Casey woke up, looking at his watch saying it was 2:30 am. He gently picked up Nattie, carrying her up the stairs and settled her in her crib. He got Thomas into bed, walking back downstairs he watched Kim sleep for a few minutes before he walked over to her and gently picked her up. He didn't like how fragile she felt in his arms. He carried her up to bed, he laid her down and covered her up before he got in on his side. Before he got a chance she moved closer to him in her sleep, resting her bandanna clad head on his chest. He took it off, kissing her head.
"Love you." He watched her sleep until he fell asleep himself.
The next morning Kim woke up looking around, realizing she was in bed with her head on Casey's chest. She cuddled closer to him.
"You cold?" Casey mumbled, half asleep, reaching for another blanket and the bandanna.
"Yeah, doctor said my body temp should go back to normal eventually."
Casey grunted as he covered her up, and wrapped the bandanna around her head. He wrapped his arms around her, they laid there enjoying the silence. Eventually Casey sat up, still holding her.
"The kids will be up soon." Kim whispered, looking at the clock.
"I know, I just wanted some 'us' time. Between work, kids, and worrying about you two I've not done this in a while, at least I don't feel like I have."
"You have, trust me."
About that time they heard Thomas making his way down the hall, knocking on the door before coming in. He didn't say anything, Casey helped him up. Thomas went straight to Kim, not saying anything, just wrapped his arms around her crying. Kim held him close as he cried. Casey rubbed his back, not knowing what else to do.
"Bad dream, buddy?" Casey whispered.
Thomas nodded.
Kim sat up, looking at Thomas.
"Everything's okay." She whispered.
Thomas nodded and looked at Casey. He always looked to Casey for affirmation.
"We haven't kept anything from you so far have we?"
"No. Is mommy better?"
"Yes, we have some more good news, mom is going to have a baby." Casey said.
"So I'm going to have another sister?" Thomas looked between them.
"Or a brother." Kim smoothed down his bed hair.
Thomas smiled and hugged her. Casey wrapped his arms around both of them. Kim laid her head against his chin, he kissed her forehead. A few minutes later Thomas and Casey got up leaving Kim to sleep some more. Thomas ran downstairs, while Casey checked on Natalie. He opened the door smiling as she was standing up holding herself smiling and Casey was shocked when she started talking.
"Dada! Dada! Dada!" She reached for him.
He walked over, picking her up.
"When did you start that?" Casey asked, smiling at Natalie.
"Dada, Mama."
Casey shook his head, kissed her head. He changed her diaper, blowing raspberries on her stomach. She squealed, he carried her into the kitchen sitting her in the high chair and started fixing breakfast. Thomas sat in a chair watching him quietly, looking back down the hallway toward Casey's and Kim's room.
"Mom will be out soon, you wanna help so when she gets up breakfast will be done?"
"Yeah." Thomas said, but didn't move, still looking down the hallway.
"Well come over here."
Thomas jumped down, walking over to Casey. Casey lifted him, getting him settled on a stool. He got some bagels and some strawberry cream cheese out with a plastic knife. Thomas went to work putting the cream cheese on, while Casey cut up fruit and fixed bacon. He gave Natalie some strawberries as he cut them up. He looked up, seeing Kim at the bar, playing with Natalie. He fixed her a cup of coffee, bringing it to her.
"How are you feeling?" He asked as he kissed her.
"Tired, but okay. I'm starved."
"Well we have bacon, bagels with cream cheese, and fruit. Do you want anything different?"
"No, this is perfect."
Casey fixed her and Thomas a plate, placing some cut up fruit and cream cheese on Nattie's tray. Casey sat beside Kim and watched her as she ate. She leaned over, laying her head on his shoulder, slowly eating.
"Hey, stop that. The doctors say I'm doing well. So stop worrying." Kim looked at him.
"I can't help it, I love you. Worrying is part of that. I'm usually better at keeping it under wraps." Casey kissed her.
"You do. Sorry I'm still half asleep this morning." Kim yawned.
"Okay, just so I can keep on your good side, what do you want to do today?"
Kim hit him on the arm,
"Hey, just for that, Thomas, what do you want to do?" Kim asked, looking at Thomas.
That question set off a lively discussion of what the day's activities would be. Kim thought to herself, this is perfect family life.
