Chapter 19

Sam had a better night and was more rested the next day. Still, he decided to confine his activity to going to Mike's only, and he took Yvette and Samuel along so they could visit with Fiona and the baby.

"Hey Mike, we're here," Sam announced as he opened the door to the loft and they let themselves inside. He looked around, seeing Michael intently studying something at the bar, but Fiona and Lucas were nowhere in sight. "Mike, where's Fi?"

Michael's head came up with a start. "Sam! Sorry, I didn't hear you come in."

Sam glanced at him sideways. This was not the Michael Westen he knew, and when he saw the dark circles under his eyes, he had an idea why. "Lots of late night surveillance?"

"No. I'm suffering from lack of sleep for a different reason." He rubbed his eyes and noticed Yvette and Samuel were also there. He nodded to them. "Fiona took Lucas out for a little stroll, but she should be back soon."

"Okay. Why don't we go down and wander around outside until Fiona comes back," Yvette suggested, looking down at Samuel. Then she glanced up at the two men. "It'll give you a chance to talk." She smiled and led Samuel out of the loft.

"So, Mike, what's causing the lack of sleep, if you don't mind my asking?" Sam went to the fridge and pulled out a can of soda. He would have had a beer, but he was driving, and he still wasn't up to full strength.

"I knew you'd ask." Michael smiled and massaged his temples. "Lucas. He doesn't sleep when we want him to, and it seems like he's...always...crying." He let out a frustrated sound and pressed his eyes into the heels of his hands.

"They do that when they're babies, although Samuel was pretty good about sleeping. He slept a lot."

"And every night he fusses. The only thing that'll settle him down is walking around with him, rocking him. Then when we think he's out, and we put him into the bassinet, he starts all over again."

Sam could tell by the helplessness in Michael's voice that he was at the end of his rope. He felt for his friend, even though he and Yvette had been fortunate that Samuel was a good baby.

"My mom says it's payback for all the trouble I gave her." He turned his bloodshot eyes to Sam. "I sure hope she's not right, or I..." He shook his head. "I don't think I'll make it. I'd rather deal with Larry than Lucas right now, Sam." His brow crinkled. "Does that make me a bad father?"

I don't want to be like my father. Sam remembered Michael saying that on more than one occasion during Fi's pregnancy. Now, as he looked at Michael agonizing over this situation, he saw the fear in his eyes. It didn't have to come to this, Michael Westen being defeated by a little baby. They would come up with a solution somehow. They always did.

"So you're taking jobs, trying to get out of the house and away from the crying."

"I know, it's not fair to Fi. She seems to have more tolerance for it than I do. That's why she's out with Lucas taking him for a walk in the stroller. She knew I needed a break."

"Have you taken him to the doctor? Maybe something's wrong for him to be crying all the time."

"We did. The doctor said maybe it was colic." He saw Sam cringe. "Not good, I take it."

"I've heard that can be bad." Sam sat next to Michael on the other stool and laid a hand on his shoulder. "Maybe you and Fi need a break. Take a night out."

"And who'll watch the screaming devil child?"

"Come on, Mike, he's not that bad!" Sam was starting to get worried about him. He squeezed his shoulder. "Tell you what...Eve and I will take Lucas home with us, and we'll bring him back tomorrow. That'll give you and Fi some time to decompress, get some rest."

"But Sam, you need..."

"Never mind what I need! My best friend is having a crisis right now, and for everyone's sake, you need to have some time out." He calmed himself, realizing that his voice was raised, and gently jostled him. "Come on, brother. We'll put the car seat in our vehicle, take him home with us, and see if we can figure out something to make things a little less stressful for you two when he comes back. What do you say?"

"You don't have a crib anymore."

"Not a problem. I'll convert the toddler bed back into a crib for the night and Samuel can sleep with us. Just one night is not going to spoil him."

Michael took a deep breath and let it out, his shoulders caving with the effort. "Okay, Sam, but only if Fi and Yvette are okay with it."

Sam grinned as he patted his shoulder. "Look at that, you're already relaxing! They'll be okay with it, I'm sure."

Fiona was not okay with it. "Sam, Lucas can't be away all night, let alone a couple of hours!"

"Why's that?"

She glanced at Yvette, Michael, and finally Sam before answering self-consciously. "Because I'm breastfeeding, that's why!"

"Ohhhh," Sam replied as he nodded in comprehension, and he couldn't help but notice what he hadn't really paid attention to before. She'd filled out a little in certain areas, even as she kept her slim figure. "Don't you ever, um...stock up just in case?"

Fiona rolled her eyes. "Yes, I do, but..."

"No buts about it." Sam reached out and took Lucas from Fiona's arms. He was quiet but getting fussy. "Sometimes when Samuel had an upset tummy, I'd carry him around like this." He turned Lucas over onto his stomach on his forearm. Then he tucked him close to his body and rocked him gently.

Fiona watched, amazed that Lucas's fussiness went away. "I'll have to try that next time."

"So, are you convinced that we can take care of Lucas, while you two have a night of peace and quiet, and get some decent rest?"

She let out a deep sigh, and he knew she was still reluctant to leave her baby in someone else's hands, even if they were Sam and Yvette's capable, experienced hands.

"Pack up some of that milk and we'll be out of here ASAP."

"Fi," Michael said as he looked at her, silently imploring her to take the offer. "You know we both need this."

"But Michael, I don't want..." Emotion caught her voice. "I don't want to have to rely on people to take care of him every time he's a little difficult."

"It's okay, Fi," Yvette said as she approached her and put an arm around her. "We know you're strong, but you can't let yourselves suffer alone. Your friends and family are here to help you."

It took some more convincing, but finally Fiona gave in. She packed up what she could and made Yvette promise to call if she needed more milk and supplies. "We'll call."

"Day or night?" She locked onto Yvette's eyes, seeking her answer in them.

Yvette smiled in reassurance. "We'll call, don't worry!" She cradled Lucas in her arms and took him down to their car. Sam and Michael installed the car seat while she and Fiona talked.

"Call if there's an emergency," Michael urged Sam. "Call if you can't stand it anymore!"

Sam held a laugh in check, and instead gave him a smile. "Don't worry, Mike, we'll take good care of him. You guys just enjoy yourselves. Hey, go out for dinner or something. Just leave everything to us!"

When they were on the street, Yvette glanced at Sam. "Sam, I'm glad I came with you. Those two were nearly basket cases, and that was brilliant suggesting we take Lucas for the night."

"I just hope we didn't bring a heap of frustration on ourselves. I mean, it was scary watching Mike. That's just not him!"

"I know. It'll be good for them to have the night to themselves. And it'll be nice to have a wee little one in the house again, if only for a little while." She glanced behind them and watched Samuel playing with Lucas's toes. She sighed. If only we could have one more!

While Yvette settled all of Lucas's things, Sam changed the bed into a crib. Samuel watched with his hands clasped tightly behind his back, a look of anxiety on his face. He turned to pick up a wrench and he saw him.

"What's the matter, Sammy? This is only for one night. Your cousin Lucas needs a place to sleep."

"Where'm I gonna sleep?"

"You can stay with your Mommy and me tonight. But only for tonight!" He saw the light in Samuel's eyes and knew he had to make sure it was clear from the beginning.

"Daddy."

"Yes, Sammy?" He tightened the last bolt.

"When is bedtime?"