A/N: I AM SO, SO SORRY THAT THERE HAS BEEN SUCH A LONG DELAY IN UPDATES. LIFE HAS BEEN A LITTLE OUT OF CONTROL LATELY. ANYWAY, HERE IS THE NEXT CHAPTER. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK EVERYONE WHO REVIEWED THE LAST CHAPTER, PLEASE CONTINUE TO DO SO, I LOVE THE FEEDBACK. AS ALWAYS, THEY DON'T BELONG TO ME. ENJOY!
CHAPTER 26: HOUSEGUESTS, HORMONES AND 2AM FEEDINGS
Jordan and baby Millie spent four days in the hospital before being released. It was a beautiful spring day, Max and Woody came to the hospital early that morning, bringing the necessities required to take their little bundle home. Dr. Logan came in one more time to check Jordan. She removed the staples from her incision, wrote out a prescription for pain medication, and took a few pictures with the happy family. The pediatrician came in next to check Millie while a nurse came to help Jordan with a quick shower.
Once the baby was cleared to go , Woody laid her down on the hospital bed and dressed her in little pink sleeper with the words 'Daddy's Princess' encased in an embroidered crown across the front. Once Jordan was ready, Woody placed Millie in her infant car seat, buckled her in and handed her to Max. The nurse quickly returned with the discharge papers and a wheelchair for Jordan. Woody grabbed Jordan's bags, Jordan gratefully sat down and Max handed Millie to her mom; then took the cart full of flowers, card and balloons out to the car.
"Hey Jo, wanna race?", Woody laughed, wheeling out into the hallway, a little bit ahead of her. "Cute Woods, but I think you may have an unfair advantage.", she replied, then nodded to the sleeping baby in the car seat on her lap, as she and the nurse caught up to Woody. Jordan leaned over to kiss him, but he broke the kiss and chuckled, "Chicken.", he teased before moving forward. "Oh we could take him.", the nurse added, flashing Jordan a mischievous grin. They made their way down a few corridors and out to the pick-up area where Max was waiting. Within a few minutes, the happy family was on their way home.
The ride home was slow and tedious, Max hadn't driven a car with a newborn in it in almost thirty eight years. Unfortunately no matter how slow he drove, every bump and turn aggravated Jordan's incision; even the pillow she held tight to her stomach, to absorb the shock was not helping. She was never so happy to be out of a car, once they finally arrived home. The walk from the car to the building was quite a chore, even though their parking spot is only two away from the front door. In the elevator, Woody noticed how much pain Jordan was in, so he patted his lap for her to sit. She laughed a little at first, but when she saw he was serious, she happily accepted.
Once inside the apartment, Max handed the baby off to Aunt Betty, who had flown in when Colin was born, and was prepared to stay as long as her family needed her. Then he helped Jordan off of Woody's lap and onto the couch and went back out to the car to get the bags and gifts. "Oh Jordan she is even more beautiful today than she was yesterday. I'm so happy you're all home.", Aunt Betty gushed as she took Millie out of her seat. "Not as happy as I am to be home.", Jordan laughed as she gave Betty a hug.
"I have something special planned for dinner , I hope you don't mind. Dolly and Nigel ran to the store to pick up a few things, they should be back soon. Why don't you rest until they get here.", Aunt Betty suggested , taking Jordan's hand and ushering her into the bedroom. Jordan placed the sleeping baby in the bassinet that Woody had set up next to her side of the bed, and carefully climbed into bed. As soon as her head hit the pillow, Jordan was fast asleep.
Jordan woke up a little after three, to a commotion out in the living room. She looked over to the bassinet to find it empty, obviously the baby had already joined the party. Jordan tried to find the best way to get out of bed , but every way she turned was painful, she finally scooted over to Woody's side and pulled herself up, then ungracefully slid off of the bed . She decided to freshen up a bit before joining the others. Jordan was shocked at what she saw when she finally shuffled out into the living room; her entire family was there. Garret and Renee, Nigel and Dolly, Bug and Tess, Lily and Matt, Calvin, Colleen and baby Colin, her dad, Aunt Betty and, of course Woody and Millie.
The company flocked toward both Millie and Colin, passing who ever was awakeand noteating,at that time, around the room from person to person. Everyone waited patiently for their turn with the babies, Max and Cal snapping keepsake pictures with each guest, as Woody video taped almost every minute. Nigel and Bug had to flip a coin to see who would get to hold Millie first; 'Uncle' Bug won.Once both babies were up at the same time, Cal propped them on the couch cushion, so Max could get a few shots of the cousins together. Everyone laughed at how nine-pound Millie towered over little six-pound Colin. But Colin had Millie beat when it came to screaming.
Jordan realized, as soon as the last guest left, that she had done more than she should have. She tried so hard to be a good hostess throughout the evening, waiting on her guests, helping Aunt Betty and Dolly with dinner, cleaning up after. All of this had taken quite a toll on her recovering body.Thoroughly exhausted, she shuffled slowly down the hall to the nursery where Woody was getting Millie ready for bed.
Jordan watched from the doorway,Woody was softly talking to their daughter as he washed her up. "I know Millie, sponge baths are no fun. You're all exposed and cold. But in a few more days you can have a real bath, you'll love that.", Woody said, trying to calm her as she fussed and shivered a little. Jordan chuckled from the doorway as she made her way to the rocking chair. "Yeah, you never realize how good a shower feels until you can't take one for three days.", she replied, taking her seat.
Woody came over with Millie, "I think she's hungry Mommy.", he stated, nodding to his daughter, who had her entire fist in her mouth. He handed her to Jordan who immediately started to cry. "What's wrong Jordan?", Woody asked compassionately. "I don't know Woody. I...I should'nt feel this way. I should be happy. I mean I am happy...but...this just isn't how I should feel.", she cried. Jodan looked down atthe beautiful baby girl in her arms, who was contently nursing, and started to cry harder.
"Jordan I'm sure every new mom feel the same way, you've been through alot in the last few days and..." Woody started to say, running his hand through her hair. "It's been four days Woody and I don't feel any better. I can hardly do anything, everything hurts, I'm always tired and...and I still look like I'm seven months pregnant...I mean did you notice Colleen, she looks like a runway model and I look like Orca.", Jordan sobbed into Woody's shoulder.
"Jordan it's late, you're tired and sore. Why don't you take something for the pain and lay down. I'll burp Millie and put her down. Okay?", Woody offered, taking the baby from Jordan and helping her up. She nodded and sniffled as she walked down the hall to their bedroom. A few minutes later, Woody came in and laid Millie into the bassinet next to Jordan. He gave both his sleeping daughter and wife a kiss before getting into the bed himself. He laid his head on the pillow, glanced over at the clock on the nightstand and sighed, 2am will be here before you know it.