Chapter 16: You are my sunshine
Joshua was released from the NICU after just 3 days. He had suffered no further distress or problems and so was allowed to join Susan in Intensive Care.
She was so pleased to have him by her side, she had missed him so much. She had barely seen him since she came round. Now she just couldn't wait to get home. She wanted to introduce Joshua to his new home.
Susan was packing her things to go whilst keeping one eye on Joshua in his maternity cot. Mark had gone home to collect the romper suit and blanket set that Joshua was due to go home in.
As Mark picked it up from inside the nursery he smiled to himself. He had been blessed with a son, he couldn't believe how happy he felt. It was even better knowing that Susan would be coming home too.
The hours he had spent by her bedside had been the worst of his life. He kept thinking about how he would cope looking after a baby all by his self. But most of all he it devastated him to think that he might never be able to tell Susan he loved her again or that she would never be able to see the child she so longed for.
None of that mattered now though. She was alive and their son was healthy. Mark couldn't be happier.
As Mark looked down at his watch he recoiled at how long he had spent in the nursery. He had to get back to the hospital, Susan would be wondering where he was.
Twenty minutes later Mark walked through the doors of Susan's room. She was holding Josh and looking out of the window. She was uttering words that only became audible to Mark as he got closer.
"Hey Dad, hey Chloe. Look who I've got. This is Joshua Douglas Greene. He's 3 days old now and he's just perfect. We had a few problems during the birth, but we're all fine."
As Mark heard the words, he slipped a hand round Susan's waist and kissed her softly. She turned to face him, a single tear fell down her cheek, but at the same time a smile crept across her face.
"I thought they should get to see him. Even though they're gone they're still his Grandfather and Aunt. I want him to know who they were, I want him to get to play with Suzie and enjoy the best of everything." Susan said quietly whilst gently rocking the baby
"That's good to know Susan. I phoned Rachel, she so excited, wonders when she can come and see him. I said not for a while, he needs to settle in and you need your rest. She seemed to accept that. Now shall we take this little guy home?" Mark said as he took Joshua from Susan
"I think that's a great idea. Let's just get him in his going home outfit first. Think we should pay a visit downstairs?" Susan replied as she carefully put the romper suit on Joshua and wrapped him in the blanket.
Mark took the bags and Susan carried Josh in her arms. He was sleeping, with only the occasional moment of arm waving to disturb his otherwise peaceful rest.
Haleh was the first person to see Susan and Mark walk down the stairs. As they cam closer she could see a little bundle of white being cradled in Susan's arms.
That scene made her smile. They looked so perfect together.
As Susan saw her she smiled.
"Do you want to hold him?" Susan asked
"Oh honey I would like nothing more." Haleh answered
"Oh isn't he precious, he's absolutely perfect." Haleh said as she held little Joshua.
Slowly the usual gang began to form, all eager for a look. All the nurses had a hold, Chuny, Abby, Lydia, they were all there.
It was so slow in the ER even Kerry, Luka and Carter came over. They all had a cuddle with the baby too. They all came to the conclusion that Joshua looked a lot like Mark. The eye colour was more like Susan's although there were hints of brown too. But the hair colour and facial features, especially the mouth looked a lot like Mark.
As Kerry passed Joshua back to Susan he began to cry. Within a few minutes the crowd had dispersed as Josh cried louder.
"I think I'd better feed him." Susan said as they made their way out to the car.
Susan sat in the passenger seat and fed Josh for a good half and hour before he seemed satisfied. When she had finished she placed him into the car seat. He looked stunned at his new environment, the white colours of the hospital walls were all he had known.
Now he was out in the open world. Not that he was alone in this world of course. He had two parents, and an ER full of staff who adored him.
Twenty minutes later Mark and Susan arrived home. Mark put the things into their bedroom then joined Susan in the nursery.
She was giving Joshua the grand tour of his new room when Mark came in. Susan turned to him and smiled.
"This is all so perfect Mark. I love you. How long do you have off work?" Susan asked
"Eight weeks. I'm taking the maximum amount of paternity leave that Kerry can spare. Which means I'll be around all over Christmas and the New Year."
"That's so good to hear." Susan said as she placed Joshua in his cot. It was 1pm, time for a nap. Susan felt she needed one too, but she was also extremely hungry.
"Hey what have we got to eat in this place?" Susan asked
"We have some wheat crunchies, not exactly a lunchtime thing. We do have some chicken and rice. How 'bout that?" Mark answered
"Mmmm that sounds great. I'm just going to lie on the couch for a bit." Susan replied
"Ok sweetie, I'll bring it over when it's ready." Mark answered
When Mark turned round Susan was no longer on the couch.
"Must have gone for a sleep" Mark thought.
Susan was standing over the cot just watching Joshua sleep.
"I always wanted children, but I never realised they could ever be as beautiful as you are. You are my sunshine. And you have a fantastic daddy as well. He loves you so much, we both do. We're going to be here for you all the time. Even when you think you don't need us, we'll be here. We're never going anywhere. And you never know, one day you might have a brother or sister to play with." Susan whispered as she spoke a sleeping Joshua.
"There you are. I checked in our room first, I thought you were sleeping." Mark said quietly
"Strangely enough I don't feel tired. Not yet any way. I think I'm too excited. I just want to see him all the time. Watch him as he sleeps and be there when he wakes up." Susan whispered
"Yeah, they have that affect on you. Come on let's go eat. He's out for the count." Mark answered
Mark and Susan crept out of the room and took the baby monitor with them. They could hear him gurgling and moving about on the brand new sheets in his cot. Each noise brought a smile to Susan's face.
Mark was delighted to see her so happy. Their relationship wasn't even a year old yet, although it wasn't far off, but they knew this was forever. Mark had plans to ask Susan to marry him, but he had to see how Joshua behaved. If he was a good baby, and Susan wasn't too tired, he would ask he at Christmas, but if he was a bit problematic and Susan was stressed he would wait.
"So how does it feel to be a mommy?" Mark asked
"I think that's obvious. It's wonderful. Even in the last day or so I've noticed changes in him. It's fascinating. And I want to thank you too." Susan answered
"Thank me for what?" Mark asked
"For getting me pregnant, for loving me, for caring for me, being there for me. And mostly just for being you. Despite the problems we had, and what happened at the beginning, my life has been enriched by having you as a constant presence." Susan replied
"But I was always here for you." Mark said
"But not like this. Yes you were my friend and I loved you. But now there's more. We're in love and there's intimacy. I can tell you things that I could never tell anyone. I want you by my side forever." Susan replied
"And I will always be here." Mark said with a smile.
With that the sounds from the monitor became louder. Joshua had obviously woken up. Susan got up and picked him up from his cot.
"Mark can you bring the diaper bag please? This little guy needs changing." Susan called
With that Mark appeared with a bulging bag of diapers. As Susan laid Joshua down on the changing mat, Mark handed Susan a fresh diaper.
Even though Susan used to change Suzie's diapers, she hadn't done it for ages, and this was a nasty one. Newborn's diapers always were. They stank and this was no different.
Even thought the smell could have knocked and elephant out, Susan carried out the task with a smile on her face, playing with Josh as she went. Mark sat by her side and watched.
When she had finished she picked Joshua up and put him on the play mat. Mark promptly made his way over and began to show Josh colourful shapes and farm animals.
Susan came back into the room after disposing of the diaper. She sat behind Mark and put her head on his shoulders, and took a long look at her perfect family.
Joshua was released from the NICU after just 3 days. He had suffered no further distress or problems and so was allowed to join Susan in Intensive Care.
She was so pleased to have him by her side, she had missed him so much. She had barely seen him since she came round. Now she just couldn't wait to get home. She wanted to introduce Joshua to his new home.
Susan was packing her things to go whilst keeping one eye on Joshua in his maternity cot. Mark had gone home to collect the romper suit and blanket set that Joshua was due to go home in.
As Mark picked it up from inside the nursery he smiled to himself. He had been blessed with a son, he couldn't believe how happy he felt. It was even better knowing that Susan would be coming home too.
The hours he had spent by her bedside had been the worst of his life. He kept thinking about how he would cope looking after a baby all by his self. But most of all he it devastated him to think that he might never be able to tell Susan he loved her again or that she would never be able to see the child she so longed for.
None of that mattered now though. She was alive and their son was healthy. Mark couldn't be happier.
As Mark looked down at his watch he recoiled at how long he had spent in the nursery. He had to get back to the hospital, Susan would be wondering where he was.
Twenty minutes later Mark walked through the doors of Susan's room. She was holding Josh and looking out of the window. She was uttering words that only became audible to Mark as he got closer.
"Hey Dad, hey Chloe. Look who I've got. This is Joshua Douglas Greene. He's 3 days old now and he's just perfect. We had a few problems during the birth, but we're all fine."
As Mark heard the words, he slipped a hand round Susan's waist and kissed her softly. She turned to face him, a single tear fell down her cheek, but at the same time a smile crept across her face.
"I thought they should get to see him. Even though they're gone they're still his Grandfather and Aunt. I want him to know who they were, I want him to get to play with Suzie and enjoy the best of everything." Susan said quietly whilst gently rocking the baby
"That's good to know Susan. I phoned Rachel, she so excited, wonders when she can come and see him. I said not for a while, he needs to settle in and you need your rest. She seemed to accept that. Now shall we take this little guy home?" Mark said as he took Joshua from Susan
"I think that's a great idea. Let's just get him in his going home outfit first. Think we should pay a visit downstairs?" Susan replied as she carefully put the romper suit on Joshua and wrapped him in the blanket.
Mark took the bags and Susan carried Josh in her arms. He was sleeping, with only the occasional moment of arm waving to disturb his otherwise peaceful rest.
Haleh was the first person to see Susan and Mark walk down the stairs. As they cam closer she could see a little bundle of white being cradled in Susan's arms.
That scene made her smile. They looked so perfect together.
As Susan saw her she smiled.
"Do you want to hold him?" Susan asked
"Oh honey I would like nothing more." Haleh answered
"Oh isn't he precious, he's absolutely perfect." Haleh said as she held little Joshua.
Slowly the usual gang began to form, all eager for a look. All the nurses had a hold, Chuny, Abby, Lydia, they were all there.
It was so slow in the ER even Kerry, Luka and Carter came over. They all had a cuddle with the baby too. They all came to the conclusion that Joshua looked a lot like Mark. The eye colour was more like Susan's although there were hints of brown too. But the hair colour and facial features, especially the mouth looked a lot like Mark.
As Kerry passed Joshua back to Susan he began to cry. Within a few minutes the crowd had dispersed as Josh cried louder.
"I think I'd better feed him." Susan said as they made their way out to the car.
Susan sat in the passenger seat and fed Josh for a good half and hour before he seemed satisfied. When she had finished she placed him into the car seat. He looked stunned at his new environment, the white colours of the hospital walls were all he had known.
Now he was out in the open world. Not that he was alone in this world of course. He had two parents, and an ER full of staff who adored him.
Twenty minutes later Mark and Susan arrived home. Mark put the things into their bedroom then joined Susan in the nursery.
She was giving Joshua the grand tour of his new room when Mark came in. Susan turned to him and smiled.
"This is all so perfect Mark. I love you. How long do you have off work?" Susan asked
"Eight weeks. I'm taking the maximum amount of paternity leave that Kerry can spare. Which means I'll be around all over Christmas and the New Year."
"That's so good to hear." Susan said as she placed Joshua in his cot. It was 1pm, time for a nap. Susan felt she needed one too, but she was also extremely hungry.
"Hey what have we got to eat in this place?" Susan asked
"We have some wheat crunchies, not exactly a lunchtime thing. We do have some chicken and rice. How 'bout that?" Mark answered
"Mmmm that sounds great. I'm just going to lie on the couch for a bit." Susan replied
"Ok sweetie, I'll bring it over when it's ready." Mark answered
When Mark turned round Susan was no longer on the couch.
"Must have gone for a sleep" Mark thought.
Susan was standing over the cot just watching Joshua sleep.
"I always wanted children, but I never realised they could ever be as beautiful as you are. You are my sunshine. And you have a fantastic daddy as well. He loves you so much, we both do. We're going to be here for you all the time. Even when you think you don't need us, we'll be here. We're never going anywhere. And you never know, one day you might have a brother or sister to play with." Susan whispered as she spoke a sleeping Joshua.
"There you are. I checked in our room first, I thought you were sleeping." Mark said quietly
"Strangely enough I don't feel tired. Not yet any way. I think I'm too excited. I just want to see him all the time. Watch him as he sleeps and be there when he wakes up." Susan whispered
"Yeah, they have that affect on you. Come on let's go eat. He's out for the count." Mark answered
Mark and Susan crept out of the room and took the baby monitor with them. They could hear him gurgling and moving about on the brand new sheets in his cot. Each noise brought a smile to Susan's face.
Mark was delighted to see her so happy. Their relationship wasn't even a year old yet, although it wasn't far off, but they knew this was forever. Mark had plans to ask Susan to marry him, but he had to see how Joshua behaved. If he was a good baby, and Susan wasn't too tired, he would ask he at Christmas, but if he was a bit problematic and Susan was stressed he would wait.
"So how does it feel to be a mommy?" Mark asked
"I think that's obvious. It's wonderful. Even in the last day or so I've noticed changes in him. It's fascinating. And I want to thank you too." Susan answered
"Thank me for what?" Mark asked
"For getting me pregnant, for loving me, for caring for me, being there for me. And mostly just for being you. Despite the problems we had, and what happened at the beginning, my life has been enriched by having you as a constant presence." Susan replied
"But I was always here for you." Mark said
"But not like this. Yes you were my friend and I loved you. But now there's more. We're in love and there's intimacy. I can tell you things that I could never tell anyone. I want you by my side forever." Susan replied
"And I will always be here." Mark said with a smile.
With that the sounds from the monitor became louder. Joshua had obviously woken up. Susan got up and picked him up from his cot.
"Mark can you bring the diaper bag please? This little guy needs changing." Susan called
With that Mark appeared with a bulging bag of diapers. As Susan laid Joshua down on the changing mat, Mark handed Susan a fresh diaper.
Even though Susan used to change Suzie's diapers, she hadn't done it for ages, and this was a nasty one. Newborn's diapers always were. They stank and this was no different.
Even thought the smell could have knocked and elephant out, Susan carried out the task with a smile on her face, playing with Josh as she went. Mark sat by her side and watched.
When she had finished she picked Joshua up and put him on the play mat. Mark promptly made his way over and began to show Josh colourful shapes and farm animals.
Susan came back into the room after disposing of the diaper. She sat behind Mark and put her head on his shoulders, and took a long look at her perfect family.