After eight weeks in the hospital Meghan was finally discharged with her new abdomen.
"Mama," Faroke yelled as she came through the door.
"Hi," Meghan said, pulling him into a tight hug.
"Are you going to live here two," Faroke asked.
"We are until I can get a job and Nathan and I find something that works for the three of us," Meghan said, "we're going to be down here with Auntie Nikki and Tyler."
"Some space things to work out," Nikki said. She was trying to get Meghan to sleep in Owen and Teddy's guest room. She didn't mind sharing her space during the day but had gotten used to having her room and her space. She liked her space now.
"Where do we all sleep," Meghan asked.
"Faroke as a bed in the boys room," Nikki replied, "Ty is only 2 months and still with me at night right beside me. I can move the bassinet at night and can sleep on the couch. It'll be easiest if you sleep in Owens guest room."
"I don't mind sharing your bed," Meghan said.
"I sleep like a starfish," Nikki said, "spread out and in the middle of the bed. I've gotten used to it now. It's been a year of being a bed hog."
"We'll work it out without anyone being on the couch," Meghan said.
"Ty is still up a few times at night Meg," Nikki said, "I don't want to wake you."
"I haven't had a full night's sleep since medical school. A baby needing his mom is nothing," Meghan replied, "anyway I can help you out."
"My son," Nikki said.
"And letting me change a diaper or give a bottle to let you sleep is fine," Meghan said.
"My son," Nikki repeated.
"Squirt I had to learn to let people I didn't know and didn't trust help me with Faroke," Meghan said, "if you need to sleep I'll give him a bottle or change him."
"Feeding isnt a big deal we're fine but sometimes he ends up in my bed at night," Nikki said.
"I had no choice but to have Faroke in my bed," Meghan said, "I'm okay with it. I won't squish Tyler."
"I don't want you to feel like you have to help," Nikki said, "you're still recovering."
"And I can cuddle a baby, read to and play with the boys," Meghan said, "I just want normal. Rebuilding my life. You and I, we can rebuild together."
"Sisters," Nikki smiled, "were both a mess."
"You'll find love again," Meghan assured.
"Tyler has to come first," Nikki said.
"So does Faroke," Meghan agreed, "but I'm still going to figure things out with Nathan."
"He's been really helpful," Nikki said, "we've talked a lot about the Jeff thing."
"Nathan," Meghan asked.
"He's uncle Nathan to Tyler," Nikki smiled, "he decided that before Ty was born. Nate is Tyler's godfather. Nathan said he would help me teach Ty to be a man. So has Owen."
"Good men to help," Meghan smiled.
"My big brothers," Nikki replied, "Nathan has always been around. He's been one of my doctors for a few years. After my heart stopped on the table Nathan was able to get me stable and has always followed up. He checked a few times before Ty was born. He'd do the ultrasound on my heart then would take a look at Tyler's just so I could see Ty."
"He told me," Meghan said, "I've been home long enough I need to hold my nephew."
Nikki passed Tyler to Meghan.
"I love this onesie," Meghan said, "strong like mommy."
"Nathan the day he was born," Nikki said.
"You're our little sister," Meghan said, "he just had to be there for both of us."
"You and Owen seem to think you can just share me with whoever," Nikki teased.
"No," Meghan said, "I only ever shared you with Nate and Teddy. I shared you with Teddy first. Owen only ever agreed to share you with Teddy because I already had. It looks like you and Teddy are close though."
"We are," Nikki said, "we've gotten even closer this year."
"Why this year," Meghan asked.
"Doing the pregnancy thing together," Nikki said, "she's been really helpful. She's never judged."
"Judged," Meghan asked.
"I'm always worried I let mom, you and Owen down. I'm just a middle school teacher and then I get knocked up and abandoned," Nikki said.
"The three of us don't plan our kids," Meghan said, "we have babies when we do and love them. Mom told me years ago she only planned one out of three."
"I knew I was a surprise," Nikki said.
"Owen," Meghan replied.
"How did you know," Nikki asked.
"I had a scare at 19," Meghan replied, "one night stand which was stupid and I panicked and came home from Oregon to mom. I was just really anemic but it scared me."
"I didn't know," Nikki said.
"You were in kindergarten," Meghan said.
"Mom could have told me when I was panicking," Nikki said.
"I think she was protecting you and Owen," Meghan said, "our parents were married 8 months before Owen was born. I don't know if he ever did the math."
"At least they were together," Nikki grumbelled.
"Your dad couldn't be around," Meghan said.
"I know that," Nikki replied, "but you had each other."
"You had us some times," Meghan said.
"I was an only child in a lot of ways," Nikki acknowledged.
"I guess you were just you and mom for years," Meghan said.
"Owen went to college when I was about 1 and you when I was 4," Nikki said.
"I know," Meghan replied.
"My siblings were more of a concept for years," Nikki said, "when I look at the charts for behavior I have a mix of youngest and only child traits."
"Where are these charts," Meghan asked.
"In a text book," Nikki replied, "try the human development or child development one. I've been reading the baby chapters."
"Stop researching and enjoy your baby," Meghan scolded.
"Why is he so calm for you," Nikki asked.
"I'm the baby whisperer," Meghan replied, "and he's picking up on your anxiety. You have to be calm."
"I meet the lawyer in an hour so," Nikki said.
"And mom says he's just really fussy," Meghan replied.
"Ya," Nikki answered, "I don't really get time to relax. I'm both parents to him."
"I'll keep the boys when you go to the lawyer," Meghan said.
"I'll take Tyler," Nikki said, "you and Faroke need time."
"How do we work out groceries and meals," Meghan asked.
"I usually make a plan for the week and shop on Saturday," Nikki said, "do some meal prep Sunday. Faroke likes to help me cook. Potatoes aren't his favorite we've been eating a lot of rice."
"Rice, beans, lentils, chickpeas," Meghan listed, "veggies."
"Before Ty I was essentially vegetarian," Nikki said, "I'm still plant based 75% of the time. I know how to balance all the nutrients."
"Meat," Meghan asked.
"Dinner only," Nikki said, "chicken, turkey, fish. Pork or beef if someone else is cooking."
"I'll make dinner," Meghan said.
"I've got it. I picked up a chicken yesterday, I've already put the spice rub on it in the fridge," Nikki replied, "roast chicken with roasted veggies and rice. Salad for those of us that like green leaves."
"Tomorrow we'll make a meal plan together," Meghan declared.
"I'm good," Nikki said.
"Many hands make light work," Meghan said, "let's split the house work and cooking."
"You still need to rest," Nikki scolded, "I've got it."
"I can do some. No need to take it all on. What about when you go back to school," Meghan asked.
"Work it out then," Nikki said, "I've kept this place by myself for two years now. If everyone over the age of one puts their own stuff away it's doable."
"My son knows better than to leave his stuff laying around," Meghan declared.
"He even picks up Tyler's toys," Nikki said, "I asked him to put his toys away this morning and all the living room toys were in their bins in five minutes."
"He better," Meghan said.
"He's helpful," Nikki said, "he clears the table and sets it. I had to teach him to set the table but he does it now as soon as I start dinner."
"I'll do lunch while you're at your meeting," Meghan said.
"Don't wait for me," Nikki replied, "Julie and I are back to school shopping. I have no school clothes that fit right. My pre baby stuff is snug so I need a few things."
"What do you wear to work," Meghan asked.
"Lots of dresses, some skirts or dress pants and tops," Nikki said, "I'll go through the dresses I wore up to Christmas last year when I started really showing and see. Some might still work."
"Be cute," Meghan said, "is Tyler going with you?"
"He is," Nikki said, "I don't want to do this meeting with a lawyer but I have to go after Jeff for child support. I've been really generous with my offer to text me and come see him but it's not working."
"What if you dropped it," Meghan asked.
"I'd survive," Nikki replied, "it's just getting Jeff to do what's right. It's not about me it's about Tyler."
"Tyler's asleep and Faroke went to play outside with the girls," Meghan said, "why don't we make a cup of tea you can show me around and we can talk."
Nikki flipped the kettle on and showed Meghan the basement suite.
"Are you sure you want to stay down here," Nikki asked.
"Owen offered the guest room but it's so far from Faroke," Meghan said.
"He clung to me when they brought him home," Nikki said, "he's had nightmares and I've gone to him and he thought I was you."
"Nightmares again," Meghan groaned.
"It's all good," Nikki said, "I just tuck him back in and tell him a story or sing. I've been doing a 7:30 bedtime like the girls keeping it fair for them all."
"How do you make it work," Meghan said.
"Send Faroke for a shower, bath Tyler in the kitchen sink, both in PJs, bedtime snack, Faroke gets fruit and a glass of milk , story and cuddle, tuck in Tyler first because he's asleep at that point, Faroke brushes his teeth and reads for a few minutes, I tuck him in," Nikki said, "light out then most nights I bring out my violin and play for half an hour or so. By the time I'm done Faroke is sound asleep."
"You play them to sleep," Meghan asked.
"It's the one time in the day I can just play," Nikki said, "it's my stress release to play for a bit at the end of the day. It's not always lullabies, it's whatever I feel like playing, a lot of reels and jigs lately."
"You have routines with the boys," Meghan asked.
"I have to," Nikki said, "it's your son though do what you need, I just put those routines in to make it easy on me."
"Mornings," Meghan asked.
"Ty is up about 6:30 for a feed so I feed him and change him, shower, Faroke is up about 7:30, he gets dressed and washes up, breakfast together, I make him read or play a math game on his own while I do a bit of house work then we play outside with the girls before we come see you."
"We'll adjust then," Meghan said.
"You enjoy your son," Nikki said, "I'm going to get changed and see the lawyer about child support."
"Good luck," Meghan said.
"It's a fact finding mission," Nikki said, "just finding out what Tyler's rights are."
"Enjoy shopping after," Meghan said.
"I will," Nikki smiled, "it'll be good to spend some time with Julie."
"You need friends," Meghan said.
Nikki got changed then put Tyler in the car seat and picking up the diaper bag walked out the door.
Meghan walked out to the backyard and sat with Teddy.
"Setting in," Teddy asked.
"Bit of a space crunch," Meghan admitted, "but we'll work it out."
"Just sleep in our guest room," Teddy said, "it's on the main floor. Use a baby monitor if you're worried about Faroke."
"I'd rather be on the same floor," Meghan said.
"Don't ask Nikki to share her room," Teddy advised, "she likes her space and to come up as she wants to be with people. Meghan, she is a massive introvert. She needs time away from all of us to decompress and think. She asked your mom and I not to talk while she was in labour with Tyler. We couldn't leave her sight but we were completely quiet."
"Who was with her when Tyler was born," Meghan asked.
"Evelyn and I," Teddy said, "that was her choice. But there was a point she freaked and started yelling that she wanted Jeff. She also sobbed wanting you, she yelled at me wanting you saying she wanted her real sister."
"But I had been gone ten years," Meghan said.
"She didn't care," Teddy replied, "she wanted you and your mom."
"It's hard to do that without the people you want there," Meghan said, "I had a local midwife with no medical training."
"Meghan," Teddy said, "I'm sorry you shouldn't have had to do that."
"It's how it happened Teddy," Meghan said, "I can't change it. If I hadn't done that I wouldn't have Faroke. I did that for my son. I'd do anything for him to make sure he was safe and healthy."
"We all would," Teddy said, "Daniel was my hardest by far. But I had Owen every step of the way."
They sat silently for a few minutes watching the kids play on the swingset.
"I think I remember my old email password," Meghan said, "Nikki said she emailed me."
"She did," Teddy said, "milestones usually. Owen did sometimes. Would you like to borrow my laptop?"
"Is there somewhere quiet I can sit," Meghan asked.
"Our office," Teddy replied, "let's bring the kids in to play in the living room while I make lunch."
"That would work," Meghan agreed.
They called the kids in and the older three settled with a board game in the living room. Teddy put Daniel in his swing before logging into her laptop on the counter, she opened a new incognito window for Meghan.
"Go read as many as you want today," Teddy said, "you can use it any time. I'll get Owen to set up an account for you on it."
"Thank you," Meghan smiled.
Meghan carried the laptop to the office and closed the door behind her. She logged into her email and saw hundreds of unread emails. She started with the first email she saw. It was from two days before she was found and contained photos of Nikki and Tyler she smiled seeing how cute her sister and her son looked in the selfies. She clicked to the one before it this time from Nathan with pictures of the four kids. She clicked again and saw the ones Nikki sent from the day Tyler was born, with him in the hospital bassinet and the two of them cuddling in the hospital bed. She smiled reading the caption that it was one Teddy had taken minutes after Tyler was born. It was the first photo of the newborn, Nikki wasn't looking at the camera just at the baby, she looked exhausted but was beaming.
"You okay," Teddy asked, slipping in, "I brought you lunch, water and tissues."
"Thank you," Meghan said, "just looking at the first picture of Tyler."
"She was so happy," Teddy said, "she hardly noticed Evelyn and I in the room; it was her and her son."
"I know the feeling," Meghan said.
"That first moment when they look at you," Teddy said, "the first time they're in your arms it's magic."
"I don't know where to start," Meghan said, "do I just go back in time from the most recent."
"I would go to the oldest messages," Teddy said, "think of it like reading their journals. Start at the beginning."
"So go back ten years," Meghan said, "fill in the blanks."
"I might pick one person," Teddy said.
"Nathan's told me everything," Meghan said, "I think Owens told me most."
"Just remember you have several years of angry teenager emails then," Teddy said.
"Maybe I can understand why she does what she does," Meghan said, "should I ask first?"
"She sent them they were meant for you to read," Teddy said.
"It just feels like reading a diary," Meghan laughed.
"She called it a journal," Teddy replied, "Daniel needs to be fed soon can you keep an ear on the kids? They all have sandwiches, carrots and celery."
"Drinks," Meghan asked.
"Water," Teddy replied, "juice and soda are treats. I don't keep them in the house. They can sometimes convince Nikki to give them apple juice. I'll let you read."
"Thanks," Meghan said.
She found the oldest email. Three days after she was captured. Reading her sister's emails from that period she cried. Then 18 months later the most angry email came up about Owen lying to them and Nikki hating him wishing it had been Meghan in the ER instead. She saw the change in Nikki with the stories of doing things with Teddy. She got all the way to her graduation performance with a video link. The YouTube video of the graduation solo was still up.
"Teddy," Meghan called.
Teddy appeared, "what's wrong?"
"Did you see this video," Meghan asked, "her graduation contemporary?"
"The one she did for you," Teddy said, "I helped her rehearse that. That was the last time she performed."
"That was incredible," Meghan said.
"She was," Teddy said, "that piece is her own choreography. I had some input and so did madame but that's it. The photo frame is the tree picture from your last leave and her skirt isn't green."
"It's not green," Meghan asked.
"They special ordered a camouflage chiffon," Teddy explained.
"They thought of everything," Meghan said.
"They did," Teddy replied, "she competed that and did really well."
"Why," Meghan asked, "her emails she was so hurt and lost. It got better when you came home. I like her reaction to you and Owen getting together."
"She was happy about that," Teddy agreed, "her solo was her way of processing you disappearing. She still uses music to process."
"Does she still play a lot," Meghan asked.
"Daily," Teddy said, "after she puts your boys to bed. She stays down stairs after bedtime. She likes her time."
"If I sleep up here I can still hang out down there after bed time," Meghan checked.
"Feel it out," Teddy replied, "she likes her space and not having us interfere. She asks when she wants us or company. She doesn't just come up to see us, she asks first."
"Really," Meghan asked, "and you've all lived her how long?"
"Six years," Teddy replied, "we did a purposeful separation when she was 19 to force her independence. The come and go as you please wasn't until she broke up with Jeff a year ago. This is new. The cat comes up more than anyone."
"Cat," Meghan asked.
"Her old Abbie cat," Teddy smiled.
"She still has that cat, it must be ancient," Meghan smiled.
"Abbie is getting old and slow but Nikki loves her," Teddy smiled, "I went down to bring her dinner about a week before you came home and Nikki was curled up on the couch half asleep with Tyler sleeping on her and Abbie asleep on her feet. Nikki was wrapped in her fuzzy pink blanket and Ty was tucked in with her, It was cozy, I felt bad waking Nikki but she needed to eat."
"Shes not okay," Meghan said, simply stating the fact.
"She's getting better," Teddy said, "we've actually seen worse after her accident. The day Owen had to lift her out of bed and to a chair because she was refusing to move and not responding was the worst. It was like watching a human sized ragdoll."
"She doesn't seem social," Meghan said.
"Neither is Owen," Teddy replied, "she has a few close friends."
"What about you," Meghan asked.
"I'll see some moms from school, a few of the others from work, Arizona and I are close, Bailey," Teddy replied, "we meet with a group of vets every other week and have some really good friends there. We go tomorrow you should come."
"It would be nice to meet people," Meghan admitted, "most of my friends think I'm dead."
"Have you tried reaching out," Teddy asked.
"Not yet," Meghan replied, "my focus is on my family, reconnecting with Nate."
"How's Nate going," Teddy asked.
"We have a lot to work though," Meghan admitted, "we both broke the trust in the days leading up to my capture. I'm as much at fault in our fight that day as he is."
"What do you want to do," Teddy asked.
"We're still engaged after ten years," Meghan said, "and getting to know each other again. He's getting to know my son. I have to figure out how much to trust him."
"With Faroke," Teddy asked.
"Anything," Meghan replied, "it's been ten years. We're strangers to each other."
"We all have to get to know eachother again," Teddy said.
"I'm finding it hard," Meghan said, 'it's easier with you and mom or Owen."
"You expected the 13 year old you squished at the airport," Teddy said.
"And I got a 24 year old single mom," Meghan replied, "who tells me she doesn't know me."
"We didn't either when we settled down," Teddy said, "give it a few months."
"Nothings the same," Meghan said, "mom's house doesn't even look the same."
"Your room," Teddy said.
"It's weird she left it as some sort of shrine," Meghan groaned.
"Waiting for you to come home," Teddy said.
"My clothes," Meghan laughed.
"So nothing to wear,' Teddy said.
"Some of it wasn't horrible," Meghan said, "sweats, hoodies, a few sundresses but I need to go shopping. I have some things to work out with the bank. I have no ID, drivers license, passport, I don't even have a bank account right now."
"Do you have a plan," Teddy asked.
"Today I want to go for a walk and take Faroke to the playground," Meghan replied.
"We can go now," Teddy said.
They got the four kids ready and headed to the playground chatting happily about kids and catching up on the positives.
Just before dinner Nikki got home and was relieved to find the house empty. She was overwhelmed and needed to think. It was going to be hard to get Jeff to do what he needed to but they would figure it out. She put the chicken in the oven and cut up the veggies, drizzling them with olive oil to roast in the oven. She put the rice and water in a pot on the stove ready to turn on in about an hour. Hearing Tyler fussing she sat on the couch to feed him.
"Your home," Meghan said coming down, "how was your day?"
"Long," Nikki said, "dinner is in the oven."
"What can I do," Meghan asked.
"I just need to do the salad and set the table," Nikki replied, "but Faroke knows how to do the table."
"Three places auntie Nikki," Faroke asked.
"Yes for three of us," Nikki replied.
"Salad stuff is in the fridge," Meghan asked.
"Yes," Nikki replied, "there's rice for you and Faroke. I'll just do chicken and veggies."
"Do you want it on," Meghan asked.
"You could," Nikki answered, "I'll be there in a few minutes just relax."
"Let me do this," Meghan said, "we'll have dinner. They can play outside again for a bit. Bed time routine will be easier. Then I'll hang out until were tired and go up to my room. Do you have a baby monitor I can use?"
"He's fine," Nikki said, "but there is one in the boy's room. The receiver is by the TV."
"I'll use that and sleep upstairs in the guest room," Meghan said, "I shouldn't have pushed you earlier about sharing your room."
"It's okay," Nikki said, "you didn't know."
"Sometimes I expect you to be the kid I left behind," Meghan admitted, "I wait to see my baby sister but you changed and grew up in ways I couldn't predict."
"You changed two," Nikki said, "it's ten years. I was a child the last time you were home. I was in middle school. I never stopped missing you though."
"I know," Meghan said, "because I never stopped missing you. After we put the boys to bed can we talk about your emails?"
"You read them," Nikki asked, "please skip the teenage tantrums."
"Too late," Meghan said, "I just got to your prom. I like the ones with photos and videos the best."
"I haven't sent videos since I stopped dancing," Nikki replied.
"Your graduation solo was amazing," Meghan said, "tell me about it later."
"We will need tea and tissues," Nikki said.
"Wine for sister night," Meghan argued.
"Nope. A I dont have any," Nikki replied, "B I've drank maybe 6 times in my life total. Always with Teddy and only ever one glass. I don't drink because of my accident."
"Tea it is them," Meghan agreed.
"Then I get more stories of your time away," Nikki said, "a proper homecoming night."
"We will squirt," Meghan agreed, "once our kids are in bed."