Chapter 4
Memories of Jessica
"Whatcha reading Daddy?" Ruthie asked climbing up next to Carter on the sofa in the living room.
"Just some paperwork sweetie. Lucy should be here any minute. She's going to watch you and the babies while I take your big sisters to the library," he kissed her on the head and got up from the couch.
"Yay! Lucy's coming! Lucy's coming!" Ruthie cried excitedly jumping up and down.
"Awe dad! That's not fair. You never told us you got Lucy to sit," Bella complained coming down the stairs.
"Lucy will be here when we get back," Carter assured her calmly.
"Wucy's coming! Wucy's coming!" Gabriel cried, imitating his sister and jumping up and down.
"Gabe, what did I tell you about the juice?" Carter cried rushing to his son and taking his box of apple juice away from him before he could spill it on himself. The doorbell rang and Bella and Ruthie both rushed to answer it.
"I got it Ruthie," Bella said pushing her aside.
"No, I got it!" Ruthie screamed yanking on Bella's arm.
"Dad! Tell her to get away from me!" Bella cried swatting Ruthie not too gently on the head. Ruthie started crying as Bella opened the door.
"Lizzie!" Bella exclaimed opening the door for Dr. Corday.
"Hey Liz. What's up?" Carter asked picking up Ruthie.
"Oh you forgot patient Antoine's file. I thought it would be helpful for you," she said handing Carter a brown file that was wet with melted snow. Antoine was a 28 year old male that had came in with lacerations around the neck and shoulders. After doing a little research, Dr. Greene suspected it was a case of spousal abuse. Only this time it was one of the rare 'wife vs. husband' cases.
"Thanks Liz. Hey you might as well stick around. Lucy's coming over soon to sit so I can take my older ones to the library."
"Oh that's very nice John but I need to get back to the hospital. On call remember?" Liz asked straitening the blue beanie she wore on her head.
"Bye Liz," Bella hugged Dr. Corday.
"Good-bye sweetheart. You're looking more and more like Jessica everyday," she commented holding her at arms length.
"I was thinking the same thing this morning," Carter said, still clutching Ruthie.
"You wild kids have fun," Dr. Corday said as Carter helped her out the door. Lizzie met Lucy halfway down the walk. They hugged and said something John couldn't hear then laughed. Liz turned around and waved one more time as Lucy continued her way.
"Lucy's here!" Ruthie cried struggling to get down. Carter caught her before she could rush out the door.
"LUCY!" She screeched.
"RUTHIE!" Lucy screamed back and picked up the excited 5-year-old.
"Hey Luce," Carter said closing the door behind her.
"Hi Lucy," Bella greeted casually not wanting to make a huge deal like Ruthie had.
"Hey Bella. How are you?" Lucy asked setting Ruthie on the floor.
"Good," she said. She was about to tell Lucy about her new boyfriend when Gabriel came into the living room.
"Wucy's coming! Wucy's coming!" he cried again.
"She's here. She's here," John smiled at his son and watched him run up into Lucy's arms.
"I love Wucy," Gabe commented.
"Lucy," Bella corrected him.
"Wucy!" Gabriel cried.
"He has no trouble saying his L's except when he says your name," Bella sighed as Paige came down the stairs.
"Lucy!" she cried hugging her.
"Hey Paige," Lucy hugged her back, careful not to squish Gabriel.
"That's not fair Dad! Lucy comes over and we have to go to the stupid library," Paige complained pulling on her jacket. Julia and Adrian came from the kitchen both with juice boxes.
"You guys!" Carter cried confiscating their juices as well.
"Daddy!" Julia cried. "I want my juisey juise pease!"
"Wucy!" Adrian noticed her and went up to her.
"Well we better get going," John said. Bella and Paige sighed disappointedly and headed out into the snow.
"Are you sure you'll be okay Lucy?" he asked touching her arm. Warmth filled the right side of Lucy's body as butterflies fluttered to her stomach.
"I'll be fine John. Have fun," she smiled. Carter felt his heart take a painful lurch as it brought back more memories of Jessica.