All Roads Lead Home

Chapter 18-1 year later

Andrew and Tess were very well-loved members of the Slattery family and their parents and sisters doted on them. It was their first birthday and Mike laughed as he watched Tess take her careful first steps between her two sisters, About three quarters of the way to Hannah, Mike scooped her up and kissed her cheeks. Tess laughed happily. Mike was her 'person' and he thoroughly enjoyed being able to spend everyday with both babies.

"Dad! She was almost to me!" Hannah complained.

"As the dad, I have a few privileges, one of which being able to pick up Andrew or Tess whenever I want." Mike replied. Andrew had already began walking and was currently pulling on Mike's pant leg, wanting up. Being the type of daughter that she was, Katie knew that Mike would have to pick him up using his bad arm, so she stood up, picked Andrew up and handed him to Mike before giving Mike a kiss on the cheek.

"I just wonder if you were like this when we were this little." Katie remarked.

"Unfortunately, I was working; so when I was home, I wasn't able to play so much. I would have been if I could have." Mike told both girls. It was one of his biggest regrets. He wished that he had been a more present father to Katie, Hannah and Lucas. He was making up for it with Katie and Hannah, but with Lucas; that was a regret he would take to the grave with him. He sat down on the couch with both babies and Katie settled next to him, just as Christine pulled back in.

"I'll go help Mom." Hannah said. She was still a mama's girl but she and Mike were developing a close relationship. She jumped up and went outside.

"I'm glad we decided to let their first birthday party just to be us." Katie remarked.

"Well, at one; what friends do they really have? We're their whole world." Mike said.

"I guess so. Mom cried earlier." Katie commented.

"She's thinking about Lucas. His birthday is next week and its rough." Mike admitted. Lucas had been on both of their minds and as happy as they were, they couldn't ever be complete. Just then, Christine and Hannah walked in carrying the two 'smash' cakes, in addition to a small cake for the rest of the family. Both babies began humming happily as soon as they saw their mommy.

"They must want to nurse." Christine said. She sat the cakes down on the table and took Andrew from Mike.

"Girls, if you want to go ahead and decorate; go for it. I'm gonna help Mom with the twins." Mike said as he followed Christine in with Tess. She had put Andrew down on the floor and was unbuttoning her shirt to nurse both babies. "Do you want to do them both at the same time?" Mike asked. Christine sat down in the rocking chair and nodded.

"Yeah, they like it best that way. I won't be able to nurse them both at the same time much longer, but will do it while I can." Christine said. She adjusted her nursing bra, and Mike handed her each of the twins. Both babies settled immediately and began nursing hungrily. Mike knelt down next to Christine and smiled at her.

"I know you are hurting. I am too. I just want you to know; the girls and I love you, these two love you. We will get through his birthday next week, just like we did last year. We'll celebrate the years we did have with Lucas and we'll miss him. We will be grateful to still have Katie, Hannah, Andrew and Tess. They can't replace Lucas and they shouldn't, but they will be what helps us." Mike said before giving Christine a kiss.

"You try to act like a bumbling fool, but you are quite wise. I love you too." Christine said. Just then Tess detached and reached for Mike. "The other main girl in your life is beckoning you." Christine teased. Mike took Tess and smiled at her.

"Ssh, don't tell your sisters. They'll be jealous." Mike told Tess quietly.

"Dada…"Tess said and Mike smiled at her. It wasn't the first time Mike had been called Dada, and Tess had certainly called him it before, but it was still special.

"I think she's ready for a diaper change and her little outfit is in the closet." Christine said and Mike nodded. He grabbed the outfit and put Tess down on the changing table. She was much more cooperative then her brother and Mike quickly had her changed and dressed in the little outfit, even down to the head band while Andrew still ate greedily. Mike could tell Christine was struggling with nursing and he laid Tess down on the rug before kneeling back down.

"Maybe its time to think about weaning them? I think Tess will be fine. Andrew on the other hand…he's a mama's boy." Mike remarked. He loved the baby boy, but Andrew had chosen Christine as his 'person.'

"It is beginning to really hurt and I don't think he's getting his fill as much as he fusses." Christine admitted. It almost sounded like she felt it was a personal failure.

"He fusses when I take him because he hates me. Seriously, you don't have to do this. It won't mean you are any less of a mother to him." Mike remarked. Christine reached over and patted his cheek which only earned a dirty look from Andrew. "Point taken, son." Mike said. To add insult to injury, he leaned over Andrew and kissed Christine. Andrew detached and began fussing in earnest.

"I don't think he hates you." Christine said as Mike took the baby and screaming ensued.

"See?" Mike said. It didn't deter him, because he stood back up so Christine could readjust her clothing and he could change Andrew. Christine had picked up Tess, who smiled happily at her mama and cuddled closely. Andrew just scowled when Mike picked him back up.

"I think I'm just going to hold his sissy for a bit. Andrew, Daddy has you and you will be just fine. He loves you too." Christine told their youngest son. Mike smiled down at Andrew and kissed his head.

"Wait 'til you see the cake your mama got you." Mike told Andrew as he carried him back out to the high chair. He settled Andrew in the high chair and helped Christine settle Tess, before they carried the smash cakes to both babies. Katie was busy snapping pictures and Hannah cheered both babies on. Tess put a tentative finger into the frosting, licked it and then put the rest of her hand in before smearing it all over her face. Andrew watched her for a moment and than faceplanted in his own cake, in a rather dramatic way. It was meant with howls of laughter and Mike helped the baby out of the cake so he could concentrate eating it. The laughter was always music to his ears and even Christine was laughing despite how depressed she'd been.

I thought this would be the last chapter, but I think I will do one more chapter before being done with this one. I have a few others to finish up, but I have an idea for my next story! Thanks for the reads and reviews.