Chapter 3

Richie entered their bedroom and immediately heard the unmistakeable sounds of someone being sick. He walked over to stand in the doorway to the bathroom and saw Tori on her knees bent over the toilet and quickly moved to hold her hair and brace her head. “Looks like you’ve caught Peanut’s flu.”

She shook her head, but was too busy emptying her stomach to correct his assumption. When the spasms finally stopped she sat up and sighed.

Richie handed her a glass of water to rinse her mouth, helped her to her feet and reached for her toothbrush. “How are you feeling? Headache? Fever?”

“It’s not the flu.” She insisted. “My internal clock’s just off a little.” 

“Of course. You always throw up for no reason.” He put a hand on her forehead, and was surprised to find it cool. “Hmm. No fever. If it’s not the flu, what is it? Something you ate?”

She shook her head again, but with her toothbrush in her mouth she couldn’t speak. She hadn’t mentioned anything earlier because they were busy with sick kids and she’d been distracted until her body reminded her. She gestured with her hand for him to wait a minute.

Richie leaned against the vanity and waited for her to finish brushing her teeth. Two prescription bottles sitting on the counter caught his eye. Curious, he picked them up. Iron and.....  His gaze jerked back to his wife, his eyes wide. He’d seen these particular prescriptions in this house only twice before.  “Seriously? Are you shitting me? You’re joking right?”

Tori spit out a mouthful of toothpaste and gave him a withering look. “Does it look like I’m joking?”

“Seriously? You’re pregnant?” He was stunned.

“Seriously. I’m pregnant.”

“But...when? How? I mean, we’ve been careful.”

“Six weeks, so that means not the last time you were home, but the time before that. And I guess there was a condom malfunction.” She reached for the glass to rinse her mouth again. The expression on her husband’s face had her frowning and turning to face him, a finger raised in warning. “You let that smirk out and I will hurt you.”

“I’m sorry, it’s just that for someone who was so afraid she wouldn’t be able to get pregnant, you seem to be pretty fertile – at least where the pirate’s concerned.”

Tori glared at him, swatted his chest, blew out an exasperated breath and pushed by him to stalk back to the bed.

 Chuckling, Richie turned off the bathroom light and followed her. “So what did Dr. Crandall say?”

"After congratulating us on our fertility at our age, and offering to give us a refresher course in birth control, she said everything looks fine.” She glowered at him. “It’s not funny.”

He climbed in beside her and gathered her into his arms, still fighting to keep a straight face. “I’m sorry sweetheart. It’s just...such a surprise.”

“No shit!”

He pressed a kiss to her forehead. “How are you feeling?”

“I have a toddler with the flu, a teething eight month old with an ear infection and morning sickness. How do you think I feel?”

Richie stroked her arm and back soothingly and remained silent. Looks like the hormones are arriving early this time.

After several minutes Tori sighed. “Sorry. I don’t mean to take it out on you.”

“It’s okay. I understand. You’re tired.” Long fingers traced her spine. When he spoke again, his voice was hesitant. “Are you....okay...with having another baby? I know we agreed that our family was complete after Lauren was born.” He’d have half a dozen if she was willing, but he wouldn’t push a child on her if she really didn’t want it. That wasn’t fair to anyone, least of all the child.

Tori rolled further onto him, folded her hands on his chest and rested her chin on them so that she could see his face. “Would I have chosen for this to happen? No. The timing sucks. But now that it has happened....” She sighed. “Of course I will love this child and raise it to the best of my ability.” When he pursed his lips at her and lifted his head, she lifted hers to meet him. Their lips met in a soft, gentle kiss. When it ended she warned him, “But after this one of us is getting fixed!”

Richie chuckled. “Yes dear.”  

They managed to get about four hours of uninterrupted sleep. In fact, they were so deeply asleep that they didn’t hear the rattling of the doorknob or the sound of small feet approaching the bed, then circling around it.

“DADDY!”

Richie and Tori both jerked awake, their hearts pounding.  Richie blinked. “What’s up Peanut?”

“I hungy.” Stevie looked across his father’s chest to smile at his mother. “Hi Mama.”

“Hi Peanut.” Tori yawned. “You feeling better this morning?”

“Tummy no hurt. I hungy.”

Richie glanced at the clock. “Rosa’s probably already downstairs. She’ll make you some breakfast.”

“No! Daddy make! Pease?”   

Tori chuckled and rolled carefully off of her husband and hoped that her stomach wouldn’t revolt. No such luck. Apparently the baby didn’t appreciate being startled awake by his or her big brother. In danger of making a mess, she bolted for the bathroom.

“Mama sick?” Stevie had followed her and now stood beside her patting her back.

“Mommy’s tummy is just a little upset. She’ll be okay in a little while.” Richie assured his son. “Let’s go get breakfast started and let her rest. What do you want to eat? Eggs? Pancakes?”

Tori groaned. “Keep it something easy on his stomach Rich until we see if he can keep it down.”

“Okay.” He reached down to stroke her hair. “Are you going to come downstairs or do you want to lay down again?”

“I’ll come downstairs in a few minutes.”

“Okay. Come on Peanut, let’s go make some breakfast.”

 “Okay Daddy.” He took his father’s hand and together they left Tori to her morning routine.

"Hola Mister Richie! Is good to have you home.” Rosa greeted him.

“Thanks Rosa. It’s good to be home.”

“Buenos dias mijo. How are you feeling today?”

“Benos dees Rosa. I hungy. Daddy gonna make beakfast.” Stevie informed her. A frown wrinkled the small brow. “Mama sick.”

Rosa looked at Richie, who grimaced. “Poor nina. She’s had a rough few days with little ones sick and....everything. Is good you home to help.”

He chuckled. “Does anything happen in this house that you’re not aware of?” Rosa just laughed. As the matriarch of a large family, anything dealing with children – both born and unborn – was second nature to her. Richie sobered. “Thank you for being here for her...for all of us. I don’t know what we’d do without you.”

Rosa blushed and waved her hand. “Is nothing. I enjoy taking care of family. Now, I go start laundry while you make breakfast for little man. What are you making?”

“Pancakes!” Stevie answered.

“Pancakes it is.” Richie agreed.

Rosa was putting soap in the washing machine when Tori entered with Richie’s laundry.

“Morning Rosa.”

“Buenos dias Mrs. Tori. How are you feeling?”

Tori smiled wryly. “Nothing that a few months and a good night’s sleep won’t cure.”

Rosa smiled. “Mister Richie is making pancakes. I make you some toast and nice cup of tea.”

“Thanks Rosa. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

Rosa just clucked at her and shooed her towards the kitchen.