Chapter 39
Kaitlyn spent the next fourteen days in the hospital. She passed the time looking through catalogs and ordering baby supplies. During the last few days of her stay, Gary, Bernie, and Collier were busy at home getting the nursery ready. It was going to be a coming home present that Gary wanted to surprise her with. Her doctors had released her on the condition that she have complete bed rest. They wanted to try to hold off the delivery for at least two more weeks.
The day Kaitlyn came home, Gary had arranged with his mother-in-law to keep the girls overnight so that Kaitlyn could get her rest. When they pulled into the driveway, Kaitlyn opened her door and started to get out of the car. Gary ran around to her and picked her up.
"Gary! What are you doing?" Kaitlyn screamed.
"You're on bed rest. That means no stairs." He said as he carried her up the front steps.
He stopped when he realized he didn't know how he was going to get the door unlocked and open. He gave her a sympathetic look.
"Can you reach the keys in my back pocket?" He asked.
Kaitlyn reached behind his shoulder, pulled out his keys, and looked at him. Gary frowned.
"Can you open the door? Please." Kaitlyn put the keys in the lock and opened the door.
When they got inside, Gary kicked the door closed and headed up the stairs. "I got something I want to show you." He said as he carried her into the babies' room and set her in the rocking chair.
Kaitlyn couldn't believe her eyes. Everything was done in white. There were two cribs and in each laid a hand made baby quilt, compliments of Grandma Hobson. There was a changing table, large dresser, and tons of stuffed animals.
"Our mother's went shopping and bought a lot of sleepers and things. I figured we could add some color once we know what the babies are." Gary said hesitantly. Kaitlyn started to cry.
"Gary." She whispered. "This is the nicest thing you have ever done for me." She said as she reached for his hand. He kneeled down beside the chair and wiped away her tears. "Thank you. I love it." She said.
They sat there in silence until Kaitlyn spoke. "Gary, promise me that if something happens to me…" Gary cut her off before she could finish.
"What do you mean? Nothing is going to happen to you." Gary said as he kissed her.
"Well, I don't know that. I mean, having a baby, sometimes there are complications. Things that you can't anticipate. I want you to promise me that if something happens to me, you'll go on, take care of the kids and give them a normal life." She said as she looked in his eyes.
"I don't want to talk about this." Gary said as he wiped her tears away. "There is no reason to talk about this. You and me, we're going to grow old together. We're going to sit on that porch together and watch our grandchildren play. I won't let myself think of a life without you." He said.