Boo Boo

By Nicollette Marquis McFadgen

Notes: Thanks to my stomach for getting upset when I tried to put something in it. What the hell was I thinking?
For: Michelle, 'cause I don't like it when she's upset.

"Daddy?" Nothing happened. "Daddy?" Xavy tried again, trying to shake his father's large body with his little hands. "Wake up." I look of childlike anger settled over the five year old Xavy's face. "Daddy!" He climbed up onto his father's chest.

Leaning over, the little boy put his hands on either side of his daddy's face, then squeezed. "I said, DADDY!"

Xander's eyes popped open, instantly settling on his tiny son but taking a moment to focus completely. "Xavy? What's wrong? It's one o'clock, you should still be sleeping."

"I know. I gots a boo boo, though."

"You *have* a boo boo?" Xander corrected as he sat up, carefully taking his child off his stomach.

"That's what I said. I gots a boo boo." Xavier shook his head at his silly daddy.

"Did you fall?" Xavy shook his head. "Did you cut yourself? 'Cause your father and I told you not to use the grown up scissors...ever."

The five year old huffed. "I didn't. I heard you and Papa say that. Geez!"

"Then where's your boo boo, Xavy?" Xander's eyes inspected his son, not finding any cuts, lumps, or bruises.

Xavy lifted his favorite puppy dog covered T-shirt. His little chubby finger pointed to his stomach. "Right here," he whispered, almost as if he didn't want his stomach to hear.

Xander shook his head. "I don't see a boo boo on your tummy."

Xavy rolled his eyes and huffed again. "It's an *inside* tummy boo boo, Daddy!"

"Your tummy hurts?" Xander asked for clarification.

Xavier nodded. "I think it needs a Band-Aid."

Xander smiled, his chuckle made his son laugh too. Xavier could never help but join in when his daddy laughed. "Baby, a Band-Aid won't make your tummy better."

"But it always makes my other boo boo's better."

"Well this time, your boo boo is on the inside. It's what is commonly referred to as the Oogies." He spoke seriously to his son, but his eyes were twinkling the way they always did when he was able to get to do neat fatherly things with his beautiful son.

The boy looked at his father with great comprehension. "Ohhhhh! So, I've got the Oogies, not a boo boo."

Xander smiled and nodded. "That's right. Your tummy feels oogy."

"Then a Band-Aid would make my tummy not oogy feeling."

Xander shook his head. "No, Xavy. Medicine does that."

The five year old's face scrunched up in disgust. "No med'cin. I 'member Papa gave me that pink stuff...Yeeech!" He stuck his tongue out then once again laughed when his father did. When he quieted, Xavy moved his face close to Xander's, his hands once again cupping his father's cheeks. "I think it needs a Band-Aid." The little boy nodded for emphasis. "That's what make tummy Oogies go away, Daddy."

Xander sighed, wondering at the fascination kids had with Band-Aids. "You really think that tummy Oogies go away when you put a Band-Aid on it?" His son nodded. "Well, just how do you know, mister?"

Xavy smiled. "It's what my tummy said." Xavy's chubby hands rubbed his daddy's cheeks in little circles. "And those glow in the dark Snoopy Band-Aids help tummies even better."

Xander's smiled widened and he placed a warm kiss on his son's cheek. "Well, then, let's see what we can do for those bad tummy Oogies you have, shall we, Xavy?"

Xavy smiled and nodded. As Xander began to move off the bed, with his son in his arms, Xavy said, "Know what else makes tummy's better?"

Xander shook his head. "What?"

"Sleeping in the big bed with you and Papa. Right in the middle with the covers up to my chin."

Xander looked over at Angelus. He was still fast asleep, his arm draped over his eyes. "I think that can be arranged, buddy."

Xander smiled widely and gave his father a kiss. "Know what?" Xander shook his head. "You're the best daddy. I've got the best daddy and the best papa in the world." Xavy leaned in, his mouth moving close to Xander's ear. "Sophie only has one. And he's not the best. 'Cause he's not you or Papa"

"I love you, Xavier Kyle."

Xavy giggled. "'Course you do. And Papa loves me too. Know why?"

"Why?"

"'Cause you guys think I'm neat. I hear you guys talk. And know what else?" Xander shook his head with a smile. "I love you guys too." The child put his hands on his stomach. "But my tummy's still feeling oogy."

"Then let's go get that Band-Aid and get you tucked in."

Xavy smiled. He was going to get the glow in the dark Snoopy Band-Aid he had begged his papa to buy at the store. His tummy was already beginning to feel better.

End

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