3…2…1… ch 8

After fours hours at the hospital both Bette and Patrick were exhausted. Bette opened the door to the dark house. She saw a note on the fridge. 

“Took the girls to the planet. Carmen and Shane.” Bette read the note out loud. 

“Great. Just what I need.” Bette said and carried Patrick into his room and laid him in the bed. She took off his dirty bloody clothes and put his PJ’s. Her cell phone vibrated in her pocket. 

“Hello.” She answered. 

“Bette it’s Tina I just wanted to make sure you got home okay and to make sure Patrick is okay.” Tina said. 

“We just walked in the door. He is sound asleep.” Bette said. 

“Good good… So I was thinking if it was okay with you I can stop by and check on Patrick in the morning.” Tina said. 

“It’s okay with me.” Bette said and then rolled her eyes. She had never been so speechless when it came to women before. 

“What time is good for you?” Tina asked. 

“Any time we don’t have any plans.” Bette said. 

“Around 1?” Tina asked. 

“That’s great.” Bette said. 

“Okay see you then.” Tina said and hung up. Bette grinned until she realized the girls were still at The Planet being pumped full of sugar no doubt.

*********

“Auntie Kit can I go help Carmen DJ?” Parker asked looking up from her 2nd bowl of ice cream. 

“Sure.” Kit said thankful for the break from the very hyper child. 

“Cool.” Parker got up and ran out of the office. The phone rang. 

“The Planet.” Kit said. 

“It’s Bette. Are the girls still there?” She asked. 

“Yeah. Parker just ran out to help Carmen DJ?” Kit said. 

“She what?” Bette asked. 

“Relax, the gang in keeping an eye on her.” Kit said. 

“Kit its late both the girls need to be home in the bed, not running around the planet at almost midnight.” Bette said. 

“Tell me about. Parker is bouncing off the walls and Peyton won’t let me put her down. If you’re home, I’ll have one of the girls bring them home.” Kit said. 

“I’m home.” Bette said. 

“Okay. Well let me go they’ll be home shortly.” Kit said. 

“Thanks Kit.” She looked in on Patrick who was still sleeping. 

“No problem little sis.” Kit said and hung up. 

*********

Shane knocked on the door. Peyton was sound asleep in her arms and Parker was standing next to her pouting. Bette opened the door. 

“Sorry we kept them out so late.” Shane said. 

“It’s okay you guys saved me tonight.” Bette held out her hands and took Peyton from her. 

“Anytime. We just love them. Parker is a little pissed though.” Shane said as Parker walked past her into the house. 

“I can see that.” Bette said. 

“She didn’t want to leave.” Shane said. 

“Well she’ll get over it.” Bette said.

“See you tomorrow?” Shane asked. 

“Yeah. ‘Round 3?” Bette said. 

“Cool, we’ll bring the hot dogs.” Shane said. 

“Alright.” Bette said. Shane kissed Peyton on the cheek and left.

Bette carried Peyton in the kids bedroom. Parker was coloring at the small table in the center of the room. 

“Parker It’s bedtime.” Bette said. 

“But I’m not tired.” She said without looking up from her paper. 

“Parker PJ’s now.” Bette said. 

“Fine.” Parker reluctantly got up and changed clothes. Bette laid a still sleeping Peyton in her crib. 

Parker climbed up into the top bunk. 

“Did you have fun at the Planet?” Bette asked helping her pull back the covers. 

“Yeah.” She said. 

“Good I’m glad you had fun.” Bette pulled up the covers. Parker was asleep before Bette could get to the door. She took another look at the 3 sleeping children and cut the light off and shut the door.