(I don't own Power Rangers that honor goes to Saban again finally! Because if I did a.) Tommy would have never cut his hair, and b.) Tommy and Kim would be married by now. I also don't own any of the companies or items mentioned with in this story. On with the story.)
It was the first day of Tommy's drivers' ed class and it had been decided that he would use his classroom and the gym. He stopped off at the Cyber Café for a coffee before heading to the school on his Harley. He had a cup holder installed in one of his saddle bags so it wouldn't spill.
"Morning Guys."
"Morning Dr. O." Came varied responses.
"So today will be an easy day, we're going to watch a couple videos and start looking over the first chapter in the books I'll hand out in a few minutes." Tommy then pulled out his laptop and plugged it into the projection system.
"Uh, Dr. O." Said one of his sophomores.
"Yeah?"
"Dr. O. there's an infant on the screen."
"What?" The student then pointed to the large screen where a picture of Arielle was featured.
"Who is that?" Asked one of the girls.
"My daughter Arielle. Moving on. We're going to watch a couple videos now." Tommy showed them videos about the dangers of speeding and drunk driving before moving on to the first chapter of the DMV manual. "Okay so for Wednesday I want you to read through Chapter 2 and we'll have a small quiz about it. You're dismissed."
While Tommy was teaching Kim was cleaning up while Arielle laid in her swing watching the mobile. Just then the phone rang.
"Hello?"
"Hey Beautiful do need any small things while I'm in town?"
"Nope we're good. You're all done teaching?"
"Yup I'm on my way to the parking lot now."
"Be careful and we'll see you soon."
"I will, love you."
"Love you too Handsome." After Kim hung up Arielle let it be known she was hungry. Just as she got settled on the couch with the baby the phone rang again.
"My aren't we popular today. Hello?"
"Is Kimberly there?"
"Speaking."
"Hello Kimberly it's Jackie Cuthbert from RCS."
"Hi Jackie, how are you?"
"I'm good. How is everything going with Arielle?"
"Great I was just getting ready to feed her."
"Great, I had an opening and was wondering if I could pop in today around 3?"
"Uh, sure that should be no problem Tommy's on his way home from work now. So 3 it is."
"Wonderful, I'll see you guys then."
"Okay, bye." Said Kim.
"Bye." Said Jackie.
After Kim got off the phone with Jackie she got comfortable once again and got Arielle feeding about 20 minutes later that is how Tommy found them when he got home.
"Wow, so all I have to do is leave home for a few hours and I get to see you here topless?" Asked Tommy jokingly kissing her.
"Hey Handsome. She's almost done and ready for burping."
"You got it, just let me put this stuff away."
"Put it in your office please. Jackie is coming at 3."
"Okay." Tommy placed is bag and jacket in the closet and his office before going back to the living room and joining Kim on the couch playing with Arielle's foot while she ate. "When did Jackie call?"
"Right after you did she had an opening." Said Kim as she handed the baby over to Tommy who then sat in the recliner with the rag over his shoulder. "While you have her I'm going to go clean up and change."
"Okay." Tommy put the foot rest up and settled in with the baby. Soon after Arielle was burped she was asleep in his arms and not all curled up into Tommy or Kim's body as she usually did this was arms out head back 'I'm going to take up as much room as I can you are pinned!' Kind of sleep. Kim came back down changed into jean shorts and a t-shirt and saw this and couldn't help but take a picture.
"She has you pinned." Said Kim with a laugh.
"Yeah." Said Tommy with a smile quietly knowing it wouldn't take much to move her if needed.
"Well hopefully we can place her in the bassinette if she's still sleeping when Jackie gets here."
"I could fall asleep myself."
"No, stay awake with me." Said Kim jokingly.
"I could try to put her in the crib and we could be together before Jackie gets here."
"Why didn't you tell me that before I got changed?"
"Because I was busy." Said Tommy with a smile as Kim leaned over and kissed him.
"Oh well you just have to wait until later."
Kim moved back to the couch and started reading a book while Tommy closed his eyes while waiting for Jackie to get there.
"I thought you were going to stay awake with me Handsome."
"I'm not sleeping Beautiful."
"Oh really now what do you call it?"
"Resting my eyes and my arms are asleep."
"Do you want me to try and move her?"
"I love holding her but yes please?" Kim laughed at him, kissed him and then gently removed their daughter from his arms without even waking her. Kim smiled as she watched him flex his hands, she laid Arielle in the bassinette and then went to sit with Tommy in the recliner. She moved the burp cloth from his shoulder and straddled his lap before latching on to his mouth.
"Hmm. Not that I'm not enjoying this because I am but our daughter is like 10 feet away and Jackie will be here in a half hour."
"We're just making out nothing more."
"Really just making out, you and I never just make out. Making out usually leads to more and I'm not keen on giving Arielle and brother or sister until her adoption is finalized." Said Tommy with a smile.
"Just making out. And I agree with you about not having another child right now. We need to end the home visits with Child Services first. Although if it did happen sooner than we planned I'd be happy too." She said kissing him again to which he responded fully.
"Me too but I would like things finished first before we add to our family." He said resuming the kiss.
The couple made out in the chair until there was a knock on the door.
"Has it already been a half hour?" Asked Tommy reluctantly pulling away from Kim.
"Yup. Come on." Said Kim getting up and unsuccessfully pulling on his arm to get him out of the recliner.
"Yeah that's going to work Kim."
"It was worth a shot." She said with a wink he gave her one last peck.
"To be continued."
"Time and place Handsome." Kim said as Tommy opened the door to let Jackie in the house.
"Hey Jackie."
"Nice shade Tommy although I think it looks better on Kim."
"Things got a little out of hand." Said Tommy blushing and wiping his mouth then looking at Kim with a 'why didn't you tell me?' look. Kim just smiled and followed Jackie into the living room.
Jackie found Arielle still sleeping in the bassinette and then continued her inspection.
"How's she eating for you?"
"Great, we haven't had any problems given the situation and how close we're coming to finalization I told you I was going to try and breast feed and sometimes at night Tommy will get up with her and we use the bottle. There's been no problem with the transitions."
"Good, I'm glad that's what you're doing and you are really close to finalization. I just need to check her room and then we can sit down and discuss the next steps."
"Uh, during that part do you mind if our brother is on speaker? He's also a social worker I think with everything it'll be good to have another ear." Asked Tommy.
"That is no problem."
Jackie, Tommy, and Kim went up to Arielle's room and Jackie did her final inspection. Afterwards they went into the kitchen as to not disturb the sleeping infant Tommy then pulled out his cell phone and dialed Jason's cell number.
"Jason Scott speaking?"
"Hey Bro, you're on speaker with me, Kim, and Jackie."
"Ladies. To what do I owe the pleasure?"
"I'm here for a home inspection and to go over the next steps with Tommy and Kim and they figured you could be an extra ear."
"Sounds good, I'm on lunch so I've got the time."
Jackie went over the dates for the hearings and the information they would need.
"Have you talked with San Diego Police about the investigation as to who did the dropping off?" Asked Kim.
"They don't have any information her biological parents don't want to be found." Said Jackie.
"We just want to make sure no one can take her away from us later." Said Tommy.
"They won't, we have the surveillance tape and the note stating the wishes that you guys take custody, we'll be fine." Said Jason as Arielle started to cry.
"I got her." Said Tommy getting up from the table. "Hey, did you get lonely?"
"Handsome, she might need to be changed."
"Oh yeah." Said Tommy instantly smelling why Arielle was so unhappy. "I'll be right back." Kim could hear Jason chuckling. Then there was a beeping noise on Tommy's phone.
"Jase, hang on Tommy's got a call coming in."
"Okay."
"Hello?"
"Hey Sunshine, where's Dr. Pain?" Said David.
"Changing your niece what's up? Everything okay?"
"Yeah, I just want to make sure his day went normal." Kim immediately jumped in before David could say anything more.
"David, Jackie's here."
"Oh, hey Jackie."
"Jackie, this is David. Tommy's older brother."
"Like Jason is or actual?"
"Blood, but I got the better looks." Said David.
"Really? Then why do I have a girlfriend and you don't?" Said Tommy coming in the room.
"Because she liked you before you had hair longer than her's, and don't try to save face with Jackie there I've seen the pictures."
"Is there a reason for the call?"
"Just to be a pain. Bye."
"Bye." Said Kim with a laugh switching back to Jason. "Jase?"
"Yup, everything okay?"
"Yeah, just the pain." Said Tommy.
"Sorry you had to hear that Jackie." Said Jason with a laugh.
"No, it's fine I love seeing the family dynamics." The group finished up the conversation and started to walk Jackie to the door. Tommy placed Arielle in her swing on the way.
"Is there anything else you need us to do?"
"Just keep doing what you're doing, have your pediatrician fax me the paperwork from her next visit and we should be good."
"We have an appointment with Rocky next week." Said Kim.
"You're on a first name basis with your doctor already she's barely 2 months old."
"Well, it'd be kind of odd to call one of our brother's Dr. DeSantos all of a sudden." Said Tommy jokingly.
"Yeah probably."
"Has he ever been called that?" Asked Jason still on the phone.
"Not since med school, everyone calls him Dr. Rocky." Said Kim.
Soon Jackie left and they hung up with Jason and the couple and baby settled in for a quiet night at home which found Tommy at one point laying on the couch with Kim laying on her side next to him with her back to the back cushions and Arielle on his chest. It amazed him that they could lay like thing comfortably but they did and enjoyed the time they were able to spend with each other like this.
A couple weeks later found the couple sitting in a courtroom their mismatched family behind them and Arielle at home with Rocky's grandmother who was more than happy to watch the child that she now called her great-granddaughter much to the amusement of everyone.
"Now hearing the status hearing of case number 07-259720 Minor Child. Are all parties present?" Asked Judge Herbert Lamb who was now on his 6th case of the day.
"They are Your Honor." Stated Jackie standing up.
"Nice to see you Ms. Cuthbert."
"You too Judge Lamb."
"Now I've looked over the case, and I see the child has been named?"
"She has Your Honor Arielle Jordan."
"Let the record reflect the name change spelled A-R-I-E-L-L-E J-O-R-D-A-N. Ms. Cuthbert the floor is your's."
"Thank you Your Honor. The minor child as you recall was left abandoned at Ms. Kimberly Hart's former residence with a note stating the birth mother wished for her to care for the child. Ms. Hart and her partner Dr. Thomas Oliver have cared for the child from the very beginning never once wavering in the decision to parent this child. She has become a part of a large extended family all of whom are present in the courtroom." The group raised their hands while the parents rolled their eyes. "This family drove from Angel Grove and the surrounding communities not only today but immediately when the couple called and informed them of the situation. They moved up Ms. Hart's moving day from 3 weeks out to that night, and established a nursery for Arielle. The next morning when I arrived to inspect they were all there waiting for the arrival of their niece and later on in the day their granddaughter."
"Ms. Cuthbert I'm impressed beyond belief with the way this case is progressing Ms. Hart, Dr. Oliver?"
"Yes Your Honor?" Answered Tommy as he and Kim stood.
"If I grant the adoption today you and Ms. Hart have the means and are prepared to take care of Arielle without the monthly stipend from the state?"
"Yes, Your Honor." Said Tommy simply.
"How is that?" Asked the Judge.
"Sir we've started a college fund for her. The two checks we received from the state have been deposited there. We may be young but Tommy and I have done well for ourselves. I trained for the Pan Global Games as a gymnast and medaled in my events. From there I got endorsement deals which I invested wisely. Tommy raced cars and has a doctorate. We do well for ourselves that I have the privilege right now be a stay at home mom."
"Thank you Ms. Hart. I have received numerous letters from your family, I'm impressed by your accomplishments as a group. You surround yourselves with successful people cops, social workers, business men and women, a handful of technologically gifted, as well as well-rounded artists, athletes, and doctors. That is why I'm not going to continue your case any longer." Tommy and Kim looked at each other confused. "I'm terminating the rights of the unknown biological parents and finalizing your adoption of Arielle Jordan today. Congratulations. Now where is the child today?"
"Your Honor she is with my grandmother Sir." Said Rocky standing briefly. Kim and Tommy smiled.
"We thought this was just a status hearing Sir." Said Tommy.
"Well I release you, go be with your daughter officially, just sign some papers with the Clerk." Said Judge Lamb.
The couple and Jackie walked over to the Clerk and signed the appropriate paperwork before returning to their family and finding Jason on his cell phone.
"Skull, it's Jason. The Judge finalized the adoption!"
"Really I thought they had a couple more hearings at least."
"So did we, but the Judge was impressed with everything that he terminated the rights and granted the adoption."
"So what's gonna happen now?"
"How fast can you, Bulk, and the girls get up to Reefside?"
"Couple hours, it's my day off and Bulk's too."
"Great, price of admission is a couple bags of ice and it's BYOB."
"On it. See ya."
The couple and their friends returned to the house a short time later and came in loud and boisterous totally forgetting that there might be a sleeping infant in the house.
"Shh, I just put the baby down for her nap what is with all the noise?"
"We are having a party Grandma." Said Tommy.
"A party? For what?"
"The Judge approved our adoption she's ours forever." Said Kim.
"I thought you had a couple more hearings?"
"So did we." Said David grabbing water out of their fridge. Kim just smiled at how comfortable their friends felt in their house.
"The Judge was impressed with us and decided to terminate rights and grant us full, sole, and final custody." Said Tommy.
"That's wonderful so how many people are we expecting?"
"Uh, all of us and maybe 10 more people. We should probably think about getting food for the group because I don't think what we've got enough for all of us and Rocky." Said Tommy with a smile at his friend.
"The supermarket doesn't have enough food for my husband." Said Aisha who was sitting on Rocky's lap.
"He's been like that since he was little." Said Rocky's mother Sharon.
"Ladies shall we go get food?" Asked Kim.
"Why don't you younger girls go and us moms will get other things ready here." Said Janice, Tommy's mom.
"Are you sure?" Asked Kim.
"Yes go get what you need and we'll hold down the fort here." Said Karen, Jason's mom.
"Okay, there's a bottle in the fridge if she wakes up before I get back." Said Kim more to Tommy.
"Go we'll be fine." He said kissing her.
"Get the coolers out? I'll grab drinks."
"Where are they?" Asked Tommy not sure where they had put them after the fireworks.
"Oh crap." Said Kim realizing they were in fact down in the lair and none of the parents knew the place even had a basement.
"The kids have them still?"
"Yeah."
"I'll figure something out."
The girls left and Tommy was stuck trying to figure out how to get everyone away from the dining room long enough to get the coolers out of the lair.
"What's up?" Asked Jason.
"We need coolers."
"You have like 4 where are they?" Asked Jason confused.
"Somewhere I can't get to right now."
"What, oooohhhh. Why are there down there?"
"I always keep them there you know this wasn't planned I usually have enough notice that I can get down there before the civilians get here."
"Well the kids aren't here did you call them?"
"No and good idea." Said Tommy grabbing his phone and stepping outside saying he just needed to make a call.
"Hello?"
"Hey Conner."
"Hey Dr. O. how was the hearing?"
"Great they actually finalized everything today so we're having a small party, can you do me a favor?"
"You bet."
"I have 4 coolers stored in the lair and a whole lot of parents in my dining room."
"Got it. We'll be there soon I'll just say we borrowed them."
"Sounds good thanks Conner."
"No problem. Bye."
"Bye." Tommy went back in the house and heard the sound he loved to hear sometimes. His daughter needing him. The only time he didn't like the sound was when he and Kim were having their intimate times together but once he had her in his arms or watched as Kim fed her those thoughts were gone the instant they came.
"I got her." He said to the room as he made his way upstairs. When he got to the room he saw Arielle starting to quiet down and almost instantly stop as she saw him appear over the crib bars. "Why is my little girl crying, huh? You hungry and tired of being alone? Well that will change as soon as we get downstairs and you see a bunch of people you don't really know yet. But that's okay you've got your whole life with us to know and love them and for them to love and know you." Tommy picked her up while he was talking to her and then started to go downstairs.
"Tommy, Honey do you want me to start a bottle for her?" Asked Janice.
"No I can do it Mom thanks."
"But Tommy you're holding the baby."
"Who weighs about 15lbs. she's fine." He said as he reached in the fridge and pulled out the pre-made bottle and then put it in the bottle warmer that they had picked up when they realized how much of a pain it was to fill a pot and wait for it to boil any time Tommy wanted to feed her. The warmer dinged and then Tommy tested it on his wrist while still holding Arielle to his chest where she had snuggled in thinking Kim was going to feed her. "Arielle you can keep trying but nothing is coming out." He said jokingly before making his way to the living room.
"Is she trying to feed off of you?" Asked Adam with a laugh.
"Yeah she's used to Kim at this time of day, I usually feed her at night."
Tommy settled in the living room with Arielle and started to feed her as all the parents and guys looked on. There was a knock on the door and Tommy looked at Jason for help.
"I got it Bro." Said Jason with a laugh.
"Hey Jason we came to return Dr. O's coolers." Said Conner with a smile to the older man at the absurdity of the hoax.
"Come on in guys." Said Jason returning the smile with a shrug.
"Hey Dr. O where do you want the coolers?" Asked Trent coming in carrying two of them.
"In the dining room for now thanks Guys."
"No problem wow she's getting big I mean I know we just saw you guys but she's grown." Said Kira.
"Yeah she has, and she's sleeping more at night too."
"Which Tommy and Kim are happy about for obvious reasons." Said Zack jokingly.
"Hey, not in front of the kids." Said Tommy jokingly.
"You guys have diplomas right?" Asked Adam.
"Yeah." Answered Ethan.
"They're fair game then." Said Rocky.
"Okay then not in front of the under aged." Said Tommy.
"Please we'll clean up when she can talk back." Said Billy.
"So for the next 2 years you are fair game." Said Jason.
Meanwhile the girls headed out in Jason's truck since it was the largest and made their way to the market.
"So what are we thinking hamburgers, salads, stuff like that?" Asked Kim.
"Yeah, quick stuff fruit trays, things that are already prepared." Said Aisha as they arrived at the store and parked.
"I'm going to hit the bakery and see what they have for sweets." Said Trini.
"I'll go with you." Said Tanya as she and Trini set off for the other side of the store.
"So are we making some of the salads?" Asked Hayley.
"Yeah. I figure that would be easier because I don't think they have enough of what we need in the deli so I'll make the macaroni salad but we are buying the potato as much as it kills me because the macaroni is quicker." Said Kim.
"Hi can I help you?" Asked the teen behind the counter.
"Yeah is your manager in?"
"Sure, hang on." The young girl went over to an older man and pointed towards the girls.
"Hi can I help you?"
"Yeah, I was wondering if you had a large amount of potato salad with egg in your cooler I have a party of about 20 going on at my house and it was completely unexpected."
"I've got two trays that I just finished making." Kim thought for a moment.
"Can I buy them off of you?" She asked much to the amusement of Aisha and Hayley who saw her trying to calculate how much they would feed.
"Sure let me get them packed up and labeled."
"Thank you."
"Think you got enough?" Asked Aisha.
"Yeah. Think about the men in our lives." Said Kim with a smile. "The only one that's not eating the food we're getting is Arielle."
"Your baby." Said Aisha grabbing Kim around the shoulders with one arm.
"My baby. I didn't think it would happen this soon. Whether I gave birth or this route I knew it was meant to be with Tommy but so fast."
"I think you had some out of this world help, someone wanted you to be together long before you knew you were meant to be together." Said Aisha.
"I like to think he's watching out for us where ever he ended up." Said Kim speaking of Zordon.
"He is. He knew you and Tommy were at your best when you're together. But he also knew that you guys had to grow before you could fully commit permanently."
"Have you guys talked about when you're getting married?"
"Please, this is Tommy it took him six months to ask me out when we were 15, and then six months after Trini and Jason's wedding before I got annoyed and asked him out. We'll be waiting a while. He's always nervous I'll turn him down."
"Even when you dated in high school he was worried you'd turn him down and you guys were together." Said Aisha.
"But if he wasn't then he wouldn't be Tommy." Said Kim.
While Kim, Aisha, and Hayley were getting the food at the deli Trini and Tanya made their way over to the bakery.
"So what are we thinking for sweets exactly?" Asked Tanya.
"I want to get a cake saying congratulations and we really do need things all Kim and Tommy have is cereal as far as sugary goods is."
"That's awesome but are you going to surprise her?"
"Try to. I'm going to get the cake, pay for it, and then sneak it out to the truck before she gets done shopping."
"Hey can I help you?" Asked the bakery worker.
"Yes, my friends just had their adoption finalized unexpectedly today and I need a cake that says 'Welcome to the family Arielle' and some kind of theme like that on it."
"Okay boy or girl?"
"Girl she's 3 months old."
"Great we have a large sheet cake ready I just need to add the writing and a few more decorations. I was making it for the case."
"Perfect thank you."
"So do you want it pink or some other color?"
"Uh, how about a little lavender those are the colors in her room."
"No problem give me like 10 minutes, I just need the spelling of the name." The woman said handing Trini a piece of paper. Trini wrote Arielle's name and handed it back to the woman who went back to the cake and finished the decorating in the 10 minute time frame she told them. "Here you are and I can actually cash you out right here."
"Great." Said Tanya.
"Do you want to pay for everything?" The baker asked seeing the containers of cookies and brownies the girls had.
"No we need something to show our friend who's somewhere in the store, she doesn't know about the cake." Said Trini.
The cake was finished paid for and brought out to the truck before Tanya and Trini found the other women in the pasta aisle. The shopping trip was finished quickly and on their way out Kim called the house.
"Hello?"
"Zack?"
"Yeah."
"Hey do me a favor find out from Tommy where the biggest pot we have is and heat up some water please I'm making macaroni salad and the sooner it gets done the sooner we eat."
"Got it."
"Thank you."
"No problem."
"Okay bye."
"Bye."
Trini opened the trunk and started placing the bags carefully around the cake that Kim just noticed.
"What is that?"
"What is what?"
"That big bakery box?"
"Oh, that. That is just a little something I got for you and Tommy but you'll see it later."
"You didn't have to do that."
"I wanted to. Because we're family. Now let's get going."
The women arrived back at the house and found the water that Kim asked to be started rapidly boiling so she quickly found the pasta and set it to cook. Then went to find her man and baby.
"Hey did you get everything you needed?" Asked Tommy who was just relaxing with Arielle who was looking around at all the people.
"Yeah and I got diapers, wipes, and more bottle inserts."
"Cool cause we have like one left."
"Yeah I noticed when I made the one she just ate. Okay I need to go and finish cooking as you were Guys."
"No don't say that to them." Said Tommy.
Bulk and Skull arrived in Reefside with Bulk's girlfriend Maxie and Skull's girlfriend Dakota in tow and enough alcohol for everyone present and then some. Luckily introductions wouldn't be awkward because they had gone to Angel Grove High at the same time they did.
"Hey Bulkie you think we have enough beer?" Asked Skull jokingly.
"Well we've got us four, the others, and all of their parents. Yeah I think we have enough we just need to stop and get ice did Jason say how much they needed?"
"No I'll call him and find out."
"Okay." Said Bulk.
Skull pulled out his phone and found Jason's number happy this was a good call instead of what he was usually calling him for which was assistance for children at crime scenes.
"Hello?"
"Jase it's Skull we're in Reefside and about to stop for ice how many bags of ice do you need?"
"Uh, 3 or 4 bags." Trent signaled that he and Ethan were going to get more.
"That's it?"
"Trent and Ethan are on their way to the store now and said they'd get a few. They didn't plan on drinking so they didn't bring their cover charge so we're sending them with the list and also because we're lazy and Tommy is pinned by a 3 month old."
"Just tell them to get ice we've got enough booze in this van to feed the entire class of '97." Said Skull jokingly.
"Guys just get ice." Yelled Jason out the door.
"Got it." Said Trent getting into his car. Jason hung up with Skull and they waited for the group to get back to the house.
Bulk pulled into the first convenience store they saw and he and Skull went into get the ice just as Trent and Ethan pulled in.
"Is that Ethan and Trent?" Asked Dakota.
"Yeah." Said Maxie.
"Should we say hi?"
"They'll see the boys in there." Said Maxie.
"Wow fancy meeting you guys here." Said Trent.
"Hey Boys." Said Bulk.
"Hey." Said Ethan.
"So how many coolers does Tommy have?" Asked Skull.
"We pulled 4 out of the basement." Said Ethan.
"Well I've got 3 in the back of the van."
"We should get some soda just in case there's someone who doesn't want to drink." Said Trent.
"Good idea." Said Bulk.
The 4 men gathered what they needed and then paid for their purchases before heading back out to their cars.
"So we always get lost trying to get out there, so we'll just follow you guys." Said Bulk with a laugh.
"I still miss the turn if I'm driving too fast." Said Ethan.
Everyone got in the vehicles and headed out to Tommy and Kim's with Trent leading the way. He made sure to slow down as he approached.
Within a minute both vehicles had parked and Ethan gently knocked on the door before opening it just in case Arielle was sleeping as it was when they had left but now she was sitting in the swing swatting at a mobile that was set up in front of her.
"Hey we got the ice and brought Bulk, Skull, and the girls down." Said Ethan walking into the living room.
Everyone greeted the new arrivals and they stopped to say hi to the baby who smiled at them before going back to her toys. Once the drinks were all on ice the party began and everyone sat around sharing stories and censored most of them because the extra-terrestrial details that some of them involved.
"Okay due to monster attacks who had the most cars damaged?" Asked Skull jokingly.
"TOMMY!" Said everyone in the room. Tommy just looked at them questioningly while pacing with Arielle who had started to cry a bit.
"3." He said.
"4." Said Trent. "I was with you in downtown when one of the monsters got thrown into the back of your jeep." He altered the story a bit they were actually driving out to Anton's when Zeltrax's son ran into the back of it.
"Okay so 4 but I still have my jeep."
"It's your 3rd jeep. Somehow your pickup caught fire in the desert." Said Jason.
"It was really hot that day. It overheated." Said Tommy with a look to Jason to change the subject.
The party continued on like this for a few more hours everyone eating and Kim tearing up at the cake that Trini had bought for the group. Before the parents all decided that it was time for them to head back to their homes.
"Are you guys sure?" Asked Kim.
"Yes we didn't plan on staying tonight." Said Janice.
"David are you staying?" Asked Sam.
"I was, but we can leave now if you want."
"No David stay. We can drive Sam home." Said Tommy's father Mike.
"It a bit out of your way." Said Sam.
"Doesn't matter you're family." Said Janice.
By the time the parents were gone it was almost dark out and Arielle was asleep in her crib upstairs so the noise wouldn't bother her.
"Well now that the folks are gone we can now celebrate for real." Said Zack.
The women all went to their purses and pulled out silver containers including Maxie and Dakota. The single men pulled out theirs and Kira pulled out 4 from her purse and handed them over to the younger males.
"Just keep in mind of the infant upstairs." Said Kim as she handed Tommy his.
"Are you drinking with us?" Asked Jason knowing she was breast feeding.
"Let me pump before we start just in case she wakes up I have a couple bottles in the freezer but I don't want to take the chance about tomorrow."
"You got it, go do that." Said Jason uncomfortably.
"What are you going to do when Trini has your baby. Why are you so uncomfortable with my breast feeding?" Asked Kim amused.
"First she's my wife it'll be different. Your my sister it's creepy to me knowing you have no top on." Said Jason much to the amusement of everyone.
"I'm going upstairs I'll be back down in a minute. It's up to you ladies if you would like to come visit."
"Girl talk." Said Trini as the girls all followed Kim upstairs.
"So when are we going to hear little feet running around?" Asked Aisha from her spot on the bed as they watched Kim bustle around the room getting the things she needed and then disappeared into the closet to change her bra.
"When Arielle learns to walk?" Answered Kim.
"You know what she means." Said Tanya jokingly.
"I don't know, we aren't really using anything but I read that when you breast feed it sometimes stops that stuff but we'll see."
"So you guys don't use anything?" Asked Trini.
"Well the last couple times we used condoms because we wanted the adoption finalized before we started thinking more kids. We didn't realize it was going to happen this fast. Ugh this is so uncomfortable."
"What is?" Asked Kira as Kim came out with her robe on.
"This whole apparatus. But it makes it easier for when Tommy wants to feed her."
"Kim why is your chest like out to here?" Asked Dakota with a laugh and a gesture.
"That is the collection containers." The girls laughed. "Don't laugh it's really awkward you ever see Tommy creeped out? This does it." Kim placed a box on the bed that had a power cord that was plugged into the wall and a cord that was loose. She sat down and briefly fished for the cord that went to the bra part and plugged it in.
"What in the world?" Asked Aisha.
"That's what creeps Tommy out the fact that electricity is involved and it makes noise. The first time I used this he wasn't home he thought I was using a vibrator and was irritated I started without him until he realized what I was doing."
"Oh my god." Said Kira turning red.
"Sorry Kira." Said Kim with a smile for the younger girl.
"No worries it's just I still see him as my teacher and teachers and sex…eh."
Everyone smiled and then laughed when Kim pressed the 'ON' button for the compressor and instantly knew why Tommy thought Kim had been using a vibrator.
About thirty minutes later the girls were back and Kim placed the containers in the fridge before grabbing a hard cider and sitting down next to Tommy.
"All good?" Asked Tommy.
"Yeah. Hurt though but I filled enough for tonight and I have some in there for tomorrow morning."
"Need a massage later?"
"If you're sober enough to get it up yeah."
"Always."
"Eh."
"Kim!?"
"What?" She said with a laugh. "I'm kidding."
"Beer pong?" Asked Adam.
"Outside all set up." Said Tommy.
The games and teasing continued on only breaking when Arielle cried for a bottle and Tommy went up and fed and burped her before placing her back in her crib and going back downstairs to his friends. It was 3 am before anyone fell asleep in various places in the living room and Tommy and Kim fell asleep upstairs without Kim ever getting her massage. Around 7am Arielle woke Tommy and Kim up letting them know her displeasure of not being attended to. Kim got up and quietly made her way downstairs to grab the bottle she had already prepared with Arielle nestling against her looking for her breakfast.
"Here you go Baby Girl." Arielle moved her head away and nuzzled Kim's breast. "Nope bottle, come on take the bottle for Mommy please?" Arielle whined a little nuzzled Kim again before giving up and taking the bottle. "Good Girl." Kim said sitting at the dining room table.
"Morning." Said Jason coming into the room.
"Morning, did we wake you?"
"No, how's my niece this morning?"
"Irritated with me."
"Why?"
"Because only Daddy feeds her from the bottle at this hour."
"Ah. You want me to start coffee?"
"Yes please."
By 8 am everyone was up and a little worse for wear but not nearly as hung over as they could have been. They hung around for most of the day and then decided to start the trek home leaving the now permanent family in place to go forward in their lives.
A few weeks later Kim was home with Arielle while Tommy was at work meeting his new boss. Arielle was napping so Kim decided to try and confirm something she'd been suspecting. She finished the test when she heard the front door shut.
"Kim?!"
"Shh, she's sleeping."
"Sorry, so my new boss is Anton."
"I'm sorry what?"
"Anton is going to be principal at the high school starting in September."
"That's great, and you thought it was going to be some jerk."
"Well if you piss Anton off enough." Said Tommy trailing off.
"Shut up don't even joke you are done being a Ranger. Got me." She said wrapping her arms around his waist.
"Yes Ma'am." Just then a ding sounded. "What's that?"
"Um, hang on." Said Kim going back into their bathroom and picking up the stick. "Oh my God. Tommy."
"What? What is it?"
"Well according to this we're going to have a baby."
"Wow. Well we did say we would wait until Arielle's adoption was finalized no time like the present."
"You happy?"
"Happy I knocked you up? Hell yes I'm happy."
"We're having a baby, Handsome." Said Kim.
"We're having a baby, Beautiful." Said Tommy kissing her.
(End of Chapter 10)