Chapter 21

Marlena dropped the bags in her hand to the floor as she entered her home. John closely following behind packaged piled up to his chin. Marlena headed over to the couch tossing her keys on the table nearby. She was exhausted they just spent the last five hours at the Mall and Salem place getting a new maternity wardrobe. Marlena fell to the couch with a deep sigh of relief while John took the bags up to the nursery. A few minutes later he came down the stairs.

"Hey Doc are you okay?"

"I have never been so exhausted in my life. That's saying a lot because like our daughter I love to shop to but today was…wow."

"Yeah well you had patients today then we went to buy you some maternity clothes not to mention you're carrying twins. It was bound to take its toll on you."

"I don't think we will need to get any more clothes for you now for the twins we'll have to make another trip maybe in a few months when you are feeling better."

"Are you saying you didn't mind going shopping with me today?"

"Mind well not really I mean I never got to do this baby stuff with Belle or Brady. Isabella took care of Brady's needs and well I didn't know I was Belle's father until after she was born so it was a new experience."

"That's really good to hear because in a few months we will have to go back and get some items for the twins. After all we thought we were only having one baby and well we only have one crib and one bassinette we are going to need two of everything."

"And I'm sure that your daughter's will be throwing you a shower to get most of the things you need. However there are a few things this "dad to be" wants to get and you can't come with me."

"Oh John you know I hate surprises. Why don't you just tell me what you are planning on doing that way I won't be surprised?"

"Not a chance Doc you can beg and plead with me but I'm not telling you what I'm going to get because then it wouldn't be a surprise. Which defeats the purpose of surprises doesn't it?"

"Fine we'll see who wins that won't we?"

"I'm never telling you or any one else so don't try and get it out of your kids."

"Fine, I'm so tired John maybe I'll just go upstairs to take a nap do you mind?"

"Why don't we eat first then you can go to sleep after that and I won't have to wake you?"

"Okay what are we having?"

"I don't know what do you want?"

"No John I picked last night it's your turn."

"How about some Chinese?"

"Sounds good to me."

"I'll go make the call. I will be right back don't worry."

Marlena nods and pulls her coat off and places her feet on the couch. She was just going to close her eyes just for a minute. A few minutes later John comes out of the kitchen and sees his wife sleeping on the couch. He smiled at the sight and gently took Marlena into his arms and up to their bedroom. Her breath softly sounded as her head lay on his shoulder. It would be 45 minutes until the Chinese would be delivered and John thought Marlena deserved a quick nap it was a very busy day for the both of them.

"Rest Doc I'll see you when dinner comes."

He gave her a quick kiss on the forehead and pulled the afghan at the foot of their bed up. He pulled back a few short strands of hair and kissed her one last time before turning off the light and heading down the stairs.