Chapter Twenty-Six
The months have gone by with a blur and it is getting close to Lina's birthday as well as Paul and I's anniversary not long after. We are driving up to Charlie's early to spend a little time with them, check on the house, and have Lina's party next week. Lina and Nessie are asleep in the back with their movie still playing and I cannot help but smile at the two of them acting as if they were sisters. Paul takes my hand in his and brings the back of it to his lips happily.
"You ready?" Paul asks.
"Yes, but I am just a little sad because Lina is almost one," I say.
"She is a big girl now and she is going to be a big sister soon," Paul says, releasing my hand to put it over my small protruding belly. I giggle at his excitement of being a father again. We turn onto Charlie's street and I begin to wake the girls up before we pull into the driveway. Sue comes out as we are getting the girls out of the car and she has a big smile on her face.
"Oh my goodness, look at you four!" Sue exclaims. Lina giggles as she holds Nessie's hand to walk over to Sue happily.
"Has mom and Phil arrived yet?" I ask.
"They checked into their room at the hotel and are on their way over. Also, Bella called and she said she will be here for the party but has to leave the day after," Sue says. She knows the reason as to why Nessie is with Paul and I, but everyone thinks that we took her in so Edward and Bella could go to school. Charlie comes out fresh from a shower and smiles widely at Lina walking.
"Well look at you, princess, you are going to be running soon if you keep it up," Charlie says. He scoops Lina up and pulls Nessie to him to give his granddaughters hugs and kisses. Paul and I walk over to greet Sue first to let Charlie have his moment. "Come on inside so we can catch up."
"Dad, we live only a couple hours away and you call us once a week," I giggle.
"I know, I just miss seeing my girls," Charlie says sweetly. Paul helps me up the stairs so I do not slip on anything wet and Sue holds my hand. When we get inside, Nessie and Lina are already playing with the toys Charlie bought for them when we come over. I go to give Charlie a hug and he gives me a gentle squeeze. "How is my little grandson doing?"
"Dad, we talked about this," I sigh. "We are not sure if it is a boy or a girl right now. Paul and I want to wait a little before finding out."
"Again? Are you sure that is safe? What if you are carrying twins?" Sue asks.
"We have it planned out because Lilly got an old ultrasound machine from the hospital when she was accepted into the midwife program," Paul says proudly.
"Oh, congrats, baby girl," Charlie says. He kisses my temple and then goes to sit down in the kitchen with me not far behind him. "What about you, Paul? How are classes?"
"Great, I will starting class again the fall and I am hoping to take an online class over the holidays since we are not going anywhere special," Paul says. He stands behind me with his hands on my shoulder when I sit down at the table.
"I am not too sure on that, but if that is something you want to do and Lilly is supporting you in this, then go on ahead and do not give up," Charlie says. "How is Nessie handling living with you guys and going to school?"
"She is happy and doing well in school," I say. "She had a few issues with some bullies, but she is being a big girl in not letting them get to her."
"Good, she has Swan blood in her after all," Charlie says with his chest puffed out and a big smile on his face. Sue walks over with some drinks for us and then sits on Charlie's lap.
"What about you two?" I ask.
"Nothing new, but we are thinking of having a baby," Sue says. I sputter into my cup for a second and choke for a moment.
"A baby? You two are a little too old for a baby, no offense," I say.
"We are not planning of having three, just one baby," Charlie says. "We are still thinking about it is all."
"Well, I wish you luck in that," Paul says. Lina calls for Paul as she toddles into the kitchen without Nessie. Paul picks her up when he lifts her arms to him and she smiles at her grandpa. I kiss her hand softly when she extends it out to me and she begins her babbles.
"You wanna go back to play, baby girl?" I ask Lina. She shakes her head and curls up in Paul's arms.
"Oh, she is like her mommy when it comes to spending time with daddy," Charlie chuckles. I smile at him and then look up to Paul to see he is a proud daddy right now. "What are your plans for the next week?"
"We were hoping to spend some of it with you two and see the house a bit before the party," I say.
"Charlie has to work a little, but we can spend some time here. I know some of the guys on the reservation want to see you," Sue says.
"They might make their way down here if we do not get up there soon," Paul says.
"How are Sam and Emily doing with their boys? I know that they pushed the wedding back because Emily was not doing well," I say.
"Emily is better and is already getting ready to have the wedding here soon, maybe September. The twins are gorgeous and rowdy as ever," Sue giggles. "They named one boy Joshua James Uley and the other one Christopher Joseph Uley, but everyone calls them JJ and CJ for short. They are sweet and would get along with Lina very well."
"I hope they do not get a long too well, my baby girl is too young to have a boyfriend," Paul says.
"I thought the same when Lilly said she had a crush on you when she was a kid," Charlie grumbled.
"Daddy, behave," I say, swatting the air to get his arm.
"I know, baby," Charlie says with a smile. We continue to talk, even when Nessie comes in to join us to sit in my lap, and it goes on until it is time for dinner.