AN: I got my internet connection back finally!

-I-

Taking care of an 8 weeks old baby when the father and big brother were sick with the flue wasn't as easy as Jessica had thought. Kyle slept most of the day and barely ate anything. Horatio needed to sleep but was so worried about putting Jessica under too much stress that he didn't fall asleep until he almost collapsed. Not to mention Sophia usually cried for attention when her father and brother were asleep and since Horatio and Jessica were closest to her, it meant that Horatio was often woken up from his sleep by her cries. Jessica had to take care of the house and the child by herself and as challenging as it was, she didn't complain. Everybody got sick every now and then.

"If you don't get in that bed mister I will call Alexx and have her babysit you!" Jessica warned as she once again found Horatio in the nursery holding Sophia.

Sophia was whimpering and Jessica guessed she was hungry.

"She was crying." Horatio said.

"And I was only one minute away from picking her up." Jessica sighed, "Look Horatio, you need to rest if you want to get better."

"I have rested."

"Really? How much in the past two days?" Jessica asked with a raised eyebrow.

Horatio looked down at his feet. The truth was that he was very tired and really missed his warm bed. But he also didn't want Jessica to care for Sophia all by herself now that nobody else could help her. Jessica had to think about herself too.

"Sweetheart, I promise you that I'm fine." Jessica said.

"Yeah okay. Maybe I shouldn't be around Sophia while I'm sick anyway." Horatio sighed and handed his daughter over to Jessica.

Jessica gave him a small smile and a kiss on the cheek. Sophia cried louder now that she was really getting hungry. Horatio leaned against the wall and yawned.

"See that's a sign for being tired." Jessica said, "Now get your cute butt in bed before I smack you."

"You can't tell a man that his butt is cute." Horatio said.

"Why not?"

"Because he doesn't want to hear it! Wouldn't you rather hear that your butt is sexy?"

"It doesn't really matter to me." Jessica shrugged.

"Well a man would much rather hear that a butt is sexy rather than cute." Horatio smiled, "You've got a very sexy ass by the way."

"Thanks. Now go to bed." Jessica said in a motherly tone and then left to feed her daughter.

Horatio obeyed and went to bed. He fell asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow. He didn't wake up until hours later and then he heard someone in the kitchen cooking. As he got up he was reminded of the headache he had had earlier.

"Stupid flue." Horatio muttered and then frowned as he heard Jessica talking to someone.

Horatio tiptoed to the kitchen and peeked inside. Alexx was there!

"Horatio sweetheart, if you want to sneak up on somebody don't sniffle while you do it." Alexx said with her back turned towards him, "It's a big give-away."

Horatio chuckled and then coughed. Alexx stuck a thermometer in his mouth and smirked at his growl.

"You said you'd only call Alexx if I didn't go to sleep." Horatio said and looked at the thermometer and then at Jessica.

"Alexx called me. Besides isn't an aunt allowed to see her niece even if you're sick?" Jessica smirked.

"I'm not sick."

"Yes you are. You have a fever of 102." Alexx said, "And a cough, a runny nose and should I mention the very obvious headache?"

"How do you know I have a headache?" Horatio asked.

"You always rub your temples when you do."

"I see they don't pay you for nothing." Horatio smirked, "Are you staying for dinner?"

"Absolutely. I'm going to make sure you eat something." Alexx said.

Horatio rolled his eyes and gave her a playful glare. Jessica made sure he ate at least three meals a day. When dinner was done Alexx stayed true to her words and watched Horatio like a hawk as he ate. Jessica chuckled at Horatio's obvious misery of being under Alexx's supervision.

"There, I'm all done." Horatio smiled.

"Good boy! Not bad for someone with a cute butt." Alexx teased.

"She told you?" Horatio asked.

"We're girls, we tell everything to each other." Jessica shrugged, "And I stick to what I said… you do have a cute butt."

"A man's butt is not cute!" Horatio exclaimed, "It's either sexy or not sexy."

Jessica and Alexx shook their heads and laughed. Horatio gave up.

When Alexx went home an hour later, Horatio was almost asleep on the couch. He barely responded when Jessica poked his arm.

"Wake up, wake up, wake up!" She said teasingly.

"If I didn't love you so much I would hurt you for poking me." Horatio smirked evilly.

"I would hurt you more for hurting me." Jessica chuckled, "Hey, don't fall asleep on the couch. The bed is much nicer."

Horatio nodded and sleepily made his way towards the bed. Jessica didn't have to make sure he was asleep because his soft snoring was soon heard. Instead Jessica cleaned the dishes from dinner and then watched some TV with Sophia. Later at night, after Sophia had fallen asleep again, Jessica climbed down in bed next to Horatio.

"Goodnight." She whispered, although she didn't think he was awake.

"Goodnight." Horatio responded quietly.

Jessica smiled and kissed his cheek. She soon fell asleep and didn't wake up until early in the morning when Sophia needed food again. Horatio was still asleep and mumbled something when Jessica got out of bed.

"Hey there little one!" Jessica smiled and picked up her daughter.

Sophia smiled at her mother. She was so much like Horatio when she smiled in the morning. Jessica was usually grumpy, but Horatio always had a smile to give. Just like Sophia.

After Jessica was done feeding Sophia she took her in to the bedroom she shared with Horatio and sat down in the bed. Horatio woke up and smiled at his girlfriend and baby daughter.

"Hi." He said.

"Hi, you slept for a long time." Jessica smiled.

"I guess I needed it." Horatio shrugged.

Jessica touched his forehead and smiled.

"You're not as hot anymore." She said.

"Really? That's not good, I always thought I got more hot everyday you saw me." Horatio teased.

Jessica chuckled and slapped him lightly on the arm.

"You know what I mean." She said, "I wonder if Sophia will have your sense of humor when she gets older. Just think about how much she will tease her friends and teachers."

"I will teach her everything I know about it." Horatio said.

Jessica shook her head. Sophia smiled at her father and Horatio gently caressed her head.

"We should get married someday."

Jessica was stunned and looked at Horatio for several seconds.

"When did you think of this?" She asked

"Just now."

"Well, I agree we should get married someday." Jessica smiled, "Um, but not now."

"No, I think we'll let Sophia get a bit older maybe. Or I don't know... I'm just telling you that I'm going to marry you one day." Horatio grinned.

"You'll make me the happiest woman on earth. If it's even possible."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, I already am the happiest woman on earth. Because I'm with you and we have Sophia together." Jessica smiled and gave Horatio a deep kiss.

"And I'm the happiest man on earth." Horatio said, "But we're still getting married someday."

"Without a doubt." Jessica smiled, "Maybe it's good for you to be sick once in a while, you certainly come up with some great ideas."

Horatio chuckled, "I'm not sick. I'm just a little bit out of shape."

Jessica just laughed.

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