A/N: Will probably update again this weekend.

Chapter Eight

Johnny parked in the garage, the ride over had been mostly silent except for telling her again she wasn't a bad mother. But she still felt like one sort of, she understood she had the right too have fun when she is not with her children. When her children were safe with other adults, she was allowed too have fun with others. Still, it was hard to know that her son was sick and she hadn't been there for him.

When he turned the car off, he turned a bit to face her. "You sure you don't want me to come inside with you?"

"No." Lulu said quietly, as much as she would like his support inside, she knew this wasn't the time to let me know she was seeing Johnny in a casual way. Dante would have a fit and the tension would already be running high. "But thank you Johnny."

He nodded and reached out his hand to cup her face and brought their lips together again. Pulling back, he gave her a reassuring smile. "It will be fine and call me when you get home?"

Nodding, she gave him the best smile she could buster and kissed him once more and got out of the car. Heading inside of the hospital, she walked as fast as her heels would let her. Getting to the main floor, she saw Olivia and Dante standing with Rocco between them. Seeing her baby, she broke out into a run and reached them. Stooping down, she pulled him into her arms. "My baby," she whispered and rocked him.

Olivia smiled at her and Dante just looked tensed, but she focused on Olivia who would have the most information. "He's okay honey, he has a bit of strep and a fever but he'll be okay. I probably overly reacted."

She stood up and brought Rocco with her, keeping her on his hip and he buried his face into her neck. "No, no, I'm glad you brought him."

"Well he has a round of antibiotics and he'll be as good as new." Her former mother-in-law reached out and rubbed Rocco's back as he laid against his mother.

Dante finally step forward and shook his head, "Where were you Lulu? Ma drove by the house but your car wasn't there."

She nodded. "I went out with a fri – Maxie. We met up at Kelly's and went for a drink. I didn't want to drive home so I crashed at her place." It was a lie but she wasn't ready too bring up Johnny. She would have to text Maxie but she was sure her best friend would cover for her.

"Our son was sick and you went out?" He was angry but Lulu shook her head.

"When I dropped him off at Oliva's, he was fine!" She countered, angry that he was questioning her.

"He was Dante, I told you." Olivia also jumped in defense of Lulu. It surprised her but Lulu knew Olivia was a single mom and understood the questioning she was now getting. She was sure Julian had probably dealt it out a few times even though he was a horrible person.

"Okay…you're right. I'm sorry Lulu." Dante said after a few moments. "Was just worried about Rocco."

She understood that, she had been worried about her son. "I get it. I'm going to take him home. He's tired."

"I can take him Lulu, you can enjoy the rest of your night." Olivia offered and she shook her head. Lulu wanted to be there for her and son and take care of them.

"No, I want to be with him, But thank you." Lulu said and smiled at Olivia. Not really focusing on Dante. "I'll see you both later." Heading back to the elevator, she called a cab. Not wanting too ask Dante or Olivia for a ride.

When she reached the garage, she pulled out her phone and dialed for an uber but before she could press call, she saw Johnny pulled up. "I waited, I thought you might want a ride home."

"Johnny…you shouldn't have," she knew Olivia and Dante weren't around but still. Though Rocco was asleep and comfortable in her arms. The risk was minimum.

"Get in the car Lulu," he told her and got out of the car himself. Opening the back seat and seeing a booster seat there, she turned to look at him.

"Wanted him to be safe for the ride home." Tears pushed against her eyes and she had to swallow back the tears. Johnny had a bit heart and he was caring. This proved it.

"Thank you," she whispered.

"Anything for you Lulu." Leaning close, he kissed her head. Lulu reached in and placed Rocco in the seat and then shut the door. Turning around and hugging Johnny.

"You're a good guy Johnny Zacchara," she said in his chest.

"Yeah, yeah, let's get you to home." Not comfortable with her praise, he kissed her head gain and pulled away with a smile.

She returned it and got into the car herself. Strapping herself in and relaxed against the seat.

She kissed Johnny goodbye once more and then went into the house. Rocco thankfully still asleep and wouldn't remember his car ride home with Johnny. Getting him into bed, she kissed his head. Glad she didn't have to wake him up to get a dose in medicine him in since the doctor had already done so.

Grabbing her cell from her back pocket, she fired off a text to Maxie but too tired to wait for a reply and she changed out of her clothing. Putting on some pjs, she left her phone in the living room and went back into Rocco's room and snuggled in his bed with him. Wanting to be near him and be there if he woke up.

The next morning, she had three texts on her phone when she finally checked it. One from Maxie saying she had her back, another from her mom asking about how Rocco was, and finally one from Johnny checking on both of them. Setting her phone back down, she went back to Rocco's bedroom and picked him up. Carrying him to the kitchen. He was tired and a little cranky but his fever had broke and that was what mattered.

Setting him down in a chair, she started to make him some food. Making sure to make something that wouldn't be to tough on his throat since it was probably sore. Watching him eat the warm oatmeal, she ran her fingers through his short blonde hair. Offering him comfort.

When he was done eating, she gave him a bath and put him in some fresh pjs. Once he was dressed, she gave him his next dose of antibiotics and Rocco and her climbed back into his bed. She stayed until he drifted off and she slowly got out of the bed. Leaving his door open in case he woke up and needed her, she went back to the living room. She should shower but she would wait until she knew Rocco was out.

Picking up her phone, she called Valentin. Asking him if she could take Char later in the week, not wanting her to get sick from Rocco. He readily agreed and thanked her for watching out for Charlotte.

Ending the call, she decided to reply to the texts on her phone. Dante had texted her not long after her and Rocco were done with his bath, so she let him know he was doing better. She sent the same text to Olivia and Laura. Thanking Maxie in her next text, she finally opened Johnny's. Looking at the clock, she saw it was still early in the day.

Biting her lip, instead of typing out her reply, she pressed the phone icon by his name and held up the phone to her ear as she waited for him to answer.