Disclaimer: I own nothing. This is just to satisfy my muse.
As always Thanks to Liz for the beta AND letting me share the Awesome NJ universe she created!
Five-year-old Ali Archibald was not feeling her best that morning. She swirled her oatmeal around in the bowl, having only eaten three spoonfuls. Her tummy felt strange with every bite, so she stopped eating the breakfast she usually loved. She thought about telling someone that she wasn't feeling well, but then thought she would probably feel better later. Mommy usually took care of her when she didn't feel well, but she was in Paris for three whole days.
Daddy was busy too. He was trying to make sure her big brother Nicky wasn't taking something inappropriate for show and tell today at school. Last month he had taken some fireworks that their parents had forbidden him from removing from the house. So today Daddy was a step ahead of him.
"Ok Nick, go get your jacket and wait by the door," Nate told her brother, handing him his checkered backpack.
Nate turned to his daughter and said, "Ready to go, Sunshine?"
Ali nodded and took a final sip of her orange juice. Wiping her mouth with the napkin from her lap, she slid down from her chair. Her tummy clenched and stirred slightly, but she ignored it and went to get her backpack.
NJ*NJ*NJ*NJ
Ali sat at her desk, feeling so much worse than she had when they'd arrived at school an hour ago. Suddenly she was overcome by a shaky feeling and as she rose to hurry to the washroom, she bent forward and lost the small portion of breakfast she had eaten that morning.
Mrs. Petrie rushed over. "Oh Alice, honey, why didn't you tell me you weren't feeling well? It's okay, I'll call your mommy."
Ali hated being the center of attention at school, and she especially hated being stared at after being sick. Silent tears began to fall as she quietly said, "My mommy is in P-P-Paris. You can't c-call her."
"Andrea, please take Alice to the nurse's office," the teacher told her assistant.
"Of course. Come on sweetie," the assistant said, taking Ali's hand.
NJ*NJ*NJ*NJ
Chuck had just finished signing in his children at the school office. Hen and Katy had dentist appointments this morning and he was the designated parent this time, because Blair was in Paris preparing for an EWD event. Turning to walk out the door, he was met with the sight of a young woman holding the hand of someone very precious to him.
"Hello Sunshine, what's the matter?" he asked, placing himself eye level with his tearful youngest niece.
"Hi Uncle Chuck, I'm sick and Mommy is in P-Paris," Ali said softly as tears continued to stream down her face.
"She was sick in the classroom, Mr. Bass, so I was taking her to the nurse," Andrea explained.
"So the Mayor hasn't been notified yet?"
"No, I think Mrs. Petrie wanted the nurse to assess Alice before she disturbed him," the teacher's assistant reasoned.
"I'll contact him. In the future, do not wait to contact either myself or Mayor Archibald if any of our children are having difficulty. I'll take it from here." Chuck said this tersely, as he picked up Ali who curled into him.
Chuck hit number two on his cell and waited exactly one ring and a half before Nate picked up.
"Hey Chuck, what's going on?"
"Sunshine is sick."
"What!? How!? Is she okay!?"
"Calm down Nathaniel. She's fine, but feeling a bit under the weather. She became ill in class."
"Wait, why are you calling me instead of the school? How long ago did she get sick?"
"Apparently since Jennifer is out of town, they were going to have the nurse look at her before disturbing you."
"WHAT!? That's my baby! They should have called me immediately! I'm already in the car. Tell her I'm coming."
"I already set them straight on contacting you, as well as myself, where the children are concerned. Also heard the barrage of questions you obviously pushed through on your way to the car. See you in a bit," he chuckled.
Chuck figured it couldn't hurt to let the nurse examine Ali while they waited, so he took her into that office. The nurse determined that the darling had a low grade fever and was suffering from a stomach bug that had been circulating. Ali rinsed her mouth and sniffled a bit.
"It's okay Sunshine, your Daddy is on his way," Chuck comforted, as he dried her cheeks with his handkerchief.
"Daddy's very busy. I shouldn't disturb him," she replied softly.
Chuck was slightly taken aback. From the day she was born, Alice had been quiet and reserved. She was not a fussy baby and at five, she was a sweet, beautiful, and self contained little girl.
He had always felt a special kinship with her. She observed everyone and everything around her. He had done that also. Bart Bass had been larger than life, and as a child Chuck had felt he had to be quiet and observant. He recognized some of those same qualities in Nathaniel and Jennifer's little girl. The Archibald family was larger than life also, so it was easy for a child like Ali to get lost at times.
"Do you know how much your Daddy loves you?" Chuck asked, as he hugged her and kissed her forehead.
"Yes I know," she nodded, "But his job is important. Daddy's responsible for everybody in the city."
"Precious, no one is more important to your daddy than your mommy, your brother, and you."
"Okay. Thank you for taking care of me, Uncle Chuck." She smiled and kissed his cheek.
"Anything for my Sunshine!"
"Ali! Sweetheart, are you alright?" Nate exclaimed as he rushed in, lifting her from Chuck's lap and squeezing her tightly to his chest.
"Hi Daddy. I got sick in the classroom and the nurse says I have a fever."
"My poor Sunshine! Ok we'll get your things and go."
Nate signed the early release forms as Ali went to the washroom down the hall from the office.
"Thanks again, Chuck," he said, as they waited for Ali in the hallway.
"No problem. Nate, you should know she didn't want to call you."
"What?"
"Your job is important, and she shouldn't disturb you were her words, I believe," Chuck revealed.
"Dammit. My baby is learning to suffer in silence. That's not right, she's just a little girl!" Nate said sadly.
"A very astute little girl, Nathaniel. She knows you love her, but it couldn't hurt to have some Daddy and Sunshine time," Chuck suggested.
Ali came out of the washroom and walked slowly towards her father and uncle. Her tummy still felt a little weird, and she still felt bad that Daddy had to leave work to come get her.
"Are you ready baby, have all your things?" Nate asked, as he picked her up.
"Yes."
"Okay, home we go."
"Well I'm going to get to the office. Do you want Josh to pick up Nicky when he picks up Hen and Katy, maybe bring him home after dinner?" Chuck offered.
"I would appreciate the pick up, but he can drop him off. I'll be there, and I think the kids and I are going to have a special evening," Nate said.
"Alright, will do." Chuck tapped Ali's nose and walked out to his waiting limo, where Arthur held the door open.
A few eager reporters fired questions as Cane assisted Nate and Ali into their town car.
"What's wrong with Alice!?"
"Did you know you're up in the polls in the Governor's race as of this morning!?"
"Where's Jennifer, Mayor Archibald!?"
Nate answered none of their questions, intent on getting Alice home. As the car glided into traffic, he hit number four on his speed dial and called his assistant.
"John, I need you to bring me every file from my inbox, and reschedule everything on my calendar today and tomorrow for next week."
"Will do Arch. How's the Sunshine?" Johnny asked.
Nate looked over at his daughter, who had fastened her seatbelt, and was quietly sitting staring out the window. Her adorable little face was flushed with fever.
"She's not feeling well. Caught a bug that's going around," he replied.
"Poor little sweetheart! Tell her I hope she feels better soon. I will take care of the calendar and bring over the files in little while."
"Thanks John." He said, hanging up. Reaching out he ran his hand over his mini sweetheart's hair. She turned and gave him a tiny smile that melted his heart.
NJ*NJ*NJ*NJ
"Daddy is going to get you some ginger ale and call the pediatrician. Go upstairs and get comfortable, and I'll be up in a bit," Nate told Ali.
She climbed the stairs and went into her bedroom. After removing her shoes and putting her things away, she sat on the edge of her bed. She heard daddy come up the stairs and head to his and mommy's bedroom. He was talking, so he must be on his cell, probably talking to Dr. Carlton.
Although she was happy that Daddy had come to get her, in that moment, Ali wanted her mommy more than anything. Slipping off her bed, she quietly opened her door. The hallway was empty, so she ran quietly to her daddy's office. She had seen daddy call mommy directly at her work in Paris from the computer, so she knew which buttons to push. Once she had done so, her mommy's office was on the screen!
"Hello? Mommy?" Ali said, since she could hear people talking. A face suddenly came onto the screen.
"Ali! Sunshine, are you okay?" It was her Aunt Blair.
"I w-want my M-Mommy!" she pleaded as her bottom lip started to tremble and tears filled her eyes.
"Oh Precious, don't cry! Just a minute... J! Come here right now!" Blair called.
"Blair, I'm trying to get this stitching..." Jenny said, as she rushed into the room.
"Never mind that! Sit down right here!" she interrupted shoving Jenny into the chair in front of the computer.
"Have you gone bonk..." Jenny began to say, then stopped as she saw her tearful baby on screen.
"Ali, sweetheart, what's wrong!?"
"MOMMY! H-Hi Mommy! I-I miss y-you!" Alice cried.
"Oh my sweet Angel! I miss you too! So much! Are you okay? Where's Daddy and Nicky?"
"I got sick at school and threw up in class," Ali said quietly as she blushed.
Jenny knew how shy and quiet her baby was, she never liked to draw attention. Her heart broke a little at the thought of Ali's embarrassment.
"Oh Sunshine, Mommy is so sorry that happened and that you're not feeling well. I wish I were there to rub your tummy."
"Me too, Mommy."
"Where is Daddy, sweetie? Or did Glenna pick you up?" Glenna was the Archibalds' housekeeper/nanny on occasion.
"Uncle Chuck took me to the nurse and then Daddy picked me up."
Just then Nate yelled frantically, "Alice! Where are you, baby?"
Jenny watched as Ali slid from her chair and went to open the door to Nate's office. "I'm right here, Daddy!" she said, opening the door.
"Oh thank goodness! Try not to scare Daddy like that. He would never be able to face Mommy if he lost you," he joked tapping her nose. "What are you doing in my office, Sunshine?'
Her chin tucked into her chest as she answered in a small voice, "Calling Mommy."
"Nate!" Jenny called.
Picking up Ali, he walked over and sat down, looking at his sweetheart for the first time in 24 hours. God did he miss her!
"Hey! How's everything going at Fashion Central?"
"Everything is fine here. Not so much there, huh?" she asked.
"Well our mini sweetheart is not feeling well, seems she caught a bug. I just talked to the pediatrician about something I can give her," he said and kissed Ali's temple.
"There's a bottle of Children's Tylenol in our medicine cabinet. Just give her a half, rinse it in warm water to soften it," Jenny instructed.
"Exactly as Carlton said. Exactly what I was about to do, until I went to her room and she wasn't there," he laughed.
"Sweetheart, Daddy is going to give you something that will make you feel so much better, alright?"
Alice nodded on Nate's shoulder.
"In fact, hold on. Wait right here baby and talk to mommy. I'll be right back," he said, putting her in the chair and leaving the room as Ali and Jenny chatted over the miles. He returned a minute later with a small tray that contained a bowl of broth, chilled ginger ale, and the moistened half aspirin.
Together, Nate and Jenny convinced their daughter to swallow the medicine and eat some of the broth. Ali quickly finished the ginger ale, and asked for more.
"You're going to be just fine baby," Jenny said. "Get some rest, and Daddy will take care of you. I'll be back by Sunday at noon, so get ready to give me your best hug."
"Mommy, will you sing my song?"
"Of course!" Jenny said happily, as she smiled at her baby resting against Nate's chest.
Jenny sang You Are My Sunshine as Ali smiled and sang softly along. She let out a tiny yawn and her eyes began to close, and Nate said maybe it was time for a nap.
"Bye Mommy, thank you for helping me feel better."
"Bye Angel, you are so welcome. See you soon. I love you!" Jenny said.
"I love you too, Mommy!" Ali replied.
"I'm going to put her to bed. I'll call you again later," Nate said, giving her a wink, which she returned and signed off.
NJ*NJ*NJ*NJ
Nate was in his office a couple hours later working through the files Johnny had dropped off, when half of a tiny blond head and one blue eye peeked into his partially open door. He smiled at his daughter's actions.
"Come on in, Sunshine. How was your nap?" He asked as she walked cautiously into the room and sat in the chair on the other side of his desk.
"It was good. Are you mad at me, Daddy?"
Nate's eyebrows rose at the question. "Of course not. Why would I be mad at you, baby?"
"Because I called Mommy, and I didn't ask."
"Oh baby...come here. Sit with Daddy," he said, beckoning her around the desk.
When she was settled, he began speaking softly.
"Alice, I know you miss your Mommy when she's gone. If you want to talk to her, day or night, you don't have to check with anyone, you call her. Today you were sick, and I know Mommy usually takes care of you when that happens, so you wanted to call her. I'm not angry, baby. I'm proud that you knew what to do to get to your mommy. There are going to be times that Mommy can't be here, which you know, so you will be with me. And you can come to me anytime day or night too."
Ali looked down at her little hands, and softly said, "You're busy, Daddy. Lots of people need you."
Nate raised her little chin and stared straight into those blue eyes... exactly like Jenny's.
"Alice Archibald, if you need me for anything, I. Am. Never. Busy. Being Mayor is my job. My family, your mommy, you, and your brother are my life! There's nothing more important. Nothing," he said fiercely.
Her little mouth broke into the biggest smile and she wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Daddy, can I stay in here with you?
"Of course."
"I have to get something."
Ali climbed down from his lap and ran out the office door. She returned a few minutes later with a folder and crayons.
"I'll do paper work too Daddy, like you." And she pulled a worksheet from the folder.
Nate smiled at his mini sweetheart, and thought she was perfect... just like her mom.
NJ*NJ*NJ*NJ
Several hours later, Nate had fed his children and tucked them in. He had decided that Ali should stay home tomorrow, since it was Friday, and he wanted to be sure she was all better. He would stay with her and work from home.
He showered and put on a t-shirt and pajama bottoms. Turning down the bed on his side he reclined against the headboard, and turned on the laptop he had placed next to him. Clicking the link, he was immediately face to face with his love, who reclined in bed an ocean away, wearing the pajama top that matched the bottoms he had just put on.
"Hey, Handsome!" she smiled.
"My Sweetheart," he breathed, just taking a moment to look at her. "Jen, I miss you so much!"
"I'll be home before you know it, babe."
"Two days, twelve hours, and ten minutes to be exact, but nowhere near soon enough. Do you know how empty this bed is? I need you here, next to me, wrapped around me..."
"Do not get me wound up, Archibald!" she scolded him huskily.
"I guess I won't, but you're mine Sunday night, ALL. NIGHT."
"Wouldn't have it any other way, Handsome. Can't wait to get my hands on you..."
"Now who's winding?" he laughed.
She laughed as well, then said, "OK, let's move on to a safe topic, the kids. When I spoke with the Crown Prince Nicky Archibald earlier, he was lamenting the fact that he had to endure a full day of school. And he was subjected to an illegal search and seizure this morning by the Mayor. He wants to discuss his rights and options upon my return."
Nate and Jenny just looked at each other for a moment over the miles. Then they burst into laughter over Nicky's antics.
When each had caught their breath, she asked, "How's Ali?"
"She's feeling better, but I'm going to keep her here tomorrow just in case." Nate went silent for a moment thinking of his earlier conversation with Alice. "Jen, she thought I was too busy to take care of her. She didn't want the school to call me. If Chuck hadn't been there dropping off Hen and Katy, it might have been hours before they contacted me."
"Oh Nate, it's alright. You were called and she's fine."
"Jen, she's just so sweet and quiet. I worry about our mini sweetheart. I don't want her to feel lost in this constant circus we call our lives. I talked to her and explained that you and I are there for her anytime she needs. I think she understood, but I want her to know it's the absolute truth."
"She does, Nate. Quiet and shy she may be, but she notices everything, and she is no one's push over, even at five years old. Try not to worry so much."
"I don't want either of our kids to ever doubt how much I love them," he said fiercely.
"They won't. We are not our parents. You are an excellent father to our children, Nathaniel Archibald! Never doubt it," she said just as fiercely.
"I love you, Jenny! Hurry home."
"I love you too, Nate! Sweet Dreams..."
More to come...
AN: Thanks to each and every one of you who have read, reviewed, and favorited this story! I'm so happy that you're enjoying it! If you have an idea that you would like me to try to input, let me know. As you can tell, this story goes in no particular order, hope this doesn't bother anybody, as ideas just come to me.