The end of the week:
Dr. Lucas enters Laurie's hospital room. The young mother cradles her son against her chest. "How are you feeling today?"
"I'm feeling fine."
"How's little William?" the doctor asks, as he touches the baby's hand.
"He's amazing," she smiles. "He's the most precious little boy I've ever seen!"
"Let's take a look at this little guy." He examines the child and places him back in his mother's arms. "How would you like to take this little guy home today?"
"We'd love that!" she exclaims.
"I'll have the discharge papers drawn up, so you can leave in a couple hours. Where's your mother?"
As if on cue, Shirley walks into the room. "Oh, hi!"
"Mom," Laurie grins, "William and I are going home today!"
"Laurie and the baby are the picture of health," the doctor report, "so I'm sending them home."
"Wonderful!"
"How are you feeling?"
"I'm feeling good. The baby's been active today. I haven't had any nausea or stomach upset. My feet have been a little swollen, but I've kept them propped up as much as I could."
"Good! I'll see you at your appointment next week." The doctor leaves the room and Shirley sits in the recliner.
"When is he going to release you?"
"In a couple hours."
"Is Greg coming up?"
"He should be here in another hour. He had a few things to get done at the office." The baby begins to cry. "What's the matter, little man?" She repositions him, but he continues to cry. "You're not wet. I just changed you. Are you hungry?" Laurie lays him down on her lap, unbuttons her top, unhooks the front right panel of her bra, and positions the baby by her breast. He quickly latches on. "That's it," she relaxes.
Shirley watches her daughter. "I'm very proud of you."
"What?"
"I'm proud of you," she repeats. "You've taken to caring for William like a pro."
"How so?"
"You've really taken to being a new mother quite well. You're a natural holding him and anticipating his needs."
"He is my son," Laurie smiles. "Isn't that what a parent is supposed to do?"
"Yes. However, many new parents don't know what to do when their child cries. Your father and I were clueless when we had Keith."
"Maybe I had a good teacher. After all, I remember when Danny, Chris and Tracy were babies."
"You were right by my side," Shirley smiles, reflecting on the memories. "You were quick to fetch me a blanket, burp cloth or diaper and by the time Tracy was born, you changed her diaper a few times."
"I remember pretending Tracy was mine."
"You always did want to be a mother."
"I did," she replies, smiling at her son, "but I didn't think I'd be this young." Suddenly, her face falls.
"What's wrong?" Shirley asks, concerned.
"Mom, I'm scared," she sighs, fighting back tears.
"About what?" The new grandmother rises from the recliner and is by her daughter's side.
"How am I going to juggle him and school. I don't want to drop out."
"That's one reason why you'll be home-bound for six weeks," she soothes. "You'll be able to be at home, stay caught up with your school work, and adjust to being a new mother." Laurie looks doubtful, so she continues, "I'll help you as much as I can. It may not be as much as I would have liked with my own baby coming, but I'll still be able to help."
"I dunno," she shrugs as she burps the baby. "It just seems like a lot. I won't have the nurses here to take him to the nursery or bring him to me. And I know Greg won't be able to stay over all the time."
"No, but he can stay over some and if he'd like, he can stay over tonight. He needs to be able to bond with William and it's much too early for him to keep the baby at his place without you."
"Why?"
"Since you're nursing William, he can't be away from you for an extended length of time."
"Can't he use bottles? I could pump. I'll have to when I go back to school."
"You could, but are you sure you'd want to do that?" Shirley thinks about how she wants to proceed, "Right now, I'm not going to allow you to stay over at Greg's. I'm not trying to beat a dead horse, but I think you know why I'd prefer him to stay over at our place."
Laurie positions the baby on her left breast. "I understand. Changing the subject, where's Tracy going to sleep or where are William and I going to sleep? I don't think Tracy would want to sleep in the same room as the baby."
"Tracy's moved into the guest room. It has a double bed and your room has two twin beds. Greg can sleep in Tracy's bed. The two of you are not going to share a bed."
"Mom," Laurie rolls her eyes, "I'm too sore to do anything right now. Besides, I just had a baby. I don't want to get pregnant again any time soon."
"Glad to hear that," Shirley replies, sarcastically, as she kisses Laurie on the temple, then sits back in the recliner. "Oh!" she groans.
"How's the baby?"
"She just kicked me in the ribs," she chuckles while rubbing her right side.
"It's weird not feeling this little guy inside me. I still expect him to roll and kick and even get on my sciatic nerve." Shirley smiles as she listens to her daughter. "I look down at my belly and still expect it to be huge. It's not small, but it's not as big as it was before he was born."
Greg enters the room and smiles at the sight of his girlfriend feeding their son. "How are you feeling?"
"I'll feel better if you come over here and kiss me," she grins cheekily.
"I'm happy to oblige," he replies as he gives her a peck on the lips.
"The doctor came by and said we can go home today."
The new father smiles and kisses his son. Laurie and Shirley explain what the doctor said and about arrangements at the Partridge house. Greg agrees to the terms Shirley has outlined. "Thank you, Mrs. Partridge. I want to be as involved in my son's life as possible."
"I'm glad, and you can call me Shirley."
"Thanks, umm, Shirley."
As Laurie finishes nursing and burping the baby, Greg and Shirley pack up their belongings. A nurse walks into the room, pushing a wheelchair. "Laurie Partridge?"
"That's me."
"I've got your discharge papers right here. If you and your mom could sign the two copies, I'll let you go home." She shows the women where to sign and hands Shirley a copy to keep. "You must be the father?"
"I am," Greg answers.
"If you'll take your daughter for a minute, I'll help Laurie into the wheelchair."
"He's a boy," Laurie interjects.
"I'm sorry. That's right! I was thinking of the Sandersons, who are also discharging today. They have a girl."
Greg lifts his son from Laurie's arms. The new mother sits in the wheelchair and he places the baby back in her arms, giving her a peck on the lips.
"Are we ready?" the nurse asks.
"Yes," Laurie grins.
Greg carries the belongings as Shirley walks beside the nurse, pushing Laurie and William. They reach the hospital entrance. "I'll go pull the car around," Greg volunteers. He pulls the car up to the entrance, putting the belongings in the trunk, opening the back door for Shirley and the front passenger door for Laurie. Shirley gets in the car. Greg holds the baby so the nurse can assist Laurie. Then, he passes the baby to the new mother. He closes the car doors, gets into the driver's seat and they drive off.
That night:
Greg and Laurie are exhausted from the day. The Partridges hosted a coming home party for Laurie and William. Greg's parents and siblings, all four of Laurie's grandparents, Reuben and the minister of Greg's church came and brought gifts. Laurie is in her bedroom, sitting in the rocker Greg's parents gave her, and nursing the baby. Greg puts away the gifts and picks out a pair of pajamas for the baby. "How are these?"
"Cute!" She smiles. "Danny actually picked that one out!"
"He did good."
"He did," Laurie replies, sighing in contentment. "I think they're really getting into their new roles of uncles and aunt."
"Same with Susan and David. William's their first nephew too." Greg kisses Laurie on the cheek. "With him being the first grandchild and nephew, he'll get spoiled quickly."
"Oh no! No son of mine's gonna get spoiled. We have to raise him, you know."
"I know. We'll make sure he doesn't get too spoiled."
William detaches and Laurie burps him. Shirley knocks on the door.
"Come in!" Laurie calls.
"Got everything you need?"
"We do, thanks!"
"Let me know how I can help," she adds in mid-yawn.
"Thanks for everything, Mrs. Partridge."
Laurie rises from her rocker to dress the baby for bed. "Would you like to kiss your grandson goodnight?" She waves the baby's hand, pretending to speak as the baby, "William, say, good night, Grandma!"
Shirley kisses her grandson on the top of the head. "Goodnight, sweet baby boy! Grandma loves you! Laurie, you and Greg come get me if you need some help."
"We've got it, mom. You and your baby need some rest too."
"Well," she answers, kissing her daughter on the cheek, "good night! Good night, Greg!"
"Good night, Mrs. Partridge."
"Greg, you can call me Shirley."
"Good night, Shirley," he corrects himself.
Shirley leaves the room and Laurie dresses the baby.
"I'll put him down. Go ahead and finish getting ready for bed," the new father suggests.
"All right," she replies, lifting the baby and kissing him on the cheek. "Go see your daddy!"
Greg receives his son and Laurie finishes in the bathroom. "Hey William! Daddy's got you." He shakes his head and smiles, "Daddy. I'm a dad and you're my son! You're so cute!" The baby snuggles against his father's chest. "I know your mommy and I didn't plan on having you so soon, but I'm glad you're here. I love you, little guy!"
Laurie watches from the door's threshold, and smiles.
The baby yawns. "It's time for you to go to bed. Good night, son." Greg kisses his son and lays him in his bassinet.
"I love you!" Laurie coos as she wraps her arms around his waist from behind. "and I love our baby. I love our little family."
"I love our little family too. We'd best be getting to bed before our son wakes up."
They exchange a quick peck and crawl into their beds. Three hours later, the baby cries and the new parents sit straight up in bed. Laurie starts to get up, but Greg stops her. "I'll get him." He picks up his son, "You hungry? I'll bring you over to your mama so she can feed you." Laurie unbuttons her gown and unhooks the front left panel of her bra. "Mama's ready for you." Greg places their child in her arms.
"You hungry?" She guides him to her breast and he latches on.
The baby finishes nursing and Greg burps and changes him. However, William continues to wail. "What's wrong, son?" He picks the baby up and cradles him against his chest. "Daddy's got you." William doubles over, curling his legs and torso and howls. "Wanna walk?" Greg paces the floor, gently bouncing the child, to no avail.
"Let me try," Laurie offers, breasts still exposed. Greg passes him over, and Laurie cradles him against her breasts. She paces the floor, also gently bouncing him, but the baby screams. "What's wrong, sweetheart?" They take turns walking the baby, but he keeps crying. They hear a gentle knock on the door. Shirley opens the door and sees two frazzled parents, trying to soothe their baby.
"Laurie," Shirley offers, "let me try." Laurie passes the baby to her mother, who cradles the child and rubs his back. "I think he's got colic."
"What's that?" Greg asks.
"Sometimes babies cry after being fed and we don't know why. Some people think it's because the baby's digestive system is still immature."
Meanwhile, Danny and Chris awaken and sigh. "I never realized babies could be so noisy," Chris laments.
"Yeah," Danny agrees, "and just think, we'll have two crying babies by Christmas with mom's baby coming then."
"We'll never get any sleep!" the blond groans. "If this keeps up, I'll be falling asleep in class!"
Danny gets out of bed.
"Where are you going?"
"There's a chocolate cake with our name on it. You game?"
They sneak out of the room and see Tracy walking down the hall. "You couldn't sleep either?" she asks.
"How could we with the baby crying like that," the red head adds.
Keith sleepily walks out of his room and sees his three youngest siblings in the hallway. "Kids, go back to bed."
"We can't sleep," Tracy moans.
"The baby woke us up," Chris adds.
"Me too," the eldest Partridge child states, "but you guys need to get back to bed."
Shirley, holding a screaming William, Laurie, and Greg walk out of the bedroom. "Kids, go back to bed," she orders.
"Sorry he woke you up," Laurie apologizes, buttoning her gown.
"We're going downstairs for awhile, so you'll be able to go back to sleep."
"Yes, ma'am," the three youngest chorus, as they return to their rooms.
"Good night, mom," Keith adds before returning to his room.
An obviously tired Shirley paces the floor with her grandson as Laurie and Greg doze on the living room couch. "Shhh, baby boy. Grandma's got you." She finds it difficult to bounce the baby with her carrying her own baby. "Oh," she sighs, "your youngest aunt or uncle is kicking up a storm. No wonder you can't relax."
Laurie's eyes flutter open. "Mom, I'll take him," she suggests, groggy.
"Thanks." She passes the baby over, then rubs her abdomen.
The new mother starts pacing. "Baby kicking?"
"Like crazy! I think she was trying to join in on all the fun."
"Mom, go back to bed. We'll take it from here."
"You sure?"
"He's our son. We need to get used to this. Might as well start now."
Shirley begins to ascend the stairs. "Holler if you need me."
Laurie and Greg take turns pacing with William. He finally tires out and goes back to sleep. The couple, with the baby in Laurie's arms, quietly go back upstairs to their room. "Good night, son," she states as she lays him in the bassinet. The couple exchange a quick peck, crawl back into bed and immediately fall asleep.