Behind Closed Doors

Chapter 6

Sasha opened the door from the garage into the house and let the older kids in before entering and setting Bailey down on her feet. The baby immediately started crying and reaching to be picked back up. 'This is going to be a fun night.' Sasha mused. She hoisted Bailey back up into her arms. She noticed a number on the refrigerator and assumed it was the family's favorite pizza delivery. "What type of pizza do you want?" She asked reaching for the phone.

"Pepperoni!" Hannah cried out, jumping up and down.

"No mushrooms!"

"Or pineapple." Hannah added.

"Or olives, or peppers or tomatoes!" Tyler said wrinkling his nose.

Sasha laughed. "Plain pepperoni it is!" She dialed the number and ordered a large pepperoni pizza. "Would you please add a pizza with the works to that as well?" She replied when asked if there was anything else she needed with the order. 'Brian will probably be hungry when he finally gets home.' She surmised. The guy gave her a total and told her it would be about 45 minutes for the delivery. "Thanks!" She said before returning the phone to it's home. She pressed her hand to Bailey's forehead. "Tyler!" She called out heading toward the family room. The boy met her about half way down the hallway. "Do you know where a thermometer is? I need to see how Bailey's fever is."

"I think so." The little boy replied heading up the stairs with Sasha close behind him. He led her into the bathroom Hannah and Bailey shared. He pulled a step stool from under the sink and started to climb on to it.

"Thanks Tyler! You don't have to get it for me. I can reach it." She opened the medicine cabinet and was relieved to find Brian & Leighanne had invested in the type of thermometer she could use in Bailey's ear. Her sister swore by hers because it was so quick and easy. She set Bailey down on the counter and took the kit out of the cabinet. She fished the money Brian had given her out of her pocket and handed enough for the pizzas and a tip to Tyler. "Will you please go listen for the delivery guy and pay him when he gets here? I am going to take Bailey's temperature and give her a bath. Call me when he comes and I'll help you get the pizza out of the box."

"I can get the pizza out of the box." Tyler replied indignantly. "I am 7 ya know!"

Sasha tried not to laugh. "Can you reach the plates to put it on?"

Tyler nodded. "We have paper plates for pizza."

"Just don't burn yourself, OK?"

"I won't. Dad orders pizza a lot when mom is gone. Its usually barely warm by the time it gets here." He said heading down the stairs.

"Arms up Bailey!" Sasha gently tugged Bailey's shirt over her head. "Thanks Tyler. Save some for me OK?" She called after him. She stood Bailey up and removed her jeans as well. "That should help cool you off baby girl." She said softly. She attached a cover to the thermometer and put it into the little girl's ear. Bailey whimpered but didn't protest as Sasha pushed the button to register the temperature. "You've hit the century mark Bailey." She glanced at her watch. 'The pizza should be here in about 10 minutes. I don't think that is enough time to give her a bath.' "How about if we eat first and then take a bath Bailey?"

The little girl reached her arms up. "Hold." Was all she said.

Sasha picked her up and carried her downstairs. "I hope being half naked will help cool you down." She kissed her forehead. "I'm sorry you are sick baby girl." She giggled to herself. "I think I have heard your daddy have too many conversations with you Bailey!"


Chapter 7

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