cthree

    The next day came and went. Both of them took their quizes in their separate classes and after school Belle hurried to cheerleading practice while Shawn rushed home to be home with his mom, since his dad was still in Ireland. Disappointed, Belle again tried that night to pick an outfit that would catch Shawn's attention, this time being a pair of form-fitting black pants with a blue shirt that brought out her eyes. Classes went by and before she knew it, she was at her locker, getting her things to go home for the day. She was reaching for her French book when someone came running up behind her and grabbed her.
"Belle!" she heard someone shout and she turned to see Shawn.
"Can you try a less frightening tactic to getting my attention next time?" she said, calming her pounding heart.
"Wow, you look nice today" he said, stepping back as he finally noticed her outfit.
"Thanks" she said, embarrassed by his attention. "But anyway, what were you saying?"
"Oh! I just got my quiz back-I got a 100%!" he said, with a huge grin.
"That's great Shawn but I'm not surprised, you knew that material" she said, turning back to her locker.
"Well, how did you do?" he asked.
"Same thing" she said, smiling and he grabbed her for another hug.
"Thank you so much for helping me study" he said. "My mom is going to be really happy about this"
"No problem, you know I'm always happy to help" she said, reaching for her backpack. Shawn scooped it up for her and his eyes caught a sign next to her locker for the upcoming dance.
"So, do you have a date for the dance?" he asked.
"No, I don't think I'm going this time" she said, trying to act like she didn't care.
"Oh" he said. "I wish I could go and then we could go together-you know, like friends"
"Well, you can't so there's no point dwelling on it" she said.
"Yeah, right..." he said, confused by how she acted like she didn't want to go with him. "Well, I better get home and relieve my mom"
"Ok, I'll talk to you later" she said, turning to go.
"Yeah...thanks again for helping me" he said, as she started to walk off.
"Yup" was all she said as she walked away. Shawn watched her with a confused look before he turned to leave. He could hear his little brother crying even before he was up the walkway to the house so he hurried in to see his mom pacing with the baby by the couch.
"Hey mom, how are you doing?" he asked, gently. She turned and he could tell that she was tired.
"I'm ok, I just feel so horrible about John, nothing seems to comfort him" she said, gently rubbing the baby's back.
"Let me see" he said, taking the baby. He placed him on his shoulder and gently rubbed his back and he tried to comfort him.
"So, how was school today?" Hope asked, trying not to yawn.
"Good" Shawn said. "Oh, I almost forgot-I got a 100% on my English quiz"
"Really, that's great honey, I'm so proud of you" she said. "Is that the one that you studied for with Belle?"
"Yeah" Shawn said.
"I talked to Marlena earlier today and she mentioned a Halloween dance-are you going to go?" she hinted.
"Actually, no" Shawn said. "That's the night that you and dad were going to go to that party or something"
"Oh, honey, didn't I tell you" she said. "Since you're dad took that trip to Ireland, we had to cancel."
"But Mom, you've been spending so much time taking care of little John, how about you let me have him for the night and you can take the night off?" he suggested.
"You're so sweet, but no thanks" Hope said. "I already talked to Lexie and I'm going to go over to her place for the evening. So you're free to do what you want"
"Ohh, ok..." Shawn said, pondering the idea. Hope held her hand up.
"Do you hear that?" she practically whispered.
"What?" Shawn whispered back, concerned.
"Silence" Hope said, pointing to the baby. "Is he asleep?" Shawn twisted his neck to look.
"Nope" he said. He turned so that his mother could see and Hope laughed when she saw the baby lying contentedly on Shawn's shoulder, with his hand full of Shawn's hair.
"You're such a good big brother to him" she said, a yawn escaping her.
"Thanks Mom" he said, taking her arm and beginning to lead her to the couch.
"What are you doing?" she asked, passively following him.
"I want you to lie down and take a nap" he said. "I'll watch John" Hope was too tired to protest as she sat down. She laid back and Shawn gently pulled a blanket over her.
"What are you going to do with him?" she asked, her eyes already closing.
"I don't know, take him upstairs" he said. "Or on second thought, I think I'll take him out for a walk-is that ok?"
"Just as long as you put a jacket on him" she said, drowsily. "And be home by dinner".
"Ok...get some sleep, mom" he said. He turned to look and smiled to see that she was already asleep. Shawn carried the baby upstairs to his room to get his jacket.
"Where do you want to go, buddy?" he asked. Little John just stared up at him with his big eyes and Shawn smiled. "I have an idea of someone that would be very happy to see you". He put on his little blue jacket and grabbed the diaper bag sitting on the floor. He carried him downstairs, past his sleeping mother, and out the door to the truck. He carefully strapped him into the car seat and started the engine up.
*         *            *                *                  *                     *                     *                  *
     Belle had just settled down on the couch with a book when she heard a knock at the door.
"Hold on!" she shouted, putting down her book and jumping to her feet. She hurried over and peeked out the peekhole, where she saw Shawn standing there.
"Shawn, what are you doing..." she started, as she opened a door and saw him standing there with a little bundle over his shoulder. She let out a little shriek as she saw what the bundle was. "Oh, Shawn, you brought your little brother over for me to see!" she said.
"Yeah" he said, with a grin. "Are you going to let us in?"
"Oh, I'm sorry!" she said, holding the door open and letting him slip in. Shawn set the bag down and pulled off his jacket to reveal a cute little overall outfit. Belle took the baby from him as Shawn pulled off his own jacket and began to talk to him.
"Look at you! You're getting so big" she said, walking away with the baby as Shawn watched with a smile. Belle fussed over him for awhile as Shawn sat down on the couch and patiently waited. After a few minutes, she came over and joined them.
"So what brings you over here?" Belle asked.
"What, a guy can't come visit one of his friends?" he joked.
"No, you know what I mean" she said, playfully hitting him.
"Well, I was at home and I was talking to my mom" he started. "And I found out that my plans for the night of October 27th have changed. So I thought 'Hey, why don't I go see if the prettiest girl in school still doesn't have a date for the dance'" Belle stared at him for a minute.
"What do you mean?" she asked in a low voice, half afraid of what his answer might be.
"Basically, I'm asking you if you'd do me the honor of going to the dance with me" he said, trying not to laugh.
"Shawn, of course I will!" she blurted out and then blushing when she realized what she had said. Shawn laughed. "Ok, I just sounded really stupid right then" Belle said. On her lap, little John let out a squeal and they laughed.
"No you didn't" Shawn said. "And look, even my little brother is happy we're going together" She turned back to Shawn, who gave her a grin, and she found herself getting lost in her eyes.
"Belle, sweetie, where did you put the...Shawn, when did you get here?" her mom interrupted, pulling them apart.
"Just a little bit ago" Shawn answered as Marlena came closer.
"And you brought John!" Marlena said, walking up. "He's getting so big and he seems to be doing better"
"Yeah, I think so" Shawn said.
"So what brings you by, Shawn?" Marlena asked.
"Actually, mom, Shawn just asked me to the dance" Belle answered.
"Oh, really?" she said.
"As friends" they both added, at the same time.
"Ohh, I see, just like the other times" Marlena said, a knowing smile on her face. "Well, I'm sure you'll have fun together" she said, turning to leave. "Nice seeing you, Shawn"
"Bye" Shawn said.
"How's your mom doing?" Belle asked, after a minute of silence.
"She's good" Shawn said. "But really tired. I feel bad, she spends so much time taking care of John and worrying about him. I try to help but I'm busy with other stuff myself"
"I'm sure she appreciates the help" Belle said, just as John opened his mouth and began to cry.
"Oh, no, what's wrong?" Belle asked, picking him up and rocking him.
"I don't know..." Shawn said, starting to panic a little, as John's little face began to turn red with anger.