Authors note: Thanks for the idea for these next few chapters. I needed it. Also, I didn't forget about the whole greaser and soc thing. I just hadn't planned on including it in this story.
Soda's POV
Two days later, I woke up in the middle of the night to the sound of Brianna crying. Which wasn't unusual. But this night, her cries sounded different. It wasn't the typical cries of wanting to be fed or needing to be changed. I knew those cries. This cry was one I wasn't used to.
I got out of bed and quietly walked to Brianna's room. When I got to her, she immediately reached out to me. Wanting me to pick her up. I lifted her out of the crib and sat with her in the rocking chair.
"What's the matter?" I asked her softly. I noticed her breathing sounded as if her nose were stuffed up and she was coughing a little. "Do you have a cold?"
Brianna just sniffled and coughed, resting against my chest. She seemed content to have me hold her. Her forehead was warm to the touch. And I knew I wouldn't be going back to bed any time soon. I had a long night ahead of me.
Darry's POV
I was walking past Brianna's room, trying to be quiet because it was early in the morning and I didn't want to disturb anyone in the house. The only reason I was up was because I had to be at work early. But when I looked in her room, I saw Soda holding her in the rocking chair. He looked like he had been there a while.
I crosses the room and gently shook his shoulder. "Hey, little buddy."
Soda yawned and opened his eyes. "What time is it?"
"Its around five in the morning." I replied. "Looks like you had a long night."
"Yeah. Brianna has a cold. She was sniffling and coughing all night." Soda told me. He looked down at Brianna who was definately sniffling a little as she slept in his arms. "I think I'll stay home with her today. I know we can't afford it, but she needs me with her."
I stroked Brianna's cheek. She was warm to the touch and I recalled all the times mom and dad had stayed with me, Soda or Ponyboy when we were sick. "I understand, Soda. She's sick. It's not like you're staying home to goof off. You'll be taking care of your daughter. But I do have to go to work. I'll see you tonight."
"Bye Darry." Soda said softly as I left the room and the house to go to work.
Soda's POV
I went back to sleep after Darry left. The rocking chair wasn't very comfortable, but I was too tired to move. Besides, I didn't want to risk waking up Brianna. She had been up half the night coughing. I just held her and rocked her until she had fallen asleep.
"Hey Soda?" I opened my eyes and this time I saw Pony standing in front of me. He was already dressed and I realized it was about time for him to leave for school.
"What is it?" I asked tiredly.
"What's wrong with Brianna?" He touched her forehead. "She's awefully warm."
"She has a cold. Was up half the night with her." I told him as I stood up, being careful not to disturb Brianna. She sniffled a bit, but didn't wake up. So I figured it was safe to put her back in the crib.
"I've been keeping Steve and Two-Bit quiet. You know how they are." Ponyboy was telling me.
I yawned and followed him to the living room. Steve and Two-Bit were watching Mickey Mouse but looked up when they saw me.
"Hey rough night?" Steve asked. I just nodded as I picked up the phone and called the DX station to tell my manager I wasn't coming into work. When I hung up, Steve shook his head. "So, Brianna's sick, huh? No wonder you look like you haven't slept much last night."
"That also explains why Pony here insisted that we stay quiet." Two-Bit said swiping at Pony's head as he went to the kitchen for a slice of chocolate cake.
"I didn't know she was sick!" Pony protested. "I just didn't want you two loud mouths waking them up."
"Well we have to get going anyway so they can both sleep now." Steve said standing up. "I'll come by after work, Soda."
"Sure. I'll see y'all later." I yawned as the three of them walked out the front door. Once I heard Steve's car drive away, I got up and went to the kitchen to eat. I figured there would be no sense in me trying to go back to sleep since I was the only one there who could take care of Brianna. I wanted to be awake when she woke up and I was sure she would be a little fussy when she woke up.