A couple of days later, Jason and Aria woke early in the morning to the cries of Colton. Jason rushed out into Colton and Scarlett's room with Aria following close behind. "Bud?" he whispered as he opened the twins' door. "What's wrong? What's the matter kid?" Colton didn't answer and continued to sob. Jason pulled down his covers, squatting down, he ran his hand over Colton's head with Aria squatting down next to him.
"Baby?" Aria said worried that Colton was so distressed.
"Mommy? Why is Colton crying?" Scarlett asked on the verge of tears herself.
"I'm not sure sweetie." Aria answered as she got up and walked over to Scarlett to comfort her. "Don't cry.." Aria kissed Scarlett's head and sat with her on her lap as they watched Jason pick Colton out of bed and stand up.
"He's hot baby. We need to get him in the bathtub." Jason told Aria as he rushed out of the room and into the bathroom next door.
"Go back to sleep Scar. You don't have to worry about anything." Aria kissed her head again and tucked her into her covers. Aria leaned towards the bottom of Scarlett's bed to pick up the toy unicorn which was about to fall off the end. "You can snuggle with Mindy and then when it's time to get ready for school I'll come and wake you up okay. Don't worry." Aria kissed Scarlett's head as she tucked the toy unicorn in with Scarlett and then ran out of the room and into the bathroom. "Where's the thermometer?" Aria asked as she searched the cabinets. "Jason?"she asked again when he didn't reply.
"I don't know. You were the last to use it. Check our bathroom." he replied as she helped Colton get out of his pyjama bottoms and into the cool bath. Aria hurried out of the bathroom and across the hall to their ensuite. "How's your head feeling little man? Does it hurt?"
Colton nodded sadly and rubbed his hand along his throat.
"And your throat too?"
Colton nodded and cried even more. "Aww baby..." Aria whispered sympathetically as she came back a few moments later with the thermometer. "I have to put this under your arm. Can you lift it up for me?" Colton put his hand on his head. Aria took his hand and placed it back down so that the object stayed in his armpit. "Good boy. Thank you." Aria took his head in her hands and kissed his forehead. "He must have a fever." Aria told Jason who was squatted down next to her.
"Yeah, his throat and head hurt too. We should get him to the doctors as soon as they open."
"What's the time now?" Aria asked as she placed another kiss to Colton's head.
Jason looked towards the clock they had on their bathroom wall. "It's just after 6.."
"They open at 7. We should leave here at quarter to seven so we're the first people they see. Will you call your dad to tell him I'm not coming into work today please."
"Sure." Jason kissed the side of Aria's head and left the bathroom, heading back into their room.
"I'm sorry you're feeling like this sweetie. We're going to go and see the doctor and he'll make you feel so much better I promise. Let me take that from your arm now."
Colton sniffed as he lifted his arm slightly for Aria. Checking the temperature, she sighed, Colton wasn't as hot as she thought he would be but she was still worried and thought it was best for them to go to the doctors.
Jason got himself showered and ready while Aria sat with Colton and Scarlett in their room getting them ready to leave. "Mommy, do I have to go to school?" Scarlett asked as Aria helped her put on her skirt.
"Yes sweetie, you do. Daddy's going to take you after we've been to see the doctor."
"Mommy, do I have to go?" Colton asked groggily.
"No baby, you're too sick." she replied looking over her shoulder at him as he lay on his bed.
"Can I stay home with Colton mommy?" Scarlett asked as Aria tied up her hair.
"No baby, I want you to go to school.." Aria told her softly as she kissed her forehead before standing up and going over to Colton to get him in some shorts and and a tshirt.
The whole family were out of the house and into Jason's Audi bang on 6.45 and were luckily the first people to be seen at the doctors office. After a quick meeting with the doctor, he checked Colton over and believed that it was just a fever which should disappear after a couple days. He would be fine if they gave him ibuprofen and made sure he drank water regularly as well as a day of bed rest. And if he developed a rash or any other symptoms over the next couple of days then they should come back. The family went home and had breakfast before Jason took Scarlett to school and then headed off to work.
A few hours later, Aria was catching up on the whole new season of Lie to Me as she sat with Colton on the couch in the lounge.
"Hey Hanna.." Aria answered as she picked up her phone as fast as possible so that it didn't wake Colton who was sleeping in her arms.
"Are you at work?" Hanna asked.
"No, I'm at home. Colton's sick."
Hanna sighed. "Poor kid, what's wrong?"
"He's got a fever. He was up early today crying his eyes out. My little baby.." Aria leant down to press a light kiss to his forehead.
"Aww bless him! Did Scarlett go to school?"
"Yeah, I don't think she wanted to but she's better off there than being here with us two."
"Do you want me to pick her up?" Hanna asked as she took her car keys from her purse.
"That would be great. I was going to call my mum but if you're free than that would be so helpful Hanna.."
"It's no problem. Do you want me to take her to get something to eat or have you had the time to cook some dinner?"
"Oh crap.." Aria shook her head. "I didn't even think about dinner. Will you get her something to eat and then I'll pay you back when you drop her off?"
"Don't worry about paying me back. It's fine. I'll see you at about 4.." Hanna replied as she walked towards her car to finish off her errands before going to Scarlett's school.
"Okay. Thank you Hanna!"
"I'll see you later."
"Bye." As soon as Aria hung up, Colton stirred awake.
"Hey sweetie, how are you feeling?" Aria asked quietly.
"Hot.." Colton moaned.
"Have some water." Aria leant forward and picked up Colton's special Avengers glass from the coffee table in front of them.
Colton took a few little sips of water and then settled back into Aria's embrace. "When's daddy coming home?"
"He should be home soon. Did you want to call him?"
"No, it's okay.."
"Is there anything else you would like? Aunty Hanna is buying Scar some dinner when she finishes school, I'm sure she'll be happy to get you a happy meal if you want.."
"Can Aunty Hanna get me some nuggets?" Colton asked as he sat up slightly.
"Yeah of course." Aria kissed Colton's cheek as she picked up her phone to text Hanna. "Do you just want nuggets?"
Colton nodded his head and settled back into his original position.
Hanna and Scarlett arrived home at 4 o'clock with nuggets and a new dvd for Colton.
"Here Colton, me and Aunty Hanna got you this!" Scarlett told him proudly as she ran into the lounge and handed him the dvd box.
"Thanks.." Colton replied quietly.
"Here, little man, here are your nuggets. Did you want ketchup?" Hanna asked as she sat down next to him and Aria on the couch.
"No thank you." Colton smiled as he took the plate from Hanna. "Mama, can you put the movie on please? Colton asked.
Aria got up and put the animated action film on for Colton who enjoyed it thoroughly regardless of his illness. It made Aria happy to see him smile for the first time today. It broke her heart seeing him so distressed earlier in the day. Making the most of Colton and Scarlett's interest in the movie, she and Hanna sat talking in the kitchen, drinking hot cocoa.
"How are you coping with the morning sickness?" Aria asked sympathetically - she knew all too well at the horrible feeling of spewing her guts up multiple times, every single morning.
"It's bearable. It starts when I get up and only lasts for fifteen, twenty minutes so it's not too bad."
"You're luckier than I was. I threw up every morning for at least two hours."
"Eww!" Hanna crinkled the tip of her nose in digust. "I am lucky." she replied as she sipped from her mug. "How did Jason take the news of you not being pregnant?"
"Not too badly actually - considering how happy he was when I told him I was pregnant. But we're good. We know I'll have another baby when the time is right. It's not as if he's getting old or anything.."
"He is pretty old though." Hanna teased.
"Behave yourself. He's 32. He's still a young stud!" Aria laughed.
"Mommy?" Aria turned around when she heard Scarlett's voice.
"Yes, sweetie?"
"Colton finished his water.." Scarlett told her handing Aria the cup.
"Thank you." Aria took the cup from Scarlett and walked over to the tap to fill the cup again. "Tell him I said he needs to finish this cup too."
"Okay." Scarlett replied as she carefully took the glass from Aria with both hands.
"Be careful baby." Aria told her gently.
"Okay." Scarlett turned around and headed out of the kitchen slowly.
Jason came home at 6pm to find his family sprawled out on the lounge carpet watching The Lion King on dvd. "Hey.." he said as he walked in to get their attention.
"Daddy!" Scarlett shouted as she got off the carpet and ran into Jason's arms. "Colton's feeling better daddy." Scarlett told him.
"He is?" Jason asked rhetorically as he kissed Scarlett's cheek. "How you feeling little man?" Jason asked as he walked towards Aria and Colton who were still laying together on the carpet.
"I'm okay."
"That's good. Do you think you can go to school tomorrow?" Jason asked as he sat down with his family.
"Maybe." Colton told him as he sipped on his water.
"Mommy's going to have to check your temperature in the morning and then we'll decide." Aria said as she sat up to kiss Jason quickly. "How was your day?" she asked as she tied up her hair into a bun.
"It was really busy for a change actually. They needed me to stay there longer tonight but I couldn't leave my boy all day you know."
Aria smiled and brushed her fingers through Jason's hair lightly.
"What's for dinner?" Jason asked as he took off his jacket.
Aria sighed apologetically. "We have to get takeout tonight. I haven't had the time to cook anything.."
"No, it's fine. What do you want and I'll go and get it."
"I'll eat whatever you want."
"Okay then." Jason kissed Aria before getting up to go and get them food. "What should I get for the kids?" he asked as he checked his wallet.
"They already ate. Hanna took Scarlett to get dinner and they brought Colton back something too." Aria told him before looking back to the tv screen.
An hour and a half later, it was time to put Scarlett and Colton to bed. "Can I sleep in your bed?" Colton asked.
"I thought you were feeling better.." Aria said as she helped him get into his bed shorts.
"I am but what if I get sick again. I want to be with you and daddy."
"Okay.." Aria kissed his head. "Go to my bed then." Aria tapped Colton's bottom and he rushed off into Jason and Aria's bedroom, Aria following behind him.
A few minutes later, Jason and Scarlett came in. "Say goodnight to your mommy." Jason told Scarlett as he walked in with her in his arms.
"Night night mommy!" Scarlett smiled.
"Goodnight sweetie." Aria replied as she sat in bed with Colton.
"Hey, how comes Colton's sleeping in your bed?" Scarlett asked with a confused look on her face.
"He's here because he was sick and we need to watch over him until he's all better." Aria smiled.
"Can I sleep here too?"
"Why can't you sleep in your room?" Jason asked as he placed Scarlett at the end of their bed.
"I don't wanna be alone.." Scarlett told them sadly. "Anyways you've got lots and lots of room in your big bed for me. I'm only tiny."
"That you are." Jason smiled. "You can sleep here just for tonight."
"Yay!" Scarlett screamed excitedly before jumping all the way from the bottom of the bed to the head.
"Be careful." Jason warned her as he walked into the ensuite to shower. When he came out Scarlett and Colton were fast asleep and Aria was watching a recording of Devious Maids on the tv with the volume down low. It was only 8pm, so Jason made his way to Aria's side of the bed and picked her up over his shoulder, knowing that she couldn't protest otherwise it would wake up the kids. Jason was amused when he could feel Aria squirming to be released from him. Walking out of the bedroom with Aria over his shoulder he took her all the way downstairs. When he got to the bottom step he let Aria down.
Aria slapped his chest. "You're crazy! What is wrong with you?" she asked in a hushed tone even though they were out of ear shot of the kids.
"What's wrong with wanting to have some fun with my wife? I definitely wasn't going to have fun with our kids stuck in between us.."
"Oh so you brought me down here hoping to get some?" Aria teased as she walked away from him and into the kitchen.
Jason smiled and followed Aria into the kitchen. "Not necessarily sex. What do you take me for?" he joked as he pulled Aria back to him.
"Pffft! 'Not necessarily sex' my ass!"
"Hey! Turn around." Jason laughed.
"What?" Aria turned and wrapped her arms around Jason's neck.
"I just wanted to spend some time with you before I go away for that conference."
"What conference?" Aria furrowed her brows.
"The one I told you about last week in Bedford.."
"I thought that was next week.."
"No I leave tomorrow.." Jason sighed.
Aria pouted. Jason smiled and kissed those lips which he could never get enough of. "I was hoping that we'd get some one on one time tonight but obviously not."
"Obviously.." Aria mimicked. "So what do you want to do?" she asked, already knowing Jason had one thing on his mind.
Jason leant down to kiss his petite wife again. "What do you want to do?"
Jason's answer surprised Aria a little, so she took advantage of not having to be butt naked on the cold kitchen table and took advantage of having a husband who wanted to do whatever she wanted to do. "Well, I'd like to finish off watching Devious Maids.. and I'd like somebody to make me some chocolate chip pancakes.."
"I can do that for you.." Jason kissed Aria again.
"Thank you. You're a great husband." Aria leant up to kiss him. "And you're not old." she kissed him again.
Jason pulled back and furrowed his brows a little. "What?"
"Hanna said you were 'pretty old'.." Aria teased as she bit on her lip and played with one of Jason's earlobes.
"Pretty old huh?"
"Yeah.. she thought you were getting to that point where it would be hard for you to get me pregnant.." Aria continued to tease him as he lifted her up and placed her on the kitchen worktop.
"Well I hope you've told her I'm still the sensational lover you started sleeping with 8 years ago."
"Of course." Aria locked her legs around Jason's waist as she pulled Jason towards her and she captured her favourite pair of lips in a passionate kiss. Jason's hands ran up and down her thighs as he eagerly returned back the kiss with as much passion as he had received. Before Jason got too carried away, Aria stopped them and tried to get off the worktop but Jason still had a firm grip on her, holding her close to him even though she had managed to get off the worktop. He tried to kiss her again but she playfully shied away and leant as far back as possible to avoid Jason's kisses. Jason laughed when she did this. Considering their height and strength difference, Jason was able to keep her steady just using one arm while the other was wrapped around her waist to pull her back to his level.
"You can't get away from me that easily." he teased as he pulled Aria back towards him.
Aria groaned when she realised she'd never be able to overpower Jason. Admitting defeat she placed quick kisses to his lips and whispered 'Can you let me go to the lounge please?' pouting her lips.
"You look exactly like Scar.." Jason laughed as he released his arms from Aria. She jumped down and picked the bag of chocolate chips from the cupboard. "Don't forget my pancakes." she smiled before walking out of the kitchen and into the lounge.
Jason picked up the bag and smiled as his wife walked out. He heard the tv turn on and took it as his cue to get started with the pancakes. He wasn't going to see Aria for the next four days so he tried his very best to make sure they were up to her very high standards.