February 13th, 2006

Things wee a lot different with Caroline in the house than it was when they brought Jade home. Caroline was a well-behaved child. She only cried when she was hungry. Jade o the other hand was harder to take care of.

Jade wanted to help Alex with Caroline so badly. She didn't understand that Carrie wasn't like a doll. She had to be gentle.

Ty walked back and forth in the nursery rocking Caroline in his arms. Alex was in the shower and Caroline was hysterical.

"Sing to her." Jade sat in the rocking chair, watching in amusement.

"Sing okay what should I sing?" Ty looked at Jade who shrugged, "Okay…How about…God, Caroline…Got it…Sweet Caroline Ba ba da…I don't know the words."

"Daddy, your bad." Jade giggled as she jumped up. "I'll be back." Tu growled. Why couldn't he remember the words to Sweet Caroline? It would have been perfect.

Alex stood I the shower letting the ht water wash her. She was still so tired after giving birth. She felt like crap. She wanted to curl up I a little ball and never wake up.

"Mommy?" Jade walked into the bathroom. Alex sighed.

"What do you want, ladybug?" She asked.

"Carrie is crying. Daddy is mad." Jade said. So much for a nice long soak. Alex shut the water off and stepped out.

"Okay. I'll take care of it." Alex said as she wrapped the towel around her, "It's almost time for your nap."

"I'm too bug.' Jade said as she walked out of the bathroom. Alex sighed and shuffled to the bedroom where Caroline was screaming.

"Thank god. She won't stop crying." Ty said. He looked so lost. Alex smiled and took Caroline from him.

"I have her." Alex said as she sat down in the rocking chair, "Why don't you go take a nap pr something?"

"Because Jade is still on the loose." Ty said. Alex chuckled as Caroline latched on to her. Ty walked out of the room.

"Daddy is just stressed out at the moment." Alex stroked Caroline's Back; He was so excited to get you. He tried so hard to get me pregnant. I thought my brains would pop out." She chuckled softly and closed her eyes. Caroline wasn't a fierce eater like Jade had been. It didn't hurt that much.

"God damn it, Jade!!" Ty yelled from downstairs. Alex opened her eyes when she heard Jade begin to cry.

"What on Earth is going on down there?" Alex retied the towel around her chest and stood up. Ty was still yelling at Jade as Alex laid Caroline down in her crib. She walked down to the kitchen, "What is going on?"

"Daddy hit me!!!" Jade wailed on the kitchen floor. Alex looked at Ty with wide eyes

"I only spanked her." Ty said, "I didn't hit her. Look what she did." Alex looked at the mess of mayonnaise and mustard on the floor.

"I don't care what she did." Alex gathered Jade into her arms; "We don't spank in this house. She was hungry."

"She needed to be punished." Ty said.

"Then you should have had her clean up the mess and given her a time out." Alex said, "I don't want us to discipline with violence." Ty sighed deeply.

"I know." He ran his hands over his face. "I'm sorry. I'm just stressed out and tired."

"I'm not the one you need to apologize to." She said. Ty looked at Jade. Her blue eyes were filled with fresh tears. He took her from her mother's arms.

"I'm so sorry, Ladybug." Ty whispered. "Daddy didn't mean to spank you. Why don't we both clean up the mess and then cook lunch for all of us?"

"You don't hate me?" Jade sniffled.

"I'll never hate you." Ty hugged her; "I love you more than the moon and the stars.

"More than Carrie?" Jade asked. Ty and Alex both laughed.

"I love you both the same." Ty grinned and gave his eldest daughter a kiss. "Tomorrow is Valentine's Day and I promise to make it up to you…to all three of my girls." Alex smiled gently at her husband. He was a terrific father. He just had his bad days just like the rest of us.

February 28th, 2006

Alex pinned a small bow to Caroline's curls. Caroline cooed as she looked at her mother. Alex absolutely loved dolling Caroline up. That's what she looked like; a little doll. Sure, jade was a gorgeous little baby, but Caroline...Caroline was breath taking.

"Do you think Auntie Kim will approve of this outfit?" Alex chuckled as she fixed the ruffles on the dress. She picked Caroline up and walked downstairs. Kim was sitting at the kitchen table serving Jade her lunch. "Here she is." Kim grinned broadly.

"God she's absolutely gorgeous." She took Caroline into her arms, "Hello there my sweet little god daughter."

"I'm your good daughter." Jade said. Kim chuckled.

"I have two goddaughters, Pumpkin." Kim smiled as she sat down. Jade sighed deeply as she ate her sandwich.

"I need to thank you for watching them, Kim." Alex said, "Ty and I really need some alone time. These past four weeks just have bee draining." Kim nodded as she kissed Caroline softly.

"We'll be fine." She said. "Go have fun. Go relax."

"Okay." Alex took in a deep breath. "Jade, you be good for Auntie Kim." Alex leaned over and kissed Caroline's pudgy cheek. "If she cries, call me." Kim laughed.

"I won't, now go." She said.

"Alex, you ready?" Ty called out from the front door.

"Yeah…Yeah I am. You girls be good." Alex bit her lip and walked out of the kitchen. She looked at her husband, "What if Caroline needs me? What if Kim can't quiet her?" Ty chuckled.

"Then she'll call the call." He took her hand, "Let's go enjoy this time alone while we have it." Alex nodded as Ty pulled her out. They walked to the car and Ty held the door open for her. "After you my fair lady." Alex smiled and got in.

* * *

Ty led Alex into the Italian restaurant. It was absolute gorgeous. There were candles and daisies on every single table. There was a house band playing soft romantic music. The hostess lead Ty and Alex to a small private table in the corner.

"Thank you." Alex sat down with a soft smile; "This is wonderful."

"I knew you'd like this." Ty said as he sat in front of her.

"All of this food looks delicious." Alex said as she looked through the menu. "Do you suppose we should check on the girls?"

"No." Ty said looking over the menu. The waiter walked up to them.

"Good afternoon. My name is Cassie and I'll be your server for tonight." She said, "Can I start you off with a drink?"

"Yeah, I'll take some water with a lemon slice." Alex said.

"Can I have some coffee and water?" Ty asked. Cassie nodded.

"Sure. I'll give you a few more minutes to look over the menus."

"Thanks." Alex smiled as she looked at the menu, "It's only lunch time, but I could go for a nice big pasta dish."

"If you eat a lot now, you won't need to eat a lot at super time."

"I know." Alex said softly putting her menu down, "I know what I want. I'm going to get the zucchini Alfredo." Ty nodded.

"That sounds good. I'll get it too." Ty waved their waitress over with their drinks and gave her their orders. He reached over and took Alex's hand. "I'm glad we can get away for a few minutes." Alex nodded.

"I guess." She said softly. "I miss them." Ty chuckled.

"We've only been gone for thirty minutes." He said.

"I know." Alex said softly, "I guess I just got attached to them."

"Well good." Ty chuckled as he squeezed her hand, "We can go if you really want to, Sweetheart." Alex sighed and shook her head.

"No. Let's just enjoy this meal, okay? We won't get anything near this good at home." Alex said. Ty chuckled and kissed her knuckles. It was hard for Alex to leave the girls right now. It had always been hard in the first month to do things away from her child. She needed this though. Ty was glad he made her get out.