Five Years Later
"I can't find it!" Micah wailed as he trudged into the living room.
Elizabeth looked up. "What is it that you can't find?"
"My book!"
"Which one, little bug? You have lots of books."
"The one about dad. I wanted to bring it to show and tell tomorrow, but now I can't find it!" He sniffled.
"Hey, we'll find it. Okay?"
"What if it's gone forever?"
"I'm sure you just misplaced it, Micah. It has to be in this house somewhere."
"I need it."
"I know you do." She hugged him, leaning down to kiss the top of his head. "We'll find it. I promise."
"Can we find it now?" He tugged on her hand.
"Okay. Let's go look."
She followed him into his room. "Micah Patrick!" Her eyes went wide at the piles of toys and clothes strewn across the floor. "Look at this mess!"
"I was looking for my book!"
"Well, this needs to be cleaned up. So how about I help you put these things away, and we'll look for the book while we're at it."
"Yes, ma'am."
Thirty minutes later, the room was much neater, but the book was still nowhere to be found.
"It's lost, mommy." Micah sank down on his bed, crossing his arms.
"Once daddy gets home, we'll ask him if he's seen it."
"What if daddy can't find it?" He sniffled.
She took a seat beside him, putting an arm around his shoulders. "If daddy can't find it, you'll have to find something else to bring to show and tell, and we can see if daddy and uncle Lee can make you a new book. Okay, little bug?"
"It won't be the same."
"I know, Micah. I know."
...
Jack walked in the front door, followed closely by Ava and Claire.
"Mommy!" Ava climbed up on the sofa and wrapped her arms around Elizabeth.
"Hi, sweet girl. Did you have a good time at ballet?"
"Uh huh." She nodded.
"And what about you, Claire? Did you have fun?"
"Yes." She crawled up on the other side of Elizabeth, snuggling into her side.
Jack loosened his tie. "Where's my little man?"
"He's in his room, pouting."
"Pouting? What for?"
"He can't find the book about Patrick."
"Oh." He reached up and rubbed the back of his neck. "I have it. It's falling apart, so I'm getting it re-bound for his birthday. I guess I forgot to tell you."
"Well, maybe you should tell him. It won't be a surprise now, but he's pretty upset thinking he lost it."
"I'll go talk to him."
"Thank you." She turned to the girls after Jack walked away. "Okay, girlies. Why don't you go change out of your dance clothes, and then you can help me make dinner."
"What's for dinner?"
"Homemade pizza."
"Yummy!" Ava jumped up and ran toward her room.
"Ava, wait for me!" Claire ran after her.
Elizabeth placed a hand on her stomach and laughed softly. "Oh, sweet girl. Your sisters are so silly."
...
"Crisis averted." Jack kissed Elizabeth's cheek. "I convinced him to bring a picture of Patrick instead, since the book won't be ready by tomorrow."
"Good."
He leaned against the counter. "He did ask if he could bring Luna since he can't bring the book."
She chuckled, rolling out the pizza dough. "Really?"
"Yes. Had to break it to him that he couldn't do that." He put a hand on her stomach. "How's baby girl?"
"She's good. I think she's trying to change positions or something. I've been feeling her move way more today."
"She has to get comfy in there before she's too big to turn anymore."
"Probably." She smiled. "Do you want to chop the veggies and put them in bowls for the kids?"
"Which veggies?" He opened the fridge. "Not onions or mushrooms, I presume."
"Whatever you want. I thought we'd do individual pizzas, so we can have whatever we want on ours without grossing out the kids."
"You're making yours a Hawaiian pizza, aren't you?"
"Well, I wouldn't be upset if you also cut up some pineapple with the veggies."
He shuddered and pretended to gag. "I know it's just a pregnancy craving for you, but I still don't think pineapple belongs on pizza."
She shrugged. "I never liked it before, but it's what your daughter wants. And whatever Paige wants, Paige gets. At least until she can talk back."
"Paige gets what?" Ava padded into the kitchen.
"The baby makes mommy want pineapple on her pizza."
"Yuck!" She shook her head. "I don't want that on my pizza."
"Well, lucky for you, Ava Beth. We're all making our own pizzas, so yours can have whatever you want on it." He set an onion, pepper, and a handful of mushrooms on the counter.
"I want three pepperonis and lots of cheese!"
"Just three pepperonis?"
She nodded emphatically. "Mhmm."
"Well, go pull a chair over here, and mommy will get you a crust so you can get started. I'll get you your three pepperonis."
"Hey sweetie, where's your sister?"
Ava stood at the counter, waiting patiently to prepare her pizza. "She couldn't find her socks."
"I'm on it." Jack winked and headed down the hall. "Claire Bear, you don't have to wear socks while you make your pizza!"
...
Micah was clearly upset when he walked out of the school. Elizabeth put a hand on his shoulder, stopping him from immediately entering the car.
"What's wrong, bud?"
"Nothing," he mumbled.
"Something's bothering you, Micah. Please tell me. Maybe I can help."
He sniffled. "I showed my picture of dad for show and tell, and then Robbie said daddy loves my sisters more than me because he's not really my daddy."
She crouched down as best as she could, tilting his chin up so he would meet her eyes. "I want you to listen to me, Micah Patrick. Your daddy loves you so much, just as much as he loves your sisters. You've been his favorite little man since before you were even born. And you know something, little bug? You're a very lucky little boy, because you have a dad in heaven who loves you and you have a daddy here who loves you. Okay?"
He nodded.
"And if Robbie says something like that again, you tell him he's wrong, and then let your teacher know."
"Yes, ma'am."
"I love you, little bug." She kissed the top of his head. "Now, let's get your sisters and get home."
"Mommy?"
"Yes?"
"Can we visit dad soon? But not until after my birthday. I want to tell him about my party."
She ruffled his hair. "Of course we can."
"Mommy? Do you think it makes daddy sad when we visit dad?"
"I think he's sad for us, because we don't have your dad here with us, but I don't think he's jealous. He visits dad, too."
He looked up at her. "He does?"
"Mhmm." She nodded. "So does Uncle Lee."
"And nana and papa?"
"Sometimes, when they come down here, they do. We all miss him very much."
"Sometimes I get sad that I didn't meet him. But if he was here, I wouldn't have daddy, right?"
"Daddy would just be Uncle Jack to you."
"And I wouldn't have my sisters?"
She shook her head and put a hand on her stomach. "Probably not."
...
Elizabeth set her book on the nightstand when Jack came in the room. "Jack, I think Micah needs some father-son time."
"I was actually thinking about taking the kids to the football game this weekend, but I can just take Micah, if that's better."
"He'll love that." She sighed.
"What's on your mind, love?"
"Apparently, one of his classmates told him that you love the girls more than you love him since he isn't biologically yours."
"Who said this? Do I need to have a talk with them?"
"Jack, he's a second grader. I'm sure he didn't really understand what he was saying to Micah."
He took a seat beside her on the bed. "Well, maybe we should at least have a talk with his teacher. It's not okay for kids to be saying things like that to our son."
"No, it's not, but I had a talk with Micah, and everything is fine now. I told him to tell his teacher if it happens again. He knows you love him just as much as the girls."
The corners of his lips turned up. "I couldn't love that boy more even if he was my own flesh and blood. Sometimes I forget he isn't."
She took his hand. "He asked to go visit Pat."
"Let me know when, and I'll make sure I'm home to watch the girls." He kissed her temple.
"Thank you."
...
"Daddy!" Ava jumped up and ran over, followed closely by Claire.
"Hi, girls." He knelt down to hug them both. "How was school today?"
"Good. We made flowers." Claire held up a mass of crumpled tissue paper tied together with a green pipe cleaner.
"Here's mine!" Ava held up a similar "flower."
"Wow, those are beautiful. Why don't we get home so you can show those to mommy?"
"They're presents for Micah. And we made cards for his birthday!"
"Oh, he'll love those. That's so nice of you two to make those for him."
"He's eight now?"
Jack nodded. "Yes. He's two and a half years older than you girls."
"And we're five and a half."
"Yes, you are. You're growing up way too fast."
"So five and a half and two and a half make eight?"
"That's right, Ava Beth." He opened the car door, and the girls climbed into their seats.
"There's Micah!" Claire pointed toward the entrance of the school, where Micah was just emerging.
"Hi there, birthday boy!" Jack pulled him into a hug. "How was your day, bud?"
"Good. Is it time for my party?"
Jack chuckled and ruffled his hair. "Not just yet, little man. Everyone is coming over in a few hours."
"Oh."
"You just have to be patient a little while longer. I promise it'll be worth it."
...
"Daddy?"
Jack glanced in the rearview mirror. "Yes, Claire Bear?"
"How long until Paige is born?"
"Three more months. She'll be born a few weeks before Christmas, remember?"
"Oh. Yeah." She was quiet for a few moments. "Could her birthday be on Christmas?"
"Probably not. She'd be very late if that was the case."
"Daddy?" Ava spoke up. "Why does it take so long for babies to be born?"
"They have to grow in their mommy's tummy until they're big enough to come out. They start out so teeny tiny that you can't even see them."
"How big is Paige now?"
"Almost two pounds."
"Is that small?"
"That's pretty small. You two were not quite six pounds when you were born."
"How big was I?" Micah's voice floated up from the back of the car.
"You were seven pounds. So Paige still has some growing to do before she's big enough to come out of mommy's tummy."
"I wish she was out now."
"I know you do, sweetheart," he smiled. "I wish she was out, too. But just like Micah has to be patient waiting for his party, we have to be patient waiting for Paige."
"Can I give her bottles?"
"I'm sure mommy would love your help, Claire Bear. You three can help change your baby sister's stinky diapers, too."
He laughed when he was met with a chorus of "ew!" from the back seat.
...
Micah wandered into the kitchen. "Is it time for cake yet?"
Jack laughed. "Not yet, bud. We have to wait for your aunts and uncles and cousins to get here."
"But I see the cake right there!" He pointed at the cake cooling on the counter.
"Just because you can see it doesn't mean you can have it right now. Besides, you need to have your dinner first, even on your birthday."
By the time the guests started arriving an hour later, Micah was nearly bouncing off the walls, he was so wound up with excitement about his party. Tom and Sarah arrived first with Opal and Alec, followed shortly after by Faith and Shane with Philip and Ezra. Philip and Opal immediately paired off on one side of the room. Now almost sixteen years old, they had just started dating officially.
Jack just shook his head and smiled as he watched them. He nudged Tom with his elbow. "I can't believe you gave in and let her date before she turned thirty."
"Just wait until one of your girls comes home talking about a boy. You'll give in, too."
He rolled his eyes. "Whatever you say."
"Oh, I guarantee it'll happen. And you have three girls to wear you down."
He chuckled. "Not going to happen."
Lee and Rosemary arrived a few minutes later with Lorelei, Leo, and two-year-old Luca in tow.
"Look at you!" Rosemary came right over to Elizabeth, putting her hands on her stomach.
Elizabeth laughed. "You just saw me on Sunday. I haven't grown that much since then."
"Oh, hush." She leaned in a bit. "Hello, my sweet niece. Auntie Rosie can't wait to meet you." She stood back up. "So, how are you feeling?"
"I'm fine." Elizabeth cradled her belly. "Baby girl and I are both healthy."
"And how are you feeling about Micah turning eight?"
"I'm a little in denial. He's my only boy and my only one who's a bit of Pat. Sometimes it's hard to see him grow up."
"He's a good kid." Rosemary put her arm around Elizabeth. "Patrick would be proud of him."
"I know."
"He'd be proud of you, too, you know. Even though it was hard, you kept living. You've made a wonderful life with Jack."
Elizabeth blinked back the tears that started to fill her eyes. "Thank you, Rosie."
...
Jack finished putting the last of the icing on the cake, while Elizabeth stood by and watched. "The girls were asking about Paige again today on the ride home from school."
"I think they're more impatient for her to get here than you are," she joked, placing a hand on her stomach.
"Well, they've never had a baby sister before." He put his hand beside hers. "How has she been?"
"Good. She's so much calmer than Ava and Claire were, which is still so strange to me. Her movements are just so subtle."
"Are you being good for your mama, Paigey girl?"
"Now if only we could know she'll be this calm once she's out of me."
"I think, no matter what she's like, it'll seem like a breeze since it's just her."
She chuckled. "True. We aren't going to know what to do with ourselves when there's only one baby needing our attention."
"I can't wait to meet her." He leaned down and kissed her belly. "I love you, Paige Noel." He stood up and pressed his lips to hers. "And I love you, Elizabeth Reed."
"I love you more." She kissed him back.
"Yuck!"
They pulled apart, chuckling when they saw Ava in the doorway, covering her eyes.
She peered through her fingers, giggling hard. "Stop kissing!"
"But I like kissing your mommy!" Jack crossed the kitchen and scooped her up.
"Kissing is yucky."
"You just keep thinking that Ava Beth. You don't let any boys kiss you. Except for me, of course." He dropped kisses all over her face, and she laughed even harder.
"Daddy," Micah traipsed into the room, "is it time for cake now?"
"Yes, it is, birthday boy." He lowered Ava to the floor and carefully grabbed the cake off the counter.
Elizabeth followed him out of the room. "I could've carried that, Jack."
"Yes, but you're pregnant."
"This baby doesn't interfere with my ability to use my arms."
Rosemary smirked as she cleared a space on the table for the cake. "Is he coddling you again?"
"Yes. Will you please tell him that I can still do things? It's like he's forgotten what it's like when I'm pregnant."
"I can't help it." He put his arms around her. "I just want you and Paige to be safe."
"We're fine, Jack." She touched his cheek. "And you're sweet. Now, we should probably get the candles lit before Micah loses his patience. He's been asking for cake since he woke up this morning."
...
"Did you have a good birthday, bud?" Jack pulled the covers up to Micah's chin.
"Yeah. We're really going to a football game on Saturday?"
"We really are. Just you and me, little man. We'll have a whole day without the girls."
He sat up slightly, wrapping his arms around Jack's neck. "I love you, daddy."
"I love you, too, Micah." He kissed the top of his head. "Sleep tight."
"Can we read the book about dad one more time?"
"Just one more time." Jack reached for the book on the nightstand. It still looked well-loved, but the cover was no longer falling apart. "And then you have to go to sleep."
"I will. I promise."
...
"Okay, we have our nachos, now let's go find our seats, bud." Jack took Micah's hand and led him up into the stands.
Micah immediately dug into his food once they were situated in their seats.
"Daddy, did you ever bring mommy to a football game?"
"A few times, but not many. Ever since you and your sisters were born, it's easier for us to watch the games on TV."
"What about before I was born?" He looked up at Jack, curiosity lighting his eyes.
"I went to some games with your dad and mommy. Uncle Lee and Aunt Rosie used to come with us, too."
"Can we come to a game with Uncle Lee and Leo?"
"I'll ask."
Micah was half asleep by the time Jack loaded him into the car after the—winning—game, and fully asleep by the time they reached the house. Jack carried him inside and carefully laid him in his bed.
"Hi," Elizabeth whispered as Jack came out of Micah's room. "How was it?"
"He had a blast." He quietly shut the door behind him. "He asked if we can go to a game with Lee and Leo sometime."
"Oh, that would be fun."
"I think so." He put his arm around her shoulders as they walked toward their room. "I can't believe our little man is eight years old."
"He's grown up so fast. And to think Pat's been gone that long…" she shook her head. "Where has the time gone?"
"I have no idea."
A few hours later, they woke to all three kids climbing into their bed, spooked by a thunderstorm that had appeared out of nowhere.
Jack laughed softly as he tried to get comfortable around the pile of children. "Let's hope at least one of them outgrows this before Paige is big enough to come get in our bed."
"Technically, Paige is already in this bed with us." Elizabeth put her hands on her stomach. "And it's not too bad." She smiled as Claire and Ava snuggled up against her. "We have a pretty good life here, professor."
"That we do." He leaned in and kissed her gently. "I love you, Elizabeth."
"I love you, too."
...
A/N And that's the end of Faith, Hope, and Love Abide! There's a chance I might revisit this version of J&E at some point (no promises, though), but until then, I still have two other stories going, and a few other things in the works for you guys to check out! Thanks for reading :)
