Sam. Hey Sam it is time to wake up. Sam" Jules said loudly.]
Ed informed Jules "No response Jules. Sam must be really dead to the world. Has he slept at all?"
[Jules sighed "Sam said he has but he was probably just saying that. I caught him putting antibiotic cream on his toothbrush this morning."]
Spike said "He's not waking and we are all talking. Should I touch him?"
Ed and Jules both nearly shouted "No!"
Spike shrugged "Okay, okay. I know that I shouldn't but what else can we do?"
Ed looked around and saw a broom. A long ago image of waking Sam from a nightmare with a hockey stick entered his head. No he didn't want to do it that way.
[Jules laughed then said "Okay this is gonna be mean but I have a way. Just be prepared to pick him up off the floor. Okay?"]
Ed and Spike looked at each other and got a gut feeling that Sam wasn't gonna like being woken up like Jules planned. But Ed moved a few chairs away so Sam wouldn't hit them if he did actually fall. Then he answered "Okay Jules."
["Spike put the phone close to Sam again" Jules requested.]
"There" Spike replied when the phone was close to Sam's ear.
[Loudly Jules stated "Sam I'm pregnant again with twins!"]
Sam's eyes shot open panicked. They were wide with shock. Sam startled and lost his balance then slid down the pole to the ground wide awake and said "Jules? Pregnant? Twins? Again?"
Laughter burst out all around Timmy's.
Spike looked at Ed in disbelief that Jules just did that to Sam. Damn. Spike laughed "Oh Jules that was soooo mean but it worked. Sam's awake."
Ed squatted down and chuckled as he said "Sam I'm adding in line at Timmy's to the unacceptable nap locations list."
Sam stared at Ed a moment as he became more aware of his surroundings as the shock of Jules' words wore off. He saw Tia looking at him with an amused smile. Crap. He ran his hands over his face. He fell asleep in line at Timmy.
[Jules said "Sam I'm not pregnant. Sorry to wake you that way. But Sam you are coming home and going straight to bed."]
Sam smirked "You coming to bed too?"
[Jules laughed "Not unless you want to make that pregnant again truth."]
Sam sucked in a deep breath and slowly released it "Guess I'm sleeping alone then."
["Just bring him home guys. I shouldn't have let him go in today in the first place. See you in a bit" Jules responded and then she hung up.
She really should have insisted Sam stay home. She would make sure he got the rest he needed today. Jules was also going to make sure he never did something as stupid as this again. Sam was loved to dearly to let him take risks like that.]
Spike and Ed helped Sam up and Spike said "Let's go buddy. I'll drive you home and get you in bed."
Sam was very tired and felt a bit loopy for it as he gave Spike a lopsided grin "I like you and all Spike but I'm married and so are you and you are not quite my type."
Spike pretended a wounded look "Not your type, say it isn't so. Please say it isn't so. I've pined for you for years."
Ed just rolled his eyes "Sam you are so tired it's like you are on morphine. Spike I have no idea what your excuse is."
Sam blushed at that as he recalled what he said to Ed a very long time ago after getting bitten by the rabid raccoon. But Sam quipped "Spike is just special is all."
A grin split across Spike's face as he over animatedly swooned and joked "Oh I'm gonna faint. Samtastic thinks I'm special. Oh happy day."
Ed shook his head at their antics "I can't take you two anywhere can I? You're never gonna grow up are you?"
Both Sam and Spike shared a conspiratory grin and shook their heads.
"Come on, let's get Samo home before we have to add another unacceptable nap location to the list" Ed teased.
The three of them headed out of Timmy's as Ed pulled his phone out to call Rollie and let him know Sam would not be making it in for shift today and why.
Tia went up to the newest barista as Sam, Ed and Spike headed out and she said "Those are some great guys. Take good care of them for me."
Then she tipped the barista more than normal just like all the SRU men and women had done for her for years. Their generosity over the years had helped her a lot. She was paying it forward.
.
AN: Hope you enjoyed a more lighthearted story and my attempt at humor.
THANK YOU to all my wonderful supportive readers! I truly appreciate all your encouraging reviews and comments and get a kick out of reading them. I enjoy hearing what parts of the stories you liked and your thoughts and projections on what you might happen next. Sometimes your input inspires me and changes the direction of the story or adds an element I had not considered. Thank you all for your kind words and for defending me sometimes when some guests are not so supportive.