A/N: OKAY, NOW WITH THE ANGST BUG OUT OF MY SYSTEM, WE CAN GET BACK TO THE SWEET, MUSHY STUFF. THANKS FOR THE REVIEWS, I GREATLY APPRECIATE THEM. IF THEY WERE MINE, I WOULDN'T HAVE TO WRITE FICTION, RIGHT?
CHAPTER 31: MAY DAYS
May was turning out to be a busy month; the weekend after the trial was Mother's Day weekend, a bittersweet time for Jordan. She was happy to be a mom and so grateful to have Millie, but she missed her mother terribly. "Woody, it's just not fair that Millie has to grow up not knowing either of her grandmothers.", Jordan said sadly, one day during dinner. So for Mother's Day, Woody bought Jordan a gift certificate for a spa treatment. Hoping Jordan would like the company, Cal also bought one for Colleen. Early on Saturday morning, Colleen picked Jordan up, leaving Woody and Cal at the apartment to baby sit.
The brothers needed some time together to work out the issues from the previous week. Cal felt guilty about not being there for Woody during the trial, but he had a hard time dealing with the fact that Woody had to face his shooter again. "Listen man, I'm sorry abouthow I acted last week, but the thought of that piece of crap who shot you, getting a break in his sentence...wellI just snapped. I probably should have talked to you sooner, but I'm not really good at this kinda stuff, you know."Cal said, still very angry with anyone who had anything to do with his brother getting hurt.
Since the shooting, Cal had grown up, now it was almost like their roles were reversed a little, he wanted to protect his big brother, to help him in any way possible. "You don't have to apologize Calvin, I understand. And if anyone should be sorry, it's me. I never should have tried to keep the trial a secret.", Woody stated. After all was forgiven, the guys got busy with the task at hand; caring for the babies.
With their mothers gone, feedings could have been a problem, but luckily for both dads, both babies took to the bottle just fine.Changings on the other hand, were an issue, Cal had no problem changing wet diapers, but passed the messy ones to Colleen. Cal stood behind Woody and watched as he expertly changed Millie. "How did you do that?", he asked, in awe of his brothers technique. "It's easy. Here, I'll show you.", Woody said, nestling Millie into the baby sling. "It's like an explosion at a mustard factory. How can such a little body make such a big mess?", Calvin complained as Woody talked him through the process. They were just about finished, but Woody hadn't realized one vital thing, changing little boys is very different from changing little girls. Before Calvin could get the clean diaper fastened, Colin peed all over the front of his father's t-shirt.
Cal borrowed one of his brothers shirts, Woody wrote a short note to the girls and the four were out the door. They were going to take the babies for a walk down the block to Max's house, (Woody teased Cal the entire way there). Max invited them over to watch the baseball game, but he was secretly looking forward to spending time with the babies. Since moving to Boston, Cal had become close to Max and Max welcomed Cal just as he had welcomed Woody all those years before.
"Well if it isn't the two most beautiful babies in the world, hand them over to Papa.", Max said, opening the front door, Cal handed them over. It wasn't long after Millie was born, that Max asked Cal and Colleen if they would mind Colin calling him papa too. Of course, they wholeheartedly agreed. The rest of the afternoon went by quickly and before long, the ladies were back, refreshed and missing their babies; and husbands too. Colleen laughed when Woody told her Cal's big news, "That's great Honey, and to think, it only took you six weeks to change a poopy diaper. Maybe next week you'll be brave enough to give him a bath."
Woody and Millie surprised Jordan with breakfast in bed the next morning. "Eggs and bacon, toast, lightly buttered, fresh fruit and coffee. Oh and this.", Woody stated, handing Jordan her breakfast tray, then pulling a small pink box out from behind him. "What is it?", Jordan asked inquisitively. Woody smiled sweetly and shrugged his shoulders. "Guess you'll have to open it to find out.", he chuckled. Jordan carefully shook the box, she gave Woody a confused look when the contents rattled, then tore open the package to reveal a familiar locket. Jordan held up the chain and tears immediately filled her eyes. Woody had Emily's old worn locket immaculately restored, but the bigger surprise awaited Jordan when she opened it. Inside the old picture of a little Jordan was replaced with a picture of Emily and baby Jordan on the right and Jordan and baby Millie on the left.
"Woody, this is the sweetest gift you've ever given me...besides Millie that is.", Jordan sniffled, the tears now falling down her cheeks. Jordan leaned down as Woody clasped the necklace in place, her mother and daughter forever next to her heart. Later that morning the family went to mass at St.Inez. After the service, Cal, Colleen and Colin went to spend the day with her parents while Max, Woody, Jordan and Millie went to the cemetary to visit Emily's grave. It was the first time Jordan brought Millie to visit her grandmother. "Mom, this is your granddaughter Emily Grace Hoyt.", Jordan said to the cold grey stone. She gently touched the headstone with her fingertips as the tears came for the second time that day. "Jordan look.", Max said with a teary grin. Jordan looked down at the baby girl in her arms and her tears were replaced with a smile. Millie was looking straight up at the clear blue sky, her first true smile gracing her little face.
That Thursday was the second anniversary of Woody's shooting. He was scheduled off that day, not his usual day off, and figured Jordan and his captain had something to do with that. Jordan woke early to the cries of a very hungary Millie,who had just slept through the night for the first time. Jordan vaguely remembered Woody's restless sleep from the night before, so it didn't surprise her that he wasn't in bed. "Let's go find your Daddy, huh?", Jordan said as she got Millie situated to nurse, then walked out into the living room.
There in the middle of the room was Woody surrounded by boxes and instruction packets.''What in the world...Woody when did you do all this?", Jordan gasped, waiving at the numerous baby toys and products that he had just put together. "I was bored, couldn't sleep so I decided to...", Woody started. "Woods, she can't use most of this stuff until she gets older.", Jordan interupted with a chuckle. "Yeah this stuff maybe.", he replied, beeping the little horn on the saucer toy. "But this she can use.", he added moving a box over to reveal the jogging stroller Jordan wanted, so badly, for their baby shower. ''I know the doctor okayed you for exercise yesterday, at your checkup. I figured we could take Millie for her first run today, if you're up to it.", Woody said, flashing a hard-to-resist smile. "Definately, that sounds wonderful", Jordan agreed.
Once the living room was cleaned up, the three were out the door, ready for their run. But instead of taking their usual route, Woody headed for the car. About half way to their destination, the surroundings suddenly became familiar to Jordan. "Woody, is this such a good idea?", Jordan asked, even though she already knew the answer. This was something he needed to do, just as he did last year, and she would be there to support him.
"There's a huge path that goes through Mac Donald park. It's different now, the city has plans to expand, all this will be part of the park. It should be really nice in a few years.",Woody rambled, getting himself ready, then taking Millie while Jordan got the stroller. Jordan watched as Woody brought Millie over to the piece of now over grown land and whispered something into her ear. Jordan pulled up next to Woody so he could put Millie into the stroller, once she was secured in, Jordan bent down to kiss her husband. "Ready?", she asked quietly, rubbing his shoulder. "Yeah, I'm ready.", he replied.
The best part of the month was yet to come; with over ten months of planning, Lily and Matt Seely were finally getting married. It was held the Saturday of Memorial Day, on the grounds of the Seely family home. Jordan was Lily's Matron of honor, Emmy, and Matt's younger sisters , Bethany and Lindsay were bridesmaids. Matt's older brother Dave was his best man, Lily's brother Andy and two of Matt's cousins were groomsmen. It was a huge affair; all of the morgue family, most of the police station and half of the city of Boston was in attendance, partly due to the fact that Mr.Seely owned the Boston Herald newspaper.
Garret proudly walked Lily down the aisle. "Thank you for doing this Garret. It means so much to me.", Lily stated through teary eyes. "It means a lot to me too.", Garret croaked, hugging her and handing her off to Matt. "Matt...", Garret nodded and shook Seely's hand."I know Dr.Macy, thank you.", Matt replied, accepting Garret's blessing. The ceremony was beautiful and totally untraditional, Lily wore a light silver, beaded gown. They had a Catholic priest, a Buddist monk, and a Rabbi perform the service. Lily and Matt read their own vows and Emmy played the piano while Jordan sang. The menu was totally vegetarian, even the cake was made with organic ingredients.
Toward the end of the evening, everyone from the morgue had congregated to two tables in the far corner of the massive tent. Garret looked around at these people, his people; Jordan was sitting on Woody's lap, holding a glass of soda, laughing at something he had just whispered into her ear. Nigel was standing with his arms around Dolly, swaying to the music. Sidney and Bug were arguing about something work related, while their girlfriends sat and talked with Lily and Emmy. After everything that they had all been through, they were still together, still a family, and that made him very, very proud.