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 brusheSo 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.”
Third General Order of the Navy: To report all violations of orders I am instructed to enforce“Reese!” Helen hissed at her husband as JD and Dean walked into the restaurant. “They did.”He turned from where Cheryl was holding Ariel under the tired, but watchful, eyes of her parents. Focusing on the teens as they made their way across the room, Reese smiled and pressed a light kiss to the top of Helen’s head.“No, they didn’t. I’m sure they did something.”“How do you know?” She whisper hissed at him.Leaning close to her ear, her husband spoke so softly that she almost did not hear him. “Because she looks like a woman who was pleased, in fact thoroughly pleased, but still wants more.”“But-“ A strong tattooed finger was placed over her lips effectively silencing her as Reese shook his head. “I love you. I love my niece. But if I have a choice between your sex life or hers, I would much rather discuss yours. No more, Kitten.”“Yes, Sir.” She replied
Fourth General Order of the Navy: To report all calls from posts more distant from the guard house than my own“Hi, I’m here. Love you, bye.”In the weeks before JD shipped out, the recruiter had met with his family, which had grown tremendously from when he signed up the summer before his senior year. During the meetings, Chief had explained what to expect. Swearing in ceremony at MEPS – Military Entrance Processing Stations.The flight to Chicago.Bus trip to RTC Great Lakes.A short call to tell them that he had arrived.‘The Box’ which would have all of his personal effects.Form letter from the commanding officer.And then there had been all the lists that they had to go over. What to take. What not to take. What to wear. What not to wear. What to do before leaving. And an even longer list of what not to do before leaving.“Make my life a little easier, son.” The Navy Chief pleaded. “Do not get drunk. Do not get arrested. And for the lov
One day you will tell your story of how you overcame what you went through and it will be someone else’s survival guide. – Brene BrownJolene stepped out of the Family Advocacy Center and looked up at the sky. She closed her eyes and soaked in the sunshine with a small smile. Reaching up, she touched the spider web necklace that she had yet to ask Neo to remove. The weight of it brought her comfort. The little spider gave her confidence.The hair on the back of her neck prickled as she felt someone close to her. Then there was a small breeze, and she smelled the cologne that engulfed her at night. Her smile widened and when she opened her eyes, she was looking up at Neo.“Shouldn’t you be at work?” “I’m the boss.” He shrugged as he smiled down at her. “I get to do whatever I want.”Jolene laughed because she knew that he was lying. He might not be in the office, but he would still be working. While he had been waiting on her, he had probably been on his phone or
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