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
There is only one happiness in this life, to love and be loved. – George SandWhen Dean had shown them the walk-in closet of wedding dresses, Bunny had fallen in love with the dress that they dubbed the *Big Fat Greek Wedding* Dress. The skirt was so large that her arms couldn’t go down straight by her sides.Smirking, Deam had pointed out that her arms weren’t the only things that would not be straight at the wedding. When she had quit laughing, Bunny threatened to put the teen in pink. They both knew it was an empty threat.Two days before the wedding, Helen had shown up at the two-story house with a new set of petticoats. Even though they would not be seen during the ceremony, it still meant a lot to the three of them. Especially for Jaxon.Although they all knew that Helen accepted Jaxon and his partners, the gift of the rainbow-colored petticoats solidified it. It meant even more to learn that Daphne had helped Helen
I have never met a vampire personally, but I don’t know what might happen tomorrow. – Bela LugosiJD walked up behind Dean and wrapped his arms around her waist, nuzzling her neck as she made herself a sandwich. “How are you going to eat that?”“One bite at a time.” She replied as she sliced the tomato.“Smart ass.” He chuckled.“You want one?”Kissing her cheek, he smiled at her before turning and looking at the sandwich. There needed to be a different word for this … monstrosity. Rye bread with mayonnaise and mustard. Three types of cheeses. Five types of deli sliced meat. Romaine and iceberg lettuce. Sliced tomato, pickles, cucumbers, bell peppers, banana peppers and black olives.“Yeah.” He answered with a soft chuckle.She gave a small laugh as she finished her sandwich and pushed the plate away before grabbing another paper plate leftover from the
As your kids grow they may forget what you said, but won’t forget how you made them feel. – Kevin HeathIt had been a long weekend, starting with Dean’s graduation on Friday night and ending with the babies’ first birthday party today. After the party had broken up, several people had stayed just to play in the pool. Ariel, true to her namesake, loved being in the water and was upset when they finally got out of the pool.She had started to cry, but Ty and Jaxon were there with cuddles. If there was any doubt about her being daddy’s girl, it would only be because the doubter had never seen her light up when either of them came into view.Her favorite place was between her two fathers. She definitely took after her mother in that regard. Most nights she would fall asleep on Bunny’s lap or shoulder, a hand or foot on each of the men.Currently, she lay on Bunny’s shoulder, her hand tightly gripping Jaxon&rs
Some students go an entire day at school without anyone saying their name. be the adult who speaks to each student by name. Everyone loves to hear their name. – Educator Justin TarteEvery night, Jolene sat between Neo’s legs and would read to him. Some nights the passages were nothing more than written porn. Other nights, they were sweet, or amusing. After the first few nights of carefully curated smut scenes, he chose a book, and they would read a few chapters each night.They were on book three of a series of five tonight and she was having a hard time concentrating. The light touch of his calloused hands under her shirt did not help her concentration. Nor did his mouth on her neck.Certainly, the bulge at her lower back was a bit distracting.“Something’s on your mind.” He whispered and then lightly bit her earlobe.“No…” she tried to brush off his observation and he simply chuckled
Because he wants to create a stable, lasting relationship with one person. Brad, believe me, there is nothing in this world so wonderful, so fulfilling, as coming home to the same woman every night. – Tony Randall as Jonathon Forbes in Pillow Talk 1959Cheryl snuggled against Waylon’s chest as they lay in the new bed at their new house. She wore a large National Fire Academy T-shirt that was stretched tight across her large belly. He wore a pair of boxers and kept squirming seeking a more comfortable position between the rough, stiff cotton sheets.The guys from the fire department had helped them move early Saturday morning. She and Waylon left the guys putting together furniture when they went to the unveiling of Dean’s mural.When they returned to the house with pizzas and beers, they found the six men sitting on the back patio with their feet up. On furniture that Cheryl adored but did not remember getting.“I
As soon as you trust yourself, you will know how to live. – Johann Wolfgang von GoetheReese had told Helen that there was a second restaurant at the Private Club that he wanted to eat at. She knew about the other restaurant. When they had all met for lunch last, Marnie had taken Helen over and showed her the other restaurant. The one with low cushioned tables and pillows on the floor.The lights were up during the day, but for meals, they would be lowered. Lights would shine out from inside the tables, illuminating the sub on display. There were cushions that could be moved to accommodate the person on the table. One under the knees, a small one under the lower back and one to support the neck and head.Marnie had told the older woman that she loved the other restaurant. The meals were finger foods that were served on the sub. Helen had looked at the Brat who smiled at her.“On the sub.” Marnie said again. “Steve
Most of our childhood is stored not in photos, but in certain biscuits, lights of day, smells, textures of carpet. – Alain de BottonReese sat on the outdoor couch on the lower deck watching the girls in the pool with the babies. Cheryl, Bunny, Dean and Allison, the only female Seabee that came with JD, each had a baby in their arms as they bounced and spun. Watching her children and grandchild smile and laugh, Helen snuggled into his side, and he pulled her into his lap.She had lost most of her baby weight, and currently had made her way back into size eighteen dresses, which she was quite proud of. Today she wore the dress that Reese had bought her specifically for the birthday party. A pink satin shift with a cream-colored mesh overdress with pink and blue flowers embroidered on it.Earlier in the day she had also been in the pool in a pink swimsuit with a sheer fish scale skirt that Reese had a hard time looking away from. He had p
Art and love are the same thing: It’s the process of seeing yourself in things that are not you. – Chuck KlostermanThere was a rather large gathering in the closed parking lot across the street from the mural. About half of them were part of the Princess Club and extended family. The large white canvas tarp that covered the wall billowed in the midmorning breeze. JD wrapped his arm around Dean’s waist and pulled her to his side.She wore a knee length black skirt and matching jacket with a white lace shirt underneath. Her hair was pulled up in a tight twist in an effort to keep it contained in the wind. She wore sapphire and silver teardrop earrings that matched her shoes.The leg of JD’s course BDU uniform brushed up against her bare leg as she moved in closer to him. Curling into his chest, she smiled as he pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “Nervous?” he asked quietly.She nodded. “Yes. It’s the biggest thing I’ve ever done for so many people to see. What if no one likes it?”
I’m the big sister. I want to make sure she has everything, even if I don’t have anything. It’s hard. I love her too much. That’s what counts. – Venus WilliamsLast night, Dean graduated from high school with a large cheering section made up of her family, friends and a small contingent of Seabees. And a cardboard cutout of her mom. This afternoon, they were having her graduation party. It was shaping up to be one hell of a party. JD was home until Wednesday but would be back a week and half later for his brother’s commitment ceremony to Bunny and Ty. The other Seabees would leave tomorrow, only a few planned to stay for the birthday party for the four babies. Although they had all been invited.All the princess club and their families would be there.They had all been upset when they learned that she had got married without them. But then the newlywed couple promised to have a real wedding on their one-year anniversary.Deon and Craig were both home for summer and t