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Lee Stetson sighed wearily as the taxi pulled into the long driveway. Home at last. This trip had been tiring, doubly so because Amanda hadn't been with him. More than likely she would have been able to convince their client of the validity of their findings... the need to implement the new security measures Lee had been proposing. Amanda had a certain flare for saying the right thing in the right way, whereas Lee just found himself losing his patience, and very nearly his temper, more than once over the three day conference.
He'd almost certainly lost the account, but at this moment he didn't care. The man was impossible -- unable to see the big picture and too stubborn to accept what others were telling him. Only Amanda had been able to talk to him -- to get him to admit his company needed help stopping the information leaks that were causing them to lose far too many contracts. They'd planned this meeting for months, but at the last minute Jenny had started running a fairly high fever and Amanda had stayed behind.
Lee sighed once more. As much as he might have needed Amanda on this trip, he knew their daughter needed her more. One day into the conference, Amanda had called with the news. Chicken pox -- and not just Jenny. Little Matthew had come down with them too.
Slinging the carry-on over his shoulder, Lee paid the driver and continued up the walkway. The note flapping slightly in the breeze stopped him immediately. He dropped his bag and took the taped paper from the door frame. He smiled at Amanda's neat handwriting with his name barely visible under the crayoned "Daddy" that Jenny must have insisted on writing. Opening the note, he frowned as he read it.
Lee, I checked the with Colonel and he said you've never had chicken pox so I've set you
up in the tack room. I'll come out as soon as I get the chance to see you. Matt's been fussy all
day and I was afraid I'd miss you.
Love, Amanda
Lee ran his hand over the picture drawn on the bottom. He immediately recognized his daughter's style. Semi-stick figures of Jenny and Matt with huge thermometers in their mouths -- the back of stick-Mommy at one bed and stick-Daddy at the other. Jenny never tried to draw adults in anything but stick form, and never from the front.
A tap to his left drew his attention. "Jenny," he said quietly.
His beloved daughter, nose and palms pressed hard against the window, mouthed his name. He could see the little specs dotting her usually bright, cheerful face, now tight with unshed tears. Amanda had probably made it very clear Daddy couldn't come in while she and Matty were sick.
Not worrying about the flower bed he trampled through, Lee pressed his palms over his daughters from his side of the glass. "Hi, Princess," he called loudly enough for her to hear.
"Daddy!" the little girl cried, the tears finally falling uncontrollably. "I miss you!"
Lee's heart fell. "I miss you too," he assured her. "How are you feeling?"
"I'm fine. I'm better now. Tell Mommy I'm better!" she begged. "Please come in."
"I..." he began, ready to overrule Amanda's concern, but stopped as his wife's face appeared above his daughter's.
"You got the note," she began. "I was worried you wouldn't." She scooted Jenny away, with a promise she could see Daddy again before he had to go to the barn.
"Amanda, you need me to help with the kids," Lee argued. "I'll be fine."
Amanda smiled sadly at him. "Lee, chicken pox in kids is no big deal. I can handle the itching and fevers -- but chicken pox in adults," she lectured. "It can be pretty serious. I don't need your help that badly."
"But Jenny..." Lee tried unsuccessfully.
"She's still contagious and she won't be happy with you just in the house. She's not feeling well and she's clingy." Amanda called their daughter over. "Jenny, say bye to Daddy, it's time for your bath," Amanda prompted.
"Bye, Daddy," Jenny sniffed, using her sleeve to wipe at the tears that hadn't stopped, and waved mournfully with her free hand.
"Jenny, I'm just out here," Lee promised. "I miss you...," he repeated. "Just in the barn. You'll be fine." He didn't move until Jenny was completely gone from his sight.
* * *
Amanda never ceased to amaze him. Two sick children and she'd managed to set up the tack room for him as well. In older days it had housed a full-time groom, but the Stetsons used it only for a last resort spare room. Lee flung his luggage into a corner, not feeling like unpacking at the moment. He checked the old bureau drawers, found some work clothes and changed into them. He could tend to the horses and work on his arguments for Amanda at the same time.
A light rap at the door drew his attention. Amanda peaked her head in. "Hi." She smiled, entering the room and pulling him into a hug. "I missed you."
He returned the embrace, drawing her as close as he could. "Then what am I doing out here?" he argued. "I can..." he began
"Lee Stetson," Amanda berated, using her best mother-voice. "Don't even start that. You're old enough to know the dangers." She pushed him just barely away and eyed him critically.
All the arguments melted away. Lee knew she was right. "I'll be good," he promised.
Amanda sighed with relief, obviously expecting more resistance. "Thank you," she said. "I'll bring your dinner out later."
Lee shook his head. "Amanda, I don't wanna be any more trouble than necessary."
She grinned knowingly, tapping him on the chest. "Sorry, Lee. Too much temptation."
He paused, finally acquiescing.
She pulled away after one more kiss. "I need to get back to the kids."
"Right." Lee frowned, watching her walk out the door. He grabbed a pair of work gloves, but stopped as Amanda reappeared in the doorway.
"Lee?" She pointed to the luggage in the corner, cocking her head questioningly, then she quickly disappeared.
This just was not going to be his day to win at anything.
* * *
Lee tossed to the left -- then the right, almost scraping his nose against the wall mere inches away. Bunching his pillow into a tight wad, he tried to get comfortable one more time. Though not the worst place he'd ever slept, given his height, the tiny cot was not going to make it the best.
He turned over again, and found himself staring into Jenny's startled, little face. "Jenny?" he whispered. "What are you doing here?"
She pursed her lips, and sniffed. "I didn't want to wake you, Daddy," she confessed. A tear rolled down her face as she looked away. "I just wanted to see you. Don't be mad."
Lee half sat up, warring with himself about pulling his daughter into a hug. Amanda would have his hide if she found out. "I'm not mad, honey," he began. "But you're sick. You should be in bed."
"I missed you," she cried, throwing herself at him.
Lee grabbed her into his arms.
Jenny beamed at him. "Tell me a story, Daddy," she begged. "Please..."
Lee nodded. "Okay, but then you go back to your own bed." He lay down.
"Uh huh," she agreed, settling in close to his chest, pulling the blankets around them both. "Oh." She twisted enough to look at Lee. "Daddy, you must be careful not to rub or scratch my poxes. Even if they itch really, really, really bad," she lectured, a stern expression on her face. "That will only make 'em worse."
Lee nodded gravely, suppressing the laugh that threatened at how much she sounded like her mother just then.
Satisfied, Jenny settled back into place for her story.
"Well... It was a dark and stormy night," he began dramatically. "The moon was shining bright. Giving not a hint of what's in store..."
Jenny giggled, interrupting him. "Daadddddyyy!" she complained. "You know that's not a story. That's Animaniacs." She elbowed him slightly. "A real story," she stated emphatically.
"All right." Lee laughed. "Once upon a time, there was a beautiful princess named Jenny..." he restarted the tale, elaborating about princesses and younger brothers who needed protection, and how the little girl saved the day, until he felt the steady breathing assuring him that his daughter was truly asleep. Amanda would be mad if she found out, but then she really didn't need to. He would get Jenny inside before morning.
* * *
Lee tried to throw his arm over his eyes to shield them from the shaft of light threatening to wake him, but found a foot wedged against the bridge of his nose. He slowly opened one eye to see Jenny had shifted on top of him and had pulled the blankets up around her. No wonder his feet were cold. He sighed.
He'd lain awake most of the night, trying not to roll over on his daughter, but must have finally fallen asleep. He glanced at the small alarm clock, panic rising up as the digital number changed to 7:26. He had to get Jenny back to her own bed immediately.
"Jenny," he called carefully. "C'mon, honey. You have to get up."
"Hmph," she snorted, pushing her tiny toes into his forehead.
"Jenny." He tried again. "Wake up. You have to go back to bed."
Jenny yawned widely, stretching her arms. "Wanna sleep, Daddy," she complained, stopping almost immediately at the sound of the door opening.
Amanda walked into the tack room, her arms folded sternly in front of her.
The little girl looked at her mother, then at her father, her eyes wide at the knowledge she was probably in trouble. "Daddy made me," she accused. Rolling off the bed on to her stocking-clad feet, she scurried out the door as fast as she could.
"Uh, um, let me..." Lee sputtered, but Amanda turned on her heel and followed their daughter back into the house. "Doghouse, tack room," he muttered. "Might as well be the same thing."
* * *
Lee sat on the bed, running his hand through his hair. Amanda would be more concerned than mad -- that was good. But he really didn't want to argue at all. He appreciated her worry, but he wouldn't get sick, he knew he could beat this easy. He also knew he needed to help her with this minor family crisis.
He had an idea. Pausing only long enough to get dressed, he hoped his plan would get him back into the house with the least problems.
The wild flowers were still in bloom and he picked the prettiest ones he could find. Sneaking up to the house, he listened carefully, finally hearing the water running in the kitchen sink. He took a deep breath and popped up, surprising Amanda completely. "Hi!" he greeted, winking and smiling his most winning grin.
"Oh," she exclaimed, then frowned, but Lee could see a smile pull at the corners of her mouth as she remembered their first years together. "Lee Stetson. What are you doing?"
"I brought you these," he announced, producing the bouquet from behind him.
Amanda leaned toward the open screen. "And what if Mother had been here?" she whispered conspiratorially. "What would you have done?"
"Guess I would have had a new partner," he teased.
Amanda sighed heavily. "C'mon in." She motioned him toward the kitchen door, shaking her head the whole time. "Does the word 'incorrigible' mean anything to you," she asked once he'd joined her.
Lee handed her the flowers, kissing her hand gallantly.
"You know you're not in because of these," she indicated, inhaling the scent and smiling.
"I know," he acknowledged, shrugging innocently. "I'd really planned to be good."
Amanda rolled her eyes. "If it hadn't been this, you would have found another way," she declared. "But that's why I love you."
Lee pulled her close, turning with Amanda still in his arms as he heard a scuffle at the door. Jenny peered cautiously around the corner.
"C'mon, Pumpkin," he called. "You're not in trouble." He winked at his daughter and held out one arm for her. She scampered happily over, diving in to join her parents.
"Make that not too much trouble," Amanda amended, but she knew she'd lost. Father and daughter were reunited. It had been inevitable.
* * *
Just short of two weeks had passed since he'd returned from the convention, it had been a trying time. Amanda admitted just yesterday she was happy Lee was there to help. The two had shared the sick care and business duties, with Amanda expertly and easily salvaging the account Lee believed lost.
Amanda had even convinced Lee to see a doctor for some shot -- acyl.. ackie... something -- it was supposed to be a new anti-viral, miracle drug that would hinder or slow an infection. Not that he'd actually done it; he'd just never found the time. Maybe after he closed the deal today... But it really didn't matter -- Lee refused to get sick.
"I think you'll be pleased with the increased security," Lee announced, shaking hands with the client.
"Hmph. I'd better," he declared. "It's costing me enough." The client gathered up his papers grudgingly, stopping to look at Lee. "You okay? You look a little flushed."
"Oh, sick kids at home." Lee waved away the question. "Not a lot of sleep."
"Hmph. Well, get better," he declared. "You've got a lot of work to do for me." He exited the conference room.
Lee sank down, nearly missing the chair altogether. He'd felt like he was running a fever about halfway through the meeting and was grateful Amanda had worked out all the details before he'd even walked into the room to discuss them with that man. All he wanted now was his bed, but that would have to wait. He had a full day ahead of him. He popped a couple of aspirins and grabbed a glass of water. Drinking half, he then placed the cool surface to his forehead, immediately feeling a little relief. Everything else could wait until tomorrow.
The elevator ride, the trip home -- none of it really registered with Lee. He suddenly became aware he was in his driveway. Lee glanced around. Amanda's car was gone. That meant she'd still be at the doctor with the kids. If he could just get a little sleep before she got home, he'd be fine.
He dragged himself into the house, found a wash cloth and wetted it to place on his forehead. Lee immediately fell into a deep sleep.
* * *
The alarm rang unmercifully and Lee had to swing twice before he finally found the snooze button. As he lay there, he tried to move, but his whole body ached. A thought started that he must be coming down with something but he quashed it immediately. No way would he allow that to happen.
He gathered all his energy and rolled to the side of the bed. He sat there for a minute then groaned as he reached an arm over his shoulder to scratch. He stopped dead as he made contact with his back. He pushed off the bed to get to the bathroom mirror. Pulling his pajama shirt off, he looked at his reflection. Two little red dots glared at him like evil eyes.
"Bug bites?" Lee hopefully suggested to himself, grimacing as he fought the urge to scratch. He turned, leaning heavily on the counter, checking out his bloodshot eyes. "No, I'm fine," he declared. "Shower!" He pushed away, setting the water at hot. Even if it was chicken pox, as long as they didn't reach his face or hands, he could keep it hidden from Amanda. He would make the time to get that shot today. Amanda would never find out.
* * *
Lee closed the door to the barn, leaning heavily against the door. He'd been able to avoid his wife most of the day, realizing the sweating, shortness of breath and body aches would betray the fact that he was getting sick. He sighed heavily. And that wasn't all. The little dots were spreading.
Amanda would lecture him, but a day in bed would be all he needed, grateful the kids were doing well and he'd be no trouble to his wife. She'd had enough to deal with the past few weeks.
He staggered the short distance to the house, peaking into the kitchen before entering. A shower and a nap would make him presentable enough he hoped to avoid most of the I-told-you-so's from Amanda.
Lee took the steps slowly, trying not to let the dizziness stop him. Starting the water for his shower, Lee sat on the bed to remove his boots. He fell back as the first one came off with a fight, laying there for a second to catch his breath. Maybe sleep should come first.
* * *
"Lee, can you hear me?" Amanda grasped his hand tightly. "Lee?"
He opened his eyes, barely. The insides of his eyelids felt scratchy. He took a deep breath. "Uh... sorry, just need a little sleep... I'll be fine," he promised.
"Lee, you're in the hospital." She drew his hand to her cheek, caressing it gently.
He glanced around the room, squinting at the white brightness. "Oh," he finally replied. "See, I'll... be... fine." Lee closed his eyes and fell asleep again.
Amanda placed her hand on his forehead. He was still burning up. She'd come home to find him passed out on the bed. All she'd wanted to do at that moment was panic, but she'd remained calm. Now the fear welled up again. He had to be all right.
"Mrs. Stetson?"
Amanda turned at the voice. "Yes."
"I'm Dr. Sloan," the older gentleman introduced.
"Is he going to be all right?" she asked immediately. "He woke up, but only for a minute. Is that good? He didn't look sick yesterday. How could he have gotten so sick so fast? The kids never got this sick. I mean, I know it's more serious as you get older," she continued rapidly without taking a breath. "But it shouldn't be this bad. He's normally a very healthy person, honest. Shouldn't that count for something. He is going to be all right, isn't he?"
Dr. Sloan stared at her open-mouthed, then smiled kindly. "Are you finished?"
"Yes," she answered quietly. "I'm just concerned, that's all."
The doctor walked around to Amanda's side. "And you have every reason to be," he sympathized. "Your husband is very sick. He's running an extremely high fever and we're fighting to keep it down. But," Dr. Sloan added. "We're taking good care of him, so I don't want you to worry."
"Thank you." Amanda fought the tears that threatened to fall.
"It's a little late, but I wish you'd gotten him in here at his first exposure to the chicken pox," Dr. Sloan continued, picking up the chart to check the latest notations. "Acyclovir would have probably prevented these complications."
Amanda sighed heavily and gave the doctor a long-suffering smile.
"Oh." Dr. Sloan nodded his head. "One of those," he stated knowingly.
"Is there anything I can do, doctor?" she asked.
"Just be here for him when he needs you," the doctor replied. "That's usually one of the best medicines I can ever prescribe."
* * *
Amanda lifted her head from her arms. Some time during the night she must have succumbed to the sleep she'd fought so hard against. She breathed deeply, trying to clear the fog from her mind.
She took Lee's hand, but something didn't seem right... and his breathing seemed too shallow. Amanda ran to the nurse's station. "I think my husband's worse," she announced. "Please get a doctor." She didn't wait for a response, but returned immediately to Lee's side.
"Lee? Answer me, please," she called, clasping his hand tightly in her own.
Dr. Sloan rushed into the room, followed by several other people Amanda had never seen. "How long has he been like this?" he asked, pulling out his stethoscope.
"I don't know. I fell asleep," she confessed, her voice shaking with fear.
Dr. Sloan looked up at her concern. "Why don't you wait outside, Mrs. Stetson. I'll let you know when I know anything."
Amanda started to argue, but immediately knew that would only distract the doctors from their work. She wandered over to the waiting room. Her mother sat in a chair, with Matt sound asleep in her lap. Dotty fought to stay awake, trying to read a novel. But Jenny sat on the floor, coloring and humming happily.
Amanda sank heavily into the chair.
"Amanda," Dotty asked. "What is it?"
Jenny immediately stopped coloring at the sound of her grandmother's voice. "Daddy's okay?" she almost begged.
Dotty shook her head, apologizing that she'd not been more careful.
Jenny stood and came over to her mother. "Daddy's okay?" she asked again.
"Honey," Amanda began, reaching out to pull her daughter closer. "You know Daddy's real sick... he just hasn't gotten better yet," she explained.
Jenny's lower lip quivered slightly. "Matty said so," she cried, evading her mother's grasp and bolting down the hallway.
Amanda looked to her mother, but Dotty shrugged, not knowing what the problem was.
* * *
Amanda had searched the entire wing twice, afraid if she left the floor, she would miss her daughter. Jenny had been only a little worried earlier when Amanda reminded her how sick she had felt and now she was much better.
She didn't know if she could take much more. Lee needed to get better and she needed to find their daughter. A slight, wavering intake of breath caught Amanda's attention from the stairwell. She opened the doorway to see Jenny huddled on the top step.
Jenny glanced back and then turned away from her mother, leaning into the wall as far as possible.
"Jenny?" Amanda sat down next to her daughter.
"It's my fault," she said quietly. "Matty said that Daddy wouldn't be sick if he hadn't told me a story."
Amanda pulled her daughter into a hug. "That's not true," she assured the child. "And when he wakes up, he'll tell you so himself. You'll see."
Jenny buried her head in her mother's shoulder, shaking her head emphatically no.
Amanda sighed deeply. She picked up her daughter to carry her back to the waiting room. Jenny didn't say anything else, she just held on tight.
Dr. Sloan walked in a few minutes later, sitting down next to Amanda. "He's stabilized," he stated quietly.
* * *
Lee manipulated the hospital bed's controls expertly. Still weak from his recent battle, he'd quickly adapted to the help the mechanization offered. He would be leaving in a few hours and it wouldn't be soon enough. Nothing he did would ever make a hospital bed comfortable..
The danger from the fever had passed, but the itching was driving him crazy. He wondered how much longer until someone showed up to help put the lotion on. Maybe he should call the nurse again. Maybe she would have the time now.
Amanda peaked into the room. "Good, you're awake," she stated. "Your daughter wants to talk to you for a minute." She shot him a warning glare he didn't quite understand.
Jenny walked carefully to his bedside, not looking up at him.
"Hey, Jenny," Lee greeted, cocking his head to see his daughter's face. "What's wrong?"
She fidgeted with her feet. "I'm sorry I got you sick, Daddy," she blurted out, her voice trembling with guilt.
Lee looked to his wife, understanding now. "Jenny, come here." Amanda helped the little girl to sit on the edge of the bed. "None of this is your fault. I should have taken better care of myself."
Jenny finally made eye contact, frowning in disbelief. "Matty said it was my fault," she declared. "Said I infested you."
Lee chuckled. "Tell you what," he began. "When Matt gets his medical degree, then we start to listen to him about doctor things." He paused for a minute. "Really, honey. I should have gone to the doctor and gotten a shot. I was just too stubborn."
"Really?" Jenny brightened immediately, she leaned in to hug her father around the tubes and wires.
"Really," Lee assured her.
"I'm gonna tell Matty," she announced, hopping off the bed and running for the door.
"Jenny," Amanda cautioned. "Quietly and slowly. This is a hospital."
Jenny nodded her head in agreement, then ran out the door to find her little brother, nearly bowling over the nurse on her way.
"You know she shouldn't really be here," she advised, but didn't seem upset. She pulled a cart laden with floral arrangements into the room.
Lee grinned widely. "For me?" he asked. "That is so nice..."
"Actually, they aren't for you," the woman corrected. "They're for your wife." She left the room.
Amanda walked over and picked up one card after another. "In your darkest hour of need -- our sympathy,' 'Our thoughts are with you,'" she read out loud, then laughed, shifting through the other cards. "Michaels, Carmichael and Travis -- All sympathy cards for me, and what I'll be having to put up with."
Lee narrowed his eyes. "I smell Skip in this," he announced. "Very funny, hah, hah." He folded his arms across his chest indignantly.
"Seriously, Lee," Amanda warned. "If you ever put me through something like this again..." She took his hand in hers, squeezing tightly.
Lee pulled the hand to his lips and kissed it. "I'm so sorry I worried you... and Jenny. It won't happen again," he promised.
"It better not.... Or you'd better find some deep, far away hole to defect to...," she threatened, leaning in to kiss him lightly, but Lee drew her closer for a deeper kiss. "I love you."
* * *
Lee shifted in the bed. He'd tried to tell Amanda that the stupid little pox were getting worse, but she'd mistakenly assured him they were finally healing and drying up. He started to scratch his neck, but didn't at the last moment, slapping his arms into the sheets in frustration.
Amanda had even turned on him. She'd been so caring and wonderful the first few days he'd been home from the hospital, but now she ignored him every time he needed her. "Jenny!" he called loudly, grateful at least his little girl would always love him unconditionally.
He sighed happily upon hearing the patter of her little feet coming down the hallway.
"Yes, Daddy?" Jenny asked, stopping at his bedside.
"Can you get Daddy some water, please," he moaned.
"Okay." She started to run for the kitchen.
"Wait," he called. "Better make it juice."
"Okkaaay," Jenny acknowledged.
"No." Lee stopped her. "Water would be better... and maybe some chips of some kind."
"Uh, huh," Jenny agreed.
"Wait, forget...," Lee began.
Jenny stomped over to her father. "Daddy," she announced, placing her hands on her hips and glaring at him appraisingly, looking him up and down. "You're better," she declared. Turning she left the bedroom without a backward glance.
Lee stared after her, mouth open in confusion. Everyone had gone insane. He just needed a little help still. "Matty!" he yelled, happy as he heard the patter of his son's little feet coming down the hallway.