Hello everyone and welcome back!

Here is another fluff-filled chapter, I hope you like it. I really enjoy writing it, I think it represent things starting to go on the right direction, we'll have a lot of drama ahead but for now let's make this family have some much needed love!

Please, let me know your thought of the chapter and the story itself. Any questions, suggestion, comment or review is very welcome and appreciated
If there's any grammatical error, please let me know!

Thank you so much for all the support you have been giving me, I wouldn't be able to do this without you guys! Really, thank you so much! Love you.

B. M. Adams
Xoxo...

Disclaimer: I do not own anything from R&I, just the plot and OCs


Megan's POV

June/08/2010

I woke up feeling dizzy and a migraine announcing itself. I wanted to stay in bed and not go to school, but Jannet words were, once again, ringing on my head. 'Don't be a pain. Don't show your weaknesses' the voices kept on saying. Reluctantly I got out of the bed and went to take a shower, hoping that the hot spray from the shower will calm a bit the raging pain in my head. I let the warmth from the water to comfort me. I was shivering, even though, the water felt like it was boiling. When I got out of the shower I tried to wrap me up with two towels but I was feeling freezing cold to the bones.

Looking in the mirror I noticed that my eyes were red, I was sure that they will noticed so I went to the last drawer of the nightstand beside my bed and took a small bag with medicines I always kept just in case something like this happen. I took two Tylenols, dropped some eye drops on my eyes, applied some makeup to regain some color and got dressed. I put some warming socks under my uniform pants and a woolen singlet under the long-sleeve shirt, even when was really warm outside. I grabbed my bag and the books I'll need for the day and tried to act as normal as possible. I avoid as much as I could to sniff or talk, because my voice was even deeper than what usually is. Before going downstairs I checked my temperature, placing my hand on my forehead, indeed it was warmer than normal and knowing how keen both woman were, they will probably notice it

I entered in the kitchen and Jane already preparing coffee "Good morning, Meg" she said rubbing my forearm and pecking the top of my head.

"Morning" I answered and went to the top drawer and took the white mug I have been using since the first time I made tea with Maura. I quietly brew some tea and drank it, the hot liquid feeling amazing passing through my raspy throat. I picked another mug and brew some tea for Maura, trying to keep myself busy. While putting the brewed tea on Maura's usual stool she came down with both kids.

"Good Morning, honey" Maura said to Jane who kissed her. Jane greeted the kids and Maura came to me.

"Good morning to you too, Sweetheart" she said, pecking my cheek. "Thanks for making me tea, that was really sweet of you" she said and winked at me.

"Morning. No problem" I answered and smiled; I rounded the kitchen island and sat on the breakfast bar beside the kids whom I greet. I noticed that my moves were slower than usually and I was eating more slowly too due my sore throat. Then Maura looked at me and told something to Jane but I couldn't hear anything, probably she was saying something about my demeanor but tried to keep everything as normal as I could and mask the symptoms as much as I could too so they didn't get too suspicious.

"I'll take you kids to school today" Maura announced "I have a meeting early so Mama can stay a little longer at home" she finished, this was a first.

I went to brush my teeth to my room and when I looked in the mirror I noticed a light blush on my cheeks, I knew I was starting to have some fever. I washed my face with some cold water to mask the feverish blush off of my face. When I finished I went directly down stairs and to the door. Both Maura and Jane appeared on the stairs with the kids. Maura kissed each kid like she usually does, but this time she kissed me on the forehead, thing she just did when she told me she considered me her daughter, before she just kissed my cheek. She lingered a bit more than usual too. I figured she was just making sure her suspicions were right. I rapidly got out of the house, when I turned around I saw Maura telling Jane something but once again I couldn't hear.

I jumped into the front seat of the car and waited for Maura to come and drive us to school. The drive was as usual as always, not much talk and mostly silence filled by the sound of the engine of the car. We arrived and I got out of the car and help both kids to do the same.

"Have a good day, kids. I love you" Maura called from the car

"Yes, Mommy, love you too" both kids answered I just managed to say "You too" It was the first time Maura took us to school; Jane was the usual person who drive us and she usually something like 'Be good, be safe' and blow us a kiss.

"Meg" she called me I turned around and looked at her "Take care, ok?" she said.

I nodded and she drove towards her job. I took the kids to their respective classrooms and when to my locker to lave the extra things I had on my bag and pick the textbook I needed for my first class which was literature. While walking to my classroom started to feel the muscular pains increasing and the nasal congestion becoming worse. I entered in the room five minutes before the class staring, I sat on one of the desks at the back of the class.

Even though I was mostly observing the classes, this teacher wanted me to do the same activities that the regular students were doing. I was checking the assay we needed to write for that day about some event that changed our perspective of the life. While doing this the rest of the class started to get into the classroom

"Hey" A guy said while he sat in the desk next to mine.

I looked up and at him "Hi" I simply responded

"I'm Garret, nice to meet you" he introduced himself, extending his hand

"Likewise, I'm Megan" I said shaking his hand

"I just came back from repose from the flu and noticed a new student" he said smiling pointing at me "So, how come you're starting when we're finishing the school year?" he asked me.

"I…" I was about to answered when the teacher, Mr. Charles Cook, entered in the room.

"Ok, students, please, I need your assays here before staring todays lecture" he said

Garret rolled his eyes "As nice as always" he said and stood from his desk. I laughed softly and stood to take the assay to the teacher. I handed it to him and went back to my seat. The class felt like an eternity, my head was pounding and I started to feel my fever getting worse but I needed to pull through the day, which passed awfully slowly as well.

After lunch and on my last period the pounding in my head started to get worse and the muscular pain was still very latent. I tried as much as I could to distract my mind with the World War Two lesson the History teacher, Miss Jennifer Roland, was giving. I placed my head on the desk and closed my eyes in a failed attempted to ease the discomfort.

"Ok, guys, I need you to write a two thousand words paper in pairs with the events, causes and consequences of this conflict due to next class, on Wednesday" Miss Roland exclaimed. Most of the kids in my class started to pair and I waited to see who remained unpaired.

"Do you have a partner" all of a sudden someone said. When I looked back I noticed it was Garret

"N-no" I said hesitant.

"So, do you want us to be partners?" he asked.

"Mm…yeah, fine" I said.

"Great, we can meet at my house or yours if you prefer" he aimed

"Yeah, that's ok. I'll have to ask my…" I paused not really knowing how to refer to Jane and Maura, I knew the Bound-to-asked questions within saying 'foster parents' "…Parents" I simply said.

He smiled "That's ok, take…" he said but was interrupted by the teacher.

"Miss Ainsworth, Mr. Lane. Anything interesting to share with the class?" she asked.

"No Miss Roland. We're sorry" he said. The teacher kept on giving her lesson and we both didn't talk anymore for the rest of the class. I was impatiently waiting for the bell to ring indicating I could finally go home and sleep this away.

When the bell finally rang I gather my things as fast as I could and was about to go out of the room when Garret stopped me "Hey" he said. I turned and waited for him to approach.

"Megan, this is my phone number" he said, handing me a piece of o paper. "Text me after and we can sort that date out" he said and I smirked "I mean, study date" he corrected himself nervously.

"Sure, I'll text you" I said smiling.

He patted the back of his neck "Well, see you" he said smiling

"See you" I smiled as well and left. I went directly towards Lucas classroom to wait outside for Maura.

"You don't look good, Meg" the little boy said.

"Thanks buddy" I joked.

He laughed softly "I mean you look sick, do you feel ok?" he asked.

I ruffled his hair "It's just a headache, some sleep will be good" I smiled.

"I guess" he said unconvinced "Look, there's mom" he said and ran towards the car.

I followed him and jumped in the front seat. "Hard day?" she asked after she analyzed my face for a few seconds

I nodded "Yeah" I simply said. We spent the whole drive in silence, except for a few questions Maura asked and the answers mostly Lucas gave. I remitted myself to answer with monosyllables. I knew that she knows but tried to play it cool as much as I could.

We arrived Home and Jane was there, she picked up Lily and had a few hours before she needed to go back to work "Hey, Guys. How was your day?" she asked when we entered on the house.

"Good" Lucas answered and went to the kitchen to grab a snack.

"And you, sweetheart?" she asked directly to me.

"Fine, average" I answered. "I have a lot of homework, I'll be in my room" I said and went to the room, I entered and left the bag on the floor, I laid on the bed and placed a pillow in front of my face to keep the light away from my eyes and tried to drift off to sleep.


Jane's POV

"She must be sleeping, she most feel awful" I said to Maura who was cooking dinner.

Maura nodded "yes, she hasn't come down since we got from school like two hours ago. I think we should see how she is" Maura exclaimed.

"Yeah, me too. She needs something for her throat and by the way she was breathing some expectorant" I said

"We shouldn't have let go to school like that" Maura said regretful.

I stood from the stool and hugged Maura from behind "Don't blame yourself. We let her come to us on her own, she didn't, so we'll go to her" I said lovingly. "I'll go see if she's still sleeping" I said kissing her cheek and leaving the kitchen. I ran upstairs and went to Megan's room knocking the door. I didn't hear any noise nor moves inside so I opened the door. I saw Megan in the bed snuggling a little teddy bear and her index finger wrapped around her nose; she was looking much younger than what she really was. I approached to the bed and carefully placed my hand on her forehead, which was really hot. I went to the closet where we kept the blankets and threw one on her, after I just let left the room and went downstairs.

"She's out cold" I commented to Maura "But I touched her forehead and she's hot" I said concerned.

"I think we should awake her, she needs some ibuprofen" Maura said washing her hands on the sink "I'll go and get some for her" she said drying her hands.

"Ok" I said "Oh! And prepare for the cutest scene you'll see in a while" I said smiling.

Maura looked quizzically "What do you mean?" she asked.

I smiled and stood again from the stool "Come on" I said guiding her to the teenager's room. When we reached the door I slowly and carefully opened it revealing the scene.

"She looks like a little girl" Maura commented. She moved inside the room and sad beside Megan and started to softly caress her hair "Sweetheart, wake up" she said lovingly to her. I approached and remained standing next to her. The girl stirred and groaned a little rubbing her eyes.

"How are you feeling, Meg?" I asked her "Are you going to pretend you're fine or you going to let us take care of you?" I said smiling at her. "And by the way, the teddy bear suits you" I joked. Maura looked at me like saying 'seriously' thing that made me laughed.

She smiled apologetic at us and we could see her eyes red and glossy "It makes it better if I say that I'm not that bad?" she said.

Maura pressed her lips against her forehead determining her temperature, when she separated her lips from the girl she hummed "You most feel bad, you're burning, baby" Maura exclaimed "Love, can you bring me the medicine box that is under the sink in our bathroom, please?" she asked me and I did as she said, leaving both alone.


Maura's POV

Jane left the room and Megan and I remained silent, the girl was now sitting crossed-leg looking at the teddy bear on her lap.

"Meg?" I said, the girl lifted her head and fixated her gaze on my eyes "Sweetheart, you don't have to hide this things from us" I said truthfully to her.

"Look, it's nothing, just a sore throat, I should be fine by tomorrow" she said sounding rather convincing.

I looked at her incredulously "Sweetheart, you're burning, your eyes are red and you were sleeping breathing through your mouth which means you have troubles breathing" I explained "Megan, we are your…" I trailed off, I was about to refer to Jane and I as her mothers but I knew that statement might have freaked her out "…Your legal guardians, we are supposed to take care of you" I said "So I need you to be complete honest with me. How are you feeling?" I asked her.

She sighed "Not great" she answered.

I nodded "Ok, that is a start. What do you feel, what hurts, sweetheart?" I asked again.

"Everything hurts, actually. I feel like a big walking bruise" she said resigned "And yes, my throat and head hurts and I'm having troubles breathing" she finished resting her head on the headboard.

"Ok, baby. We'll make it better" I said heartfeltly smiling. She lifted her head and looked at me shyly.

"Take, honey" Jane said handing the box. I picked the thermometer and placed it on Megan's ear. When the reading was over I checked it and she definitely had fever "You have 102, sweetie" I said sympathetically.

"And you spend the whole day with this around?" Jane asked concerned "And if you say you didn't wanted to bother us, you're grounded" Jane joked but the seriousness in her tone was evident. Megan shrugged and smiled apologetically at Jane.

Jane sighed and sat beside me on the bed "I just want you to know that you can tell us anything, sweetheart" Jane said lovingly "I'll go downstairs to finish dinner and make some chicken noodle soup for miss flu here" Jane joked again making both Megan and I laugh.

"That is not necessary" Megan said ashamed.

Jane stood from the bed and kissed the teenage girl's warm temple "Yes, it is" Jane smiled and left the room.

"So, why didn't you tell us you were sick, Love. We would have made you stay home and rest" I said.

"If I tell you, I'll be grounded" she joked and looked at me smiling a little smile.

"I'm glad to see you haven't lost your sense of humor" I said laughing and looking for the medicine on the box "Ok, sweetie. Take this" I said, handing her two pills, it's to reduce the fever and help with the headache and this is for respiratory tract" I explained "And while dinner is ready I recommend you to take a warm bath, that will make you feel better" I advise her.

She nodded and stood with difficulty from the bed taking the throw off of her and shivering in the process "Please, have that bath and put some warm clothes. Ok?" I adamantly said.

Once again she nodded and went to the bathroom. I stood from the bed and went downstairs to help Jane to finish dinner. "Well, at least we can address this properly now" Jane said when I went to the kitchen

"I don't know why she didn't tell us" I said frustrated.

"Honey, we know she tends to deal with things by herself. Some people don't know how to ask for help" Jane explained.

I sat in one of the stools "I know, but it's still disconcerted why she thinks she needs to hide a cold from us" I said concerned.

Jane came from behind and hugged me "I know how you feel, but she needs more time, meanwhile, we are going to pay special attention to her" Jane said kissing my head. I smiled at her loving words. We finished making dinner chatting about our day and about the kids. When everything was ready Jane called –screamed- the kids to come to dinner. Seconds after Lucas and Lily came and joined us at the table but Megan didn't come down.

"Why isn't Meg here" Lily asked after a while started eating.

"She's sick, right?" Luca said "She didn't look good at school today" the kid exclaimed

"Yes, Babies. Meg is not feeling good tonight" I said "It's just a flu though, she'll be fine really soon" I finished.

Jane looked worried and stood from the table "I'll take the soup upstairs, she might feel bad enough to not come here" Jane said sadly.

"That's really thoughtful, Love. She'll appreciate" I said. Jane smiled and prepared a tray with a bowl of hot soup, cracker and some juice. When she was about to take the tray upstairs Megan came down in her pajamas and a fluffy sweater, her hair tied in a ponytail and looking miserable

"Hello, sweetie. You feel any better?" I asked her.

The girl nodded "The bath felt great and the headache ceased a little. Thanks, Maura" She told me.

"Nothing to thank me for" I answered and caressed her warm cheeks smiling.

Jane came out of the kitchen carrying the tray when "Well, I think this isn't needed upstairs anymore" Jane joked and carried the tray to the table "This will make you feel better, my Ma used to give it to me and my brothers every time we felt bad and it helped a lot" Jane smiled kissed her forehead, lingering her lips a bit longer to read her temperature. "You still very warm, love. So, eat and bed, got it?" she finished.

"Yes… Thanks Jane" she said shyly looking at the steamy bowl in front of her.

"It's our job, sweetheart" Jane smiled and rubbed my shoulder.

We finished dinner eating in relative silence, just broke by some casual questions from the kids. We finished and the kids took their respective plates to the sink and then went to finish their homework before bed. Megan started to gather the thing over the table and carrying to the kitchen. "Ok, enough" I said "You, go to rest. It's not an option" I sternly said.

She smiled and placed the things on her hands on the sink "Go to sleep, baby. You need it" I said and placed a kiss on her forehead. "Good night. You'll see tomorrow you will feel better" I smiled.

"Good night" She answered and left the room.

We finished of clearing off the kitchen and put the kids to sleep, before we went to our room we checked on Megan who was sound asleep, wrapped in a fluffy throw and her arms tugging her bear. Jane and I smiled lovingly at the sight. We went to our room and got changed ready to go to bed after a long day.

"Have you seen that bear before?" Jane asked curiously.

I shook my head "No, first time" I answered "But obviously gives her comfort. Probably is something from someone she loved" I said.

"It most has" Jane answered "Aw! We can't deny that she looks so cute with that thing wrapped around her arms" Jane smiled

"You are certainly right, my love" I lovingly said.

Jane sighed "I just remembered tomorrow is Saturday, it feels so great to say that" Jane commented.

I laughed "If I recall you have to go to the office in the morning" I said.

Jane groaned a little and hide her face in the pillow "Why you'd have to destroy my happiness" she exclaimed.

"Aw, come on, Im just being diligent and remembering you" I said chuckling a little.

"Well, diligent or not I'm not that happy anymore, I had my mind set on spend the whole day with my babies and my gorgeous wife" Jane said, a hint of sadness showing in her voice. She rolled on the bed and started to kiss me passionately, caressing my abdomen.

"Ok, detective, if you go a little bit further you'll be really tired tomorrow morning" I mischievously said.

My wife sighed resignedly "You're right, but I promise to finish this tomorrow" She said kissing my lips once again. "Good night, my love" she said.

"Good night, honey" I said kissing her lips one last time before going to sleep.

I woke up around three in the morning wanting to go to the bathroom; I did and after I decided to check on Megan. I carefully got out of Jane and mine's room going to Megan's. I reached the door and found it open, I picked my head inside I noticed she wasn't there which was intriguing. I went downstairs and noticed that the kitchen had the lights on.

I saw Megan leaning against the kitchen counter with her head hanging low and the kettle on the stove. "Are you ok, sweetie?" I asked her. She didn't even startled; she just lifted her head and leaving clear she was feeling awful. I got closer to the girl and placed my hand on her forehead. "The fever hasn't dropped" I hummed "Why don't you go to the living room and lay on the couch, I'll bring you some hot chocolate" I said.

She looked incredulous at me "hot cholate? Who are you?" she asked joking.

"You deserve some spoiling" I answer "Go lay down" I said.

She walked out of the kitchen and I rapidly prepared the beverages taking them with me to the living room. She was on the couch, sitting in one of the ends resting he head on the armrest and the Tv on, on a cartoon channel

"Here you have it" I said handing the mug to her.

"Thank you" she answered and sipped from the cup.

I sat on the other end of the couch and we both enjoy the hot liquid watching Toy Story "so, honey. Can I ask you something?" I asked her.

"Yeah, sure" she answered.

"I never saw that teddy bear before, how come?" I curiously asked.

Her already fevery blushed face turned a darker shade when I asked "It's just something that I have since I can remember and well, it makes me feel good" she shyly answered.

"Well, I think is cute" I commented, she smiled and so did I. "Next time that this happen, you can come to me or Jane, you don't have to do this alone" I said.

"It's three in the morning, I wouldn't wake you up and besides I'm old enough to do myself a cup of hot chocolate. Even though I really appreciated you did it, it's really good" she said ashamed.

"Anytime" I said "And yes, you are right you can deal with things on your own but this is definitely something you need someone, not because of the hot chocolate but because sometimes when you are sick someone's company might make you feel better" I assured her.

She remained silent for a few minutes and put the mug on the coffee table in front of us "You right" she said softly.

"What?" I asked not sure what she meant.

"Having company is making it a little more bearable" She said.

I smiled widely "Well, I'm always near, we all are" said heartfeltly. She smiled and rested her head on back of the couch watching the movie. When I finished my hot chocolate I saw she was out cold again so I adjust her body so she was lying across the couch. I went upstairs and took her throw and the teddy bear from her room and covered her and placed the toy in her arms which she unconsciously tugged in her arms. I smiled lovingly at the sight and kissed her forehead "Sweet dreams, sweetheart".