Authors Note: This chapter completes the story of "Lean On Me!" I cannot tell you how much I appreciate you reading, and hope you'll stay with me, as i continue to write other stories! Please feel free to leave reviews/comments, as I love reading them. I hope you've enjoyed this story as much as I've enjoyed writing it! xoxoxox!
It is just past 4:30 a.m. when April is startled awake by the cries of her brand new baby girl over the monitor placed on her nightstand.
She yawns and sits up, and looks over at Matt, sound asleep on his stomach next to her. Leaning in, she kisses his bare shoulder blade, and gets out of bed to tiptoe down the hall to the baby's room.
"Oh my goodness miss Abigail Reid." she murmurs, lifting her tiny newborn out of her bassinet. "You sure do enjoy your 4:30 meetings with mommy, don't you?"
She quickly changes Abby's diaper, and takes to softly walking around the quiet house with Abby over her shoulder in an effort to lull her baby girl back to sleep.
"Come on peanut, just try to relax." She whispers, rhythmically patting her on the back. "Trust me, you'll feel so much better once you close your eyes." She slowly returns to the nursery and settles into the rocking chair to try nursing her daughter back to sleep. She breathes in the delicious newborn smell from the top of her head, as Abby immediately begins to calm down and nurse.
"much better." April whispers softly, stroking Abby's cheek.
"how's our girl doing?" Matt yawns from the doorway.
April sighs. I'm sorry honey, did she wake you?"
Matt kisses both of his girls. "I'm due at the hospital at 6. My alarm just went off.
"We'll be there this afternoon, Abby has a check up later on today. Arizona offered to do it. Maybe we can grab a bite when she's finished?"
Matt smiles. "Just let me know when you're done."
April is relieved to see that her newborn has finally fallen back asleep. She rocks slowly with her for a bit longer, and then transfers her to the bassinet before shutting the door.
Matt is sitting on the edge of the bed, staring at his phone as she drags her exhausted body back into their bedroom.
"What's up?"
Matt turns to her. "Um, my Mom just called."
April is immediately alarmed. "What's wrong?"
April, my dad just had a heart attack."
April breathes hard, "Is he okay? What did your mom say honey?" She takes his shaking hands in hers.
"He's still alive, but he's critical." Matt says quietly. "I need to get to Baltimore. They're planning to operate tomorrow once he's more stable."
April nods. "Of course."
He stands up. "I hate leaving you with the baby all by yourself though."
"Matt. Stop." April shakes her head. "This is your Dad. Go. Abby and I will be fine."
Matt nods. "Okay. Okay. Yeah. I'm going to get on the next flight."
April kisses his face. "Let me help you get packed."
There's my favorite newborn!" Arizona grins excitedly as April walks into the hospital with Abby strapped to her chest later that day.
"Arizona,thanks so much for offering to do her check up." April stifles a giant yawn as she lifts Abby out of the baby bjorn.
"oh it's fine, how's she doing at home? Arizona smiles down at Abby in her arms. "Hi pretty girl!"
"she's not sleeping much at night, which means, you know, we're not sleeping, it's a lot of fun."
Arizona glances up at April, " Oh, I've been there. Can't say I miss those days. Now I can't pay my kids to get up in the morning and get to school on time." She chuckles softly. "How's Matt doing with being a daddy?"
"oh he's great with her, but he had to fly to Maryland this morning though, his dad had a heart attack."
"Oh my God! April is he okay?"
he's in the CICU at Hopkins, they're planning to operate tomorrow. The Doctors are saying his prognosis is good though. He's a strong guy."
"Hopkins is the best place for him. I did my residency there. April, I'm sure he'll be just fine." Arizona pats her arm reassuringly.
"Matt has a few friends on staff." April nods, they're taking good care of him."
"So you and Abby are on your own for the next few days?"
"Yep."
"Well, if you're...open to it, I know a certain 11 year old who's been dying to see this little one again, I can drive Sofia over when I get off of work. She can be like a mothers helper, shes great with babies."Arizona grins widely.
"Really? She wouldn't mind?"
"Are you kidding, she"ll flip. She's home for spring break this week and bored silly while Corrina is at dance camp all week. I'm off at 3. I'll drive her right over."
April throws her arms around Arizona. "Thank you so much."
"No problem! Alright, let's get this little one all checked out!" she says. "This won't take very long at all."
"Alright Sof, Aunt April is waiting for you inside, she's going to be there the whole time, up in her room getting some sleep so, if you need help, she's right upstairs." Arizona stops the car later that afternoon in front of April and Matt's.
"I know I know I know! Can I go now?" Sofia races to unbuckle her seatbelt and jogs up to her Aunt April's front door. She's been to her house about 600 times before, and knows she can let herself in using the key under the planter.
"Aunt April? It's me, its Sofia!" She calls out softly.
"I'm upstairs honey!"
Sofia excitedly races up the stairs and stops in the doorway of Abigail's room.
"hi Sweetheart!" April smiles from the rocking chair. "Come on in."
Sofia clasps her hands under her chin, her eyes fixed on Abigail. "Hi Abby!" she whispers.
"do you want to hold her Sofia?"
Sofia nods, and April is surprised and impressed when she reaches for the hand sanitizer on the side of Abigail's changing table before holding her arms out.
"Okay now, support her head, there we go. April grins. "Sofia you're a natural!"
Sofia smiles proudly and looks down at Abigail sleeping in her arms.
"Okay, so let me show you how to change her." April takes the baby a few minutes later and walks Sofia through the basics of changing a diaper, and is again floored by Sofia's maturity. "I think I've got it." she says as April re swaddles the baby, and gently places her back in Sofia's arms.
"Don't worry, if you need help I'm right down the hall and I don't mind you waking me. Newborns can be tough, but she should sleep for the next few hours, and I just finished nursing her so she shouldn't be hungry until later,she likes movement so just walk with her, but be careful-don't shake her around, okay?"
Sofia smiles. we'll be fine Auntie April."
April nods confidently and heads for the door of the nursery.
"you know what Abby? She can hear Sofia softly whisper. "Your mom used to take care of me when I was this small. And that's how we became such good friends."
April can feel the tears spring to her eyes as she listens.
"So, I was thinking," she continues, stroking Abby's long, delicate fingers. "That it'd be really cool if you and I could be friends like that. I can take you shopping, and to the movies, and help you with your homework. Just like your mom does with me."
Sofia looks up and tilts her head seeing April standing, watching them in the doorway.
"Auntie April, are you okay?"
She smiles at Sofia and wipes her eyes, I'm...I'm just fine Sofia."
Sofia smiles and kisses Abby sweetly on the cheek. "We're going to be great friends Abby."
April smiles to herself as she turns and heads for her bedroom, all the while knowing her own baby girl is safe in the loving, capable arms of one very special young lady.