A HUGE THANK YOU goes out to all my reviewers...over 10 reviews for the last chapter ALONE! you guys are amazing...and for that...i'm treating you to another chapter!
Two months later.
It was 4 o'clock in
the morning, and once again, Martin and Ruthie were waking up to a
crying Madison. Martin sighed, rubbed his eyes, and got out of bed.
He walked over to Madison's bassinet and leaned over, looking at
her and smiling.
"Can't you let mommy and I sleep for a little
more than 2 hours?" he asked and Madison laughed.
"Yeah…that's what I thought." He said jokingly and picked her up. She stuck her thumb in her mouth and put her head on her dad's shoulder.
"You're lucky I love you baby." He said, kissing her cheek. "Ruthie…" he whispered.
"Yeah babe?" she asked, sitting up.
"Do we have any
bottles made up for her?"
"Yeah…there are a few in the
fridge."
"Ok. I'll go heat one up. Can you hold her?"
"Sure."
About 5 minutes later, Martin came back upstairs, holding a bottle and a rag. He took Madison from Ruthie and stuck the bottle in her mouth.
"Do you want me to do that?" Ruthie asked.
"No, it's ok. You were up with her last time. It's my turn."
"Ok. Thanks babe." She said, leaning in and kissing him. She snuggled back under the covers and shut her eyes. He turned his attention back to Madison.
"Wow you were hungry weren't you?" he asked, as he held up the empty bottle, setting it on the nightstand. He quickly burped her and put her back into bed.
The alarm went off at 7:00 that morning, since Martin was supposed to be at work at 8:30. He rolled over and groaned, pressing the snooze button and laid back down.
"You have to get up babe."
"I don't want to go today!" he whined.
"Hey…you wanted a baby so bad…"
"And you didn't?" Martin shot back.
"I'm sorry…that came out wrong…I just meant…" She said, apologetically.
"Yeah I know. We're just exhausted."
"For the past couple days, she just hasn't been sleeping."
"I know, and I can't figure out why."
"You going to
work?"
"I guess…only working until 1 today. She'll be
napping then, so maybe we can catch a nap too."
"We can't. the house is a mess! And our family is coming over tonight for dinner."
"Remind me again why they're all coming over here when we have a 2 month old daughter, we're exhausted, and our house looks like it blew up?"
"She goes to bed at 8. And my mom's not too big on the whole 'leaving early' concept."
"Ok…I'll go get ready. You get some sleep."
"Ok. have fun at work."
"I love you."
"Love you more." She said, kissing him as he went in the shower. She smiled and curled up in the blankets. 'My life couldn't be more perfect.' She said, falling back asleep until Maddie woke her up two hours later.
"Well, at least I got a little more sleep…" she said to herself, picking Madison up, who cooed softly at her mom. She kissed her cheek and tickled her, and Maddie laughed slightly. Ruthie picked up the phone, dialing her parent's house.
"Hello?"
"Mom! Hey!"
"Hi! You sound…awake."
"Yeah. After Martin got up for work, I went back to bed. I just got up a couple minutes ago. Anyways, what are you doing today?"
"Going to get food for tonight later this afternoon. Why?"
"Can you come over and hang out with Maddie? Or can Lucy? Or Kevin?"
"Lucy's right here…let me see."
"Hello?"
"Hey Luce!"
"Hey
there! What do you need?"
"Can someone come over and hang out with Maddie while I clean up for tonight? She'll be sleeping most of the time and Martin's coming home at 1."
"Yeah, sure. I can.
Can I bring Daniel and Travis with me?"
"What about Nichole
and Savannah?"
"They're hanging out with Kev today."
"Ok. that's fine though."
"Great! I'll see
you in about a half an hour."
"Ok bye."
Ruthie hung up
and smiled.
Martin got home at 1 o'clock and was shocked by the sight he saw. The house was totally clean (the downstairs at least), Annie was preparing food in the kitchen, Lucy was sitting beside Daniel and Travis, who were watching a movie on the couch, Madison was sleeping in her swing ((you know? One of those baby swings)).
"Hey guys!"
"Uncle Martin!" Daniel and Travis said together, and ran to hug him.
"Hey guys! Have fun with Aunt Ruthie and Maddie today?"
"Yes."
"Where is she?" he asked Lucy, giving her a hug.
"Upstairs, cleaning your room."
"Ok. Hi mom." He said, putting his keys and briefcase on the counter.
"Hey Martin." She said, while cutting vegetables.
"How are you?"
"Oh
just glorious…"
"What do you need me
to do?"
"Nothing at the moment."
"Ok. I'm going to go
check on Ruthie then and change…then I can help you."
"Yeah sure, go ahead." She said, motioning towards the stairs. He passed Madison in her swing and kissed her forehead, putting her pacifier back in her mouth.
"You're such a great dad." Lucy pointed out.
"Thanks…I hope my wife thinks that." He said, walking up the stairs.
Ruthie was singing loudly and sweeping their bedroom.
Two months is too little.
They let him go.
They had no sudden healing.
To think that providence would
Take a child from his mother while she prays
Is appalling.
Martin stopped in his tracks, hearing his wife's beautiful voice, and stood in the doorway, listening to her sing and smiling.
Who told us we'd be rescued?
What has changed and why should we be saved from nightmares?
We're asking why this happens
To us who have died to live?
It's unfair.
This is what it means to be held.
How it feels when the sacred is torn from your life
And you survive.
This is what it is to be loved.
And to know that the promise was
When everything fell we'd be held.
This hand is bitterness.
We want to taste it, let the hatred numb our sorrow.
The wise hands opens slowly to lilies of the valley and tomorrow.
This is what it means to be held.
How it feels when the sacred is torn from your life
And you survive.
This is what it is to be loved.
And to know that the promise was
When everything fell we'd be held.
If hope is born of suffering,
If this is only the beginning,
Can we not wait for one hour watching for our Savior?
This is what it means to be held.
How it feels when the sacred is torn from your life
And you survive.
This is what it is to be loved.
And to know that the promise was
When everything fell we'd be held.
Ruthie was still humming to herself when Martin snuck behind her. He put his hands around her waist.
"That was beautiful Mrs. Brewer."
She jumped a little bit and laughed. "You scared me! But thank you."
They heard a knock, and Lucy came in, holding a crying Madison.
"I guess she missed her mommy." Lucy said, as she handed the baby to Ruthie and walked out. Ruthie sat on the bed beside Martin, holding Madison between them.
"How was your day?"
Ruthie asked.
"Could've been better."
"How come?"
"I just wanted to be home with you guys."
She kissed him and smiled.
"How was your day babe?"
"Great. Lucy and the boys came over at around 10:30, and then mom came over at about 11. I cleaned and got a bunch of stuff done."
"Looks great."
"Thanks. Have I
mentioned how much I love you lately?"
"Yes. But I never mind
hearing it…again and again."
"I love you Martin."
"I
love you too honey." He kissed her and smiled, pulling her into a
tight hug.
"I love my girls…both of them." He said, holding Madison close to him and planting a kiss on her forehead and she giggled.
"I still can't wait to have more."
"Maybe…"
"Gonna be great when we do."
"Yeah…it will. It really will."
A/N- yeah…pure fluff. The next chapter is going to be the last I'm pretty sure…for this story anyway! Then SEQUEL! Yeah…I'll start writing that in a couple days and will be up sometime this weekend…so look for the last chapter of this and the sequel…I'll post info about it once I know…I need title ideas! PLEASE!
