By: Carole
Buck
Wilmington studied the pale face of the small boy
nestled in his arms. JD slept restlessly, waking
every so often to snuggle closer to his father,
but after several days and nights of cough-induced
sleeplessness, Buck was relieved to see the boy
finally getting even a small amount of the rest he
so desperately needed.
"He okay?"
Looking up at the soft-spoken inquiry, Buck saw
Chris Larabee standing in the doorway.
Buck nodded. "He's doin' a little better." One
hand came up to lightly caress JD's forehead.
"And his fever's 'bout gone."
Chris sighed in relief. Crossing the room, he
noted his friend's slumped posture and red-rimmed
eyes. "You look beat. Want me to take him
for a bit?"
Wilmington instantly tightened his arms around the
small form he held, a frown forming on his
handsome face. "No."
"It's okay," Chris soothed. "I understand."
"I can't let go of him just yet," Buck admitted,
swallowing hard. "Thought for a while I might
lose him."
"I know." Chris laid a supportive hand on Buck's
shoulder. "But he's gonna be fine."
"Yeah," Buck sighed out. He took a moment to
scrub a weary hand over his face. "Guess I won't
quite believe it until I see it, though."
Chris nodded in understanding. "I'm gonna check
on Vin, then head back to bed. You need
anything?"
Buck shook his head, looking down at his son.
"Nope, got everything I need right here."
Chris smiled. "Yeah, you do."
As Larabee turned and headed out of the room, Buck
pulled his son a little closer. Smiling faintly,
he pressed a gentle kiss on the boy's hair before
leaning back in the rocking chair, prepared to
spend the rest of the night watching over the
precious bundle in his arms.
~end~
Carole
March 2003