WHAT WE WON'T DO FOR OUR KIDS!
Title: WHAT WE WON’T DO FOR OUR KIDS!
Series: A Year in the Life - February 2010
Date: Feb 28th - National Tooth Fairy Day
Author: cunningdeb
Rating: PG (mild language)
Pairing: adam/kris
Summary: Joshua thinks he sees the Tooth Fairy in his backyard and Adam promises his son the Tooth Fairy will be back when he looses his tooth. Tooth falls out at an inopportune time, hilarity results.
Disclaimer: Pure fiction.
Part of my Allen-Lambert universe.
--*--
“ ‘…Where do we go / Where do we go now / Where do we go / Sweet child o' mine’”
The roar of the audience was deafening even before Adam stopped singing. He was the closing act at a Zodiac Show reunion raising funds for the children’s hospital. Adam thanked his band and bowed graciously before heading off stage.
“Terry, Terry! Where’s my phone?”
“Here, here.”
Adam called home, getting more nervous with each unanswered ring.
The Allen-Lambert household was full of sickies - Hannah brought it home from school, passed it on to her brother who passed it on to their Daddy and just as Adam was leaving for the benefit, Mrs. Willowby showed signs of succumbing too. Adam had been swallowing every vitamin and supplement he could without overdosing to stay healthy for this show. He’d even gone so far as to sleep in the guest room so his husband wouldn’t pass it on to him. This self imposed isolation was killing him.
Finally, the call was picked up.
Cough. Cough. “Mr. Lambert?” Cough. Cough.
“Mrs. Willowby, how are you?”
“Fine dear, just fine.” Cough. Cough. Cough. “Just a,” cough, “tickle.” Cough. Cough.
“I’m heading home. Make a cup of green tea and honey and get in bed now.”
“Really sir,” cough, cough, cough, cough, “it’s not that bad. Don’t rush.” Cough, wheeze.
“Bed. Now. I’m on my way.”
He clicked his phone shut and headed towards the back exit.
“Hey, Adam, where you going?” Lee called after him. “What about the after party?”
Adam stopped long enough to pass on his regrets. “Got to go, they need me at home. Say bye to Scarlett for me.”
With a wave, he left and ran to his car.
--*--
When Adam got home, he found Mrs. Willowby on her way into the backyard in her housecoat. He strolled up behind her and caught her hand before she could open the French doors. She let out a hoarse scream then proceeded to have a cough fit. Adam patted her back, feeling terrible for startling her like that. When the coughing eased, she was physically exhausted and he helped her to a chair.
“I told you to go to bed; listen to me, I’m your boss,” he chided kindly.
Cough. Cough. “I was laddie but Hannah was reading in the garden this afternoon,” cough, cough, “and left her book on the bench. The morning dew will ruin it.” Cough. Cough.
Hannah knew better but it was after 11pm and you don’t send your 10-year-old out into the dark at that time of night, not even in your own backyard.
“Back to bed with you - I’ll get her book and in the morning she’ll get a little lecture about taking care of her things.”
“Yes sir, good night.”
--*--
Joshua Allen-Lambert lay in his bed playing around with his loose tooth. He couldn’t fall asleep without good night kisses from his Daddy and Papa. Daddy was too sick for kisses and Papa was out so the four-year-old waited impatiently.
Tired of doing nothing, he crawled out of bed and headed to his toy chest to pull out Mr. Potato Head. The chest was under the window that overlooked the backyard and he saw something moving down there. Climbing onto the chest, he moved aside the curtains and his eyes grew huge. He ran out of his bedroom into his sister’s and jumped on her bed.
“Hannah! Hannah! I saw her, I saw her!”
“Unf, get off my head Joshie! Saw what?”
“The Tooth Fairy! I saw the Tooth Fairy!”
“No you didn’t,” she half snored.
“I did too! I saw her in the backyard. She came for my tooth!”
“Did it fall out?”
“No.”
“Then she’s not here for your tooth. Go to bed.”
Joshie rammed his little hands into her side and shook her. “Come see, come see!”
“Nooooooo!”
Sticking out his tongue, he ran to her window and looked out. The Tooth Fairy was gone. He started to cry. Hannah perked up and joined him at the window, an arm around his shoulder.
“Don’t cry Joshie, she’ll be back when your tooth falls out.”
“You sure?” he hiccupped, wiping his nose on his sleeve.
“Yup.”
--*--
Adam headed to Mrs. Willowby’s room first to make sure she was in bed - she was, fast asleep. Next, he went to Hannah’s room. He knew Joshua was probably still awake waiting for his night-night kiss but he wanted to drop the book off on her desk. He opened the door and by the nightlight, he saw his two children curled up together, fast asleep. Adam quietly set the book down and gave each of them a kiss on the forehead.
Now that the benefit was over, Adam wanted to be back in bed with Kris. He entered their room, expecting to find his husband asleep but he was propped up on pillows channel surfing, looking bored and miserable.
A tired smile crossed his face when he saw Adam. “Hey lover, how’d it go?” Kris wasn’t coughing so much any more, just felt like day old shit.
“Went off without a hitch.” He sat on the bed and yanked off his boots. “How you doing?”
“Same old, same old. I’ve missed you.” He rolled onto his side and stretched out an arm, caressing Adam’s back.
“I’ve missed you too baby, and now that the show’s done and over with, I’m moving back in.”
Kris coughed a little. “You sure? I think I’m still contagious.”
“I’ll take my chances. Give me half an hour and I’ll show you just how much I missed you.”
“I’m not up for that yet.”
“We’ll see.”
Kris took in Adam’s stage outfit - tight black pants, shimmering shirt, black jacket with rhinestone angel wings on the back and glitter everywhere. “I bet you shone like a diamond under those lights,” Kris complimented, stifling a yawn.
“I wouldn’t be surprised.” He removed his jacket and stopped when he saw the look in his husband’s eyes. “What?”
“You shine like a diamond in my eyes every day.”
Adam grinned and gave Kris a tender kiss on his chapped lips. “And you my love are high on medication.”
“I’m high on you. Sorry ‘bout my lips.”
Adam kissed him again then headed for the bathroom, leaving the door open. Kris shut off the TV and tried to sit up. His head swam and he thought better of it.
“What did Joshie say about your outfit,” he called out, reaching for his water.
“He didn’t see me, he was asleep.”
“Without his night-night kiss?”
Adam stuck his head out the door, half his make up removed. “He was asleep in Hannah’s bed.”
“What was he doing in her room?”
“Who knows. I left him there, innocence still intact.”
Adam disappeared back into the bathroom. They weren’t ashamed for their children to see their Papa all glammed up, they just never had the opportunity to see that side of him. The only pictures of Adam around the house were with his family and during family time, he wore very little makeup and dressed ‘down’. Adam secretly feared some of his get ups would give the kids nightmares.
Adam emerged from the bathroom, yawning and stretching in his t-shirt and sleep pants. Kris settled down, relinquishing one pillow for Adam’s head, and shut off the bedside lamp. Spooning, Kris tucked into Adam’s body, they drifted off.
--*--
Adam flipped his last flapjack when Hannah entered the kitchen.
“Morning Sweetpea.”
“Where’s Mrs. Willowby?” Hannah asked, taking her usual seat and sipping her orange juice.
“Sick.”
“Another one bites the dust.”
Adam stifled a laugh. He didn’t know of any other girls his daughter’s age who quoted Freddy Mercury like she was quoting the times tables. He set her breakfast down in front of her.
“Where’s your brother?”
“In his room.”
“Is he feeling sick again?”
“Nah, I think he’s needs help getting dressed.”
He should have realized; his son needed help getting ready in the morning and Mrs. Willowby was out of commission. Joshie had almost mastered buttons but he still had trouble color coordinating and tying his laces.
“Eat your breakfast; I’ll be back as soon as I can.” He placed the other flapjacks in the warming oven and headed upstairs.
Adam found his son sitting on the edge of his bed, shirt misbuttoned and shoes untied. At least he matched in a white shirt and brown corduroys. His brown hair was all over his head and he was pouting. He looked like a mini Pocket Idol.
“Need help?”
At the sound of his Papa’s voice, he perked right up. He ran to Adam who gathered him up in his arms and washed his face with kisses. Once he made up for missing last night, Adam set his little boy down and helped him finish getting dressed. With their stomach’s rumbling, Papa and son headed downstairs to eat. Hannah was finished and had her DS game out and going.
“No games at the table.”
Hannah promptly put it down and reached for the pitcher of juice. Joshie took his chair beside his sister and bounced as Adam gave him his food.
“I didn’t think you liked flapjacks so much,” Adam commented.
“Guess what? Guess what? Guess what?”
“What.” Adam dug into his own stack.
“I saw the Tooth Fairy!”
“You did! Wow, that’s so cool!”
“Tell Papa where you saw her,” Hannah teased.
Adam flashed a disapproving glare and her smirk disappeared. “Where did you see her Joshie Bear?”
“In our backyard!”
“Really? And when was this?”
“Last night.”
A fork clattered as it hit the plate. Adam picked it up, readjusting his shocked expression. “Why…do you think it was the Tooth Fairy?”
“Cause I got a loose tooth!” he exclaimed, as if the answer was obvious.
“What did she, I mean, the Tooth Fairy, look like?”
“She was sparkly and had big wings.”
“Why would she be looking in the backyard instead of under your pillow?” Hannah chimed in. Adam was about to quiet her when he realized she had a good point and he wanted to know that too.
“I dunno, maybe she thought I lost it in the grass.”
“She doesn’t sound very bright.”
“Hannah, don’t you have to get your backpack?” Time to remove her from this conversation.
“I have to wait for Mrs. Willowby.”
“I’m taking you two to school. Off with you….and take your time.”
Hannah looked at her Papa then her brother and back to her Papa, understanding. She patted Joshua’s head like he was a puppy and left them alone. Adam gathered his son into his lap and held his close. Joshie took hold of Adam’s earlobe and played with his earring.
“Joshie Bear, I don’t think that was….”
“I really want to see her when she takes my tooth.”
“She only comes when you’re asleep.”
“Like Santa?”
“Uh-huh, like Santa.”
“Why?”
Oh boy. “Um….it’s because she’s shy.”
“I’ll be nice, I promise.” Joshua looked at his Papa with his huge brown eyes and Adam couldn’t deny him anything - Adam got the same way when Kris did this too.
“Well, we’ll see.” He looked towards the clock but didn’t really check the time. “Oh no, gotta get ready for school. Get your backpack and don’t forget your jacket, it’s cool outside this morning.”
Joshie kissed his cheek and crawled down. Adam swatted his bottom playfully as he ran off. He didn’t exactly PROMISE that Joshie would see the tooth fairy. That tooth would probably stay in his mouth a few more days at least, giving Adam time to get around it.
He quickly scribbled a note to the invalids in case they came downstairs looking for food and stuck it to the fridge. The kids came back down and grabbing his car keys, they left.
--*--
Three days later, Kris comes into the bedroom caring a tray.
“Okay, I’ve got Kleenex, aspirin, more water, hot green tea and honey and soda crackers.”
“How about,” cough, cough, “a priest and,” cough, cough, “his prayer kit.”
“You do not need the last rights - you are not dying.”
Adam buried his face in his pillow, having a coughing spasm. “Feels like I fucking am.”
“It’s your own damn fault for sleeping with me. I told you I was contagious.”
“Please,” cough, cough, cough, “no ‘told-ya-so’s.”
Kris set down the tray and touched Adam’s forehead. “At least the fever’s gone. Drink your tea before it gets cold.”
“Don’t wanna.”
“Drink it.”
“No.”
“Do you want me to let the nanny loose on you?”
Cough. Cough. Cough. Horror masked his face. “You wouldn’t!”
“Wouldn’t I?”
Mrs. Willowby had hovered over the kids nearly 24 hours when they were sick and then when Kris came down with it, she switched teams. Kris managed to survive twelve hours with her before he begged Adam to save him. The negotiations were long and difficult but in the end, a truce was reached. At the time, Adam was staying away because of the benefit so they allowed her to mother him but unless she was delivering food or medication or was called on the intercom, she was to leave him alone. She was a wonderful lady but she tended to smother.
Kris helped his husband sit up and passed him his tea and tissues. Two little bodies stood in the doorway, waving and blowing kisses. Adam used all his strength to smile and wave back. Joshua seemed bouncier than ever, hands clasped, smiling a jack-o-lantern grin. Kris did a double take then let Adam rest, shutting the door. Before it clicked, the tea was back on the side table and Adam covered his head with the blankets, moaning.
Kris knelt down before his son. “Joshie Bear! Your tooth came out!”
“I get to see the Tooth Fairy! I get to see the Tooth Fairy!”
Kris picked him, and the trio headed to the family room. “Well, buddy, you’ll be asleep when she comes.”
“No I won’t; Papa said I can see her again when my tooth comes out.”
“Ah, when did this happen?” he asked Hannah.
“When you were sick. Joshie said he saw the Tooth Fairy and Papa promised him he could see her again when his tooth came out.”
“Oh he did, did he?” Kris put his son down. “Hannah, can you take him to the family room and pick out a book. I just have to talk to Papa for a minute.” Kris turned to leave and Joshie grabbed his pant leg.
“Tell Papa I lost my tooth!”
“I will Joshie Bear, believe you me.”
--*--
“How the hell could you promise our son something like that?”
Kris burst back into the bedroom, the door slamming against the wall. Adam rolled over, covering his heavy head with a pillow. Kris yanked the pillow off.
“Well?”
“Kris, what the fuck, I’m sick.” Cough. Cough. Cough.
“How could you promise Joshua that he’d get to meet the Tooth Fairy?”
“I didn’t say ‘meet’,” cough, cough, cough, “I said ‘see’. No worries baby. By the time it falls out, I’ll be,” cough, cough, cough, “back on my feet, I’ll take care of it.”
The pillow hit Adam in the head. “Then you better get on your feet now cause it came out.”
“What came out?”
“The tooth.”
“Ah shit!” Cough. Cough. Cough.
Kris closed the door and started pacing. “Yeah, shit is right. You’re in no shape to do anything so I have to step in.”
“How the hell did I know I’d come down sick!”
“Hello-o, house full of sick people; sleeping with sick person!”
Adam had no reply to that.
“Okay,” Kris continued, “so the kid wants to see the Tooth Fairy. Um, I got it! I’ll just call central casting and we’ll hire some lady to show up dressed in wings and a tutu and give her the money for him and there you go, problem solved.”
“Won’t work.”
The grin disappeared.
“Not what he’s expecting.”
“How do you know what he’s expecting. That’s what the Tooth Fairy looks like.”
“Not to him.”
Kris sat on the bed. “I have a feeling I’m not going to like this.”
“I know you’re not.” Cough. Cough. “He’s expecting me.”
Wiping a hand over his face, the beleaguered man sighed. “Explain please.”
“It was the night of the benefit.” Adam paused, sipping his cold tea. “He saw me in the backyard; remember what I was wearing?”
“Vaguely. My brain was pretty fuzzy.”
“Glitter, shiny, rhinestone wings…”
“He though you were the Tooth Fairy? If this wasn’t such a fuck up, it would be really funny.”
“I tried to tell him Kris, honestly. Then he looked at me like you do when you want to…”
Kris raised his hand, stopping him. “Anyway, I couldn’t say no. I swear I didn’t promise him he could meet her… him… me… I just said maybe he would see her… him… me.”
“He’s expecting an appearance. We’ll just have come up with an excuse to hold him until you’re better.”
“We can’t do that to him.”
“Well, I don’t know what else to do.”
“You can do it.”
“I don’t think so.”
Cough. Cough. Cough. “Sure you can. Put on my clothes, glitter yourself up and take a walk through the backyard.”
“Okay smarty pants. How am I going to explain why I…”
“The fairy.”
“The Tooth Fairy is leaving money in the backyard instead of under his pillow.”
Cough. Cough. Cough. Sneeze. “Tell him she knows I’m sick and doesn’t want to catch it.”
“He won’t believe that.”
Adam sat up, rolling his eyes. “He’s four years old, not a nuclear scientist. At this point in his life, he’ll believe anything you tell him. He won’t care as long as he sees the fairy.”
“Tooth Fairy.”
“Whatever. Now leave me alone, I’m going to die now.”
Kris blew him a kiss and headed out. “Have fun.”
“Go fuck yourself,” he groaned to the retreating back.
“I’ll have to until you get better.”
--*--
“Bye guys, see you in the morning.”
Kris hurried into the kitchen, kissing Hannah and Joshie and hugging Mrs. Willowby.
“Daddy, where are you going?”
“I have a meeting tonight Joshie Bear; I won’t be home til late.”
“But the Tooth Fairy!”
“You can tell me all about it tomorrow.”
With a wink to Mrs. Willowby, Kris ran out the door. The kids returned to their Sloppy Joes and Kris headed around the house to the side entrance and slipped downstairs into the gym and pulled out his phone.
“Okay, I’m downstairs.”
Cough. Cough. “Got everything?”
“Think so. Make sure he sees me cause I’m not doing this again.”
“Sure you would.” Cough. Cough. Cough.
“Yeah, I would. Get some sleep.”
--*--
Joshua refused to go to bed until his visitor came. Mrs. Willowby sat in the rocker by the window, sewing a rip in his pants, watching him fidget. He climbed onto the toy chest and pressed his face against the glass, smushing his nose.
“When’s the Tooth Fairy coming?”
“Patience, Joshua. I’m sure you are not the only wee one loosing teeth.”
“Did she come yet?” Hannah yawned, standing in her brother’s doorway, rubbing her eyes.
“Nope.”
Hannah joined him on the chest just as the performance started.
“Look! Look! It’s the Tooth Fairy!”
--*--
Adam checked the clock and as the hour drew near, he got himself out of bed and onto the window seat, wrapping himself in several blankets and settling in for the show. Kris really was a good sport. Adam had honestly believed he would be the one taking care of this but he had to admit it was fun sitting back and letting Kris be silly for a change.
His phone buzzed and Adam checked the text message: ‘Here I go. Don’t laugh’
Adam leaned into the window, searching the darkness for the Tooth Fairy. Within seconds, a glittery body appeared and pranced - yes, pranced - around the lawn, doing a little dance. This lasted about one minute before something was something hidden by a potted plant and then the Tooth Fairy disappeared. With his hand clamped over his mouth, Adam rocked back and forth, swallowing his laugh until the glee came out of his eyes in tears. He then started coughing and coughing until he couldn’t catch his breath. Adam staggered back to the bed and grabbed his water, forcing it down. When the spasm finally stopped, he laid back down panting.
It had been worth it.
--*--
Kris slipped into his bedroom and hurried to Adam’s side. He shook him gently.
“Lover, wake up.”
“You can’t wake up the dead.” Cough. Cough.
“Whatever. Did you see it? Did you see me?”
Adam opened his eyes and grinned. “You are too adorable when you prance.”
“I wasn’t prancing.”
“Was too.”
“Was not!”
“Was too too.”
“It was dark, how could you tell?”
“I know prancing and baby, you were prancing.” Cough. Cough. Cough.
“Anywho, I just said good night to Joshua.”
“Was he happy?”
“Had to scrap him off the ceiling. He wanted to go out right away and get his money but I convinced him to wait until the morning.”
“So it was worth it then…making a fool of yourself.”
“Yes, and if you tell anyone I did that, I’m taking the kids and moving to Borneo.”
“Guess I’ll have to keep the pictures to myself.”
“Adam!”
Cough. Cough. Cough. “Kidding baby but that image of you prancing is burned into my skull. Maybe you could prance for me in the morning?”
“Only when you loose a tooth.”
“I’ll knock them.” Adam yawned then coughed then yawned again. “Can we finish this in the morning?”
“Course we can.” Kris got up. “Love you.”
“No night-night kiss?”
Kris turned and stuck out his butt. “For putting me through this, you can kiss my ass.”
To Kris’ surprise, Adam sat up and did just that. “Nothing like a little ass to make you feel better.”
Series: A Year in the Life - February 2010
Date: Feb 28th - National Tooth Fairy Day
Author: cunningdeb
Rating: PG (mild language)
Pairing: adam/kris
Summary: Joshua thinks he sees the Tooth Fairy in his backyard and Adam promises his son the Tooth Fairy will be back when he looses his tooth. Tooth falls out at an inopportune time, hilarity results.
Disclaimer: Pure fiction.
Part of my Allen-Lambert universe.
--*--
“ ‘…Where do we go / Where do we go now / Where do we go / Sweet child o' mine’”
The roar of the audience was deafening even before Adam stopped singing. He was the closing act at a Zodiac Show reunion raising funds for the children’s hospital. Adam thanked his band and bowed graciously before heading off stage.
“Terry, Terry! Where’s my phone?”
“Here, here.”
Adam called home, getting more nervous with each unanswered ring.
The Allen-Lambert household was full of sickies - Hannah brought it home from school, passed it on to her brother who passed it on to their Daddy and just as Adam was leaving for the benefit, Mrs. Willowby showed signs of succumbing too. Adam had been swallowing every vitamin and supplement he could without overdosing to stay healthy for this show. He’d even gone so far as to sleep in the guest room so his husband wouldn’t pass it on to him. This self imposed isolation was killing him.
Finally, the call was picked up.
Cough. Cough. “Mr. Lambert?” Cough. Cough.
“Mrs. Willowby, how are you?”
“Fine dear, just fine.” Cough. Cough. Cough. “Just a,” cough, “tickle.” Cough. Cough.
“I’m heading home. Make a cup of green tea and honey and get in bed now.”
“Really sir,” cough, cough, cough, cough, “it’s not that bad. Don’t rush.” Cough, wheeze.
“Bed. Now. I’m on my way.”
He clicked his phone shut and headed towards the back exit.
“Hey, Adam, where you going?” Lee called after him. “What about the after party?”
Adam stopped long enough to pass on his regrets. “Got to go, they need me at home. Say bye to Scarlett for me.”
With a wave, he left and ran to his car.
--*--
When Adam got home, he found Mrs. Willowby on her way into the backyard in her housecoat. He strolled up behind her and caught her hand before she could open the French doors. She let out a hoarse scream then proceeded to have a cough fit. Adam patted her back, feeling terrible for startling her like that. When the coughing eased, she was physically exhausted and he helped her to a chair.
“I told you to go to bed; listen to me, I’m your boss,” he chided kindly.
Cough. Cough. “I was laddie but Hannah was reading in the garden this afternoon,” cough, cough, “and left her book on the bench. The morning dew will ruin it.” Cough. Cough.
Hannah knew better but it was after 11pm and you don’t send your 10-year-old out into the dark at that time of night, not even in your own backyard.
“Back to bed with you - I’ll get her book and in the morning she’ll get a little lecture about taking care of her things.”
“Yes sir, good night.”
--*--
Joshua Allen-Lambert lay in his bed playing around with his loose tooth. He couldn’t fall asleep without good night kisses from his Daddy and Papa. Daddy was too sick for kisses and Papa was out so the four-year-old waited impatiently.
Tired of doing nothing, he crawled out of bed and headed to his toy chest to pull out Mr. Potato Head. The chest was under the window that overlooked the backyard and he saw something moving down there. Climbing onto the chest, he moved aside the curtains and his eyes grew huge. He ran out of his bedroom into his sister’s and jumped on her bed.
“Hannah! Hannah! I saw her, I saw her!”
“Unf, get off my head Joshie! Saw what?”
“The Tooth Fairy! I saw the Tooth Fairy!”
“No you didn’t,” she half snored.
“I did too! I saw her in the backyard. She came for my tooth!”
“Did it fall out?”
“No.”
“Then she’s not here for your tooth. Go to bed.”
Joshie rammed his little hands into her side and shook her. “Come see, come see!”
“Nooooooo!”
Sticking out his tongue, he ran to her window and looked out. The Tooth Fairy was gone. He started to cry. Hannah perked up and joined him at the window, an arm around his shoulder.
“Don’t cry Joshie, she’ll be back when your tooth falls out.”
“You sure?” he hiccupped, wiping his nose on his sleeve.
“Yup.”
--*--
Adam headed to Mrs. Willowby’s room first to make sure she was in bed - she was, fast asleep. Next, he went to Hannah’s room. He knew Joshua was probably still awake waiting for his night-night kiss but he wanted to drop the book off on her desk. He opened the door and by the nightlight, he saw his two children curled up together, fast asleep. Adam quietly set the book down and gave each of them a kiss on the forehead.
Now that the benefit was over, Adam wanted to be back in bed with Kris. He entered their room, expecting to find his husband asleep but he was propped up on pillows channel surfing, looking bored and miserable.
A tired smile crossed his face when he saw Adam. “Hey lover, how’d it go?” Kris wasn’t coughing so much any more, just felt like day old shit.
“Went off without a hitch.” He sat on the bed and yanked off his boots. “How you doing?”
“Same old, same old. I’ve missed you.” He rolled onto his side and stretched out an arm, caressing Adam’s back.
“I’ve missed you too baby, and now that the show’s done and over with, I’m moving back in.”
Kris coughed a little. “You sure? I think I’m still contagious.”
“I’ll take my chances. Give me half an hour and I’ll show you just how much I missed you.”
“I’m not up for that yet.”
“We’ll see.”
Kris took in Adam’s stage outfit - tight black pants, shimmering shirt, black jacket with rhinestone angel wings on the back and glitter everywhere. “I bet you shone like a diamond under those lights,” Kris complimented, stifling a yawn.
“I wouldn’t be surprised.” He removed his jacket and stopped when he saw the look in his husband’s eyes. “What?”
“You shine like a diamond in my eyes every day.”
Adam grinned and gave Kris a tender kiss on his chapped lips. “And you my love are high on medication.”
“I’m high on you. Sorry ‘bout my lips.”
Adam kissed him again then headed for the bathroom, leaving the door open. Kris shut off the TV and tried to sit up. His head swam and he thought better of it.
“What did Joshie say about your outfit,” he called out, reaching for his water.
“He didn’t see me, he was asleep.”
“Without his night-night kiss?”
Adam stuck his head out the door, half his make up removed. “He was asleep in Hannah’s bed.”
“What was he doing in her room?”
“Who knows. I left him there, innocence still intact.”
Adam disappeared back into the bathroom. They weren’t ashamed for their children to see their Papa all glammed up, they just never had the opportunity to see that side of him. The only pictures of Adam around the house were with his family and during family time, he wore very little makeup and dressed ‘down’. Adam secretly feared some of his get ups would give the kids nightmares.
Adam emerged from the bathroom, yawning and stretching in his t-shirt and sleep pants. Kris settled down, relinquishing one pillow for Adam’s head, and shut off the bedside lamp. Spooning, Kris tucked into Adam’s body, they drifted off.
--*--
Adam flipped his last flapjack when Hannah entered the kitchen.
“Morning Sweetpea.”
“Where’s Mrs. Willowby?” Hannah asked, taking her usual seat and sipping her orange juice.
“Sick.”
“Another one bites the dust.”
Adam stifled a laugh. He didn’t know of any other girls his daughter’s age who quoted Freddy Mercury like she was quoting the times tables. He set her breakfast down in front of her.
“Where’s your brother?”
“In his room.”
“Is he feeling sick again?”
“Nah, I think he’s needs help getting dressed.”
He should have realized; his son needed help getting ready in the morning and Mrs. Willowby was out of commission. Joshie had almost mastered buttons but he still had trouble color coordinating and tying his laces.
“Eat your breakfast; I’ll be back as soon as I can.” He placed the other flapjacks in the warming oven and headed upstairs.
Adam found his son sitting on the edge of his bed, shirt misbuttoned and shoes untied. At least he matched in a white shirt and brown corduroys. His brown hair was all over his head and he was pouting. He looked like a mini Pocket Idol.
“Need help?”
At the sound of his Papa’s voice, he perked right up. He ran to Adam who gathered him up in his arms and washed his face with kisses. Once he made up for missing last night, Adam set his little boy down and helped him finish getting dressed. With their stomach’s rumbling, Papa and son headed downstairs to eat. Hannah was finished and had her DS game out and going.
“No games at the table.”
Hannah promptly put it down and reached for the pitcher of juice. Joshie took his chair beside his sister and bounced as Adam gave him his food.
“I didn’t think you liked flapjacks so much,” Adam commented.
“Guess what? Guess what? Guess what?”
“What.” Adam dug into his own stack.
“I saw the Tooth Fairy!”
“You did! Wow, that’s so cool!”
“Tell Papa where you saw her,” Hannah teased.
Adam flashed a disapproving glare and her smirk disappeared. “Where did you see her Joshie Bear?”
“In our backyard!”
“Really? And when was this?”
“Last night.”
A fork clattered as it hit the plate. Adam picked it up, readjusting his shocked expression. “Why…do you think it was the Tooth Fairy?”
“Cause I got a loose tooth!” he exclaimed, as if the answer was obvious.
“What did she, I mean, the Tooth Fairy, look like?”
“She was sparkly and had big wings.”
“Why would she be looking in the backyard instead of under your pillow?” Hannah chimed in. Adam was about to quiet her when he realized she had a good point and he wanted to know that too.
“I dunno, maybe she thought I lost it in the grass.”
“She doesn’t sound very bright.”
“Hannah, don’t you have to get your backpack?” Time to remove her from this conversation.
“I have to wait for Mrs. Willowby.”
“I’m taking you two to school. Off with you….and take your time.”
Hannah looked at her Papa then her brother and back to her Papa, understanding. She patted Joshua’s head like he was a puppy and left them alone. Adam gathered his son into his lap and held his close. Joshie took hold of Adam’s earlobe and played with his earring.
“Joshie Bear, I don’t think that was….”
“I really want to see her when she takes my tooth.”
“She only comes when you’re asleep.”
“Like Santa?”
“Uh-huh, like Santa.”
“Why?”
Oh boy. “Um….it’s because she’s shy.”
“I’ll be nice, I promise.” Joshua looked at his Papa with his huge brown eyes and Adam couldn’t deny him anything - Adam got the same way when Kris did this too.
“Well, we’ll see.” He looked towards the clock but didn’t really check the time. “Oh no, gotta get ready for school. Get your backpack and don’t forget your jacket, it’s cool outside this morning.”
Joshie kissed his cheek and crawled down. Adam swatted his bottom playfully as he ran off. He didn’t exactly PROMISE that Joshie would see the tooth fairy. That tooth would probably stay in his mouth a few more days at least, giving Adam time to get around it.
He quickly scribbled a note to the invalids in case they came downstairs looking for food and stuck it to the fridge. The kids came back down and grabbing his car keys, they left.
--*--
Three days later, Kris comes into the bedroom caring a tray.
“Okay, I’ve got Kleenex, aspirin, more water, hot green tea and honey and soda crackers.”
“How about,” cough, cough, “a priest and,” cough, cough, “his prayer kit.”
“You do not need the last rights - you are not dying.”
Adam buried his face in his pillow, having a coughing spasm. “Feels like I fucking am.”
“It’s your own damn fault for sleeping with me. I told you I was contagious.”
“Please,” cough, cough, cough, “no ‘told-ya-so’s.”
Kris set down the tray and touched Adam’s forehead. “At least the fever’s gone. Drink your tea before it gets cold.”
“Don’t wanna.”
“Drink it.”
“No.”
“Do you want me to let the nanny loose on you?”
Cough. Cough. Cough. Horror masked his face. “You wouldn’t!”
“Wouldn’t I?”
Mrs. Willowby had hovered over the kids nearly 24 hours when they were sick and then when Kris came down with it, she switched teams. Kris managed to survive twelve hours with her before he begged Adam to save him. The negotiations were long and difficult but in the end, a truce was reached. At the time, Adam was staying away because of the benefit so they allowed her to mother him but unless she was delivering food or medication or was called on the intercom, she was to leave him alone. She was a wonderful lady but she tended to smother.
Kris helped his husband sit up and passed him his tea and tissues. Two little bodies stood in the doorway, waving and blowing kisses. Adam used all his strength to smile and wave back. Joshua seemed bouncier than ever, hands clasped, smiling a jack-o-lantern grin. Kris did a double take then let Adam rest, shutting the door. Before it clicked, the tea was back on the side table and Adam covered his head with the blankets, moaning.
Kris knelt down before his son. “Joshie Bear! Your tooth came out!”
“I get to see the Tooth Fairy! I get to see the Tooth Fairy!”
Kris picked him, and the trio headed to the family room. “Well, buddy, you’ll be asleep when she comes.”
“No I won’t; Papa said I can see her again when my tooth comes out.”
“Ah, when did this happen?” he asked Hannah.
“When you were sick. Joshie said he saw the Tooth Fairy and Papa promised him he could see her again when his tooth came out.”
“Oh he did, did he?” Kris put his son down. “Hannah, can you take him to the family room and pick out a book. I just have to talk to Papa for a minute.” Kris turned to leave and Joshie grabbed his pant leg.
“Tell Papa I lost my tooth!”
“I will Joshie Bear, believe you me.”
--*--
“How the hell could you promise our son something like that?”
Kris burst back into the bedroom, the door slamming against the wall. Adam rolled over, covering his heavy head with a pillow. Kris yanked the pillow off.
“Well?”
“Kris, what the fuck, I’m sick.” Cough. Cough. Cough.
“How could you promise Joshua that he’d get to meet the Tooth Fairy?”
“I didn’t say ‘meet’,” cough, cough, cough, “I said ‘see’. No worries baby. By the time it falls out, I’ll be,” cough, cough, cough, “back on my feet, I’ll take care of it.”
The pillow hit Adam in the head. “Then you better get on your feet now cause it came out.”
“What came out?”
“The tooth.”
“Ah shit!” Cough. Cough. Cough.
Kris closed the door and started pacing. “Yeah, shit is right. You’re in no shape to do anything so I have to step in.”
“How the hell did I know I’d come down sick!”
“Hello-o, house full of sick people; sleeping with sick person!”
Adam had no reply to that.
“Okay,” Kris continued, “so the kid wants to see the Tooth Fairy. Um, I got it! I’ll just call central casting and we’ll hire some lady to show up dressed in wings and a tutu and give her the money for him and there you go, problem solved.”
“Won’t work.”
The grin disappeared.
“Not what he’s expecting.”
“How do you know what he’s expecting. That’s what the Tooth Fairy looks like.”
“Not to him.”
Kris sat on the bed. “I have a feeling I’m not going to like this.”
“I know you’re not.” Cough. Cough. “He’s expecting me.”
Wiping a hand over his face, the beleaguered man sighed. “Explain please.”
“It was the night of the benefit.” Adam paused, sipping his cold tea. “He saw me in the backyard; remember what I was wearing?”
“Vaguely. My brain was pretty fuzzy.”
“Glitter, shiny, rhinestone wings…”
“He though you were the Tooth Fairy? If this wasn’t such a fuck up, it would be really funny.”
“I tried to tell him Kris, honestly. Then he looked at me like you do when you want to…”
Kris raised his hand, stopping him. “Anyway, I couldn’t say no. I swear I didn’t promise him he could meet her… him… me… I just said maybe he would see her… him… me.”
“He’s expecting an appearance. We’ll just have come up with an excuse to hold him until you’re better.”
“We can’t do that to him.”
“Well, I don’t know what else to do.”
“You can do it.”
“I don’t think so.”
Cough. Cough. Cough. “Sure you can. Put on my clothes, glitter yourself up and take a walk through the backyard.”
“Okay smarty pants. How am I going to explain why I…”
“The fairy.”
“The Tooth Fairy is leaving money in the backyard instead of under his pillow.”
Cough. Cough. Cough. Sneeze. “Tell him she knows I’m sick and doesn’t want to catch it.”
“He won’t believe that.”
Adam sat up, rolling his eyes. “He’s four years old, not a nuclear scientist. At this point in his life, he’ll believe anything you tell him. He won’t care as long as he sees the fairy.”
“Tooth Fairy.”
“Whatever. Now leave me alone, I’m going to die now.”
Kris blew him a kiss and headed out. “Have fun.”
“Go fuck yourself,” he groaned to the retreating back.
“I’ll have to until you get better.”
--*--
“Bye guys, see you in the morning.”
Kris hurried into the kitchen, kissing Hannah and Joshie and hugging Mrs. Willowby.
“Daddy, where are you going?”
“I have a meeting tonight Joshie Bear; I won’t be home til late.”
“But the Tooth Fairy!”
“You can tell me all about it tomorrow.”
With a wink to Mrs. Willowby, Kris ran out the door. The kids returned to their Sloppy Joes and Kris headed around the house to the side entrance and slipped downstairs into the gym and pulled out his phone.
“Okay, I’m downstairs.”
Cough. Cough. “Got everything?”
“Think so. Make sure he sees me cause I’m not doing this again.”
“Sure you would.” Cough. Cough. Cough.
“Yeah, I would. Get some sleep.”
--*--
Joshua refused to go to bed until his visitor came. Mrs. Willowby sat in the rocker by the window, sewing a rip in his pants, watching him fidget. He climbed onto the toy chest and pressed his face against the glass, smushing his nose.
“When’s the Tooth Fairy coming?”
“Patience, Joshua. I’m sure you are not the only wee one loosing teeth.”
“Did she come yet?” Hannah yawned, standing in her brother’s doorway, rubbing her eyes.
“Nope.”
Hannah joined him on the chest just as the performance started.
“Look! Look! It’s the Tooth Fairy!”
--*--
Adam checked the clock and as the hour drew near, he got himself out of bed and onto the window seat, wrapping himself in several blankets and settling in for the show. Kris really was a good sport. Adam had honestly believed he would be the one taking care of this but he had to admit it was fun sitting back and letting Kris be silly for a change.
His phone buzzed and Adam checked the text message: ‘Here I go. Don’t laugh’
Adam leaned into the window, searching the darkness for the Tooth Fairy. Within seconds, a glittery body appeared and pranced - yes, pranced - around the lawn, doing a little dance. This lasted about one minute before something was something hidden by a potted plant and then the Tooth Fairy disappeared. With his hand clamped over his mouth, Adam rocked back and forth, swallowing his laugh until the glee came out of his eyes in tears. He then started coughing and coughing until he couldn’t catch his breath. Adam staggered back to the bed and grabbed his water, forcing it down. When the spasm finally stopped, he laid back down panting.
It had been worth it.
--*--
Kris slipped into his bedroom and hurried to Adam’s side. He shook him gently.
“Lover, wake up.”
“You can’t wake up the dead.” Cough. Cough.
“Whatever. Did you see it? Did you see me?”
Adam opened his eyes and grinned. “You are too adorable when you prance.”
“I wasn’t prancing.”
“Was too.”
“Was not!”
“Was too too.”
“It was dark, how could you tell?”
“I know prancing and baby, you were prancing.” Cough. Cough. Cough.
“Anywho, I just said good night to Joshua.”
“Was he happy?”
“Had to scrap him off the ceiling. He wanted to go out right away and get his money but I convinced him to wait until the morning.”
“So it was worth it then…making a fool of yourself.”
“Yes, and if you tell anyone I did that, I’m taking the kids and moving to Borneo.”
“Guess I’ll have to keep the pictures to myself.”
“Adam!”
Cough. Cough. Cough. “Kidding baby but that image of you prancing is burned into my skull. Maybe you could prance for me in the morning?”
“Only when you loose a tooth.”
“I’ll knock them.” Adam yawned then coughed then yawned again. “Can we finish this in the morning?”
“Course we can.” Kris got up. “Love you.”
“No night-night kiss?”
Kris turned and stuck out his butt. “For putting me through this, you can kiss my ass.”
To Kris’ surprise, Adam sat up and did just that. “Nothing like a little ass to make you feel better.”