Pity The Child

Adam gave a small smile and picked Monte up to carry him inside. "Sammy?" He called out after closing the door.

"Upstairs Adam," Sammy called softly, not wanting to startle Lennon.

Adam carried Monte upstairs to where the others were. "Everything ok?" He asked, putting Monte down.

Lennon curled up, pulling a face.

"He said he was tired, so I brought him up to rest," said Sammy. "He's so pale....that worries me."

Adam nodded, suddenly reacting when Sammy said 'pale'. "He's sick?" He asked, quickly going over to them, looking worried. "What if it's contagious?"

"We don't even know what it is yet," said Sammy, brushing a bit of hair from Lennon's face. She frowned at the large amount of heat she could feel radiating off her eldest step son. Carefully, she placed a hand to his forehead. "He's burning up...."

Adam frowned and sat on the bed, turning to look at Monte. "Come here," He said softly.

Lennon whimpered curled up more.

Monte walked over to Adam slowly. "Shhhhh," Sammy soothed gently. "It's okay sweetie."

"Are you feeling okay?" Adam asked softly, reaching a hand out to Monte.

Lennon whimpered again, moving closer to Sammy.

Monte nodded quickly, remembering what his mother had done the last time they'd been sick. Sammy carefully picked Lennon up, sitting down in the bed with him. "It's alright Lennon," Sammy said softly. "I'm right here."

"Are you sure?" Adam asked softly, noticing how quick the answer was.

Lennon wrapped his arms around Sammy's neck, looking away from her as he coughed before burying his face against Sammy's shoulder.

"N-Not sick daddy," Monte stammered nervously. Sammy glanced over at Monte before running a hand through Lennon's hair.

"Monte please, I'm trying to help." Adam said softly, slowly getting up to go over to him.

"Monte, sweetie, we're not gonna be mad at you," said Sammy gently. "We just wanna help, that's all." Monte bit his lip and looked at his father. "N-Not mad, r-really?"

"Of course not. Why would we be?" Adam asked, hugging Monte.

"Mommy got mad last time..." Monte mumbled

"Have I ever gotten mad at you Monte?" Adam asked.

Monte shook his head. "No daddy."

"So why won't you tell me?" Adam asked. "I'm not going to get mad."

"Don't feel good," Monte mumbled. "Told mommy Tuesday, she still made me go to school."

Adam sighed in frustration, hugging his younger son close. "Well she shouldn't have done that..."

"Made me go too..." Lennon mumbled.

"You poor things," Sammy sighed softly, running a hand through Lennon's hair. "You've been sick longer than Monte has, haven't you?" she asked him.

Lennon nodded slowly, yawning afterwards.

Adam mumbled something angrily, not wanting the boys to hear.

"Sleep sweetie," said Sammy softly. "It's alright."

Lennon wrapped his arms tighter around Sammy's neck and curled close.

"I'll be back..." Adam said, sitting Monte on the bed before leaving the room.