AN: I think I should mention that this story isn't leading to a big event. I'm just trying to capture some moments in the Finch household in which Atticus isn't in his most reservated mood.

Although Atticus still wasn't feeling well, he pursuaded Calpurnia to drive to town with him. In the car, he tried to be unobtrusive to people who passed by, but regarding his strange outfit including a bathrobe with coat, and the fact he was driving so couldn't duck, this was not easy. By the time they had reached the end of the street, Atticus ha had already been greeted by five neighbours, including the gossipy ms. Stephanie. Finally reaching Atticus's office ,he handed Calpurnia the keys and told her to take all the letters and some papers and books. She came out, heavily burdened by all the lawyery stuff.

Back home, Atticus started opening his letters on the kitchen table, but after reading about three lines, he got a sharp headache and felt nauseous and dizzy. "Cal...? Could you possibly read these letters to me, and help me write back? I get completely sick when I try to read." She started reading the letters. The first was from a woman, living on a farm not farm from Maycomb. She wanted to divorce, but didn't know how things would work out with all their possessions. Atticus sighed and dictated: mrs...what was her name again? Calpurnia looked once more at the letter. "It doesn't say so, ." Atticus was already tired of this woman, but kept going on. When they reached the phrase "different grounds for divorce, such as adultery, or improper behaviour(...)," Calpurnia looked up to him, ashamed. "Mr Finch...how to you write behaviour again?" Atticus looked at her for a second, pushed his glasses up and with his hands in front of his face, he said: "I have no idea." Then he let his hands slip, looked at Calpurnia and bursted into laughter, something that changed immediately to a coughing fit. Calpurnia started laughing as well. "Pff," Atticus sighed. "I guess I continue tomorrow." He picked up his papers and took them to his office. "Do you mind if I'm going back to bed?" She didn't, but was surprised about his long hours in bed, he wasn't sick often and never stayed in bed so long as he did now.

Atticus took his bathrobe off. Due to his fever temperature, he only wore his boxershorts, clothes put close to the bed so he could dress quickly when necessary. He closed his eyes and was suddenly brought back to a moment with his wife.

Atticus and Jean were laying in their bed together, with Scout as the queen sleeping between them. She had been crying all evening and finally, as a last solution, the parents had put her with them in their bed, although it wasn't even yet time for them to sleep. They looked at each other, exhausted but happily, while stroking the hair and little hands of their young daughter. It wasn't long after that Jem came running into the room. His parents laughed at him and Atticus held up the blankets. He chose to lay on his father's side, and Atticus took him into his arms. After about a quarter of an hour, Jean threw a glance at her husband. Atticus nodded, stood up and gently lifted Jem off the bed, put him in his own and returned. Jean, in the mean time, had carried Scout to the baby room, very careful not to wake her. They both waited, their breaths held, for one of the children to cry out again, but it stayed still. That was when Atticus cupped his wife's face in his hands, and kissed her on her mouth. She returned the kiss and deepened it. Softly, Jean felt herself being pushed on the bed by Atticus. She looked at him in surprise and he explained: " As the situation is so that we're already here..." Then, they began loosening each other's clothes. They exchanged kisses, all over their skin. They grabbed at each other's body. They sweated and whispered soft words of love. Finally, they laid panting in each others arms, and that was the position they were in when they woke up to Scout's cries, interrupting their sleep.