AN: I really am sorry that I haven't updated this story in a while, but I've just fallen head over heels in love with my current AU, Pearls Before Breakfast. It's so much fun to write. Between that and my finals schedule (I should be studying the Russian Revolution right now...), I've been neglecting fluff. This chapter idea comes from the marvelous Naiche (nlizzette7), who truly picks up my writer's soul when it is down. Can you tell I'm feeling a bit melodramatic tonight?

P.S. Do you guys ever get confused with what happens in other people's stories, your stories and on the actual show? I think I have a problem.

...

Chuck hadn't felt this feeling in a long time. The perpetual cold sweat on his brow, the head full of cotton and the inability to properly clear one's throat. Not to mention the nose rubbed raw and the ringing in his ears. Chuck had the flu.

Since the birth of their first child, Blair had insisted on a family outing every October to get a flu shot. Chuck reacted badly the first time and never went again. Every year when Blair would announce the field trip and Chuck would quietly denounce the practice, she would shoot him a look as if to say "this year you'll get it, trust me."

It was finally this year. The time of year when Chuck had a 5 month old baby and a deal to close in Madrid. Luckily, he had his ever sympathetic wife and kids.

"You're giving me the face." The master of the house was still in his silken pajama set, leaning against a cool granite counter in their kitchen. His hair was rumpled and his face was unshaven.

"What face?" She replied condescendingly, a tornado around him. She was simultaneously feeding all three children, sorting bills on the counter and having a conversation with her husband. She took a moment to pick up Rosie out of her high chair. "Charlotte and Henry, go get your backpacks. It's time for school!"

Chuck held out his arms to his leaving children.

"Oh no!" Blair stepped in between them. "We cannot have you guys getting sick!"

Chuck rolled his eyes and stepped out from behind his wife, scooping up his middle child and holding her in his arms. She giggled and nestled her head in the crook of his neck. Chuck whispered in her ear. "Tell mommy that it's okay because you got your flu shot."

Charlotte lifted her head and put on a serious face. "But I got a flu shot, mommy."

Blair was standing with her feet planted and scowl on her face. Henry was behind her laughing. But when she heard Chuck admitting he was wrong through their five year old, she couldn't help but melt a bit. "Okay, Char, but we really do need to get to school." Chuck put his daughter down. "Henry, go hug your father." He did as he was told, retrieving his book bag after the fact.

Chuck met the family at the door, Henry and Charlotte in their school uniforms, and Rosie in her carrier. Blair's cheeks were flushed red from the activity, and she had a never ending amount of bags slung over her shoulders. When the kids had walked out of the door and towards the awaiting limo, Chuck leaned down to give his wife a quick peck on the lips. "Feel better," she whispered into their touch.

She was gone in an instant, yelling at Charlotte to stop spinning or else her headband would fall out. Chuck leaned in the door frame, smiling at his perfect family. If only he didn't feel so awful.

...

Chuck was awoken from his cold medicine induced slumber by his 9 year old standing by his bed and clearing his throat. He had learned from the best... Chuck opened one eye to look at the boy before him. He was still clad in his school uniform with a white mug in his hands.

"Dorota told me to bring you tea."

Chuck sat up in bed, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. He took the tea from Henry's hands and motioned for him to come up on the bed. Henry snuggled at his father's side. "That's very nice of her."

"Mom says she's always right."

Chuck chuckled and took a sip of the warm green tea. "That's only when she's not arguing with your mother. Keep in mind, your mother is always right."

Henry looked up at his father and smirked. "And that's why you're sick."

Chuck smiled. "Go get your sister. We're going to have a party."

Henry scooted off the bed. "Which one?"

"The one who is capable of partying," Chuck rolled his eyes.

"Uncle Nate says she's going to be just like Aunt Serena with the brains of mommy." Henry walked out of the room.

"God forbid," Chuck mumbled under his breath. He had just put his mug on the bedside table when Henry walked in with a reluctant Charlotte.

"I was painting," she said with a flip of her chocolate brown curls.

"You're always painting. But I'm not always sick, so please come watch a movie with me." Charlotte jumped onto the bed and started furiously giggling when her father started tickling her.

Henry started to get onto the bed when Chuck started to speak. "Not yet. You have to get the movie."

Henry rolled his eyes and started to climb off the bed.

"I'm implying that you get to pick the movie."

Henry smiled and a sharp "no!" was heard from Charlotte. Henry ran out of the room, and Chuck leaned down to whisper in Charlotte's ear. "Don't worry, it'll be your turn next."

Henry returned with Pirates of the Caribbean. Chuck raised his eyebrows. "If your mother finds out..." he warned.

"She won't!" Henry exclaimed, putting the in the DVD.

...

2 hours later Henry was scared out of his wits and Charlotte was jumping around screaming "where is all the rum!" The medicine Chuck had taken had worn off, and on top of the previous tolerable symptoms, he now had an enormous headache. He sent his children out promptly and went back to sleep, only to be awaken by a shift in the bed.

"I know what you did, Chuck." Her voice was both warm and accusing. He groaned and rolled over. His wife was sitting up in bed, dressed only in a light pink silk robe pulled back for the baby on her breast. He stuck out his hand to stroke the hair on Rosie's head.

"I'm sick." He sat up with his excuse. Blair rolled her eyes and smiled at her husband.

"And you haven't shaved in 48 hours."

"I thought you liked stubble." He leaned in to kiss her cheek, brushing his rough skin with the softness of hers. He felt her shiver, but she hid it by switching the side that Rosie was on, leaving the breast closest to Chuck exposed. "You really shouldn't do that," he whispered seductively, mouth still dangerously close to her face.

She turned towards him, mouths almost touching. "You're sick and our infant is in the room," she spoke, willing the fire growing below her belly to cool down.

"Never stopped us before." He leaned in, eyes closed to kiss her, but when their lips didn't meet, he opened to see Blair sauntering off to their ensuite and Rosie laying on the bed beside him. He sighed and picked up his sleeping daughter. Yes, there was nothing like ravishing your wife mercilessly, but there was also nothing like holding and protecting your last baby. He brought her head up to his face, inhaling the beautiful scent of his child. He and Blair would have forever, but the days were numbered where he would be able to hold on to Rosie like this.

Even when sick, Chuck couldn't get over the perfection of his family.