Chapter 88

Sounds from the main hotel room woke him up. It was quiet, not an upset noise. Just Daniel being awake but content. He reached out for his wife next to him and pulled her closer against him. The curtains seemed to block most of the sunlight which made it hard for him to assume what time of day it was. The day could wait a little longer, he thought to himself, perfectly content knowing his son was pleased on his own and he could be right next to his wife. So close that he could smell her scent, the soap she had used yesterday during her bubblebath.

He moved his arm when stretched her body next to him and turned around to face him. She reached up and gently kissed his lips.

"Good morning." She said softly as she snuggled back into his chest.
"Morning."
"What time is it? Is Daniel awake?"
"He's awake but he's fine."
"I need to see him."

He nodded. He didn't want to get out of bed yet, his body was still tired. If he could, he'd prefer two or maybe three more hours of sleep before getting up. Having a one year old, that didn't often happen. This was where he was happy but he understood when Sarah pulled away and got up.

She returned a moment later with their boy and carried him into bed, letting him lay down between them.

"It's almost 10." She stated as she laid down again.
"Hmm." He said pensive, it was rather early but he already felt hungry. "Do you want breakfast?"
"Yeah, I'm starving."
He looked at her, usually he was hungry before Sarah would be. "You didn't eat last night, did you?" He asked but he knew the answer so he got up reluctantly and found some clothes to wear.

When he got to the breakfast buffet, the sitting area was almost empty and most of the people sitting around were having coffee and had finished their breakfast.

He walked into the breakfast area, the buffet area empty except for the attendant.

"Is breakfast over?" He asked unsure.
"There's a few minutes left."
"Can I take stuff to my room?"
"You sure can." She smiled at him.
"Thank you."

He found himself a tray and started at the buffet by filling a bowl of cheerios for Daniel, grabbing some freshly cut fruit and some yogurt cups. Next, he grabbed two plates and proceeded to the hot items, finding cheese omelettes and bacon strips next to a chafer of hashbrowns. Figuring nobody else was going to eat, he made sure his plate was full before he moved on to toast two bagels which lead to the discovery of the waffle iron. Surely Sarah would like to share a waffle.

Back in the hotel room, he put the tray on the small dining table and headed to the bedroom.

"I've got breakfast." He said as he walked into the room.
"Richie." Sarah looked up from her task of getting Daniel ready for the day.
"What's wrong?" He frowned.
"Im terrible."
He could see tears start to well up in her eyes and hurried over to the bed to sit next to her. "What's wrong?" He repeated.
"He's got such a rash. He started crying when I changed him."
Richie sighed, he understood. "It's alright. It'll be gone soon if we put the diaper rash stuff on him."
"But I did that to him."
Her voice hurt him, so sad and full of guilt. "I know." He said calmly, trying to support her. "But he's had rashes before and he'll get rashes again." He said, wanting so much to make her feel better while also knowing what she had done. He knew she hadn't meant for it to happen. "He seems pretty happy cuddling you and just wait til he sees what I found for breakfast." His attempt at being cheerful and letting last night's darkness pass, convinced himself to do so as he grabbed Sarah hand and showed them both to the kitchenette.