Author's Note: Sorry it's taken so long to update, my computer stopped working for a few weeks. I'm also posting this chapter in two separate parts. Mostly because I just haven't had to write lately. But I will post the next part soon.
Celebrating Miracles pt.1
It is not fair.
Sure, it was my idea he go down to Florida with the kids to visit his mother. And okay, I told him it would all be okay, but I really need him right now, I am scared.
3 days ago…
"I don't know Donna, it doesn't seem right." Josh says as he packs his bags.
"Josh, it'll be fine. Besides, I've still got over a month and a half until my due date."
"But what if something goes wrong?" He asks as he stops packing and lays his hand over my swollen stomach.
"It's only five days, what's the worst that could happen? Besides, Em and Noah have really been looking forward to seeing your mom. It's been almost 7 months since her last visit." I say as I place my hand on top of his.
"I want you to promise me you won't over-exert yourself while we're gone. No late nights, no running around, and as little stress as possible."
"Don't worry, you'll be away so my biggest source of stress is gone."
"I love you too Donna." He says as he kisses my head and goes off presumably to check up on the kids.
I can't believe I get a five-day vacation from everything. No work, no husband, and no kids. Not that I don't enjoy them all, but everything's been very overwhelming lately. Plus, I've been put on mandatory bed rest because of some scares we had early on. But things got better, so it's really just a precaution.
"Mommy, mommy!" Noah calls as Josh holds him upside down. Meanwhile, Emily is hanging onto his leg.
"Josh, you're going to hurt you're back." I warn him. We don't need two parents who can't move around.
"Better now?" He asks sarcastically as he pretends to dump Noah on the bed, then picks up Em and does the same. The twins of course find that absolutely hilarious and erupt into laughter. It's going to be hell trying to get them to sleep tonight. Between the trip to Florida, seeing their grandma, and Josh's antics they're going to be wired.
"Just so you know, it is you're responsibility to put the children to sleep Joshua." I say as the kids take turns climbing on him.
"Okay guys, it's time to calm down." He says as he tries to round them up. Now he knows how I feel when I have to put them to bed all riled up. I guess bed rest isn't so bad after all.
"Say goodnight to Mommy." Josh says as he finally gets them under control.
"Nigh' mommy." Noah says as he places a sloppy kiss on my cheek.
"Night, Night." Emily says next as she rubs my tummy and smiles. My kids are so cute.
"I'll be back. This shouldn't take long." That's what you think. Sure enough, about 20 minutes later Josh finally comes back to bed. Ha!
"That's what you get for giving two-year-olds sugar. Especially after 5 o'clock."
"Yes, yes, I am so horrible." He says as he slips under the covers.
"Absolutely disgusting." I agree as he begins to rub my belly.
"How you doing' in there Katie?" he asks her.
"How many times do I have to tell you, her name is not Katie?"
"What about Kristen? That's a good name."
"She doesn't feel like a Kristen. It doesn't fit."
"Well, what does she feel like?"
"I'm not sure yet. I think we'll just have to wait until she comes."
"What if she's a boy?"
"No, I know for certain it's a girl."
"If you say so." Then, suddenly he becomes serious.
"I'm really gonna miss you Donna."
"I'm gonna miss you too. But I promise, everything will be okay. What could go wrong?"
"I don't know. But I worry about you guys. Especially when I'm not around."
"How about this, you worry while I go to sleep? Sound good to you?" I ask as I switch off the lamp.
"Goodnight Donnatella." He says as he kisses me softly.
"Night Joshua." I love my husband.
"So, how does it feel to have the house empty?" CJ asks the as we sit in the kitchen the next evening.
"Truthfully, I thought it would be fun to have all this time to myself, but I really miss all the noise and kids running around. It's a little too quiet." I reply as I munch on some carrot sticks.
"You miss them?"
"Terribly, is that a blow to the Sisterhood?"
"Not if they miss you too. You're membership is still intact."
"Can I ask you something?" She tries after a few moments of silence.
"Sure, of course."
"What do you think about adoption?"
"You're thinking about adopting?"
"Yeah, I've been looking into it for a while. I know it's a long process and everything, but it's something I really want to try."
"What does Toby think?"
"Why would Toby's opinion matter?"
"Come on CJ, I know there's something there. I've tried not to push things, but come on. You need to stop denying you're feelings."
"There are no feelings there. We're friends, just friends."
"Just keep telling yourself that Claudia Jean. But I know the truth."
"You know nothing little lady. You know nothing because there is nothing to know."
"If you say so."
"I do, I say so."
"You realize that we sound like a bunch of teenagers right?" I ask with a small laugh.
"We should really stop doing that."
"I concur."
"Good."
"Good."
"So now what?"
"I don't know. Do you want to go for ice cream?" Yum…super fudge chunk.
"Let's go." I say as I toss down the carrot sticks and try to pull myself up. Uh…that hurt.
2 hours and a full stomach later I am absolutely tired so I have CJ drop me off at home. It is way too quiet here; I don't know how I ever survived like this. At least it's only for 4 more days. Any longer and I might go insane. I guess I just grew accustomed to all the noise around the house. How weird is that? Oh God, I think I ate too much ice cream. My stomach is killing me. Next time I'm going to forgo the extra scoop. Two scoops of ice cream are my limit from now on. Maybe.
By the next day, I don't feel any better. I really hope I'm not getting the sick. That wouldn't be good for the baby. Thankfully I've already had the chicken pox though, because that could be very dangerous situation. Especially considering some of the problems we had to deal with earlier on in the pregnancy. Getting sick is the last thing I need right now. Maybe if I just stay in bed and relax I'll feel better. Hopefully this will all be over with before Josh and the kids come home. I don't think I could handle it if they got sick as well. Talk about a miserable time. Plus, Josh and I still have work to do, or at least he still has work. He's barely let me get out of this to do anything, and if I do end up working, it's only from my bed. He's starting to remind me of me after the shooting. Now I know how it feels on the other side. The phone's ringing, hold on.
"Hello?"
"Donna, it's me." Josh answers. Like I didn't already know that?
"You do realize we have caller ID right? I knew exactly who was on the phone."
"This is what I get for calling to check on you. I get ridiculed for just trying to talk to my pregnant wife."
"Hey mister, I wouldn't even be pregnant if it wasn't for you."
"I should hope not. But seriously, how are you? Are you feeling okay?"
"I'm fine Josh, really." There's no need to worry him just yet. It's probably nothing at all.
"I miss you."
"I miss you too. So, how are the twins doing? Are they causing too much trouble?"
"They're doing good. They miss you, but they're really enjoying seeing their Grams again. They've already tired themselves out and are down for a little nap. Hold on a second, Mom wants to talk to you."
"Hello Dear." She says after taking the phone from Josh. Let me just say, that I absolutely adore my mother-in-law. She's one of the nicest women you'll ever meet.
"Afternoon Evelyn. Is my husband behaving himself down there?"
"So far, but we still have a few more days to go. But what I really wanted to know, was how my favorite daughter-in-law?"
"I'm your only daughter-in-law." I laugh
"All the more reason for you to be my favorite. You never answered my question though. How are you?"
"I'm fine."
"Come on Donna, I know you better than that. Tell me what's wrong." To tell or not to tell, that is the question.
"I just have a stomach ache, too much ice cream and all. I'll be fine."
"Well, I think the best thing to do is just stay in bed for now and rest. But if you start feeling worse, I want you to promise me that you'll go to the doctor."
"I promise Evelyn. Do you mind if I talk to Josh for a second?"
"No problem dear. I hope you feel better."
"Thanks."
"Josh, is that you?" I ask as after a few seconds of shuffling over the phone.
"Yeah, is there something you need?"
"No, I just wanted to tell you goodbye and that I loved you."
"I love you too."
"See you in 3 days?"
"Can't wait."
"Bye."
"Bye."
Maybe I should tell him? I just don't want him to worry. Besides, I'll probably be fine come tomorrow. I bet its just indigestion. That's right, nothing to worry about.
"911."
"I…I think I'm in labor."
"Do you need an ambulance ma'am?"
"Yes, the baby isn't due for 6 more weeks, and my husband isn't here."
"Stay calm Ms…"
"Moss-Lyman."
"I'm sending an ambulance right away. Just stay calm and focus on my voice."
"Okay."
"Is this your first pregnancy Ms. Moss-Lyman?"
"Donna, I had twins two years ago. A boy and girl."
"Good, and what are their names?"
"Noah and Emily."
"Beautiful names. Do you have a name picked out for this one yet?"
"Not yet. We were waiting until after she was born."
"So it's a girl?"
"I don't know yet, it's a feeling."
"Hey Donna, can you hear the sirens coming?"
"Yeah, I hear them."
"Good, I'm gonna stay on the phone for a few more minutes until the paramedics get here alright?"
"Okay, thank you."
"No problem, I'm glad to help. Just hang in there."
End of Part 1