The Gargoyles had already awakened for the day, but Goliath had not arrived yet. Elisa sat in one of the oversized armchairs in the media room, turning the Disney Channel on with low volume. Liam lapsed into an uneasy sleep on her lap, but Elisa didn't put him down.
Even as a baby, Liam was blessed with a strong immune system. He rarely got sick, but when he did it was with the full force of whatever sickness had hit him. This was just a simple flu bug, but Liam was miserable and there was very little that Elisa could do to comfort him.
And so she simply held him as he drifted off into sleep. Liam was normally a restless sleeper, tossing and turning constantly. Elisa used to think that he simply had so much energy that he couldn't get it all out during the day. Tonight, however, he was so still.
Elisa wondered how long he had been feeling sick before saying anything. He was not a complainer by nature, so it was hard to tell if there was anything wrong until it hit crisis level.
"Elisa?" Angela called from the doorway.
Elisa turned her head and spotted her stepdaughter in the doorway. "Hey Angela. How are you feeling?"
"I feel fine," she said, coming to stand beside Elisa. She looked down at her stepbrother in affection. "I heard he wasn't feeling well."
Elisa nodded. "He had a hard day. I'm hoping that some rest and fluids will help."
Angela nodded as if she understood, even though she couldn't. Gargoyles didn't get sick. The stone sleep cured Gargoyles of their injuries, as well as any sickness they might pick up.
Elisa envied that.
"I will go look for father, and tell him where you are." Angela said.
"Thank you," Elisa said, grateful that she wouldn't have to wander the halls carrying Liam.
Angela gave her a little wave and exited the room as silently as she'd come.
Elisa sat through most of "The Lion King" before Goliath made it to the castle and to her side.
"Elisa," he said in that deep rumbling voice, concern etched on his face. "What is wrong?"
"It's fine, Big Guy," Elisa hurried to reassure him. "He just caught a bit of the flu, that's all. A day or two, and he will be fine."
"Hmmmm," Goliath rumbled thoughtfully.
"Dr. James already checked him out," Elisa said. "We just need to give him some extra rest and keep him hydrated."
Goliath nodded. "I will ask Brooklyn to help us get him home."
Elisa nodded. "Thank you." Goliath could have carried them both, and he had done so several times… But with Liam unable to hold on to him or Elisa, it made her feel better to know that he wasn't going to insist on doing it tonight.
Soon, they were on their way home. Goliath carried Elisa in his arms, and Brooklyn carried a snugly wrapped Liam.
Elisa worried that Liam would be warm enough on the journey, but the clan had gathered up several spare blankets to add to the one the he already had so that the cooling air of autumn wouldn't make him cold.
Goliath led the way on the most direct route to the apartment, careful not to get too far away from Brooklyn. Soon, they were landing in the rooftop courtyard.
Goliath landed, setting Elisa down gently. Together, they met Brooklyn when he landed as carefully as he could. Once it was safe, he handed over the precious cargo he carried.
He had an odd look on his face that Elisa didn't recognize until she had Liam in her arms… Then the smell hit.
"Oh, buddy," Elisa crooned, hugging her son close. "I'm sorry that you're sick."
Goliath got a whiff of the sick smell, and glanced at Brooklyn with a pained expression.
"Uh, yeah," Brooklyn said, sheepishly. "He… uh… got sick on the way."
Elisa cringed in sympathy. "Did you get hit?"
"Nah," He said. "The smell is from the little bit that got on the blankets."
"And the rest?" Elisa asked, already knowing what the answer was going to be.
"Bombs away," Brooklyn said with a smirk. "Someone's car is definitely going to need washed tomorrow."
Elisa chuckled, and only felt a little guilty about it.
"How about we get our boy to bed?" She asked Goliath.
"We got the patrols covered tonight," Brooklyn said. "Goliath, you stay with Elisa and Liam. We will let you know if anything big happens."
Goliath nodded and shook Brooklyn's forearm. Turning, he held his arms out to Elisa. "You should not be carrying him yet. I will help get him upstairs for you."
Elisa passed Liam into his father's arms as carefully as she could, but he still woke a little.
"Daddy" his little voice called out, weakly.
"I am here," Goliath responded, cradling the small boy close to his chest. "Rest now, my son. Your mother and I will keep you safe."
Liam accepted this with the unquestioning trust of a child.
Goliath carried him inside the house, and up to his small room.
The walls were still the same blue that the Maza women had painted them when Elisa had made the decision to adopt Liam. The zoo animals had been replaced with superhero posters, but it was still very much the room of a growing boy.
Goliath set his son gently in the center of his room and extracted him from the foul smelling blanket. He handed the offending cloth to Elisa, who took it from the room and tossed it straight in the washing machine in consideration of Goliath's incredible sense of smell.
He helped his son change into a clean pair of pajamas, and helped him to drink a small bit of water.
Goliath ran his taloned hand gently over his son's forehead. Goliath helped Liam into bed and covered him with his favorite fleece 'Toy Story' blanket. Leaning forward, he kissed the child goodnight before leaving the room.
Goliath and Elisa decided to spend the night at home, wanting to be close by if Liam awoke and needed something.
Around eleven, Angela dropped by to offer her help too. Elisa had a feeling that she just wanted to get away from her own crazy kids and nervous mate. In a way, Elisa couldn't blame her… But to offer to sit with someone's sick child just to avoid your own kids was a special form of lunacy.
Between the three of them, the checked on Liam at regular intervals. Sometimes he was asleep and sometimes they had to take him on a mad dash to the bathroom. By 4 a.m., Liam finally seemed to be resting comfortably.
Elisa was not convinced it was over, however.
Elisa sighed heavily, knowing that if Liam was really and truly ill, she was going to have a long day ahead. It had already been a long night, and she was thankful to finally be home.
After checking on Liam one last time, she crept quietly down the stairs and plopped onto the sofa. Leaning against Goliath, she felt as wrung out as poor Liam looked.
Goliath wrapped a strong arm around her shoulders and gave her a gentle squeeze.
Angela smiled sympathetically, rising from her seat on Elisa's backless sofa. Elisa had learned some time ago that backless chairs and sofas were the way to go. It was comfortable for the Gargoyles to sit on with room for their tails, and it saved on upholstery repair later.
"Hey, Ang," Elisa whispered to her stepdaughter. "Thank you for helping with Liam tonight. How are you feeling?"
Angela rubbed her hands lovingly over her rounded belly. "I am alright. Honestly, I can not wait until it is time to get this one to the rookery and I can see my toes again."
Elisa chuckled. "It will be over soon enough. How are Brenna and Connor?" She asked, referring to the twins. The last time she had seen them had been the previous evening, and they had been coated head to toe in a green gooey frosting.
"Still running amok," Angela admitted with a sigh. "Broadway thinks I don't know what they were up to the other night, but I am nervous about what I may be going home to."
"They are still young, sweetie," Elisa sympathized, remembering Liam's toddler years all too well. "They'll start calming down… eventually."
Angela groaned. "Not. Soon. Enough."
Elisa got to her feet, threw her arm around Angela's shoulders and gave a gentle squeeze in a show of motherly support. "Don't wish for them to grow up too fast. It will already happen too fast. Before you're ready."
Angela smiled and hugged Elisa back. "You're right. I know you're right."
"You could always stay here for the day," Elisa offered.
"No," Angela said, looking almost sorry to turn down the offer. "I am worn out, but I would spend my time worrying about them if I weren't there. Besides, I want to be near the rookery when I am finally ready to lay this egg."
"Would you like me to escort you home, daughter?" Goliath asked.
"No," Angela waved the offer away. "Liam and Elisa need you here. I will be fine, and I will enjoy the gliding time alone."
"I hear you and completely understand. Go," Elisa said, shooing Angela toward the sliding doors. "Go home and put your feet up. The clan can watch the kids for a while longer. You take care of you for a while."
Angela waved goodbye and slid the door shut behind her.