Like Coming Home-Chapter 1
I've been itching to post this! I've had the first few chapters hand written in my notes for a good week but I've had so much work to do that I knew if I typed it I'd be too tempted to write it. So, here we go, my newest Wordy story. He doesn't get enough screen time or love from anyone and he's too awesome to just be the backup man. Alright, so the normal little disclaimers and reminders: I don't own Flashpoint, though I will perpetually hope to write for it one day; and I'd greatly appreciate reviews.
He walked through the front door of his home with a smile plastered on his face. It had been a great day: no hot calls, two easy warrants, a couple of hours of workout and some close quarters training. He closed the door and dropped his bag on the floor.
"I'm home." He said loudly as he heard footsteps scamper down the hall. He glanced at his watch, 4:30, the most wonderful time of day. He felt two small bodies latch onto his legs in tight hugs. After a few seconds, he felt the grips loosen and he looked at Claire and Danielle. They were in t-shirts and pants but Wordy was more confused by the scarves wrapped around their mouths and the monstrous dish gloves on their hands. He bent down and knelt next to Danielle untying the thick pink scarf from her face. "What are you guys playing?" He asked lightly, not sure what to make of their costumes.
"We're not playing Daddy." Claire said. Her voice was muffled from beneath the thick blue wool. Wordy was about to ask her what they were doing when he heard Shelly from the top of the stairs.
"Kevin?" She asked as she walked down the stairs. She looked exhausted as she took the last step down to the ground floor. "Claire, I told you not to take the kitchen gloves. Those are for dishes." Frustration was obvious in her voice as she held out a hand for them to surrender their gloves to. Wordy leaned in to kiss her and engulfed her in a hug.
"What's up, honey?" Wordy whispered softly. He put his arm around Shelly's shoulder and led her gently to the kitchen. He pulled a chair out from the table and motioned for her to sit down while he opened the door of the refrigerator.
"Ally's sick. Sh was up at six, right after you left and she hasn't been able to eat or sleep since. She can't even keep apple juice down. I just got her down for a nap." Shelly explained as Wordy brought a large glass of iced tea over to her. He sat next to her as she took a few large sips.
"Did you call the doctor?" He asked. She nodded her head before putting the glass down.
"They said that there's something going around. If she still has the fever tomorrow morning they said they'd fit her in the schedule." Wordy nodded and they sat quietly for a few moments before Claire and Danielle came into the room.
"Mommy, we need to D-infect everything. It's almost rainbow day in school and I don't want to get sick." She said with urgency. Before Shelly could respond.
"I'll tell you what girls?" Wordy started in an excited voice. "I'll disinfect things later on but we're going to give Mommy a little time to rest." Wordy smiled as he stood and took both of their hands, leading them into the family room. "How about you girls watch a movie?" Wordy asked as he got on his knees and started looking through the DVDs.
"But Daddy, we don't want to watch a movie..." Danielle whined a bit. Wordy looked at her with sarcastic disbelief. He crawled from his spot near the TV to the couch where the girls were sitting.
"You can pick..." He nearly sang as he held out three different Magic School Bus videos.
"Daddy," Danielle looked at him stubbornly. "These are all boring movies." Wordy looked at them with another shocked face.
"Lost in Space..." He said as looked from the title of the movie to the girl's faces. "You're right, that's too scary for you girls." Wordy said as he saw their reactions.
"It's not too scary," Claire said followed quickly by Danielle.
"No, no, I wouldn't want you girls to have nightmares..." Wordy said as he started to crawl back to the shelf with the movies.
"Daddy, I want to watch that one and I'll show you, I'm not going to be scared." Danielle said stubbornly. He held a finger to his mouth to try to signal for her to lower her voice.
"Well," Wordy shrugged his shoulders in mock reluctance. "if you girls think so..." He said as he popped the movie in and heard the theme music. He got up and walked slowly into the kitchen to find Shelly and all of the drawers open.
"I thought we had more child's flu medicine." She said, an edge of frustration again in her voice. Wordy could see that she was overwhelmed after her long day. Between caring for Ally and entertaining the other girls it was obvious that she needed a break. He pulled her into a hug and rocked her back and forth.
"Relax honey." He whispered softly in her ear. "I'll go get some more medicine from the pharmacy. I'll take Claire and Dani with me and we'll grab some dinner on the way home." He said as he led her back to the table and refilled her iced tea. "You stay here and relax." He said as he stood behind her and started to rub her shoulders. "I'll check on Ally and then when the girls' show is over, we'll go get the medicine." He said softly.
"Are you sure?" She asked in a calmer voice. "You jus got home and you guys had a ten hour shift-" He cut her off before she could continue.
"Anything for you and the girls." He said in a soft voice. Wordy rubbed Shelly's shoulders and back as they listened to the quiet sounds from the movie until he thought that he heard whimpers from the second floor of the house. He mounted the stairs quietly and cracked the door open as he saw Ally crying, wrapped in her blankets. "Hey, shhh..." He said softly as he picked Ally up from her bed and untangled the blankets. "Shhh..." He started to walk circles around the room as he rocked her in his arms. "It's okay, shhh..." He continued his soothing until he felt her relax in his arms. After a few more circles around the room he stopped by her bed and gently placed her down. He waited a moment to make sure she wouldn't wake before feeling her forehead. Definitely still has a fever. He thought as he reached for the lightest sheet and placed it on her gently. He stood for a few minutes and watched her sleep before quietly leaving the room and going downstairs. He heard the credit music rolling for the movie and went directly into the family room.
"See Daddy? I wasn't scared a little bit." Danielle said with a triumphant smile.
"Good job sweetheart." He said proudly. "Why don't you girls go get your coats? We're going to go get Ally some medicine and tehn we'll pick up pizza for dinner." He put the video in the box and turned off the TV.
"Pizza!" Danielle yelled excitedly as she ran into the hall.
"Shhh. Ally's trying to sleep." He whispered as he tiptoed to the coat closet. He got out Claire and Danielle's coats and helped them zip them up as he threw on a light sweatshirt. He walked quickly into the kitchen to find Shelly doing some dishes. " I just checked on Ally, she's asleep but her fever's still pretty high. I'm taking the girls, we'll call you when we're waiting for the pizza." He said as Shelly approached him and stood on her toes to kiss him.
"I love you so much." She said with a small smile.
"I love you too." He said as he looking into her bright eyes. "Why don't you take a nap? Or even just lay in front of the TV? I'll be back before you know it." He said over his shoulder as he grabbed his keys and opened the front door.
"Claire..." Wordy said as she went for the passenger door.
"I'm oldest Daddy, I'll be your negotiator." She said as she pulled a map out of the glovebox. He smiled at his six year old.
"You mean navigator, princess." He picked her up and brought her to the backseat. "And I think I know how to find the pharmacy." He put her down in her car seat as he buckled her jogged around to the other side of the van and tightly secured Danielle in place. He double checked both of their seats before opening the driver's side door. He sat down and turned around to look at them.
"Okay, so we have our coats?" He asked. Claire and Danielle knew the drill and yelled out.
"Check!"
"And we have the car keys?" He jingled them in their view.
"Check!"
"We have Daddy's wallet?" He fished his wallet from his back pocket and showed it to them.
"Check!" They giggled.
"We're all buckled in?" He said as he faced forward and put his seatbelt on.
"Check!"
"Okay." Wordy mused to himself while he readjusted his mirrors.
"We have Claire and Dani?" He asked with a sarcastic smile.
"Check!" Claire said quickly.
"I'm here Daddy, check!" Danielle said.
"Alright, then we are ready and rolling." Wordy responded as he pulled out of the driveway and headed down the street.
I know this is a very introish chapter but I really liked writing it. I love Wordy's relationship with his kids and his wife, it all seems so pure and innocent and perfect for him. Tell me what you think. I have some more hand written but I don't know when that'll be posted. Feedback?