If you want to be happy, be. – Leo Tolstoy
Prep work for the new additions began a few days after their latest argument over who was in charge. Reese grinned at the thought as he looked through a website of maternity clothes. It had become a running joke with them since Frank had told her that she was now in charge.Not that his old friend was all that wrong. Since she had said that she was pregnant, he was wrapped around her finger. And speaking of fingers, the ring that he picked out should be arriving later today. And they had an appointment with the judge next week.And that was the reason why the man was looking at maternity dresses. With a few mouse clicks, the dresses were sorted down to Helen’s size and to a few colors. He loved her in burgundy, reds and dark pinks.He loved her out of those colors also.She would prefer a soft pink or lavender.Again, her groom preferred her out of those colors also.Unless they were ropes. Then the colors reallI would love to live like a river flows, carried by the surprise of its own unfolding. - John O’DonohueAfter their quick courthouse wedding yesterday with only their kids and Dean, Helen knew that the rest of the month of May was going to be busy. Today, Reese and Helen were having their gender reveal. So far, only Dean and JD knew, and they were so tight lipped that the expectant parents were not even allowed in the big house. Everyone had been referring to them as the latest princesses, and no one even considered that they could be anything other than girls.Next weekend was the family baby shower for Bunny and her men. After the ones from each of the jobs, there was not much more that they needed. But that didn’t matter. The princess club insisted on the party. If for no other reason than the baby to know that she was loved.The last weekend of the month, JD would graduate. This next Tuesday was the athletics banquet with the swim team having theirs on Thursday.
I know a girl, she puts the color inside my world. – John MayorHelen and Bunny were both worn out. They had had fun at Bunny’s baby shower, ate more than any pregnant woman should and played games. Then once everyone was gone, they both said that they were just going to sit down for a moment and then they would help clean up.They had been asleep on the couch for nearly an hour in JD and Dean’s living room when the rest of the family joined them. Reese sat down on the couch and pulled Helen into his lap. Jaxon and Ty sat on either side of Bunny as Neo sat in the armchair and pulled Jolene down to sit in his lap. JD sat on the floor and leaned against the wall with Dean sitting between his legs. Wayne and Cheryl mirrored the younger couple a few feet down from them.“What do you need me to do?” Helen asked as she sat up.Chuckling, Reese pulled her back against his chest. “It’s all taken care of.”“We were going to help.” Bunny objected.“It’s okay.” Ty said
Take pride in how far you’ve come. Have faith in how far you can go. But don’t forget to enjoy the journey. – Michael JosephsonHelen had been an emotional mess all week. Or more like all month. She had married Reese. The princess club was a little upset over not being there when they went to the courthouse but understood. Victoria was already planning their wedding. Helen told her that she didn’t want anything extravagant or expensive. The party planner just laughed and said that Helen would have the wedding of her dreams. It wasn’t until later that Helen found out that Victoria specialized in the extravagant weddings and parties, on the cheap. She sis her own daughter’s Quinceañera for only a few thousand dollars.A few days later Helen and Reese found out she was having not twins, but triplets. A boy, a girl and a mystery. Or as Reese explained it, one of each flavor.After a quick meeting with the architect and his general contractor, a few changes were mad
She is a mermaid on dry land and the world is her ocean. – J. IronwordBunny was miserable.Since Sunday afternoon at JD’s graduation party, she has felt like she needed to go to the bathroom. In fact, her description to her men was “I feel like I need to take the biggest shit known in the history of all time. That big pile of shit in the Jurassic Park movie, the original one, has nothing on this.”Earlier at work, she had been miserable and uncomfortable. Before the ten o'clock Monday morning meeting, Khun told her to go home, put her feet up and call the doctor. Now, a little under four hours, she sat in the waiting room at Dr. Aberton’s office. She squirmed and shifted and sighed expressing her level of discomfort.“Johnson.” The perky little blonde nurse said from the doorway.Jaxon and Ty both stood up and helped her to her feet.“You poor thing.” The nurse cooed as they walked through the door and guided her to the scale. “You look so miserable.”
If you’re completely exhausted and don’t know how you’re going to keep giving this much of yourself day after day, you’re probably a good parent. – Bunmi LaditanReese had known something was wrong when Helen said that her head was still hurting on Monday morning. He made a quick call and explained his fears and the home health nurse headed out to their house almost immediately. By the time Corinda had arrived, Helen had already slipped blissfully into unconsciousness.Dean and JD were hugging each other tightly in the kitchen, concern and fear written on both their faces. Reese stood in stunned silence as the nurse calmly called 911 and ordered an ambulance.Possible placental abruption.It had been one of the issues that Dr. Aberton had warned them about. It was one of the reasons that Helen was considered high risk. It was why she was on bedrest. And why no one would let her do anything unless she was sitting with her feet up.JD pulled out his phone and sent
Do not go gentle into that good night,Old age should burn and rave at close of day;Rage, rage against the dying of the light.-Dylan ThomasReese was sitting in the uncomfortable chair that the hospital assured him was a recliner. After the night he had spent in it, he thought that medieval torture device was a better description. He stood and stretched his back, feeling it pop and crack as he moved.Looking down at his wife, he smiled. She looked so peaceful, even with the wires connected to her and the IV running to her arm. He leaned down and kissed her gently on the lips. When she kissed him back, he nearly screamed with excitement.“Good morning, Kitten.” He smiled and he could hear the others in the room stirring.“Mom?” JD asked as he sat up on the couch. Dean also sat on the couch and looked over at the hospital bed.“I’ll go let Jaxon know.” Neo said as he moved off the other hospital bed that he had shared with Jolene overnight. He brushe
So many good things come in threes,Like Musketeers and ABC’s.-Larry HowlandThe nurse insisted that Helen go to the nursery in the wheelchair. Reese was quite content to simply carry her. Dr. Aberton stayed out of it, except to point out that it was hospital policy. Neo chuckled at his grumpy friend. “You can probably make a donation big enough to change the policy, but probably not until after she is wheeled down to the nursery to see her babies.”“I hate it when your right.” Reese grumbled as he put his wife in the chair. The nurse gave a light laugh as she connected the IV pole to the wheelchair with velcro straps.“No wonder you’re always angry.” Neo smirked and Jolene popped him on his arm as she snickered his name.“Shut up.” Reese growled.“Children.” Dean laughed.“I just want to go see my babies.” Helen said placing a hand on Reese’s arm. “Our babies.”He knelt next to his wife and cupped her face in his hand. “Anything you w
Nurses are a unique kind. They have this insatiable need to care for others, which is both their greatest strength and fatal flaw. – Dr. Jean WatsonThe neonatal staff became an extension of the rapidly growing family. There were many mornings that Reese would bring in donuts or other breakfast items when they arrived at the hospital in the morning. Several days a week, he would order catering from one of his restaurants. He even convinced the hospital to let him bring in some grills and help cook hamburgers for the staff. Once that was approved, he called Willow who reached out to the food trucks. They all set up just off the walkway in the grass with portable grills and griddles.Many of the food truck owners were so thrilled to be involved that they donated their time and services. Reese refused to accept that and had Willow give them some free time in their contracted locations.Helen was kept in the hospital for a little over a week. After that, they moved to t