Page 66 of Jared

That and too much sleep, Jared decided as Steve poured him a glass of water from a carafe sat on the bedside table. Jared tried not to gulp it too greedily as the wet hit his parched mouth. Steve sat on the end of the bed. “We had to bring you back here because you weren't doing so well. Doc said you needed the magic here to heal. I called him when you didn't wake up two days ago and looked pretty bad. Mom organized stuff for Galen so I could get you situated.”

Jared looked questioning at the bassinet.

“That? It was here from me and my brothers. Just brought his travel bassinet, swing, and some clothes and stuff for him. He can move to the bassinet some now that you're awake. You look so much better.” Steve stood up and took the empty glass from Jared. Giving him a quick kiss on the cheek, he said, “I'll let the doc know you're awake and arrange for some soup and crackers or something for you, okay? And I'll bring Galen up to see his Daddy.”

Jared smiled. The headache had begun to ease with the water in his system. He leaned his back and rubbed his temples.

Needed the magic, huh? Explains why I felt great until right after we went home. I must have been really out of it to not remember leaving and coming here, getting all the way upstairs and stuff, even.

He reached over to the nightstand and poured himself another glass of water, this time sipping it slowly. With each swallow, he discovered a sudden and increasing need to empty his bladder. He hoped Steve wasn't too long. He'd appreciate the help getting to the bathroom.

“There's Daddy!” Steve cooed, coming in as if on cue, carrying Galen as promised.

“I need to go,” Jared said, gesturing towards the bathroom.

“Oh! Let me just put him down in the bassinet.”

Galen began to fuss as soon as Steve laid him inside the bassinet. Jared winced. The pitch made his head throb worse. Still, he felt much better after visiting the bathroom. Once he had made it back into bed, Steve handed him Galen, who quieted nearly immediately.

“Hey there, sweetheart,” Jared said.”Did you miss Daddy?”

Galen's only response was to purse his lips while small bubbles formed.

“I see,”Jared smiled down at him.

“He's been such a good boy,” Steve said proudly. “Still sleeping through and puts away a full bottle.”

“He looks just like you.”

“He's got your nose, I think.”

Jared looked critically at Galen's face. “Maybe. Guess we'll see when it's not just a button.”

Steve chuckled. “Well, yeah. Kids' looks can change as they grow anyways.”

“Yeah, but if he keeps taking after you, he'll be very handsome.”

“Hey, you're not bad looking yourself,” Steve insisted.

“Am I interrupting anything?”

The two men glanced up at the new voice. The pack doctor had arrived and was looking very amused by the exchange he'd overheard. “I was already on my way here to check up on you, so it didn't take me long once you called, Steve. Jared, you look much, much better. How are you feeling?”

“I felt kind of hung over when I woke up but after some water, I am feeling better. My head still hurts a bit though and I'm hungry.”

“The kitchen is making him a tray with soup and crackers and tea,” Steve interjected.

Dr. Schaeffer nodded. “Should be all right. Steve, why don't you take young Galen here while I have a closer look at Jared, hmm?”

Jared passed Steve the baby and allowed the doctor to examine him. The stethoscope that slid under his t-shirt was cold and he gave a wince.

“Sorry about that,” Dr. Schaeffer said. He listened for a moment and then put it away, next shining a light into Jared's eyes, ears, and throat before then checking his blood pressure. Lifting up Jared's T-shirt once more, he examined his abdomen, pressing down gently. Once satisfied, he stood up, picking up his bag, and addressed the two men. “You seem to be well on the mend. Everything looks to be normal and I can't feel the womb any longer. Have something to eat, stay here and rest up for today, and tomorrow you should be able to start having visitors and sit downstairs for short periods.You were pretty ill, so I don't want you rushing things just because you feel better. Your body needs time to replenish itself of what it spent healing you. The magic didn't do it all.”

“I'll see that he does,” Steve promised.

“See that you do. Well, I'm off. Tell your mother I said hello and that Gwen would like her recipe for mango pudding.”

“I'll tell her,” Steve promised.