Chapter 29: Cold
Mick and Beth wake to a knock on the outside door. They slip out of the freezer and slip on their robes quickly sensing Kayla is outside. Beth is first to open the door noticing she is up earlier than usual. "Kayla sweetie what's the matter?"
Kayla hugged Beth's cold body, "I don't feel good Momma."
Beth picked her up and turned to face Mick sensing how warm she was. Mick moved over and laid his hand against her forehead, "Daddy?"
"Awe sweetie we've got you. It looks like you've come down with a cold."
"I don't like it," she protested.
Beth smiled and kissed her little girls head, "I know angel. We'll get you checked out and get you feeling better soon."
"Okay," she answered softly before closing her eyes again.
Mick had moved away and quickly gotten dressed and was back reaching for Kayla. "Come on Kayla. Daddy will take care of you."
She burrowed up to Mick as soon as he took her. Beth gave her hand one last squeeze before looking at Mick. "I'll take her to bed."
Beth moved around the room and got dressed quickly. She knew Mick used to be a medic but that was triage not little girls colds. She'd been sick many times growing up and knew sometimes even with all the medicine in the world sometimes you just need your mom there rubbing your back. Feeding quickly Beth headed down to quickly check the status on finding Candice.
As she came into the war room she was stopped in her tracks. "Coop?"
Coop looked up from his computer screen at her shocked expression. "Beth, hey."
"What are you doing here?" She moved towards him looking around for Josef instinctively knowing he was to blame.
"Josef called last night."
I knew it, Beth thought to herself.
"Look I know you said you didn't want me involved but come on Candice is family. I'm helping weather you like it or not."
Josef came out of the kitchen holding a coffee mug and grinned at Beth. "You're up early."
"Did you even go to bed?"
"For a couple hours. I can function on less time, a perk of being me." Josef gave her that cocky grin that she couldn't help but roll her eyes at.
"Kayla's not feeling well. Mick is with her now."
Josef's grin vanished as he set the mug down by Coop. "Is she okay?"
Unable to stay mad at him when he was so concerned with her baby Beth nodded. "She's got a fever and doesn't feel good. Mick's the medic. I was going to stay with her today as much as possible try and make her feel better. I just wanted to come check on things first."
Coop was sipping the mug Josef had brought him before explaining. "So I tried tracking the van through security cameras but lost it. Then I realized that most companies low jack their vehicles. I tried to get the tracking information from the company but their firewalls are pretty good. I think I can do it I just need more time."
Beth moved to Coop and squeezed his shoulder. "Thanks Coop."
He gave her a tired smile, "Like I said she's family."
As Beth turned to head back upstairs Josef walked with her, "If you need anything for her just let me know and I'll arrange it."
Beth nods and heads up to Kayla's room. Inside Mick is sitting on the edge of the bed watching her sleep. Seeing Beth Mick quickly stands and motions for her to step outside with him. Leaving the door cracked they step into the hallway.
"How is she?"
"I think she's got a simple cold. Her head and throat hurt, she's stuffy and her body aches. I'm going to call Allie and see if she'll come double check for us."
"Okay," Beth leans up and kisses him softly. "I'll sit with her. You go get some breakfast and keep working."
"You sure you're okay up here?"
Beth nodded as she looked into the room at their sick girl, "When I was sick my mom would sit with me. It made it feel a little better."
"I'll come up and check on both my girls and bring you updates."
Mick pulled Beth in for another kiss before releasing her. "Oh and Coop's down there working up a lead."
"I'll call Allie as soon as I get down there." Mick watched as Beth headed back into the room and grabbed a couple cushions and sat them down next to the bed to sit on. He saw Beth rest her head on the bed next to Kayla careful not to wake her before leaving.
Mick headed back to their room and quickly had breakfast as he pulled out his phone and dialed Allie. She answered on the third ring, "Hello?"
"Allie, it's Mick."
"Mick, how are you? Any word on Candice yet?"
"Not yet we have some leads but…I'm calling because I need your help."
"Sure whatever I can do to help." She agreed quickly.
"It's not about Candice. It's Kayla. She isn't feeling well. I think she has a simple cold but…"
Allie's grin could be heard, "But you're a worried dad. I'll swing by the hospital and pick up a few things and then come on by to check her out."
"Thank you." Mick continued to relay her symptoms to Allie so she would know what she might need. When it was all finished Allie had said she'd be there within the hour.
That settled Mick headed to the war room to see what was new. Josef met him when he first walked in, "How's my niece?"
"A cold I believe but Allie is on her way to double check. So until then how about you tell me what I've missed."
To Be Continued…
Evilous