Not long after they arrived home to Florida, Theresa and Kevin had a scare with Kevy Jr.  They were awakened in the middle of the night by the 5 month old babys shrill crying.  Theresa got up with him and after a few minutes, Kevin went after her.  He found her in the nursery futiley trying to console Kevy.  The baby just cried and wiggled like he never had before.

      I think he has a cold, Theresa said.  He feels hot.  Kevin carefully guided his hand under Kevys small undershirt.     

Hes burning up, he said.  It may be an ear infection.  Jason was acting like this a couple of weeks ago.  Kevin remembered babysitting Jason for Nick a few weeks before and the little guy had been sick like that.  Nick and Brizee had later learned that it was an ear infection.       While Theresa tried to comfort her son, Kevin called the doctor and reached the answering service. He quickly explained what was going on and was connected to the doctor within minutes.

      Okay, he said once he got off the phone.  He told us to bring Kevy in at nine-thirty this morning.  In the meantime, he suggested that we run a small bath and told me what we can give him to safely lower the fever.  Hes not in any danger.  Hes just going to be miserable for a bit.       Kevin fixed the bath water while Theresa got her little son out of his pajamas and undershirt.  She bathed Kevy and the baby began to act more like himself as the fever lessened.  Finally, Theresa sent her husband back to bed when Kevy was back in a fresh diaper and pjs, and medicated.

      Ill stay up with him, she said as she stood on tiptoes for the standard hug and kiss from Kevin.  He kissed her soundly and went back to bed.  He wasnt even gone from the room five seconds before Theresa began to softly sing to her baby boy.

      Close your eyes, my love, my own, my precious child,

a stoirin...

Tears pricked Kevins eyes.  He loved listening to his wife sing.  She had a beautiful soprano voice and she used it, in choirs and talent shows, but mostly when she sang a lullabye to the baby.  The monitor was left on in the bedroom, so Kevin was lulled to sleep by Theresas singing. He woke up at seven-thirty that morning.  Jumping out of bed, he dressed quickly, wondering what hed slept through.  He went to the nursery and found Theresa and Kevy fast asleep in the rocking chair, Kevy resting on her shoulder.

      Wake up honey, he said softly.  Theresas eyes fluttered open and she smiled down at the baby, then back up at Kevin.  Kevin gently took his son out of Theresas arms so she could get dressed.  Kevin put him back in his crib long enough to call Nick and tell him what had happened.  He and Brizee were supposed to come over later that morning, and Kevin told them that if they came while he, Theresa and Kevy were still at the doctor, that they should just make themselves at home.

      I hope Kevys okay, Nick said.  Jason had that ear

infection a few weeks ago and it wasnt fun.

Little Kevy was declared to have a double ear infection, but other than that, he was fine.  The doctor wrote out a prescription for an antibiotic for the baby and sent the young family on their way.  When they got home, Nick, Brizee and Jason were waiting for them. Nick and Brizee decided they wanted to take the baby off Theresa and Kevins hands for a few hours and let the couple have some alone time.

      We couldnt let you do that, Theresa protested. Your honeymoon was cut short when Paw-Paw died.

      We want to, Brizee insisted.  She had a feeling that Kevin was taking their grandfathers death hard.  If Kevy were taken care of for a little while, maybe Kevin could vent some of his grief and he and Theresa could grieve together.  Brizee and Nick left with Kevy, his diaper bag and Jason in tow.  Once they were gone, Kevin broke down, crying.  All Theresa could do was hold him.

      I cant believe hes gone, Kevin sobbed.  Theresa simply held him.  Her own grandparents had passed away when she was a baby, so she really couldnt tell Kevin she knew how he felt.  All she could do was be there for him.  She knew Paw-Paw had been there for Kevin when his father passed away in 1991, and since she and Kevin married, hed always been there.  Theresa smiled sadly as she recalled how Jack had been when she gave birth to Kevy.  Hed been quite the proud great-granddaddy when he called her at the hospital and told her to take care of his new great-grandson.

      I love you, Kevin, she whispered.  I love you.  He simply held her tighter as he cried. After a while, they went back to their bedroom and an emotional Kevin tenderly made love to his wife, seeking comfort in the love they shared.  Afterward, they cuddled close and went to sleep.