Chapter 34

"Dad fell asleep?" Joey asked incredulously the following Monday while cuddling Brilor on her lap. She had the day off from school for President's Day.

"He fell asleep," Lorelei nodded.. "I don't think I was on the phone with Yvette ten minutes. One minute, he was turning on the TV, and when I hung up, there he was snoring like a bear."

"Wow, and to think I dreamed of marrying a guy like dear old Dad."

"Well, I guess he was a bit tired, being Brilor kept us both up most of the time the night before, and it caught up to your dad."

"But you guys slept through the night for the first time in awhile, huh?"

"Amazingly, yes, until your dad had wandering hands yesterday and this morning."

Joey made a face. "Uh oh. TMI, TMI! Just stop right there."

"Yes, maybe it's best that I do," Lorelei smiled. "But speaking of your dad, think you can entertain and make lunch for Mr. Excitement while I take your brother to the doctor?"

"Sure," Joey replied. "But why? Something wrong with Bri Bri?" She looked down at the baby, who seemed content and smiley.

"Of course not. It's for his well baby check up."

"Oh. Well, thank goodness; I thought he was sick or something and I didn't know it. He seems pretty healthy even with the fussing now and then. But we all know babies fuss sometimes."

"Of course, but I'm sure when he gets a little older it won't be so much."

"Maybe." Joey turned up her nose. "But I think someone needs a change first; either that or Dad ripped one in there."

"I heard that," Brian called groggily from the living room, "and I am not the guilty party this time."

"I thought he was taking a nap," Joey said.

"Even napping, he has bionic ears," Lorelei joked, taking Brilor. "I guess it came with his job."

"Lor, what's for lunch?" Brian whined from the living room.

"As does his appetite apparently," Joey added. "Let me start getting things going while you change Bri Bri and take him to the doctor."

"Thanks," Lorelei said appreciatively. "That will help a lot."

Later:

"Hey, kiddo, think I could get your advice on something?" Brian asked while Joey had been cleaning up after lunch, placing dishes in the dishwasher.

"You're asking your own sixteen year old daughter for advice? Hmm, that's a new one, but okay, sure."

"What's a sweeter Valentine's Day gesture, dinner out or at homemade by me?"

Joey shot him a puzzled look. "Dad, Valentine's Day was this past weekend. You know, when you fell asleep?"

"You two are not going to let me live that down, are you?"

"It will a good story to tell Bri Bri when he gets older," she giggled.

"Well, for what it's worth, I want to compensate for it. So just answer the question."

"Definitely dinner at homemade by you, provided you don't burn down the house in the process."

"Very funny. I've been completely stuck on what to do for a make up of sorts for Valentine's Day. I'm horrible at this shit. I'm surprised your mother went for the idea of letting you and Brilor stay with Yvette before the original plan got sidetracked."

"By you falling asleep while Ma was talking to Yvette," Joey grinned again. "But seriously, Dad, dinner made at home, in my opinion, speaks of much more thought and effort and it's more intimate."

"Yeah... good point. Thank you, sweetheart."

"Anytime. Just call me Joey Kendrick, Teen Marriage Counselor."

"All right, smart ass, don't get too big for your pants over there."

"By the way, did you ever pick up that ring we picked out for Ma the day you got shot?"

"Holy shit, I totally forgot about that! Thanks for bringing that up; I need to call the place to see if they still have it." He pulled out his cell phone and dialed a number.

"While you're at it, a single pink rose would be a nice touch too," Joey added, nodding.

"I was just thinking that. It would have more meaning than getting her a whole dozen." Brian then spoke into the phone for a few minutes.

"Good news," he said, hanging up. "It's still there. Maybe I can make an excuse to go and pick it up later or better yet, have Marie get it and hide it at her place."

"Why Marie? Paul's closer to the mall. Why not ask him?" Joey wondered.

"Because Paul would lose himself in his own bathroom, especially after he's smoked a couple. I'm not about to entrust him to hide a two thousand dollar ring. I'd feel more comfortable if Marie did it."

Brian dialed his phone again, making a face. "Fucking voice mail; probably out on some case with Quinn. May as well leave a message."

He left Marie a brief message and then hung up. "Now to wait for her to call back, hopefully while your mother's still gone."

"She will probably do it anyway," Joey nodded.

Brian grinned in agreement before dialing another number.

"Now who are you calling?" Joey inquired.

"Hell, to see if they're hiring. Nosy much?"

"Just checking to see if it wasn't Dial a Porn," she laughed.

"You're just full of one liners today, aren't you? If you must know, I thought about getting your mother a pajama gram to go with all the other stuff."

"Aren't you going a bit nuts just to make up for falling asleep on the actual Valentine's Day?"

"Hey, kid, when I make up for something, I want to do it right," Brian winked before he placed the order.