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Gavin squirmed in his arms as Nick tried to carry him to the examination room. The nurse showed them to the third door on the left and told them Doctor Hilton would be with them soon. Nick put Gavin's diaper bag on one of the empty chairs and settled himself into the other. Gavin climbed down from his lap and was walking curiously around the room. He spotted the doctor's stool and tried to climb on top of it. Nick laughed softly as its wheels moved it out of his reach. Gavin tried again to go after it, but it moved again. He finally got tired of messing with it and decided to get his toys out of the diaper bag.

Nick leaned back in the chair and rested his head against the wall. He had been up half the night before reading stories with Gavin and now he was exhausted. Gavin never slept well when he was sick, and hated being alone. Therefore what little sleep Nick did achieve was slim.

Gavin had gotten into his bag and had gotten out most of his toys. He was happily playing quietly on the floor. Nick was thankful for his sudden change of heart about the doctor visit. Gavin usually threw a major temper tantrum about having to come.

"Is hot daddy," Gavin said tugging at the sweatshirt Nick had put on him earlier.

"I know buddy, it's just because you're sick. You need to keep your shirt on though" Nick said lightly.

"Whyyyyy" Gavin asked whining.

"Because daddy said so,"

Gavin stopped whining, but continued to pout on the floor.

Nick REALLY hated it when Gavin was sick. It seemed like they had been waiting forever before the doctor came in. Nick prayed she would hurry up, Gavin was getting antsy being confined in the little room. Finally after what seemed like hours the door cracked open. Nick looked up and caught himself gazing into the most beautiful eyes he had ever seen.

"Hello, Mr. Carter, I am Dr. Hilton, Gavin's new pediatrician." She said extending her hand.

Nick sat up in his chair and shook it. He could feel his breathing quicken as she knelt in front of him.

"How are you little guy?" she asked soothingly looking at Gavin.

"Is not peel bery good," he answered her sticking his fingers in his mouth.

Nick was surprised. Usually Gavin didn't even talk to people he didn't know. There was something different about this girl. He liked it. The feeling he had when he looked at her comforted him.

"You don't want to chew on those!" she said lightly pulling his fingers away from his mouth, "You might get cooties" she teased smiling.

Gavin stuck his hands behind his back and looked at his dad with scared eyes.

"No cooties" he said shaking his head.

She laughed gently and stood back up. She pulled her stool out from her data desk and sat down.

"What seems to be the problem, Mr. Carter? " She asked focusing her attention on Gavin.

"Mys frot doesn't peel good" Gavin said pointing at his neck.

"He's been coughing a lot this week, I've given him children's cough syrup, but nothing seems to be helping. I also think he's had a high fever." Nick said suddenly wanting her attention of him.

She nodded slowly. "I would imagine he just has a cold, but we will check him out just to make sure"

She smiled at him, making his heart skip a beat. For the first time since Amanda had died, he truly felt like maybe things would be all right.

But there are moments
When you can't deny what's true
Just an ordinary day
Like when I met you
It's funny how life can take new meaning
You came and changed what I believe in

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