Found Love
Chapter 37-3 months later
Russ smiled back at Josie who was sitting in the back seat with their new baby girl. Zoe was perfect, and Russ was completely in love with her. She was all of two days old and captured hearts where ever she went, not that she had been much of anywhere. Russ and Josie had kept her in Josie's hospital room as much as the nurses would allow.
Retirement agreed with Russ. He had loved his time in the Navy, but he loved being home with his family even more. Mike and Tom were also retired, and Tom had bought a house in the same neighborhood. He and Sasha were finally settling down and he was working harder with his kids.
Mike had retired from the Navy but had gone back to work at Laura Kate's dispatch center. He only worked a scheduled two days a week and that was only if he wanted to. Incidentally, it was the same shifts that Laura Kate worked. She often joked that if he didn't work that two days, he would spend all his time playing with the babies and would never leave the house.
They had gone on their fishing and camping trip and even went for a couple's weekend. It would be repeated once all the babies were older. There was also talk of a vacation to Florida that summer. Christine, Sasha and Josie had been looking at beach condos. Travel and vacations were not the same as before the Red Flu and things were inexpensive.
Russ pulled into his driveway and smiled at the welcome sign for Zoe. Obviously, Sophie's handiwork with Alex and Hannah's help. He helped Josie out of the backseat and carefully got the car seat out. The plan was to get Josie and Zoe settled and then have the kids sent over from Mike and Christine's. They had offered to keep them another night, but Russ and Josie had both wanted Alex and Sophie home.
Josie settled on the couch with the baby in her arms. Zoe had fallen asleep during the car ride and remained asleep. She was a good baby already. She barely ever cried and often just laid in whoever's arm and looked around in wonder.
Christine had cleaned their house and had a fridge and freezer full of casseroles and groceries. There was a floral arrangement on the kitchen counter along with a "mommy basket." Russ had snooped inside it and smiled. There was a cotton nightgown, book, candles, the chocolate candies that Josie loved, soft socks and a few other items. Apparently, Josie had done the same sort of thing for Christine when she came home from the hospital.
"If you want to, can you text and get the kids sent over? Mike, Christine and their kids can come too. Just tell them she's sleeping." Josie ordered. Russ sat down next to her and sent the text to Christine. Josie leaned her head on his shoulder and they both marveled at their daughter.
"She's perfect just like her mom." Russ said. Having Zoe had made him really miss his older daughters, but he was also filled with a strange peace.
"I don't know about all that." Josie said as she leaned over and gave him a kiss.
"I do. Do you want me to help you to bed? I know you're sore." Russ asked.
"Just wait until Mike and Christine and their kids leave. I know they'll understand but still…I want to be out here." Josie stated.
"Yes, ma'am." Russ agreed and gave her another kiss. He thought he had been in love with Josie before, but he had fallen even more in love throughout her pregnancy and after she had given birth to Zoe. "Have I told you lately how much I love you?" Russ asked.
"Only several times already today but keep it coming. There's the kids." Josie said as Alex, Sophie and Hannah rushed in. They all wanted to see and hold Zoe again. They'd seen her at the hospital but that wasn't enough, apparently.
"My mom, dad and Laura Kate are on their way. Laura Kate is hurting some today because of the rain and Dad's helping her. Mom's got the twins in the stroller." Hannah explained.
"I see. Russ, can you go help?" Josie asked. Laura Kate's bad days were rough and wore on her parents. Not because she was hard to deal with, but it hurt them to see her hurting like that.
"Of course." Russ immediately agreed and headed out the door, towards the Slattery household.
"She's having a really bad day. Remember when they said that they had to leave just a little of that bullet in, next to her spine? Mom thinks it's trying to move. She's already called her doctor. Dad is really scared, and I think Mom is too." Hannah disclosed.
"Is she trying to walk?" Josie asked. Laura Kate tended to push her limits, which was probably why she had even survived.
"She tried but Mom convinced her to get back in the wheelchair. She said that it could cause more damage at this point." Hannah explained to Josie.
Russ had made the walk to the Mike's house. Christine was on the front porch with the stroller while Mike worked on getting the wheelchair down the steps. When Laura Kate began walking, her ramp had been removed. Normally, Mike was strong, but he obviously needed help.
"Jo sent me. How can I help?" Russ asked.
"Grab the wheelchair just above the wheels and I'll get the back, we'll just lift her down." Mike instructed and between the two of them, they had the wheelchair and Laura Kate moved in no time. Russ turned around to help Christine with the stroller while Mike tended to his oldest daughter.
"I could have just gotten out and walked down the steps." Laura Kate commented.
"No, we will manage until we figure out what is going on. It is probably just the rain causing it, but I won't take that chance until I hear from your doctor." Christine stated. Russ could tell she was already at the worst-case scenario but wasn't telling Laura Kate that.
"Yes, ma'am." Laura Kate agreed, choosing not to argue with her mother and in effect, her dad and Russ both.
"You will be fine." Mike said in an encouraging tone. Russ could tell neither parent was convinced of that but were putting a good face on for Laura Kate. They began the walk towards Russ' house. The rain had cleared, and he hoped that Laura Kate began feeling better.
"Maybe the sunshine will help?" Russ offered. Christine was pushing the stroller and Mike was pushing the wheelchair. Russ had noticed with every bump that they ran over with the wheelchair, Laura Kate grimaced. He was glad that Mike and Christine didn't see her doing it.
"Yeah, hopefully. Least there aren't any stairs at your house. I really wanted to see Zoe since I didn't get to at the hospital." Laura Kate remarked.
"She's been waiting on you." Russ told her.
"I loved it when the twins were that little, but they are fun now too, now that they are doing stuff." Laura Kate said as she looked towards the stroller. She adored her youngest siblings and they loved her.
"Yep, pooping all over me and keeping me awake all night. They're great." Mike complained, and Russ immediately laughed. He was completely in love with the twins and stayed up all night with them, keeping them awake.
"Its because you get them razzed up before bed and I just leave you to it. You'll bring them to me when they need nursed." Christine said, calling his bluff.
"If you would pump, you could have a full night's sleep." Mike argued. Russ had heard the argument before, not that Mike and Christine really argued.
"Its my time with them when I nurse. They have you and the girls to spoil them rotten and I barely get a minute with them, other then when I nurse. I may just nurse until they are too big for it…when they're four." Christine teased.
"And the argument goes like this; Dad says, 'That's no fun for me.' And then Mom says, 'that's what you get for knocking me up and then telling me I can stay home with them as long as I want.' I've heard this before." Laura Kate narrated the argument to Russ, who had also heard it.
"Yeah, me too. I wonder how long they'll have it." Russ commented.
"Mom, can you seriously nurse two babies that long?" Laura Kate asked as they rolled her up the walk to Russ and Josie's house.
"No. I will wean them when they are about a year old, which your dad already knows. I just like harassing him." Christine explained. Russ laughed when Mike leaned over and gave her a kiss. For all their teasing back and forth, Mike and Christine loved each other deeply. If a person didn't know the story, they wouldn't know that the couple had been on the brink of a divorce more then once.
"You guys are hilarious." Russ commented as he and Mike helped Laura Kate through the doorway into Russ' house. Josie was still sitting on the couch, holding Zoe with the kids gathered around her. Mike rolled her wheelchair as close as he could get it and then helped Christine get the twins out of the stroller. "Kids, how about we give Laura Kate a chance since she hasn't gotten to see Zoe yet?" Russ suggested as Josie handed their daughter to him to pass over to Laura Kate. Zoe woke up as soon as she was settled in Laura Kate's arms but didn't cry. Instead, she stared at her new person.
"She is a doll." Laura Kate stated as she cuddled Zoe.
"You look good with a baby. I think you'll be the next one that has one." Josie said just as Mike took a drink of water, which was effectively spewed everywhere.
"Not on your life." Mike insisted.
"I don't know, Dad. Wolf and I are getting serious. He said something the other day about asking for my hand." Laura Kate teased. Everybody but Mike knew that she was joking.
"I can always say no. Wolf respects me." Mike said seriously.
"Mike, she's teasing." Christine told him in a warning tone.
"Maybe." Laura Kate continued teasing. She had already gotten a smile from Zoe.
"Its inevitable." Josie remarked.
"Seriously, Dad, you have time. Don't worry." Laura Kate said with a smile.
"Good." Mike replied. Josie had shifted around a few times, out of soreness and Christine had noticed.
"Alright, not to cut our visit short but I think Jo needs to lay down and she won't do that with us here. Hannah, can you handle the stroller? Dad will take care of Laura Kate's wheelchair. I'm going to stay for a few minutes and help Jo get settled." Christine ordered.
"Yes, ma'am." Hannah said as the family began getting ready to leave. Zoe was handed over to Alex to hold while Russ helped Mike with the wheelchair. After they were all out the door; Josie slowly stood up. Christine grabbed the nightgown and followed.
"A shower seems really nice." Josie stated.
"I can be close by if need be. You are pretty unsteady." Christine said as they entered the bedroom.
"That would be great." Josie replied as she walked into the bathroom with the nightgown.
"I'll be right here." Christine said as she began turning the bed down. Within just a minute, she heard the shower running.
About ten minutes later, Alex came in with Zoe who had began fussing. Christine walked her back and forth until Josie come out in the nightgown and her robe. She settled into the bed and Christine handed her Zoe. She walked into the nursery to get Josie's nursing pillow and cover-up and helped Josie get situated.
"Only time she fusses is when she's hungry." Josie commented.
"She's such a sweet baby. Alright, I changed your sheets the other day and here is a good book. I just finished it. Bassinet is close enough that you'll be able to lay her down. I also put a basket of diapers, wipes and burp clothes in your nightstand. When I had the twins in with me, it was so much easier to do that then have to go back and forth into their room. I would just change them on the bed and was set. I also put a couple sleepers in there to change if the need arises. Nurse's orders; make Russ do everything. I will put a casserole in the oven before I leave and switch the clothes from the washer to the dryer. I came over before you and Russ got home and made sure everything was okay. You had some towels and the sheets to be washed so I just went ahead. You just stay in bed and cuddle with her." Christine ordered.
"You seriously didn't have to do all this." Josie stated.
"You did the same for me when I came home from the hospital. Helped me with Laura Kate and the babies. Just returning the favor." Christine argued.
"I do appreciate it. You are the best." Josie said.
"Likewise. It was the least I can do. Alright, if you need anything at all, call. I'll be here in a jiff. I will drop by tomorrow morning to make sure all is fine." Christine said as she fussed over Zoe's bassinet and made sure it was within Josie's reach.
"Thanks so much. Love you." Josie said.
"Your welcome and I love you too." Christine said before walking out of the bedroom. Josie smiled. She loved how Mike, Christine and their kids were like extended family. Josie was an only child and having Christine was like having a sister and Mike acted like a big brother. Josie loved their kids just the same as she loved her own. She was lost in her own thoughts until Russ walked in and sat down next to her.
"Christine put a casserole in the oven and set the timer. She already had a salad fixed up and has your food tray ready once the food is ready. Clothes are in the dryer and I have been given very strict instructions to call if you need anything. How's little miss?" Russ asked.
"She's good. I took a shower while you were out and she's nursing. Christine filled a basket with diapers and stuff and its in my nightstand. Listen, I know we don't eat in the bedrooms normally but maybe have the kids come in when its dinner time. I have more then one of those trays. I just want them close." Josie remarked.
"Sounds like the perfect night to me. You know, we are really lucky. Three healthy kids, really good friends, a nice house and each other." Russ remarked as he bent down and gave Josie a passionate kiss.
"Yes, we are. I love you." Josie said.
"Love you too. I did get you something. Mike helped me." Russ told her as he pulled a jewelry box out.
"You didn't have to do that." Josie told him as she opened the box. Inside was a 'mother's necklace' with Alex, Sophie and Zoe's birthstones. It was beautiful. "I love it. It's perfect. Can you put it on?" Josie asked. She was still nursing Zoe, but Russ gently put the necklace on for her.
"I am glad you like it. Full disclosure, Mike picked out the setting for me, but I think Hannah helped. I didn't want to leave while you and this perfect baby girl were in the hospital. He did a good job with Christine's ring, so I figured he would do well." Russ explained.
"I love it. He did good. May never take it off." Josie told him.
"Good, I was worried. You good here?" Russ asked.
"I am." Josie said before pulling Russ in for another kiss. He gave Zoe a kiss on the head before walking out of the bedroom. As Josie focused on Zoe; she realized how much her life had changed, for the better. Russ, the kids, Christine and her family; it was exactly what Josie had always wanted.
I am struggling with rather to do a jump forward on this. I left it a bit open. Tell me what you think? Thanks for all the reviews.