Here is the next chapter. Amber

Chapter 19

Callie was feeding Josh his bottle. It was 10:30 at night. She was giving the girls downstairs until Midnight before she went down there to shut it down. Her husband glanced inside. He had a sleeping Ford in his arms. He whispered. "He conked out watching Aristocats."

Callie smiled. "Works like a charm. He watches that movie constantly."

"His cousins got him hooked on it."

Callie stood up and followed Frank into Ford's room as he put him in his crib. He gave him his stuffed bunny and his blanket. He whispered. "Good night Ford."

Callie now had a sleeping Josh. He had finished his bottle and was now out like a light. She moved him gently to his crib. "Good night buddy."

Frank went and knocked on Brooke's door. She opened it. "Hey."

"It's almost bedtime."

"Yeah I know. Mom, may I talk to you a minute?"

Callie stepped inside. "Of course dear." She turned and kissed her husband. "Girl talk."

Frank backed up. "Of course. See you in a bit."

Callie sat on the bed beside her eldest daughter. She remembered when she was a baby with pigtails. She took her hand. "What's on your mind kiddo?"

"A lot of things, but I have a couple of questions. Will you promise to be honest with me?"

"I promise I'll be honest with my answers. I can't promise I will answer your questions but I'm always honest with you kiddo."

"You and dad met in middle school right?"

"We did and we started dating in eighth grade."

Brooke nodded. "That's when Ben and I started dating. When did daddy first kiss you?"

Callie answered. "High school ninth grade."

"When did you know that you loved daddy."

"It happened over time, but I'd say sophomore year. We were sixteen and young. The feelings changed dramatically over that year and by the start of our junior year we were deeply in love with each other. Your dad started saving for my engagement ring at the end of our sophomore year. He gave it to me right after we knew we were going to have you."

"Why didn't you and daddy wait until college."

"We were young and in love and eventually we gave into those feelings. My mother encouraged me to go on birth control pills for my periods. I know you have horrible cramps and periods yourself."

Brooke was relieved. She didn't have to spell it out in black and white. Her mother knew but she saved face by telling her it was for her periods. "Yes mom...I think I need to see a gynecologist and go on the pill. I really need relief."

Callie kissed her forehead. "I understand, and I'll take you. Do you want to see a male or female doctor?"

"Um...I don't know. What's your preference."

"I prefer a male because to me having a woman doing that stuff down there is weird, but your Aunt Ginny prefers a woman for the same reason. It's entirely up to you."

"Well, I liked the doctor that delivered Josh, he was pretty awesome. Or I could see Aunt Ginny. Maybe that's best."

"I'll make the appointment tomorrow. Hopefully they can get you in soon."

"Thanks mom."


Callie came to bed. Frank was on his laptop. He glanced up. "Any problems?"

"No she wanted to talk about her and Ben and didn't know how. She started by asking questions about us, which I answered. She wasn't too specific. I mean she knows I was pregnant in high school."

"Which allows her to ask why we did or when."

"She asked why and I told her honestly. I said it was because we loved each other and eventually gave into those feelings. I also brought up her periods which are quite heavy that she may want to consider birth control pills. She seemed well open to the idea and suggested that I make an appointment with her Aunt Ginny."

"Good, hopefully no surprises though."

Callie kissed him. "Hopefully not. We have our hands full at the moment."

Frank pulled her into his arms and kissed her. "We do indeed."

Callie deepened the kiss and stripped off his t-shirt. Everything else faded into the background as they gave themselves to each other.


The next day Brooke was up. She was at school the next morning. Ben came up behind her at her locker. "Hello gorgeous."

She turned into him and kissed him. "Morning."

"How's your mom, grandpa, and sister."

"They're doing okay. Squirt is going to have her surgery in three weeks. I want to be there."

"As you should. Will your parents let you?"

"I started working on dad yesterday. I think so. So if I'm not here will you get my work for me?"

"Of course."

Tiffany Heard came up behind her. "Hey Brooke."

"Hey."

"I heard about your sister, I'm praying for her."

Brooke smiled. "Thanks for that."

"You're welcome." She walked away.

Ben glanced at her concerned. "Who's she dating now?"

"Phillip Barnes. The other male cheerleader on our squad."

Ben retrieved his books from his locker. Then he put an arm around her waist. "Let's get to class."

They made it to American history just in time. Mr. Davenport said. "Get your books and turn to page 118. Pass your homework up to the front."

Brooke already had hers out and took Ben's who was sitting behind her. More papers came up and she stacked them together. She took the stacks from her left and her right. It was a ritual of the class. She handed the papers to Mr. Davenport. "Thank you Brooke, now are you all ready for your test?"


Claire was eating lunch at home. She had been working on her english paper, it had been a chore but she was happy with it. She went upstairs and practiced her violin for an hour. She wanted to play more but didn't want to push any buttons. Then she went downstairs to work on her math. It was a review of the week's material. They'd have a test after they had another three days of instruction, then a big review, then test day on Friday. Luckily, her father was really good at math and a fairly decent teacher. She often joked he should hang up his gun and start teaching. Frank had laughed, thanked her for the compliment, and turned back to tutoring her. She was nervous about surgery Monday. She wanted her daddy to walk her back to the operating room. She finished the math work and went upstairs to practice her flute. She could only handle about thirty minutes before she felt winded. This really sucks! I can't even play my flute! She grumbled. A knock on her door got her attention. She turned. "Hi daddy?"

She tried to sound normal but she was winded. There was no fooling him. He sat her on the bed. "Slow deep breaths kiddo."

Claire complied bitterly. After a few minutes she felt better. "Thanks daddy."

"Anytime."

Claire could feel the tears welling up in her eyes. She stood up on the premise of putting her music away. She didn't want her father to see her cry. She was determined to be strong, but she was scared. A small sob escaped her lips. She hadn't been able to control it. Her father stood up and hurried over to her. He pulled her into a hug. Claire cried. "Daddy I'm scared. I don't want to have the surgery. I don't want to take medicine every day for life. I don't want to have to keep checking my blood levels. It's not fair."

Frank soothed her. "I know baby. I'm so sorry." He held her until she had no tears left.

She pulled away. She couldn't meet his eyes. "Sorry daddy."

Frank lifted her chin so that he was looking in her eyes. "You have nothing to be sorry for."

Brooke came in. She saw that her sister was upset. She could see that she had just gotten her emotions under control. She chose to ignore the red eyes. "Supper is ready, Claire it's your favorite."

Claire's face brightened. "Ham and sweet potato?"

Frank chuckled. "You bet kiddo and your mom put the cinnamon and brown sugar on the table along with some butter."

"Yay!"

Brooke was glad to see her sister had cheered up. Claire hurried downstairs. "Dad can I please go when she has surgery. I won't be able to concentrate at school. Please."

Frank nodded. "Your mother and I agreed that you should be there."

Brooke hugged him. "Thank you daddy!"