Chapter One-Hundred and Sixty-One
Julia opened the first box, pulling out a little pair of baby booties and a diaper bag. "Oh my gosh!" She squealed, holding them up as John rushed to snap a picture. "They're adorable!"
Kaylie leaned over to Brian, elbowing him in the ribs. "I told you they were a good idea."
Brian rolled his eyes, handing his gift to Frank. "Here's something for dad."
Frank chuckled, opening the box to find that it held a gasmask. "What the hell is this for?"
Thomas and the other dads laughed, remembering the years they'd spent changing diapers and how it had always made them gag. "Diaper duty!" Paul stated, patting Frank on the back as Chad and his parents stood with their gift.
"We thought you might be able to use this." Bridget handed them the small white box, smiling as they opened it. "It's the key to our condo on 64th street."
Lee nodded, taking his wife's hand in his own. "It's got three bedrooms and it's in a better neighborhood."
Julia and Frank looked up at them in shock, taking a small photo from them that showed the freshly painted nursery. "We…" Frank started, looking up at his boss. "Can't thank you enough."
John carried Johanna to the car that she and her parent had come in, chuckling when her tiny hand landed on his nose. "I know. I got a big nose, huh?"
Her piercing blue eyes looked at him with a love that he'd never seen before. She giggled when he tenderly pressed a kiss to her forehead.
Claire pulled Johanna's hat lower on her ears, knowing that she was still too little to be out without it. "So, you delivered her?" She asked, able to see that he was wearing down with the setting sun.
He yawned, nodding as he buckled his goddaughter into her little car seat. "I just did what I could." He stated, giving Julia a hug and shaking Frank's hand before they left. "All I did was catch her when Julia pushed her out."
Claire placed a hand on his back, leading him inside and up to his bedroom to rest. "You're gonna be a great dad someday." She smiled, kissing his lips as he pulled her on top of him in his bed.
"How about right now?" He asked, flipping so that she was under him. "What do you say? Should we make a baby?"
She shook her head, pressing her hands to the plains of his chest. "John, I am not going to be pregnant at graduation. Plus, Dad would kill you."
He nodded, sitting back and laying on his side to look into her eyes. "I love you." He breathed, and Claire could see his mind and body shutting down as he hit that wall of exhaustion.
"I love you more." She smiled, snuggling up to his chest as his arms looped around her in a protective embrace that only he could provide even in sleep.