Chapter 8

"Open wide," ordered Carolyn as she approached Neal with a spoonful of some sort of liquid.

Neal realizing immediately that it would probably taste as bad as the cough syrup unwisely shook his head and kept his mouth closed.

"You might as well do as she says," Peter said knowing what the outcome would be, "you will be taking it in the end but you will also have a sore bottom to boot."

"You be the brave one Peter and take this dose instead; I've got plenty made for the two of you," Carolyn added as she leaned over Neal to give the dose to Peter who resigned to his fate opened his mouth and swallowed quickly.

"Wow, Mom, you've out did yourself with this one…it doesn't taste bad at all," he lied with a smile on his face to con the con.

When Neal saw and heard that he tentatively opened his mouth as well. Carolyn lost little time in dumping another large spoonful of the medicine in his mouth and goosed him to get him to swallow.

Neal's eyes got large as the taste hit him on the way down and as soon as he could he cried out, "You lied to me!"

"No I conned you into taking Mom's medicine, how does it feel to be conned Neal?"

"Can't you put more honey into it to sweeten it more Mom," he whined?

Sorry son, that's not what the recipe calls for…you are going to have to cowboy up and take your medicine so you will get over this as soon as possible," replied

Carolyn with a smile on her face.

Neal gave her a weak smile as El came down to check on them as well; it was then that Neal's smile disappeared when Peter whispered in his ear, "You just wait until we get all better buddy, I'm going to bust your butt for this," threatened Peter seriously.

"Mom," whined Neal pitifully, "Peter is going to spank me when I get better."

Carolyn and El approached the pair and El said, "Peter is just teasing you dear."

"No I'm not," replied Peter firmly. "He's the reason I'm in bed and taking Mom's terrible medicines, no offense Mom," he added with a smile.

Carolyn just smiled at the reference to her medicine, she knew that they tasted bad but they did work and that was all that mattered to her. Then she turned serious as she said, "Peter isn't going to spank you Neal;" all the while glaring at her child until he nodded.

"Thank you Mom."

"It really would be redundant for Peter to spank you Neal," she added conversationally.

"Redundant?" Neal asked fearfully.

Carolyn nodded and continued, "I mean what would be the point since I plan on doing the same just as soon as you are well."

"Why?"

"For not taking care of yourself and getting sick, son I didn't birth," replied Carolyn seriously. "You had plenty of time to get a flu shot which would have prevented you from getting sick or at least not as bad. I bet next year you won't forget to get one."

"And what are you looking so smug and self-righteous about Peter Burke," El said as she noticed her husband's features.

"El!"

Carolyn then focused her attention on Peter. "I saw your expression as well…you are just as guilty as Neal for not getting a flu shot. I plan on taking my hair brush to your backside as well. You two will be taking your meals standing up for a few days."

"But I did make an appointment for a flu shot; I told you that a hot case turned up and I had to cancel. I was planning on rescheduling later," Peter argued.

"Peter I have been nagging you for weeks to get one; in fact you could have gone the same day as I did but you were too busy watching a game to get up and go," El said angrily.

"Whose side are you on," groused Peter as she saw the anger in his mom's eyes when she heard that and knew he was doomed to the same fate as Neal.

El looked lovingly at her husband before answering, "I'm on whosoever side that will keep you safe…the both of you and if it takes your mother's hairbrush to accomplish that then I'm on her side. Don't worry honey I'll make sure that there are soft pillows in your chairs so you both can sit to enjoy my meals."

"Thanks," Peter replied before turning to Neal and declaring, "This is all of your fault…if you hadn't gotten sick none of this would have happened and we both wouldn't be looking forward to a spanking from Mom!"

"It's not; you probably got infected from the same person I did…or maybe it was you that I got the bug from," Neal replied as he stuck his tongue out in Peter's direction causing both El and Carolyn to laugh at the childish behavior.

"Now do you understand me when I say that Neal is just a big kid under an

Armani suit?" Peter said seriously.

"He certainly acts like it at times," Carolyn agreed as she leaned over and gave Neal a kiss on his cheek. "He's just hasn't completely grown up yet but that is what makes him so loveable and brings out my mother side."

"Where are you going?" asked Neal as he saw the two ladies head upstairs.

"To get your lunch ready," replied El.

"And I had better not hear any bickering between the two of you when I return," warned Carolyn seriously.

"Yes ma'am," replied Peter.

"What happens if you do?" asked Neal.

"She won't wait until you feel better to correct it," replied Peter knowingly. He had been on the receiving end of his mother's hairbrush many a time while growing up after rough housing with his brothers after being warned not to.

"But I'm sick," whined Neal.

"Yep but when I'm finished you will continued to be sick but also sporting a warm bottom. Now behave," she warned as she followed El up the stairs.

Peter waited until his mother and El were out of hearing range before he whispered to Neal, "If you do anything that gets me into trouble with Mom I will

warm your backside once she leaves."

"You wouldn't," argued Neal.

"Try me," replied Peter as he turned over and went to sleep leaving Neal to decide if he should try anything.