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 Josephson
Helen 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 madShe 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
The best thing to hold onto in life is each other. – Audrey HepburnThe following morning, a little before sunrise, JD left a note on the kitchen island for Dean. Gone with Reese, be back later. Love you, JDThen he walked out and met Reese who was sitting in the still running Impala. Sliding into the passenger seat and pulling on his seat belt, he looked at the older man.“So where are we going?”“There’s a jeweler that I like. If you find something that you like, he can make it today.” Reese explained as he pulled out onto the road and headed away from Morgan City.They rode in silence for several minutes before JD asked, “How far away?” “About an hour. We have to stop and grab some donuts before we get there. You want coffee for the road?”“Would love some coffee.”“Me too.” Reese pulled into the nearly empty parking lot and aimed the car at the small building at the other side. There were only two cars in front of them in the drive through.
First General Order of the Navy: To take charge of this post and all government property in view.The plan was to take JD to breakfast at the usual Saturday café before they dropped him off at the recruiting office. The café had set a room up just for them and planned for an open buffet. Several of the princesses had already texted stating that they had already arrived.Jaxon had said that they were headed out and would be there shortly. Jolene said that they had just left the house. JD sat in the living room of Reese and Helen’s house, waiting for Dean to join them. He stood up and began to pace between the kitchen and the living room.Reese watched the young man with a fresh haircut, wearing new jeans and a royal blue polo shirt and well-worn running shoes. He knew the nerves that the other man was feeling. He had experienced them himself. And they were being amplified by the fact that Dean was refusing to come out of her room.Kissing his wife on the temple, Reese
Second General Order of the Navy: To walk my post, in a military manner, keeping always on the alert, and observing everything that takes place within sight or hearingJD continued to pace the floor after Reese left the room. He heard his mother sigh and turned to look at her. She was wearing the dark burgundy wrap dress that Reese had bought her not quite a year ago. It was a little tight, but considering she had recently had triplets, she looked good. Her hair had a bounce to the curl and her nails were done in Navy blue with golden French tips and anchors. She was happy and JD was grateful. His brother was happy with his own newborn and partners. Jolene was happy being away from Hank and finding herself with Neo. She had dropped half her classes and pushed her graduation date until December. If his Seabee training in Gulfport fell just right, he would be home for her ceremony.“Come sit down.” Helen told him and he sat next to her. “Tell me what’s on your mind.”