*Thank-you so much for the reviews on the last chapter. They were greatly appreciated. Thank-you all so much!
It had been a couple weeks since Lindsey's funeral. Dave and Alex had finally made their decision about Reagan and were planning on meeting with the social worker that morning before they were going to go through Lindsey's things to clean out the guest room. Alex and Dave had just sent the kids with Marissa and Brian to go to an apple orchard for the morning to pick apples. "So do you think we're making the right decision?" asked Alex as she picked up some of the kids' toys in the living room.
"I think we're making the right decision," he said. "Don't second guess it. We spent weeks trying to figure this out. We weighed all the options and took into consideration the possibilities and we came to this decision. It's the right one and it's definitely the best one. Everything is going to be fine."
"I hope so," she said. "And you're sure this is the best way to go?"
"Alex, it's the best way to go. We've been through this. We have our plan and we're going to get through this. Are you with me or not?"
"I'm with you," she said. "I just want to make sure we're doing the right thing."
"Alex, this is what I love about you. You take forever to make up your mind. You make it so hard to make a decision then when you finally make one you second guess it. When are you going to learn to trust your decisions?"
"I don't know, Baby. It's just how I've always been," said Alex. "I just want to make sure that my decisions are the right thing."
"OUR decision and trust me it is. You're not going to regret this. So stop worrying yourself about it," he said as he wrapped his arms around her waist from behind. "Just relax and take it easy. Did you take your prenatal vitamin today, your blood pressure medicine and your iron pill today?" He had to check up on her to make sure she was taking those things because she had been forgetting lately and he knew how important her iron pill and blood pressure medicine were.
"Yes," she said. "I took them right before I got the girls dressed."
"Okay. Just making sure," he said as the doorbell rang. "Well, this is it. Are you ready?"
"As ready as I'm ever going to be," she said as Dave walked to answer the door.
As he opened the door he saw Kathryn standing there. "Come in," he said as he opened the door for her to walk in.
"Thank-you," she said with a smile. "How are you guys today?"
"Good," said Dave with a smile.
"Good," said Alex. "How are you?"
"I'm doing well," she said. "So I take it you two have come to a decision?"
"Yes," said Alex, "come into the living room and have a seat."
"All right," said Kathryn with a smile as she followed behind the two to sit down in the living room and talk. "Very beautiful living room."
"Thank-you," said Alex with a smile. "Ignore the toys my kids play hard."
"It's okay," she said with a smile. "I understand. Kids will be kids."
"Yeah," said Alex with a smile.
"So," she said pulling out some papers, "how is Reagan doing?"
"She's doing much better," said Alex. "We talk about her Mommy everyday, we look at pictures and I'm in the process of making a photo album of pictures of Lindsey and Lindsey with Reagan so she can remember her mom. She knows her Mommy is in Heaven and she'll tell you her Mommy is her angel."
"Wonderful," she said with a smile as she wrote down what Alex had said. "You seem to be doing so well with her. Good job."
"Thanks," said Alex with a smile.
"So what's the decision you two came up with?"
"Well," said Dave, "We decided that it would be best if we kept her. She's used to us and she knows us. We've gotten to know her and love her. We've come this far with her so we definitely want to keep her. And our kids have grown to love her like she is a sister so we definitely want her."
"That's great! I think she is better off with you and Alex. You both seem to be doing an excellent job with her. I love the idea of looking at pictures of her mom and giving her a photo album. Keep the memory alive. I know you only knew Lindsey for a short time but it would be a good idea for you to tell Reagan stories about her mom. Let her know who her mom was because Reagan is so young it's going to be hard to remember her. As long as someone is keeping that memory alive she won't forget her mom. I would recommend counseling for her as she gets older and since right now it is a tough time I think enrolling her in some type of activity would be a good idea."
"I was thinking the same thing but I don't know what to do with her," said Alex.
"Playgroups work and gymnastic classes. Things like that," said Kathryn.
"All right," said Alex.
"I have been in touch with Mr. Thomas' lawyer though," said Kathryn with a frown. "And Mr. Thomas wants visitation with Reagan while he's in jail. If he gets out of jail he wants custody of her."
"If he gets out of jail?" asked Alex. "Are you saying there's a chance he could get out of jail?"
"It doesn't look like he will but there is always that possibility. I don't know the details on the case and what they have on him but there is that chance it may not hold up in court and he'll be free."
"So do you think that's going to happen?" asked Dave.
"I doubt it but the possibility is there," she said.
"And we have to allow him visitation?" asked Dave. "While he's in jail?"
"That's what he wants but if you adopt her because his rights are terminated no you don't."
"Good," said Alex, "because as far as I am concerned and after everything he did to Lindsey he doesn't deserve to see that child at all."
"And he doesn't," said Kathryn. "So I have to do a check of your home to make sure it's in good shape before we consider letting Reagan stay here permanently."
"Believe me," said Dave, "Alex makes sure this house is in great shape."
"All right, let's go take a look around," said Kathryn as she got up with Dave and Alex. They began to show her all around the house to show her that everything was safe and nothing was too big of a mess. She was impressed by all the outlets having covers over them, the doorknob covers on the doors, the baby gates by the stairs, the cabinet locks and she loved how the house was in decent order with hardly anything out of place. "And where is Reagan going to be sleeping?" she asked
"Right over here," said Alex leading her to the guest room Lindsey and Reagan shared. "It's a little messy because we're in the middle of going through everything of Lindsey's and Reagan's to get them out. We went to their house to get some of Reagan's toys that she had. We put most of her clothes in the closet but what we want to do is remove this bed and this bedroom set. We're going to buy her a bed, paint this room purple and get a new bedroom set. We want it to be more kid friendly. Right now she's staying with our daughter Jordyn."
"I see," she said, "so you guys have really thought about this huh?"
"Yes," said Dave. "We really want to do this. We feel this is the best place for her right now and her grandparents have offered to still be in her life."
"That's good," said Kathryn. "I'm happy knowing Reagan is going to be here. Lindsey would be happy."
"Yeah she would," said Alex with a smile. "This is what she would want."
"Well, I can't say that I'm displeased with anything. You have passed the home study. I think Reagan is going to be in great hands. If you can raise Reagan the way you've raised your kids she is going to be a wonderful kid."
"Thank-you," said Alex with a smile as they walked downstairs. "Is there anything else?"
"Not today but I will be coming over next week for a visit to check up on Reagan. It won't be until the evening time."
"Okay," said Alex. "That's fine. I don't' usually get off work until 4."
"Where does Reagan go while you guys are at work?"
"Right now my brother and his fiance' are watching her, Jordyn and Josiah."
"Okay," she said. "Is she going to be enrolled into pre-school?"
"Yes but not till she's 3 and we have to start the potty training."
"She won't be 3 till December that's right. And you haven't started potty training her yet?"
"No," said Alex. "There was so much going on in the last couple weeks that it just wasn't a good time to start. We wanted to give her time to adjust. We'll probably start in the next couple weeks or so."
"Good," she said. "I like how you think. Well, I'm going to be going now. I hope you two enjoy your day."
"Thank-you. You too," said Alex with a smile.
"And I will be in touch with you about your decision. Thank-you so much."
"You're welcome," said Alex.
"Have a good day," she said.
"You too," said Dave as he shut the door behind her after she walked out. "Well, it looks like she's ours."
"Yeah," said Alex with a smile. "Thank-you so much, Baby," she said wrapping her arms around his neck.
"You don't have to thank me. I'm just doing the right thing. Maybe our lives will start to settle down now that this over with," he said. "And everything is coming back together with barbershop. We just finished the clean up but then we have to do the remodeling and it should be ready for business. I think everything is starting to turn around for us."
"And I haven't gotten any phone calls and I LOVE my job. Life seems to be a lot better now."
"See?" he said, "and in a couple months we're going to have that beautiful baby girl."
"I know. I can't wait," she said with a smile. "She's kicking right now."
"Do you think I can feel her yet?"
"I don't think you can feel it on the outside yet but soon."
"Oh okay," he said with a smile. "So her name is Sicily right?"
"She doesn't have a name yet," said Alex. "We'll know when she comes."
"Fair enough," he said, "but I'm still holding out for Sicily."
"I know," she said, "and I'm still holding out for Natalia."
"Sicily is so much better," he said.
"That's an opinion," she said with a smile.
"A good opinion," he said.
"Whatever makes you feel better," she said with a smile.
"You know what would make me feel better?"
"What?" she asked.
"A kiss," he said with a smile before he leaned in and kissed her lips passionately. As the kiss broke he said, "yep. I feel better now."
"Good. Let's go clean," she said.
"Fine," he said rolling his eyes. "We'll go clean."
They made their way up to the guest room Lindsey once stayed in. They began to go through her things putting them in boxes to either donate to the shelter or to put away some where so that Reagan could see them when she got older. They went through pictures Lindsey had and saved them for Reagan to look at and for her photo album. It took them a couple hours but they managed to get a majority of the room done. The only thing that wasn't done was taking the bed out of the room and the dresser. Dave wasn't going to be able to do it alone and there was no way Alex could help him out since she was pregnant. He was going to get either Tony to help him out or Brian. He just needed someone else's help. Not only did they need to clear out that guest room for Reagan they needed to clear out another one for the baby's nursery so they started to clean up in there too.
"So what's the theme we're doing for this baby?" asked Dave as they looked around.
"I don't know. I want to do something different. Maybe polka dots," said Alex.
"That sounds pretty good," said Dave. "It's up to you."
"I know but I'm still deciding. I really like the polka dot theme though or maybe a brown and pink theme with flowers. I like that one too."
"Whatever you decide," he said. "It just seems weird to do this all over again. I never expected to become a father again at 52. I am going to be so old by the time she gets out of high school."
"But it doesn't really matter because you're still the hottest Dad around. And you don't even look like you're 52."
"So I'm still hot?" he asked with a smile.
"The hottest," she said as she folded up the blanket on the bed. "But this baby thing will NOT happen again. How soon can you schedule a vasectomy because I want to make sure it doesn't happen again."
"Really, Alex? That's like taking away my manhood by making me do that."
"And me having more babies is like taking away my sanity. Do you know what it's like to be in labor for hours? And to pass a 9lb baby out of a hole that is the size of a dime? It's not too pleasant. So yes, really."
"Fine," he said, "but I don't like it."
"You don't have to like it. You just have to do it. And as soon as possible."
"All right. I'll call to set up an appointment on Monday," he said as the kids came into the house. They could hear the commotion and Dave said, "I guess the kids are back."
"What would have been your first guess?" asked Alex as she headed downstairs.
"MOMMY!" yelled Jordyn when she saw Alex.
"Hi, Jordyn," said Alex with a smile. "Did you have fun today?"
"YES! WE picked apples, went on hayride and we had apple cider and applesauce. It was really good."
"I'm glad you had fun," said Alex. "Were they good?"
"Of course," said Marissa. "They gave me no problem. How did it go for you?"
"Great. Kathryn was very impressed with everything."
"That's good. So you're keeping her?"
"Absolutely," said Alex, "we just can't give her away."
"I know," said Marissa. "That's good though."
"Yeah," said Alex, "Lindsey would want it this way."
"She probably would," said Marissa. "You are doing a great thing, Alex."
"Thanks," she said. "And Brian, I think Dave might need your help with getting furniture out of the rooms upstairs so we can start making bedrooms."
"Okay. No problem," he said as he went upstairs to meet with Dave to help him remove the furniture from the rooms.
"I have their apples for you on the front porch. They loved it. You guys are going to be eating apples for a VERY long time," said Marissa with a smile.
"I'll be making apple pie, apple sauce, apple butter and apple cider. I might even try homemade apple juice. Believe me I'll figure a way out to get rid of all those apples."
"You're going to need lots of ideas," said Marissa.
"I bet," she said. "Thank-you so much."
"It was no problem at all. It gave Charlie some company and he wants to know if Ben can spend the night."
"Absolutely," said Alex. "Take them all if you want them."
"No. I can only handle Ben by himself."
Alex let out a laugh, "Ben is enough for three kids but he's a good kid."
"Yeah," said Marissa. "He's gotten better."
"Yeah he has," said Alex. "So are you just going to bring him to mom's tomorrow for family dinner?"
"Yeah," she said. "How long is Mom going to do these dinners?"
"I don't know," said Alex, "but I wish she would take it easy."
"Brian tells her all the time," said Marissa, "but she doesn't listen."
"Well, that's Sylvia Brooks for you. She does what she wants. My mom is stubborn but she means well."
"I know," said Marissa. "I've heard stories about how she used to be as opposed to how she is now. And I can't believe it."
"Oh you have no idea but over the last few years my mom and me have gotten closer and gotten our relationship back. If something happens to her I'm going to be devastated."
"We all are except for Keith and Chris. What happened to them?"
"Chris is back in jail and Keith moved to California. He didn't agree with my mom so he left her life. I could punch him in the face right now for walking away from our mom. And Chris being back in jail for drugs⦠no respect for my mom. Brian and me let her know we're there for her no matter what."
"That's because you two are good kids but I'm worried about her, Alex. She's not looking too good."
"I know," said Alex. "She keeps telling me it won't be long but she's holding out for the birth of our babies. I hope she can make it."
"Me too," said Marissa. "I'm sorry for talking about all this sadness."
"It's okay," said Alex. "It's the truth. And we have to realize that she's not going to be there forever. I just wish she could be."
"Well, we all still have some time with her. We can make that our forever."
"Yeah," said Alex. "I'm just tired of this death thing."
"I bet," said Marissa, "but just remember you're getting to bring a life into this world."
"I know," said Alex. "And I just want her to know her grandmother."
"Yeah. I would like for this baby to know his grandmother too but we can't control when someone lives or dies."
"If only we could," said Alex. "If only we could so much would have been different."
"Right," said Marissa as the guys came down the stairs with the dresser.
"Would you guys like to stay for dinner? It seems like it's been forever since we actually got to hang out and talk," said Alex.
"Oh yeah," said Brian. "We're staying for dinner."
"I guess Brian made the decision," said Marissa with a smile. "Do you need help with anything?"
"No," said Alex. "We're just having BBQ chicken on the grill and Dave's making it. Right, Baby?" she yelled.
"Yeah," he said.
"See?" said Alex. "I say jump he says how high. I love it."
"Too funny," said Marissa.
They took the kids outside to play and enjoyed the beautiful September day catching up on their lives. They enjoyed a few games with the kids and then enjoyed a nice family dinner. Brian and Marissa ended up staying till around 10:30 that night because of all the fun they were having and when they left they took Ben home with them. Alex had to admit it was a good day and she enjoyed herself. It had been a while since she had a good time and she was truly happy. She felt everything was falling back into place and getting better for them. She was hoping deep down that it would stay like that but she wasn't sure what could happen in the future.
*A/N: So Dave and Alex have decided to take Reagan. I have to agree that is the best place for her. No need to uproot her and change everything she knows. SHe already went through enough. And Alex is pretty adamant with Dave getting a Vasectomy.. wonder if he'll go through with it. At least everything is starting to get better for them but we all know that won't last long. Especially since Alex's mom doesn't sound like she's doing too well. THat's the last thing Alex needs right now. She's been through enough. So what did you think? Please review and thank-you for reading.
