Here is the next chapter. Please review if you are enjoying this story. Amber

Chapter 22

Callie came home from the hospital after two nights. The baby was home for a week and wasn't gaining enough weight while nursing, Callie tried to get her to latch but she wasn't eating enough. She was so frustrated and reluctantly switched to bottles. Brooke had a reaction to the regular milk formula, so they switched her to soy. That she tolerated very well. Callie felt like a failure. The bottles were easier. 'But breast is best.' Well not hers apparently. She was so sad and irritable. Her mood swings were off the charts. She was surprised the Hardy's hadn't kicked her out they were so bad at times.

She was weepy all the time and didn't understand why? She had a wonderful husband and a beautiful baby girl. Why on earth would she be sad? STUPID!

Frank came in. "Callie, we've got the firepit set up. We're making s'mores."

Callie didn't feel like socializing. But she knew if she didn't go down that the family would wonder. She pulled on a green tank top and shorts. "I'm coming. Who has the baby?"

"My dad at the moment." He came inside and shut the door. "Honey are you alright?"

Callie kissed him. "I'm fine, just a little blue. It's stupid really. I have so much to be thankful for a beautiful baby." She trailed a finger down his cheek. "A loving husband."

Frank kissed her. "You have all those things and more darling, but you still have feelings. It's okay to be depressed. Did you want to call the doctor?"

Callie shook her head. "Nah. I'm okay."

Frank was a little concerned but let it go for now. They went downstairs. Brooke was being held by his father. Frank took a picture of them glowing in the firelight. Fenton didn't see the camera. He was too busy talking to his granddaughter. Callie melted at the sight. She whispered to Frank. "We're so lucky."

"We are and she's a good baby too."

Callie went over. "Hi sweetpea."

Brooke cooed in response. Callie said. "Do you want me to take her Fenton?"

"You don't have to. I love holding her."

Callie smiled at him and went to sit beside Joe. Joe smiled at her. "How are you doing?"

Callie snapped. "Why does everyone keep asking me that?" She cursed. "Sorry Joe, I'm a little cranky. Lack of sleep I guess."

Joe patted her shoulder. "No worries. I'm here if you need to talk." He saw his girlfriend beamed and went over to her. "Hey Gorgeous!" He kissed her.

"Hey yourself." What a nice gathering. She went over to Fenton and the baby. "Hey Brooke! It's Aunt Vanessa. I brought you something." She pulled from behind her back a stuffed little lamb.

Frank smiled. "You are completely spoiling her."

"So what if I am."

Laura handed Vanessa a skewer. "Here dear go roast yourself a marshmallow for a s'more."

Vanessa smiled. "Oh boy. I'm only eating one though!"

Joe hip bumped her. "You always say that and eat at least three."

Vanessa stuck out her tongue for good measure. She peered over at Callie. "How is she doing? I know her father's trial is soon."

"She's...you know I'm not sure." Joe said. "She seems blue and she practically bit my head off when I asked her how she was feeling. Her mood swings are severe."

"Baby blues maybe?"

Joe sighed. He was roasting a marshmallow beside her. So they were able to keep whispering. "Maybe but it could be more than that. She's been through so much, her mother dying, her dad being an abusive asshole and almost killing her, and having Brooke. Her hormones have to be out of whack."

"But that's normal isn't it."

Joe nodded. "Yes but I'm going to talk to Frank tonight and we'll keep an eye on her."

Vanessa finished roasting her marshmallow. "That's all we can do." She put it on top of the chocolate that was sitting on a piece of graham cracker. She put another graham cracker on top of the marshmallow and mashed it down and took a bite. "Mmmm. Yummy."

Joe took a bite of his. "It is good." He accepted the bite Vanessa offered him, and gave her a bite of his.

Vanessa said. "Joe if it isn't baby blues what's wrong with her?"

Joe took a bite of s'more then answered her. "Postpartum depression or worse postpartum psychosis."

Before she could ask what that was Laura Hardy came over. "Why do you two have your serious faces on?"

Joe licked off some marshmallow off his lip. "Um...nothing."

Laura Hardy glared at him.

Joe took a bite of his s'more. His mother didn't move a muscle and continued to stare. Joe swallowed. 'Oh man!' He cleared his throat. "Mom I can't talk about it right now."

Laura hooked one of her arms through Joe's the other through Vanessa's. "Let's go get some drinks from the fridge.

Both teens looked over Laura's head and did eyerolls, but they went with Laura.

Laura shut the kitchen door and gestured. "Well?"

Joe looked outside to make sure Callie was still there. She was roasting a marshmallow for herself or Frank maybe. Joe said. "Mom, I'm worried about Callie that's all."

"Why?"

"She seems depressed. She's having major mood swings, and doesn't appear to be sleeping well. She cleaned the whole house yesterday, she even reorganized my drawers. If she is going through postpartum depression she isn't going to want to admit it. She's stubborn you know."

Laura nodded. "We'll keep an eye out. Tell Frank what you're feeling."

Joe grabbed a bunch of soda's and put them in a small cooler. "I will."

Frank came in the door. "Brooke is hungry. I have to make her a bottle." He saw the serious expressions on their faces. "What's up?" He began making the bottle.

Laura and Vanessa took the drinks outside. Joe knew they would keep Callie distracted until he talked to Frank. "Frank...I'm worried about Callie's state of mind. She seems depressed."

Frank turned around to face his brother as he shook the bottle. "I've noticed too. We'll look out for her." Frank went back outside. Joe went to the window and looked at Callie. She was sitting back in a chair, her eyes closed apparently resting. Joe sipped a drink. 'Yeah, I'll keep my eye out.'

*****If you or someone you know is suffering from postpartum depression. Please notify your doctor!******