How Severus Spends His Summer Hols

A/N: Well hello everyone. I just wanted to answer a question someone had for me real quick. The reasons the years for how long Damon and Grant have been together differ in the story are as follows: 1. The story is written as it goes along, nothing is pre-done. 2. There are incongruities simply because most of the time I am writing, I am stoned on pain killers (seriously). And 3. I’d never anticipated this story going this far and since it has, the characters have become more developed and I honestly wrote to suit myself. The Wolffes have been with each other since 1951-52 and were married in 1955. Hope that answers your questions.

Once again, thank you to Draco’s Dirty Secret for betaing, and if you’ve not read her stuff… go do it, but only after you read this chapter.




Gregory unlocked the door to his office and turned to his husband, taking the files from him. "Thanks, Pet." He pressed a kiss to Davy's mouth and set the paperwork on his desk. "Have a seat, darling. Kat told me she would be in the office early today. Call and see if she's in and set us up some appointment times for this afternoon." He shrugged on his lab jacket and leaned out the door. “Hey, Max! I'm here."

Davy settled onto the small sofa against the wall of his husband's office and curled his body protectively around the Styrofoam cup he clutched desperately.
"I want a blanket," he mumbled sleepily as he squinted in the fluorescent light.

Gregory looked back at his husband and smiled. He opened the small closet and pulled out a fleece blanket and pillow, taking them over to his husband. He pulled Davy forward and stuck the pillow behind him then tucked the blanket around him, and pressed a kiss to his forehead. "Better?"

He stood and smirked when he heard Max at the door to his office, clearing his throat. "Morning, Max."

Davy smiled as he set his coffee on the small table next to the sofa and curled up under the blanket. "Morning, Max," he mumbled before closing his eyes, very thankful that he still had at least a week before he started at the hospital.

Max leaned against the door frame and shook his head at the sight. "Good morning. Just wanted to check to see if you needed anything, we're about to unlock the door."

Gregory shook his head and walked towards Max. "No, I think I got him settled for now. It's not a problem that he's here is it? Grant told me Davy was welcome to set up an office here also." He stopped in front of the tall man and smiled at him. "Does Jennifer room patients for everyone?" He grabbed the door handle to close his door so Davy could rest a bit longer and waited on Max to move out of the way.

Max grinned down at the smaller man. "It's alright as long as he doesn't snore so loud we hear him in the waiting room. And yeah, she'll see your patients back too, but you'll need a nurse. I think Grant has set some interviews up for later this week," he said as he stepped back from the door and motioned Gregory to pass in front of him.

"Did Grant let you know that we close between twelve and one for lunch?"

Gregory nodded and looked back at Davy. "He doesn't snore but remind me to never fall asleep back here then." He laughed softly and pulled the door shut then fell in step with Max as they headed for the front of the office.

"Yeah, he and Damon invited me to come down to Cutty's for lunch. My last patient is at eleven forty-five, and then I have to go to the hospital to see a newborn. I'm taking the rest of the afternoon off to finish up looking at houses with Davy. Kat told me to call her whenever we’re ready. Davy will be making those arrangements in a little while when her office opens."

Max put a hand on Gregory's shoulder to stop him before he walked into the patient records area. "I should warn you. Allie is bringing Sarah in to meet her new doc," he said softly and hoped the other man would be able to deal with his temperamental wife.

Gregory looked up at Max and nodded. "Well then, should I call you back to see how it goes? Sarah's a great kid." He picked up the charts for his patients. "Allie is more than welcome to stay and watch the entire visit. I prefer to have another person in the room when I see the girls."

Max sighed. "Allie's checking you out. She knows who you are and what you are to me. She's feeling a little threatened."

Gregory shook his head. "I'm a fellow doctor in the practice, Max, that's all. Nothing more and nothing less. She has nothing to fear from me." He lifted his hand and showed Max his wedding band. "I'll be certain to wear it and show her."

Inside, Max felt like a fist had punched him in the gut. He didn't need the reminder that his former submissive was spoken for and happy. He nodded, a strained expression crossing his open face.

"Just let me know if she gives you any trouble, or I'll sit in with her if you like," the big redhead said softly, rifling through his files for the day.

Gregory studied Max for a moment then nodded. "You are more than welcome to sit in." He shuffled through the files. "Sarah's is on top, so I am guessing she's first on the list." He read over the file for a moment then closed it. He patted Max on his shoulder and smiled. "I'm ready when you are, Doctor."

Max nodded and walked to the front and smiled down at his little girl. Jennifer had opened the door for his wife and child a few minutes early. He swung Sarah up and kissed her cheek and then looked to Allie.

"Hey, no trouble on the drive over?" he asked softly as he looked at his heavily pregnant wife.

Allie smiled at him and shook her head. "Not yet." She rubbed her belly, "I don't know how much longer I am going to be able to squeeze behind the steering wheel though." She eyed him for a moment.

"Are you certain Adam won't induce me early? Can't we talk to him again? My feet are all swollen and tight this morning. I couldn't even get my shoes on and had to wear my slippers." She lifted her foot and clung to his arm, digging her nails in his flesh, showing him her foot as she slipped it out of the woollen lined bootie.

Carefully, Max sat her down in the chair behind her, lowering himself to kneel on one knee in front of her. "Let me see," he murmured softly, lifting her foot gently and stroking his thumb over her swollen ankles. "Do they hurt already this morning?"

Allie hissed and nodded, barely stopping herself from jerking away from him. "I just said that didn't I? Why don't you listen to me?" Tears welled up in her eyes and she swiped at her face. "I'm miserable, Max. Why won't he do this? It's only three weeks."

"No, Allie, you said they were swollen, not that they hurt," Max said patiently as he pulled another chair over and picked her lower legs up and gently settled her feet on the chair.

"I'll be right back, I want to check your blood pressure, alright?" he said softly as he looked at the drawn face of his wife, he could tell she was hurting and just miserable.

Allie leaned back in the chair and rubbed her belly, sighing as Sarah brought her Green Eggs and Ham from the little box in the corner. Sarah climbed up in the chair next to her and waited patiently for Allie to read to her. The little girl held the book open for her mother, away from her belly but close enough to still read the words. Allie sighed again and began to read the book in a bored voice while Sarah looked over the top of the book.

Not able to go back to sleep, Davy sat up and decided to go see if he could help with anything, or at least see what his office space would be like. He'd settle for a desk in a closet at this point. As he walked to the front of the clinic, he spied the little girl from yesterday.

"Hey there, Miss Sarah Bear. How are you this morning?" he asked cheerfully as he sat down in one of the chairs and smiled to the little girl and the woman reading to her.
Davy looked up at Allie and grinned. "Hello, I'm Davy Corrican, Gregory's husband. It's nice to meet you," he said with a smile, offering his hand in greeting to her.

Allie looked up at the man as Sarah squealed and gasped. "Damn, you do look just like Harry. Boy, Severus screwed the pooch on this one. And I was worried about Gregory." She began to laugh out loud and held on to her stomach.

"Yeah, the resemblance is a little scary," he chuckled.

Allie shook Davy's hand quickly and smiled at him. "Nice to meet you. I'm Allison Sorens." She eyed him. "You all settling in alright? I can't believe you've survived the Farnsworths’ cooking this long." She laughed again.

Davy made a face and then smiled as Sarah climbed onto his lap. "We are going to look for a house later today. I really, really can't wait to get back into my own kitchen. It's nice to meet you as well."

Allie smiled. "I can imagine." She shook her head at Sarah and patted the chair beside her. "Come on, baby, don't bother the nice man." She looked at Davy again and rubbed her swollen stomach. "I'm sorry. She's been so clingy lately and I just can't hold her with this monster belly."

"It's alright, I don't mind at all, she was a doll yesterday," Davy said as he held his hand out for the book. "I wouldn't mind reading to her at all. It looks like Max wants your attention, anyhow."

"Thank you. I'll warn you now, she knows it by heart, so make certain you get it right or she'll let you know." Allie smiled as she passed the book to Davy then looked at Max.

Max stood to one side, equipment in his hand and a small smile on his lips. "Allie, do you mind if I check you?"

She held out her arm to Max. "Thank you, Sir." she said softly as she met his eyes and looked to the floor.

Gently, Max pushed up his wife's sleeve and there in the waiting room, took her blood pressure, frowning as he unwrapped the cuff from her upper arm.

"Do you have a headache?" he asked softly as he set the cuff and stethoscope to the side.

Allie shook her head. "No, I feel alright... just really bloated and my feet hurt. Thank you for propping them up for me," she said softly as she listened to Davy read to Sarah, his voice changing with the characters as he read. Her daughter stared up at him, a smile on her face as she listened to the story, mouth moving as she said the words with him.

Allie turned back to Max. "Will we be waiting much longer? I would like to go on home and lie down soon. Grant said he'd meet me downstairs to pick up Sarah. He and Harry are supposed to be starting the shopping for Thanksgiving today."

Max sat down next to his wife and picked up her hand. "Adam isn't here today. Would you like to come back and wait in my office? Maybe stretch out on the sofa and put your feet up?" he asked softly, concerned at the tiredness in her face. "We'll keep an eye on Sarah, okay?"

Gregory came out the door. He was about to call Sarah's name when he noticed his husband, Max and a woman who was most likely Max's wife, sitting in the waiting room. He smiled at Sarah sitting in Davy's lap and then turned to Max.

"I'm ready for you. My name is..." He trailed off "Is everything alright?"

Allie looked up at the man that surely had to be her husband's former lover. "I'm Allison Sorens, Max's wife. Are you the new baby doctor?" she asked tiredly, her eyes roving over the man standing in front of her. He was handsome, clean cut and obviously Davy was smitten with him just by the look on his face when the other man had entered the room.

“Dr. Corrican.“ Gregory smiled and nodded. "Excuse my rudeness, but are you alright? You don't look well. Max, have you checked her blood pressure?" He shook his head and knelt down beside them. He eyed Allie for a moment then gestured for the blood pressure cuff. "Do you mind?"

Max handed him the cuff, nodding. "I just checked her and it's elevated," he replied, looking to see if his wife was going to be alright with the other man looking her over.

Allie raised her eyebrow and shook her head, thinking both men had lost their minds. Of course she looked miserable, she was having an elephant calf instead of a child. With a wry grin, she held her arm out to Gregory and stuck her tongue out at Max.

Max shook his hand and grinned at his little wife. "Do that again and I'll put vinegar on your tongue." Laughing as he watched her pull her tongue in and give him a glare.

Gregory shook his head and slid the cuff up her arm, tightening it slightly. He began to pump up the cuff. "Max, take off her slippers and socks. Make certain it's not cutting into her skin." He smiled at Allie. "How long has it been since you've seen your OB/Gyn? Has he checked you for proteins?"

He placed the stethoscope on her arm and listened for a moment frowning as he got the reading then looked at Max. "What are her normal stats?"

Moving to take the woman's slippers and socks off, Max looked up and told Gregory. He had a feeling of what was going on, but he couldn't treat his wife. "She saw Adam last week. He's not scheduled to be in the office today."

Gregory frowned as he looked at Allie's feet. Her feet and ankles were swollen and he gently touched her leg, watching as his finger made a dent in the reddened skin before it slowly turned pale once more. "Hold out your hands for me, Mrs. Sorens."

He examined her wrists and fingers noting the puffiness in the digits as well.
"Max, I think you might want to call him. Her pressure is elevated and her extremities are pretty swollen." He looked at Max. "I'd like to get her over to the emergency room or maybe L and D. I'd like to get a foetal monitor on her as well, just to be on the safe side. How much longer did you say she had to go?"

Max nodded to Jennifer and stood up. "Go ahead and call Adam, tell him to meet us at the emergency room." He looked down at Allie and stroked her cheek. "Don't worry baby, okay?"

Jennifer was about to pick up the phone when it rang. She listened for a moment and then nodded and hung up the phone. "That was Sev. He says Harry's not feeling well. Something about indigestion from last night, and he vomited the Stomach-Aid. He wants you to call him back and let him know what he can give him to settle his stomach." She picked up the phone again and paged Dr. Masters.

Allie blinked at him and leaned into his fingers. "Oh no. What about Sarah?" She closed her eyes and groaned as her stomach moved. She rubbed the bulk of her belly trying to calm herself and the baby.

Gregory sighed and slipped Allie's slippers back on her and tucked her socks into the large pockets on Max's scrubs. "Davy can watch her if you like until Grant arrives." He nodded at Max. "Come on, Max, I'll help you get her to the ER. Up you get, Mrs. Sorens."

"Yeah, I don't mind watching her at all. I would like the company actually," Davy said as he smiled reassuringly at Allie and bounced Sarah on his knee. He moved out of the way as Jennifer came closer with a wheelchair.

Allie looked from Gregory to her husband, worry etched on her face. She didn't feel well and she was afraid. "Could someone call Grant, maybe he could come early?" she asked, her fingers twisting in her shirt.

Gregory looked at her, knowing she didn't trust Davy but something had to be done quickly. "I understand you are worried, Mrs. Sorens." He dug in his pocket and held out his cell phone to her. "Please call him if you like, but I would really like to get you to the emergency room. It may be nothing, but I don't want to take the chance." He smiled at her. "Besides, we just might get to see this baby today if we hurry. That would certainly go a long way in making you feel better."

"I just ..., " she began and then looked at how happy Sarah was on the other man's lap. Allie looked at Max again, silently begging him to tell her their daughter was safe with this man.

Davy looked up at her and understood perfectly. "Would you feel better if I went along to the hospital and watched her there? She and I can go see what's going on in the kitchens." He looked to Gregory to see if it was alright with him.

Gregory looked at Davy and nodded. "It's alright with me if Max is fine with it. Would you like me to try Grant and have him met us up there as well?" He didn't wait for an answer but dialled the Wolffe's anyway. He listened for a moment and shook his head, punching the button on the phone to end the call. "Just the service."

Max carefully transferred Allie to the wheelchair, stopping to kiss the tears of fear and worry from her cheek. "It's going to be alright. I promise you that I'll never let anything happen to you," he said gently, stroking her hair back.

He looked to Gregory and blew out his breath. "Can she ride with Davy? I've got a booster seat in my truck he can use. Hell, he can take my truck if he wants to."

Gregory nodded. "You all go in the truck and I'll settle things here, then I'll be right over to assist Dr. Masters. I'll need to be there anyway in case he decides to induce her."

He looked down at Allie and knelt. "I promise to take care of your little one. But I need you to go on to the hospital so we can, alright? You and the baby are going to be just fine."

The phone rang in the background and Jennifer answered it, listening for a moment then hung up. "Masters is on his way. He said he should be at the ER in ten minutes. I'm already rearranging the schedules." She smiled at them. "Go Allie, have that baby, girl."

Davy stood with Sarah, picking her coat up off the chair and wrapping it around her. "Would you like me to go down and warm the truck up?" he asked as he passed Sarah to Gregory.

Max nodded and handed him his keys. "It's the red Dodge on the end," he said as he turned back to Allie.

Gregory nodded to Davy and bounced Sarah in his arms. The little girl clung to him as she watched Davy go out the door then looked down at Allie. "Are we going to get Bubba now?" She blinked her eyes at her parents. "It's about time. He's taking too long." That said she shoved her thumb in her mouth and laid her head on Gregory's shoulder.

Max took Allie down in the elevator, silently praying to Merlin that his wife and child be alright. "Did you think the day would end up like this?" he asked softly as he fingered a few strands of Allie's hair.

Allie shook her head. "No..." She sighed and reached up to grab his hand, squeezing it tightly. She pulled him down to her and looked him in the eye. "Will Sarah really be alright with them? I don't even know them, Max."

Max nodded. He knew she was worried, but he also knew the two men were trustworthy and Sarah got along well with them. "Baby, I know they are strangers to you, but yes, Sarah is going to be fine with Davy. He's good people and won't let anything happen to her."

She nodded, still uncertain but willing to trust Max. She squeezed his hand and twined their fingers as the elevator doors opened and she found Davy and Gregory standing outside of them.

Gregory pressed a kiss to Davy's cheek and passed Sarah to him then turned to Max and Allie. "I'll help you get in the truck, then I'll be right behind you alright." He smiled at Allie. "Everything's going to be fine."

Davy carefully strapped Sarah into her booster seat and then climbed into the back seat with her and held her hand, watching as the other two men carefully lifted Allie from the wheelchair and into the truck. He smiled down at his morning charge.

"Are you looking forward to your little brother getting here?" he asked as Sarah looking close to crying, the tension from her parents upsetting her. She looked at Davy and nodded.

"Want my momma," she said in a quaking voice.

Allie turned her head and looked at Sarah. "Mommy's right here, baby," she said, her tone brighter than she felt, and blew a kiss to the little girl. "We are going to check on Bubba right now and see if we can't hurry him along." She cut her eyes to Max as he slid behind the wheel, grasping his hand and clinging to it as he buckled his belt. "You're going to visit with Davy while Mommy and Daddy get Bubba looked at. Would you like that?"

"Tell him to hurry up," Sarah said as she turned to watch something out the window.

Davy smiled to Allie. "I swear to you, Mrs. Sorens, I'll watch her closely and I'll not let anything happen to her. I know it's a big thing to let someone you don't know watch your baby."

Allie stared at Davy for a moment then nodded as the big engine roared and Max took off down the road. She turned back around in the seat and squeezed Max's hand, rubbing her stomach as she closed her eyes, trying to calm down. The baby kicked out and for once in a long while she didn't complain about feeling him move.

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Severus hung up the phone with Jennifer and walked back into the bathroom to look at Harry standing in the shower stall, cool water running down his frame. He had his head against the wall, one hand on his stomach rubbing absently.

"You alright Harry? You haven't been ill again, have you?" He leaned against the door jam and watched his husband for a moment. "If you get sick again we'll have to go to the ER."

Harry closed his eyes, swallowing painfully, trying to make the queasiness in his stomach go away. "I'm alright," he whispered hoarsely before sticking his head back under the cool spray.

He'd woken up sick to his stomach and started his day by vomiting on the bedclothes. It had rapidly gone downhill since.

Severus looked at his watch. "It's been about an hour since you last vomited. Would you like to try some water or ginger ale? Jennifer said, if you could keep it down, to stay hydrated."

"Can I have Kool-aid?" Harry asked as he shut the water off and pushed the shower door back to reveal his distended belly and pale face. He motioned to a towel and sighed heavily at the effort.

Severus shoved off the door frame, and grabbed the towel wrapping Harry in it and lifting him from the stall. He gently patted down the other man and led him back to the door way.

"I'll think about it. You really don't need the sugar. However, if you can keep down the clear fluids then you may." He settled Harry on the bed and held out one of his t-shirts for the other man. "Would you like me to call Grant and see if he will come and stay with you? Jason will be at the shop in about thirty minutes."

Harry shook his head. "No, I just want to curl up and whimper," he said, putting his hand to his mouth as his stomach let out a menacing gurgle.

"It was the ketchup and carrots that did this to you." Severus smirked and rubbed Harry's back. “Some ginger ale might settle your stomach, or I think there's some club soda in there as well."

He pressed a kiss to Harry's temple and fluffed the pillows, then reclined Harry against them. He stroked the pale face gently. "Would you like me to stay with you? I’ll close up the shop today if you wish."

Harry shook his head. "No... was the meat I think," he whispered, clutching at his stomach and making for the toilet again. From the bathroom, he called back. "No, go on in, I'll be alright. I can call Grant."

Severus winced as Harry made a retching noise. "I want someone here with you just in case." He peered into the bathroom at Harry. Thankfully nothing was coming up any longer although his little husband would be sore. He reminded himself to bring home a muscle analgesic to rub on Harry. He picked up the phone and dialled Grant's cell phone.

Grant answered on the fourth ring, getting back into Damon's truck and picking up his mobile. "Hello?"

"Grant, it's Sev. Have you started to town this morning? Harry's ill." Severus leaned into the bathroom to eye his husband who was sitting on the toilet, with a washcloth pressed over his eyes.

Grant sighed as he looked at Damon behind the wheel. They were nearly sixty miles from Echo at the moment.

"How bad is he? What's wrong?" he asked as he closed the truck door and shook his head at Damon, who was asking questions. "Hold on a moment, Sev." Putting his hand over the receiver, Grant looked at his husband. "Harry's sick."

Damon frowned. "We're heading back now." He buckled Grant's seat belt and started the truck.

Severus cleared his throat. "He woke up nauseated and vomited up last night's dinner. He ate again before we went to bed and thinks it was the meat that made him ill. I called Max, but they are really busy and he hasn't gotten back with me. Can you come and sit with him until he's feeling better? He wants me to go on to the shop, but I’d rather someone stay with him."

Grant patted Damon's hand and sighed softly. "We're at least an hour from town, Sev, but we are on our way. Does he need to go to the hospital?"

"Thanks, Grant. I don't want to take him unless it absolutely necessary and it appears the vomiting has stopped even if he is still nauseated. I'll stay until you get here. I've to call Jason and warn him. Thanks again, Grant."

Severus sighed with relief as Harry came out of the loo and slowly climbed back into bed.

"Do you want some breakfast?" Harry rasped out, reaching for a blanket, wanting nothing more than to have a stomach transplant and the baby not to kick his bladder anymore.

Severus eyed the phone and shook his head. "I'll get it in a mo. You lie there and rest." He called Jason's place, hoping to catch the younger man still at home. He wedged the phone between his shoulder and his ear, and tucked the blankets around Harry, then pressed a kiss to his forehead.

Out on the edge of town, Jason turned back to the kitchen where the phone was ringing. He didn't want to answer it. He was already running late and the walk to work was long enough as it was.

"Yeah, if you're selling, I'm not buying," he said as he picked up the phone, hoping the other person would just hang up.

Severus laughed. "Jason, this is Sev. I'm opening up late today so don't bother to come in for at least another hour or two. Harry's ill this morning and I'm waiting on Damon and Grant."

"Okay, cool. Is he alright?" Jason asked as he shrugged his backpack off, dropping it to the floor before sitting on his kitchen chair.

"He's getting there. I appreciate your help. Would you like me to stop by and fetch you on my way in?" Severus rubbed Harry's back.

Jason hesitated a moment, looking out the small window of his trailer and biting his lip. It was sleeting and colder than hell outside, and walking really didn't sound appealing, but he didn't like to put anyone out either.

"Um, if it's still nasty, that would be nice. I mean if it's not a problem," he said as he took mental stock of his money pouch and decided how much gas money he could give his boss.

"Not a problem at all. I'll be glad for the company. I'll see you in a couple of hours, Jason." Severus turned off the phone and smiled at Harry. "See, all taken care of." He leaned over and pressed a kiss to Harry's forehead again. "Would you like me to bring you something to drink?"

"Cherry Kool-aid?" Harry asked hopefully, opening one green eye and looking at his husband, hoping he looked pathetic enough to warrant the new drink he found he loved.

Severus shook his head. "Alright. I'll make the invisible one. I don't want you drinking or eating anything red in case you are sick again."

Harry smiled. "Thank you, Husband," he murmured and pulled the sheets over his head, closing his eyes and promising himself he'd not ever eat brisket again.

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At the hospital, Max quickly got Allie situated as Davy took Sarah to the waiting room to colour in some of the colouring books he'd found in the truck.

Max soon found his colleague and pulled him into an empty room for a quick conference about his wife, less than five minutes later the door was slammed against the wall as Max stomped out and back to his wife's side.

"Allie, baby, I'm sorry, but we need to keep you here at least overnight. Adam wants to run some tests after you've had a chance to calm down and rest for at least thirty minutes," he said as he brushed a few stray hairs back from Allie's pale face. He shook his head in frustration. If he had his way, the woman would deliver and be done with this.

Allie bit her lip and stared at Max. She leaned into his caress and met his blue eyes. "What kind of tests? Is the baby alright?"

Max smiled down at her, sitting down on the edge of her exam bed. "I'm worried about your blood pressure and all the water you are retaining. Adam is going to give you a stress test and monitor the baby as well to see how you are both doing. He wants to give the baby's lungs a good chance to be developed," he explained carefully.

A large hand stroked Allie's cheeks and Max leaned down to kiss her forehead. "Do you forgive me?"

Allie closed her eyes and nodded as she threaded her fingers through his red hair, playing with the ends. "Are you going to stay with me? What about when they do the tests? What are we going to do about Sarah?"

Her voice and questions got faster and higher as she spoke, worrying about the baby and everything else. She opened her eyes and looked at Max, tears running down her face. "No more after this one, please, Sir. You'll still get the operation? Max, I don't think I could do this again."

Reaching over, Max grabbed a tissue and began to tenderly wipe his wife's tear stained cheeks, trying to calm her. "Shhh... baby, calm down. Yes, I'm going to stay with you night and day, alright? I'll see if Grant can keep Sarah," he soothed, trying to remember if Grant or Damon had mentioned any plans for the week. "No, Al, you'll never have to do this again, I promise."

Allie nodded and looked up as a knock sounded at the door.

Gregory stuck his head around the door and peered into the room. "Might I come in?" He stepped in and shut the door behind him. "I spoke with Dr. Masters. He's got a external foetal monitor on the way, and I stopped by to check on Sarah and Davy as well. I hope you don't mind, but he's got her in the cafeteria and they are having "tea" with the ‘I'm a Big Sister bear’ he bought for her." He shook his head and looked at Max and Allie. "You doing alright, Mrs. Sorens, Max? Can I get you anything?"

Max stood and looked down at Gregory, shaking his head. "A Big Sister bear? What do I owe you?" he asked reaching to his back pocket for his wallet while he smiled to Allie.

Gregory shook his head. "Not a thing. Davy's having a wonderful time with her and she's having a blast as well."

"See, baby, Sarah is just fine and you are going to be fine as well," he said softly. "Gregory, do you happen to know how much longer before they take her up to a room?"

He smiled. "They are preparing a room on the Mother and Baby floor, and hopefully will be moving you within the hour. I arranged for an extra foldout bed to be put in the room for you, Max." He turned and smiled at Allie as well. "We are going to take care of you and your little one, Mrs. Sorens."

Allie regarded the man that she considered her competition and saw nothing but compassion and concern in his eyes and on his face. "Thank you... and I'm sorry," she whispered softly.

Gregory chuckled. "You haven't done anything but be pregnant, Mrs. Sorens. I'm here to help you and the baby get better."

Allie shook her head. She had something to say and it was going to be painful. "No, I came in today prepared to hate you," she said softly, not looking at either man. "I know who you are and I was jealous, but you've been nothing but kind to me." Tears began to spill over her cheeks once more as she listened to her husband's quiet breathing.

Gregory reached over to the tissues and held out a few to her. "I'm your little one’s new doctor, Mrs. Sorens and that's it." He smiled at her then nodded. Crying women made him nervous. "Let me go check on your room and the monitor. Anything else I can get for you while I'm out?"

Allie started to shake her head and then nodded. "Some pineapple, please?" she asked as she wiped at her nose and waited for Max's judgement on her behaviour.

Gregory nodded and turned to Max, smiling at him. "Pineapple it is." He waved to them and went out the door.

Max watched him go then turned to Allie. He sat down next to her and took the tissues from her and wiped her face for her. He leaned forward and pressed a kiss to her forehead then tucked her to his side, rocking his wife as he watched the door for Gregory to return.

After a few moments Gregory returned with a dish of pineapple and Allie was happily tucked into it.

"Max, have you had a chance to call Grant to pick up Sarah?" she asked as she set the empty dish on the bedside table and closed her eyes tiredly.

Gregory cleared his throat. "Damon and Grant called after you left. They are heading out to Severus'. Harry's still feeling a little off colour." He shrugged and continued. "Sarah's doing fine right now with Davy. He could watch her if you like or if you wish, I can have him run her out there to Sev's place."

Max looked down at his wife and made a decision he hoped wouldn’t cause her any more stress. “If Davy doesn’t mind keeping her, that may be for the best. I don’t know when Grant will be here, or if he’ll go see to Harry. I don’t think Sarah needs to be around someone sick right now.”

Gregory nodded and headed for the door before turning around and looking back at Max. "I have one more patient to see then I am gone for the day. Davy and I are going to look at a few houses. I'll have my pager and cell if you need me. We'll take Sarah with us and stop by the Wolffes’ for her to sleep over there since we are still at the B and B. That work for you?"

Max nodded and Allie looked up at him. "What if Grant is busy with Harry, what do we do then, Max?" she asked, wincing as the baby turned in her belly once again. She figured if her husband trusted them, it was alright, after all, wasn't it the same when you went to a new daycare?

Max sighed and looked at his wife then turned to Gregory, studying him for a moment. He fished out his keys and took a deep breath then held them out to the other man. "The yellow one is the key to the house. If you don't mind, I'd like a change of clothing. Sarah's a good kid and mostly sleeps through the night. There's a guest room right next door to hers."

He looked back at his wife then to Gregory again.

Gregory took the keys and nodded, he understood and would do nothing to disturb the trust the other man had in him. "I'll bring your clothes back and a change of them for your wife as well. Does Sarah have a bedtime or any allergies we should be aware of?" he asked as he took a little notepad from his pocket so he'd keep track of everything.

Max shook his head and grinned. "She'll try and talk you into a bubble bath, but don't buy it. She had one last night. But other than that, if you'll read her a story she'll go right to sleep." He bent and kissed his wife then walked towards Gregory and held open the room door for him, gesturing to the man to go out before him.

Gregory gave Allie Sorens a smile and a wave before he exited the room ahead of Max. Turning to him in the hallway, he waited to see if there were final instructions.

Max eyed Gregory for a moment. "Thank you," he said softly. He stepped forward and wrapped his arms around the other man, breathing in his scent.

Gregory froze for a moment and then returned the hug with a friendly slap on the big man's back. "No problem, Max. Davy and I are happy to help."

Stepping back, Gregory noticed Max's arms lingering for a moment more than he felt entirely comfortable with, and hoped Davy had not been close by to see anything.

"We'll take care of your daughter, you take care of your wife, alright?" Gregory said with a raised brow as he regarded his co-worker.

Max stepped away, swallowing and nodded, not looking at Gregory. He'd felt the stiffening of the other man in his arms. It had felt so good, though, having him there again; he'd not wanted to let him go.

"Yeah," his voice was thick with some emotion he wasn't certain he wanted to acknowledge. He looked around and nodded again, not noticing anything nor anyone. "Thanks, Gregory," he said softly and looked at Gregory for a moment before walking back to Allie's room.

Gregory watched the other man go and shook his head sadly. He didn't know what to do to help Max get past him and he didn't know how to combat the feelings he himself had for the big Healer. Sighing, he turned and went to find his husband and Sarah.