Part 482
Coming out of their room laughing, their arms wrapped around each other, Howie and Sarah found Nick alone staring out the window. Sarah’s first thought was something had gone wrong with Becca and she started to panic.
"Nick?" called Sarah.
Nick turned to see the panic in both their faces and laughed. "Chill out, dudes! Everything is fine, sorta. GT isn’t feeling well and Bec’s trying to calm him down."
Sarah breathed a sigh of relief as Becca returned with a very cranky Garrett in her arms.
The look of concern on Becca’s face prompted Sarah to move to her. "What’s wrong with my little buddy?" asked Sarah as she took Garrett from Becca.
"I don’t know, Sarah. He’s all cranky, like he can’t get comfortable. He’ll doze off for a little while and then wake suddenly and he didn’t nurse very well a little while ago."
"Well, let’s see what’s wrong with the little ‘Crown Prince," said Sarah making faces at Garrett as she loosened his sleeper. Putting the back of her hand on his chest, she said, "He feels like he’s got a fever. Have you checked it?"
Embarrassed, Becca said, "I’m not sure I can do it."
Sarah chuckled knowing Becca was referring to checking his temperature with a rectal thermometer. "There is an easier way than that. It’s not as accurate but it won’t upset Garrett….or you, quite as much."
"What way is ‘THAT’ way?" asked Nick curiously.
Howie knew from experience with his nieces and nephews what Sarah was talking about and he said, "Rectal, Nick."
"Rectal?" questioned Nick still confused.
"Yeah, Nick…up the butt," laughed Sarah. "It’s the most accurate way to check an infant’s temperature and that’s how MOST pediatricians prefer it to be done."
Nick grimaced, "Ewww….that’s GROSS! Have you seen what comes out of his butt?"
All three laughed and Sarah said, "Where’s your thermometer, Bec?"
"All I’ve got is the rectal one they gave us when he was born."
Handing Garrett back to Becca, Sarah said, "I might have one. Let me go look."
"Thank you, Sarah."
While Sarah was in their room, the other three settled into seats. Becca opted to take the rocking chair in order to rock Garrett, hoping to calm him down some.
"I thought maybe we could go bowl a few games and grab a pizza," said Howie.
"I don’t know, ‘D’. With Garrett sick, maybe we shouldn’t," said Nick watching Becca.
"Nick, you need a break," said Becca. "You could go and I’ll stay here with him."
"Baby, that’s not fair to you. You do everything for him."
"It’s okay, Nick. I don’t mind."
"We could do dinner here in the room," suggested Howie. "That way, we won’t be gone as long."
Sarah returned with the thermometer and knelt down beside Becca. "Okay, place it under his arm, in his arm pit, and hold it there for about five minutes. What did you three decide to do tonight?"
"We’re gonna eat in the room," said Howie as Sarah moved to sit in his lap. "Then head to Funplex. Becca’s gonna stay here with Garrett."
Sarah looked at Becca, "Alone?"
"I’ll be fine. Billy’s here."
Sarah saw that Nick wasn’t thrilled with the idea of Becca staying behind. Looking at Howie, she said, "’D’, you know, maybe I should stay here too since I didn’t take a nap."
Howie knew what she was doing. "Not a bad idea, ‘Angel’."
Nick was overly grateful. "Thank you, sis."
Howie wasn’t the only one who caught on to what Sarah was doing. Irritably, Becca said, "I don’t need a babysitter."
"No, but I do," smiled Sarah. "You’ve got company while the men go do some of that male bonding stuff they like to do over beer and bowling."
Howie laughed, "Yep! My angel needs babysitting, someone who’ll make her behave. Bec, you’ve got your hands full."
"Oh, I think I can handle her now that she’s pregnant," winked Becca. "Besides, I’ve been taking lessons from you, Howie."
"Ohhhh…I’m SO glad you love me so much, you two," laughed Sarah as she hugged Howie.
"Uh huh…very much," agreed Howie.
"It’s settled then. Howie and I are going out while Becca babysits Sarah and GT. Now, for the important part…FOOD! We need to order dinner. Bec, anything in particular?"
As Becca took the thermometer out, she said, "I don’t care, Nick. Anything’s fine with me."
"Well, what is it?" asked Sarah.
"Ninety-nine point five."
"That’s not too bad. Look, why don’t you get Billy to go to the drugstore and pick up some Tylenol Infant’s Drops? It’ll help him get comfortable and be able to sleep."
"Are you sure? Isn’t he too young to be taking that?" fretted Becca.
"No, he’ll be fine, I promise."
"I’ll go tell Billy," offered Howie. "Sarah, you and Nick order dinner."
"Yes, ‘Master’," teased Sarah as he pushed her up off his lap. "Whatever you say, ‘Master’!"
"And don’t you forget it, young lady," shot Howie giving her a kiss.
Becca looked down at Garrett. "He’s asleep again. I’m gonna try and put him back in the bassinet so we can eat."
Nick helped Becca up and watched as she headed to their room.
Sarah pulled out the room service menus and sat on the couch where Nick joined her. Leaning against him, she looked over the selection. Nick’s mind wandered though. While Howie and Sarah had been giving them space, an idea for Becca’s birthday had come to him. Now he needed Sarah’s help.
Sarah realized Nick wasn’t really into deciding on dinner. "Nicky, what’s wrong?"
"Hmm?"
"Earth to Kaos!! Are you worried about Garrett?"
"Oh, no! He’ll be fine with Becca and you looking out for him," smiled Nick taking Sarah’s hand in his. Looking at her rings, he spotted the new ring Howie had given her. "This is new, isn’t it?"
"Howie gave it to me this afternoon."
Sarah had such a dreamy look on her face that Nick laughed. "You’re hopeless," he teased nudging her.
"Hopelessly devoted to Howie. So what had you so zoned out?"
"I had an idea for Bec’s birthday present."
"Cool. What did you come up with?"
"A song."
"Really? Did you write one?"
"It’s one of yours," mumbled Nick with his head tucked but before he could go on, Howie rejoined them.
Sarah asked, "Which one, Nick?"
"Never mind," said Nick as he grabbed the phone and dialed room service.
Sarah shook her head as Howie sat beside her.
"What was all that about?"
"Nick wants one of my songs for Becca’s birthday present," she whispered.
"One of your songs from your CD?"
"I don’t know. When you…never mind. I think I know which one he wants." Taking the phone from Nick, she looked at him and said, "We’ll talk about the song later."
Nick wasn’t altogether sure what Sarah meant and certainly couldn’t tell if she was pissed so he simply said, "Okay."
Sarah placed her orders and hung up as Becca returned. The two couples sat talking about what Howie and Sarah had done that afternoon and their plans for tomorrow. Howie was somewhat reluctant to say they were going sightseeing because he still expected Sarah to be in the doctor’s office all morning.
"Howie, I told you, it won’t take but about an hour to an hour and a half," said Sarah with exasperation.
"You don’t know that. What if you have gestational diabetes?"
"HOWARD!" scolded Sarah. "What happened to your positive outlook?"
"It’s still there, just hidden," teased Howie. "And STOP calling me ‘Howard’. You sound like Mami!"
"It’s got to be a mom thing," laughed Nick. "Bec sounds like my mom too!"
"Now THAT is scary," laughed Sarah. "Becca sounding like Jane…CREEPY!"
That set off another round of laughter as Billy entered the room. He tried to hand Becca the bag but Sarah snagged it from him and headed to the room where Garrett was sleeping.
"Sarah, I can do it," insisted Becca starting to get up.
"Stay put, Bec. It won’t take long and blonde boy can help," said Sarah as she motioned to Nick for him to follow. "Lesson two in taking care of a sick child…Pay attention, Nick!"
"Yes, Dr. Dorough…or is that Professor Dorough?" laughed Nick.
"God, for a pregnant woman, she sure can move fast," smirked Billy as Nick and Sarah disappeared into the bedroom.
"What are those two up to?" asked Becca.
Howie knew what was going on and he knew he had to keep quiet. With a twinkle in his eyes, Howie lied, "Nothing."
"You are such a BAD liar," laughed Becca. "You know what’s going on but you’re not telling."
Howie laughed too, "Don’t worry, Bec. It’s a surprise that I’m sure you’re going to love."