Chapter 3

The alarm woke Nicole up the next morning and she smiled to herself as she remembered the night before. It had been a while since Nicole woke up in the morning with a smile on her face. She looked up at her still sleeping husband. She carefully removed herself from Kevin's arms and slipped into the washroom to take a shower.

She was startled when the shower stall door opened and Kevin popped his head into the shower. "Morning Nic." Kevin said as he let his eyes drift over her wet and naked body.

"You're not normally up this early." Nicole said as Kevin closed the shower stall door.

"I thought I would help you get the kids ready for school this morning." Kevin said.

Nicole quickly rinsed the conditioner out of her hair and turned the water off. She opened the door and found Kevin standing there waiting for her with a towel in his hands. "What did I do to deserve the royal treatment this morning?" Nicole asked as she dried herself off.

"It felt good to be together last night Nicole." Kevin said.

"Yes it did didn't it." Nicole said as she put on her robe and put her hair up in the towel.

"I don't know where we got lost Nicole, but I want you to know that I want to try and make things better between us." Kevin said as he removed his boxers and placed them in the hamper.

Nicole felt tears sting her eyes, but they were tears of happiness. Maybe blowing up at Kevin the night before wasn't such a bad thing. Nicole turned around and looked Kevin in the eye as she said, "Nothing would make me happier Kevin. I know things won't be perfect, but a little effort on both our parts could go a long way."

"Are you trying to say I wasn't making an effort?" Kevin asked harshly.

"I'm not trying to lay the blame on anyone Kevin. I know I could be trying harder as well." Nicole said, hoping she could calm Kevin down.

"I'm sorry Nicole. I shouldn't have jumped down your throat like that." Kevin said as he stepped forward and loosely put his arms around Nicole. "You know I am an awful morning person." Kevin said as he lightly kissed Nicole on the lips.

"Yes, the morning is not your best time of the day." Nicole said as she put her arms around Kevin.

Kylie walking into the bathroom interrupted Nicole and Kevin. "Mommy. I don't feel good." Kylie said as she leaned against Nicole.

Kevin reached for his robe as Nicole bent down and said, "What's wrong honey?" Nicole placed her hand on Kylie's forehead and knew right away that she had a fever. "Do you feel sick to your tummy?" Nicole asked.

"My tummy hurts." Kylie said as she started to cry.

"Daddy will stay here with you. I'll be back in a sec honey." Nicole said as she left the bathroom on a search for a thermometer and some children's Tylenol.

Kevin noticed that Kylie was shivering. So he grabbed a large towel and wrapped it around Kylie before he took her in his arms.

A few minutes later, Nicole returned to the washroom and saw Kevin sitting on the floor with a sleeping Kylie in his arms.

"Wanna try and get her back into bed?" Kevin asked as he looked down at Kylie.

"I'll take her from you." Nicole said as she bent down and took Kylie into her arms. "I think I'll call in today." Nicole said as she walked out of the bathroom.

Kevin followed Nicole down the hall and said, "I'll get the boys up and dressed while you look after her."

"Thanks. I think I'll just lie down with her for a while." Nicole said as she crawled into the small twin sized bed.

While the boys were downstairs eating breakfast, Kevin came back upstairs to check on Nicole and Kylie. He stood against the doorframe and watched his wife and daughter sleep. Kevin went downstairs to retrieve Nicole’s daytimer. He decided to leave message for her boss to let him know that she wouldn’t be in that day.

"You two almost finished eating?" Kevin asked as he entered the kitchen, ready to take the two boys to school.

"Dad, Mom always makes us lunch while we’re eating breakfast." Nick announced.

"Ok. Go upstairs and brush your teeth and I’ll see what I can get together for you guys." Kevin said. He opened the cupboard and had the nutella in his hand when he remembered the discussion at the dinner table the night before. He put the jar back and closed the cupboard door. He rummaged through the fridge and found some ham. He quickly put together two ham sandwiches, put some cookies into a baggy.

"Ok dad, ready to go." Nick announced as both the boys entered the kitchen.

"Here are your lunches. Now go get your coats on and I think we’re ready to go." Kevin said as he looked around for his car keys.

"Do we get to ride in the Expedition Dad?" Steven asked as they walked through the house towards the garage door.

"Yes, we’re taking dad’s car, but both of you are sitting in the back." Kevin said as he unlocked the vehicle.

"Aw dad." Nick whined as he stood by the passenger side door.

"No arguments Nick." Kevin said as he opened the door for Nick and Steven.

Fifteen minutes later, Kevin was on his way back home when his cell phone rang. He answered the phone and Nicole said, "Where are you Kevin?"

"I just dropped the boys off at school. I’m on my way back home. How’s Kylie?" Kevin said.

"I’m taking her over to Dr. Kosar’s. Here fever is going up and she was just sick." Nicole said.

"Why don’t I meet you over there." Kevin suggested.

Nicole paused for a brief moment. The kids had been sick many times and Kevin had never been this helpful. She finally replied, "I’d like that."

"Ok, I’ll meet you guys over there." Kevin said as he made an unexpected turn.

Five minutes later, Kevin pulled into a parking spot outside the medical building. He walked into the building and had to find out which floor Dr. Kosar was on. It just hit him that he had never made the effort in the past to take the kids to the doctor. No wonder Nicole was so upset with him about things, Kevin thought to himself. He had gotten so wrapped up in his own work, while Nicole raised their kids. Kevin headed up to the 4^th floor and had to look at the name on each door to distinguish which office he wanted to enter. He finally found the door and entered and empty waiting room. He approached the woman at the desk.

"Hello may I help you?" The woman asked.

"I’m supposed to be meeting my wife Nicole Richardson here. Our daughter Kylie Richardson woke up with a fever this morning." Kevin said.

"Aw yes, Mr. Richardson. Why don’t you have a seat? I am sure they will be here momentarily. Katherine just arrived and is ready to see Kylie as soon as they arrive." The woman replied.

"Thank-you." Kevin said as he took a seat.

A few minutes later, the door opened and he stood up to take Kylie from Nicole’s arms. "Sorry it took us longer than expected to get here. But we had to stop a few times along the way. I’m really concerned about her nausea." Nicole said to the woman at the desk.

"Why don’t you bring her right into the examining room. I’ll tell Katherine that you are here." The woman said.

"Thanks Betty." Nicole said.

Kevin followed Nicole into an examining room and gently laid Kylie down on the examining table. Kevin stood beside Nicole and asked, "How can you be so calm Nicole?"

"It must come with the territory of being a mother. Do you remember the first time Nick had a fever when he was about a month old? I panicked then. After a while you just learn to deal with these things in a calm manner." Nicole said.

"Morning Nicole and Kevin." Dr. Kosar said as she entered the examining room.

"Hi Katherine." Nicole said.

"Let’s have a look at Kylie." Katherine said as she leaned over the child.

Fifteen minutes later, it was determined that Kylie just had the flu. A few days in bed with lots of fluids and she would be as good as new. Katherine gave them a prescription and they were on their way out of the office.

"Kevin, can you go get the prescription filled while I take Kylie home?" Nicole asked as Kevin placed Kylie’s sleeping body in the mini-van.

"I really need to get back in the studio Nicole." Kevin said.

"Fine." Nicole said as she closed the car door and walked around to the drivers’ side.

Kevin made his way around to her side of the van and said, "I’m sorry Nicole. You take Kylie home and I’ll get it filled." Kevin said.

"Forget it Kevin. Go home to your precious studio." Nicole said as she slammed the door.

Kevin climbed into his truck and headed for home. He managed to beat Nicole home and slammed his way through the house. He finally locked himself in the studio and sat down at the piano.

Nicole arrived home a few minutes later and brought Kylie back up to bed. For the remainder of the day, Nicole and Kevin didn’t say a word to each other.