Bound By Knots: 21
Ash walked into the hall with the doctor who had pulled him aside. The doctor was a average size older man with a full head of salt and pepper hair.
"Is there a problem?" Ash asked trying to read the emotions the doctor was giving off.
"No, and that is what is off."
"What do you mean?" Ash said trying to understand what he meant.
"I heard she was three months early, and that makes her condition completely unnormal. I mean she should be in the NCIU, which is a neonatal intensive care unit and she should really be in it, but she is perfectly healthy."
Ash crossed his arms and concentrated on what the doctor was saying, not just through the doctors words but through his mind as he continued talking.
"She is only three pounds, two ounces and she is only nine inches, she is tiny enough for premie standard, but she is healthy. Strong lungs, the whole nine yard. If she wasn't so small I'd just say you all couldn't count."
Ash saw how astounded this man actually was. He also saw the doctors thoughts. This could be a medical break through. He wanted to talk to more doctors, find out about Mary-Lynette's pregnancy, run some tests on the three of them.
"Can we.." The doctor began. But Ash cut in.
" I am going to get my sister. She will want to hear this. "
"Oh yes of course."
Ash went back into the room but only spoke to her in his mind.
Rowan did you catch all that.
Yeah we will just take care of it now.
And so they made him forget. Made him forget that there was anything special with Andromeda at all.
Andromeda Alexandrite Carter-Redfern
A beautiful baby girl, with small wisps of light brown hair. Every time she opened her eyes it was a new wonder of color. Most of the time they were a light lavender purple, sometimes replaced with an intense blue or green.
She had the tiniest feet and the tiniest hands imaginable. Her breath was just a soft inhale and exhale of air, almost as quiet as rose petals rubbing against each other. She was the most delicate thing in the house.
Everyone except Jade could cup her in their hands alone.
Since it was summer time having multiple people in the house was great help to Mary-Lynnette and Ash. It at least allowed one of them to get some sleep. It also allowed everyone to get a break time to time.
Rowan had got a job at the grocery store in town and made time to every night to hold and sing to Andi.
Ash got a part time job, Rowan wanted him to be with Mary-Lynnette and Andi as much as possible and they really didn't need the money. He was gaining a respect for Rowan he never had before. Even with work she showed him little things to do in the kitchen, gave him tips about cleaning supplies and techniques when caring for Andi. Things like how to heat her bottle in warm water so it didn't get to hot. He appreciated it more then he would show. He needed all these little things to prove to Mary-Lynnette he was good enough. That he could do this. Even after being gone a year he wondered if it was enough for her. Andi was in the picture now as well, and just like Mary-Lynnette she stole his heart. He loved every bit of her, from her tiny fingers to the way she fit in his arms while she slept. As soon as he put her in his arms for the first time a soft spot had grown. He melted. He would do anything for her. Selfishness vanished when it came to Andi.
Mary-Lynnette was a full time mom. It wasn't her plan at nineteen to be a mom, she had wanted to go to school, she had big aspirations. But school could wait a little bit. Andromeda was beautiful and sweet and Mary-Lynnette loved her daughter. She was more then she could ever ask for. Andi also did something magical. She had transformed Ash. Mary-Lynnette was seeing a side of him that she had never seen. When she was tired he got up with Andi when she cried. He liked to feed her a bottle and hold her. He actually had a job, even if it was only part time. He wasn't incapable. He changed diapers, he helped pick up and even cook. She honestly didn't know he could be like this. And she was honestly proud of him.
After a month everyone had got the hang of having a baby in the house. Andromeda loved when Ben would stop by, he was one of her favorite people. She always cried when Mark held her, and when Kestrel held her. She liked when Jade held shakers out for her and read to her. When Rowan sang her crying always stopped. No one could replace mom and dad though. She always craved Mary-Lynnette's attention as well as Ash's.
It was hard work with Andromeda's sleeping pattern but everyone made due. Everything was feeling normal.
Andi brought a new light to the house. One was the evenings of Andi's first month was her first smile and laugh.
Ben was with Ash, Mary-Lynette and Jade in the kitchen holding Andi when Kestrel walked in. Andi starred at her with big purple eyes. As Kestrel got closer Andi made a face like she was about to cry.
"Ohhh, what are you looking at diaper butt." Kestrel retorted angrily, at the face the baby made.
Andi's face lit up and she giggled for the first time. No one in the room could help but laugh back and get excited over her giggle.
It was a good, light hearted night. Everyone deserved the ease and comfort, because the next day would not be nearly as kind.
The next day was a Saturday. Rowan was off of work and cutting roses in the front yard. Kestrel was in her room listening to music and Jade was writing in a little journal. Mark had gone over to Ben's and Ash took Mary-Lynnette out to shop for Andi.
No one knew a sleek blacked out car was going to pull up to the house, and least of all no one expected Alder Redfern and
Elodie Blackthorn to step out of it.