Chapter 7:
Sometime later Spot slipped back upstairs and sat on the edge of the bed. He brushed the hair from Rae's face and leaned down to give her a gentle kiss.
Stirring, she opened a pair of sleepy eyes on him. "Hello," she murmured with a yawn, stretching.
"Feeling better?"
"Yes," she replied with a nod, pushing herself to a sitting position.
"You had everyone worried about you."
She smiled drowsily. "You all worry too much."
"Andy was worried that we would all get sick again."
Her smile was broader. "That was certainly a problem."
"Do you want to go downstairs? Or can I let the twins come up?"
"I'll go down. Let everyone know I'm not an invalid." Swinging her legs over the edge of the bed she rose to a slow stand and yawned. "Let's go... I'm starving."
He gave a slight laugh, "That's my girl."
She smiled and followed him downstairs.
"Momma!" Ann and Andy squealed when they saw her coming and ran over to her.
She laughed when they threw their arms around her. "Why hello! What a wonderful greeting!"
"Are you all better now, Momma?" Ann asked.
Nodding, she replied, "All better."
"Goody," Andy said.
"Did you all have dinner yet?"
"It's just about ready," Nick called from the kitchen. "Some one go tell the Gaines' to come and get it."
"I will I will!" Ann and Andy shrieked, running out the door.
Rae glanced at Spot, as they headed into the kitchen. "How is everything with them?" 'Them', meaning the Gaines'.
"They've been sitting out there talking all morning."
"No fighting? Not even from Shadow?"
"She put up a fuss for a little while..."
She smiled. "Sounds like our Shadow!"
He put his arm around her, "Come on, let's go get some food."
She nodded and helped Nick bring the food to the table, thanking him repeatedly for all his help.
"Just doing what I love, missy," he replied with a smile.
"Well thank you still, you have been such a tremendous help."
There was no time for further talk because 8 hungry people came rushing into the room, talking loudly.
Rae grinned, leaning into Spot. "Mm, reminds me of the lodging house."
"Sure does," he said, kissing the side of her head, "only we can kick most of them out tonight."
She laughed and nodded. "Yes, that's true."
Sure enough, that night the entire Gaines family went back to their house, Molly and Kendra included. "I'm only in town for a few days," Mr. Gaines said, "I'd appreciate it very much if you would allow Molly to stay here while I'm gone. I won't worry about her so much."
"Um, certainly," Spot finally said after Rae elbowed him in the side to agree.
"Are you sure about Kendra? I can always take her to the orphanage..."
"Positive. We do NOT want her there."
He nodded and then left to take his family home.
"Well... that gives us a small breather.... Back to our original family size... with Nick on the side," Spot commented. "And did you have to elbow me so hard!" He rubbed his side and made a face.
"Sorry..."
He kissed her cheek. "Forgiven. Now come on, let's get inside before you DO get sick from the cold."
"I'm not going to get sick...breakfast just didn't settle well..."
"Mm, still. Come along."
"Yes sir..." she whined sounding like Ann and Andy.
He grinned.
She reached over and pinched his arm. "Cut that out."
He continued grinning, wincing only slightly from the pinch.
She huffed, "You are so...."
"Horrible? I know."
She huffed again. "And you're so horrible that you know you're so horrible!"
"But you love me, right?"
"Of course," she grumbled, giving him the slightest of smiles.
"I saw that smile, Conlon, and I want to see a better one..."
"Try convincing me, hmm?"
"It won't take much."
She pursed her lips, hiding another smile. "Then take your best shot."
He smirked at her and then pulled her into his arms and kissed her.
She bit her lip as the corners of her mouth curved up. "Try again."
"Gladly," he retorted, kissing her again.
She gave him a bright smile. "I think you did a fine job of convincing."
"Why thank you, Mrs. Conlon. Thank you."
Ann and Andy skipped into the hall, "Momma, Daddy, come read to us..." Andy said.
"Nick found that book you was readin' to us on the boat," Ann added.
Spot and Rae exchanged glances and then Rae hurried ahead. Chris was in the parlor staring in shock and confusion at something in his hands.
Rae took it from him. "Spot this isn't just A copy....it's THE copy..."
"How... Are you sure? How do you know?"
"Just look at it..." she said, handing it to him.
He examined the cover and then shrugged helplessly. "Maybe one similar?" It was so hard to believe that... this... was the book that was lost in the ocean.
"It's water-logged, Spot...."
He studied the book, unable to believe it. "But... but it can't be... How...?"
Rae turned to Nick, but he held up his hand. "Don't ask, because I won't tell."
She gave him a small, odd smile and then threw her arms around the old man's slender waist. "Thank you," she whispered.
He hugged her back, "You are very welcome, missy. Now I know two children who want to hear a story from their parents...I'm going to bed." he said, slipping from the room.
She smiled happily, clutching the book to her chest, and nodded, motioning for Ann and Andy to follow her up the stairs.
Rae settled herself on the bed in her room, Ann and Andy crawling up and snuggling up on either side of her.
Ann smiled happily. "This is Momma's favorite book, Andy," she said with a wise little nod. "And now she's reading it to us!"
"I knew that Annie!" he retorted.
"What about me?" Spot asked from the doorway.
"Scoot over kiddos. Daddy wants to hear too."
Ann stood on the bed and waited until he was sitting next to Rae before dropping into his lap. He grunted from her fall and gave a grimace like smile.
Rae bit back a laugh. "Everyone comfy now?"
"Yes," they chorused.
She opened the book and began to read the familiar words, "Once upon a time, in a lad far away..."
~*~
An hour later she glanced over the top of her book, to see Chris and Julie curled up on the end of the bed sound asleep. Andy was asleep with his head on her shoulder and Ann was asleep in Spot's lap.
She smiled at him and said quietly, "It looks like we've acquired a larger audience somewhere during all this."
He nodded. "They slipped in right after you started reading. Guess they didn't want to be left out."
She smiled. "I guess this will be our 'family' thing. Storytime..." Her smile broadened at the word family and she rested her head on his shoulder.
He slipped his free arm around her shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze. "An odd family...but a family all the same." He kissed the side of her head. "Let's get these kids to their beds."
She nodded in agreement and slid quietly off the bed, scooping the drowsy Andy into her arms. Spot did the same with Ann.
He stopped at the end of the bed and gently shook Chris. "Time to move to your own bed."
"Wake Julie, if you could, please," Rae added.
Chris nodded wearily. "Yes ma'am."
Gently, she kissed his forehead. "Thank you."
He made a face, but turned to wake up his sister. She smiled and left the room after Spot.
She placed Andy on his bed and kissed his cheek. "Goodnight Chris," she said as she passed Chris in the doorway.
"Night," he yawned.
"Sleep well, kid."
"Mm, thanks." He crawled into bed and was out a few moments later.
She smiled slightly and went back into her room. She quickly changed into her nightgown and crawled under the covers. She opened the book to where she had just left off and began to read.
Spot entered a few moments later with a yawn, changed, and crawled into bed next to her. "Mm, I hope I don't have to compete for your attention with that book," he teased with a grin.
"You might," she retorted with a mischievous smirk.
He 'hmphed' but gave her another grin, kissing her goodnight and closing his eyes.
She put the book aside and moved closer to him, "Spot?"
He peeked at her through one slit eye. "Yeah?"
"Hold me?"
He smiled. "As you wish, Madam Doctor." Slipping his arms around her waist, he cuddled closer.
She kissed him, "Goodnight, love."
"Goodnight sweetheart."
* * *
Rae groaned, rolling onto her side. The scent of frying bacon wafted down the hall. It was not a pleasant smell to her aching stomach. Climbing to her feet, she staggered to the bathroom and threw up.
Spot rolled out of bed, "Rae? Sweetheart?"
Her response was throwing up again. He knelt beside her and pulled her hair back from her face. She spit into the bowl and then glanced at him with a weak smile. "Thanks Spot."
"Are you alright, darling? This is the second time this week that you've gotten sick..."
"I don't know," she moaned.
"Maybe I should go find that doctor..."
She shook her head. "It goes away after awhile... I'll be fine soon."
He pulled her into his arms. "I hate seeing you like this, sweetheart."
She sniffled. "I hate being like this."
The bedroom door burst open and Ann skipped in, "Morning, Momma...Morning Daddy."
Wearily, Rae looked at her and smiled as Spot pulled her to her feet. "Morning sweetheart."
Ann cocked her head to the side, "Are you sick, Momma?"
"Just a tummy ache," she replied, resting a hand on the top of the little girl's head.
Ann wrapped her arms around Rae's waist, "You need to sleep, Momma. Dr. Trent said that sleep makes us feel all better."
She laughed softly. "Is that so? Are you gonna be Momma's little doctor?"
Ann nodded smartly. "Yep. Me and Nurse Daddy will make you all better."
She grinned, glancing at "Nurse" Spot out of the corner of her eye.
He scooped her up in his arms and carried her to the bed. "Now be a good girl and go to sleep," he said with a grin as he tucked her under the covers.
"I just woke up though," she whined.
"Ah ah... the doctor and her nurse have spoken." He leaned over and kissed her forehead.
"But Spot...."
He placed a finger over her lips. "No buts about it missy."
"I'm fine...just a little upset stomach..."
"A little upset stomach that would feel better with some rest. Now stop arguing with me."
"Spot..."
He lifted a brow. She sent him a pleading look. He smiled. "We're only doing this to help you, honey."
"I told you I was fine..." She jumped up from the bed and ran back toward the bathroom.
He followed her and sat next to her, holding her hair out of the way again as she vomited. "Wanna run that by me again?"
She shook her head weakly.
Kissing her forehead, he picked her up and carried her back to the bed. "Now... Rest up some, please?" he said, pulling her blankets up to her chin.
"Will you come back and sit with me after you eat?"
"Of course."
She smiled weakly and rolled over.
He kissed her temple and picked up Ann, carrying her down the stairs and into the kitchen, where Nick was frying up breakfast.
"Where's the missus?" Nick asked, glancing over his shoulder when they walked in
"She's feeling a little sick again," Spot replied, slyly swiping a strip of bacon off the plate
"Maybe one of us should go for the doctor."
"I don't know," he replied, snatching another bacon strip to snack on. "She says it only comes and goes..."
"It might be a good idea."
He paused for a moment. "She asked me not to... and I really don't want to go behind her back and go get him."
"Well, all right then... but if the situation gets worse, I do recommend it."
Spot leaned against the counter. "Nick? What would you have done if your wife was sick like Rae?"
"Well," he paused thoughtfully, resting his hands on the countertop. "I would let her know I was there with her... Just take care of her the best I could until I could get some help."
"I want to get a doctor out here to make sure that she's alright, but I'm not sure that I want to get that doctor bad enough to go behind her back to get him."
Nick nodded. "I understand. You are in a bind, that is for certain."
Ann tugged on his sleeve. "Daddy? Why is Momma sick lots?"
He shrugged, ruffling her hair. "I'm not sure."
"We can make her all better right? Like Dr. Trent made me all better?"
"We're certainly gonna try!"
"What if she doesn't get better Daddy?"
"I don't know... I guess we'll bring a doctor back here to see what he can do."
"Andy said that my real Momma got sick and went away? Is Momma gonna go away too?"
Her question made him stop and think for a moment... He hadn't thought of that... Rae didn't seem ill enough to die... he didn't think... That wasn't reassuring, he wanted to know. But, for Ann's sake, he shook his head. Resting his hand on her head, he replied, "We'll fix Momma up real good, okay?"
She nodded and leaned against his leg, falling silent. Spot cast a confused glance toward Nick.
Nick leaned over and picked Ann up. "I am certain your new mother will be wonderfully fine. Would you like to help me finish making breakfast?"
"Alright," she said with a nod. He set her to her feet and draped the ruffled apron Spot usually ended up wearing over her head. She giggled and turned to Spot, "Tie it Daddy?"
He smiled, wrapping the ties around her little waist before tying it in a secure bow on her back. She grinned up at him before going to help Nick. Spot leaned against the wall and smiled as he watched them make preparations. Ann was a little more trouble in the kitchen then she was help, but it was cute seeing her so happy, TRYING to help Nick with the pancakes.
Chris stumbled sleepily into the kitchen, "I thought I heard someone sick upstairs..." he muttered, dropping into a chair by the table.
"That would probably be Rae... and... I'm scheduled to go back up and sit with her." Spot excused himself and trotted back up the stairs.
She wasn't in the bed when he walked in the room, but he could hear her in the bathroom again.
Leaning against the doorframe, he called in, "Honey?"
"What?" she called out weakly.
"I just wanted to let you know I was back... are you sure you don't want to see a doctor?"
"I don't want to see any doctor but Trent, and I'm really not feeling up to a trip into Brooklyn."
"Would you like me to go out for him and bring him back to you? I hate seeing you like this."
"He can't leave his other patients Spot. If I'm not better soon then I'll let you take me to see him. But I'm fine."
He folded his arms over his chest. "All right, if you insist."
She glanced up at him and nodded weakly.
Gently, he kissed her forehead. "Need help getting back in bed?"
"If you don't mind."
Picking her up, he carried her back to bed covered her with the blankets. Then he sat next to her and put his arm around her. "You get better."
"It seems like you're always taking care of me."
"Well, that's my job." He smiled.
"I'm sorry," she whispered, resting her head on his shoulder.
"It's all right. It's not your fault you get sick. I don't blame you at all."
She sighed, "But don't you get tired of taking care of me all the time?"
He smiled. "No. Otherwise I shouldn't have married you."
She sighed again.
"What's the matter?"
"I was never this sick back in Brooklyn."
He kissed her forehead. "Well, there must be a reason, hmm?"
"I don't think it's this house...I got sick on the island too..."
"I don't know what it could be," he replied honestly.
"Spot, what if I'm dying? I remember this one lady that came to see Trent..."
"You aren't dying," he said firmly.
"But, Spot...I could be...she didn't think anything was wrong either...and her husband brought her in...and..."
He kissed her to shut her up. "Stop talking like that. If you are so worried, then I'll get Trent."
She shook her head, "It's too far for him to come."
"Then I'll take you to him. One way or another, if you are that worried, we must find out for certain, hmm?"
She shook her head again, "I'm sure I'll be fine Spot...just a little upset stomach...no need to go through all that trouble."
With a sigh, he kissed her forehead again. "All right... But if this doesn't stop after a couple days, I'm taking you to Brooklyn whether you like it or not."
She nodded. "I'm sure I'll be fine in the morning."'
"You'd better be." He smiled a little. "I'm holding you to that."
She smiled up at him weakly. "You're already holding me, Spot."
He laughed a little. "That's true."
She sighed and rested her head on his shoulder again, "Just don't ever let me go."
"I won't."
She closed her eyes and after another moment was sound asleep.
He sighed, resting his head on top of hers. "You'd better get well soon, woman," he murmured, staring at the ceiling.
There was a soft knock at the door. He glanced at it. "Come in," he called quietly, glancing at Rae to make sure she hadn't woken up.
Chris opened the door and Ann walked in carefully balancing a plate of food in her little hands.
He smiled, sitting up carefully, slowly readjusting Rae in his arms. "And what is this? Breakfast?"
She nodded. "Me and Nick thought you might get hungry."
He smiled at her. "Thank you, Annie." He took the plate from her. "And it smells yummy. Were you a good helper for Nick?"
She nodded excitedly. "He said that I can help him with dinner too."
"That's wonderful. I'm glad you like helping him!"
She looked at Rae, "Is Momma feeling better?"
"Annie," Chris hissed from the doorway. "Let's go."
"But... but I just wanted to know..."
"Come on," Chris hissed again.
"Momma is feeling a little bit better, sweetheart," Spot replied.
Ann nodded and latched on to Chris' hand as they left the room. Spot then sighed and leaned his head back against the headboard. Looking down at Rae tucked beneath his arm, he gently kissed her forehead before glancing at the ceiling again. 'Please let everything be okay' he thought.
* * *
Two days later Spot was working on something at the desk in the office when Chris stuck his head in and knocked on the door. "Got a minute?"
Looking up from the letter he was writing, he glanced at Chris and nodded. "'Course I do."
Chris walked in and dropped into a chair. "I think something has happened to my father."
Spot set his pencil on the desk and glanced at him inquisitively. "Why do you say that?"
"Father was in the habit of answering letters the same day that he got them. That letter has had plenty of time to get to him...and get back."
He nodded slowly. "Do you think perhaps your father may not live at that address anymore?"
"It's possible...but he would have sent word."
"But he didn't know where you were, remember? You and Julie ran away to go find him again and all that's happened.... and you've been here since."
Chris sighed. "I think I should write my aunt and tell her where we are."
Spot nodded. "I'm sure she'd appreciate it."
"It means that she will come and get us and take us back with her."
Spot pursed his lips. "Well... I... you... you are her family, after all..."
"Julie hated it there."
He frowned. "There isn't much Rae and I could do to stop her from taking you back, if you did write her."
"Do I have to write her?"
"That... that's up to you," he replied.
"What do you think I should do?"
Spot smiled. "I think you should do what you think you is best... for both you and Julie AND your Aunt."
Chris sighed again, "I don't know what to do."
"Well... you can think on it for a little while longer. Or ask Julie."
"She would say to go back because that's where Father wanted us...but she was miserable there."
Spot sighed. "Well... I honestly don't know what to tell you. You both are more than welcome to stay with us, you know, if that's what you want. But it is up to you."
The door opened and Ann came running in, "Daddy..."
Spot sent her a disapproving look, "Ann, please wait your turn."
"But-"
He held up a hand and looked at Chris.
Chris shrugged. "I'm done anyway."
Spot looked back down at Ann, "Now what do you need, Miss Annie?"
"Momma told me not to tell you that she's sick again..."
He frowned deeply. "All right. Thank you, sweetheart." Standing, he left the study and trotted to his and Rae's room. He heard the sound of her soft sobs coming from the bathroom as he entered the bedroom. He entered the bathroom and sat next to her, placing a hand on her back. "Tell me."
"I was feeling better....and then this morning....my head started pounding....and then I started feeling sick....I nearly passed out on my way back up here...." she buried her head in his shoulder as she continued to cry.
Circling his arms around her, he rubbed her back gently. "Want to go to Brooklyn? Or for me to get Trent down here?"
"Trent can't take the time off to come down here just to see me....but I don't feel up to the trip to Brooklyn....maybe when I'm feeling better..." she said weakly.
With a sigh, he kissed her forehead. "Tell me the moment you're feeling better. I want you checked out as soon as possible."
She nodded weakly. "I'm so sorry, Spot," she said, bursting into tears again.
"Shh, it's all right," he murmured soothingly, stroking her hair.
She moaned, "Must the twins be so loud?" she asked holding her head.
Spot looked down at her concerned, he hadn't heard a thing. "Ready to go lie back down? I'll go send them outside to play, if you'd like."
She nodded, "I don't think I can make it on my own, though."
He smiled. "That's what I'm here for." He scooped her up in his arms and carried her to bed. Pushing her hair out of her face, he kissed her eyelids gently. "I'll be right back."
She nodded weakly and rolled over He watched her worriedly. What could possibly be wrong? He slipped back downstairs and found Chris. "Do me a favor and take the twins outside to play. And try to keep them quiet." Chris looked at him a bit confused but nodded and went to gather them. Spot sat on the steps and placed his head in his hands. Could things get any worse?
He couldn't imagine how it could. Unless, of course, Rae... He swallowed hard. No, she wouldn't die. But still, he ran up the stairs to make sure. He sat on the edge of the bed and took her hand. "Don't you dare die on me, Rae Kelly!" he whispered.
Stirring slightly, she murmured drowsily, "What?"
"I didn't mean to wake you sweetheart," he said, placing his hand on her cheek, "Go back to sleep." She squeezed his had before burrowing further beneath the blankets and closing her eyes again. With a sigh he leaned down to kiss her forehead, "I love you," he whispered, holding her hand tightly.