Sugar Cakes: SOOO glad you're liking the stories!
JJ: Yeah the first one is a little stalkerish hahaha the prom thing I threw in for like a hint hint haha who knows why they were in the water.
Madge's POV. Post-war. New District 12.
Gale lifted the carrier carefully out of the backseat. He looked down at the sleeping baby and then extended his hand to me. I took it weakly and climbed out of the car.
"When is everyone showing up?" Gale sighed as I closed up the car doors and headed to the front door.
"We were separated when we left the hospital by a red light. They're not too far behind." I fumbled with the keys and in the end dropped them onto the front step.
"For Pete's sake." Gale grumbled and picked them up before I got the chance. He pushed past me and sunk them into the key hole.
"What's gotten over you?" I demanded and took the carrier from him. Madison was just waking up, her dark blue eyes looking over our un-amused faces.
"Nothing, just tired is all." Gale said smoothing his hair back.
"OH, you're tired?" I sneered and handed him back the heavy carrier. He went to explain but I shook my head and wandered up the stairs.
"Madge- that's not what I meant to say." He sighed and lugged the carrier up the stairs after me.
"Good because you got plenty of sleep." I snapped and turned down the hall at the top of stairs.
"The nurses offered to take care of her while you slept. I even asked you to but no..."
"Sorry for wanting to take care of my own daughter!" I cried throwing up my hands.
"You're so stubborn!" Gale cried and Madi started to wail.
"Give her to me." I glared. He ignored my request and opened the door to her room. It was dark and I snapped on the overhead light. He set the carrier on the changing table.
"Here," Gale moved back and allowed me to undo the baby from the carrier. I grabbed at the soft fabric of her pink onesie. She struggled in my arms but eventually calmed.
"You frightened her by your yelling." I whispered over her mess of little dark brown curls.
"My yelling?!" Gale whispered back. "You started it."
"Did not! You're the one with the mood!" I growled and bounced the little girl in my arms slowly.
"Are you still stressed about what happened in the hospital?"
"That's what you're mad about?! They were doing their jobs, Gale. I'm truly sorry you were tossed out. And yes it freaked the hell out of me but there were complications. We can't always be in control."
"Whatever." Gale turned and left the room. My daughter's eyes fell on mine and I smiled slightly.
"Daddy's just tired." I murmured. The front door chimed and Gale's mom called up the stairs.
"In the nursery." I heard Gale grumble.
"What has your panties in a bunch?" Rory laughed from down the hall. I laughed too, looking at the many green hippos on my daughter's onesie. Rory walked into the nursery and grinned. "There's my favorite niece." He winked and pulled the baby from my arms.
"She's your only niece." I rolled my eyes and pulled my arms around myself, feeling awkward without the warmth of the baby's body.
"Yeah well..." He looked up at me. "You don't look so good, Blondie."
"Nice Tangled reference." I murmured and pulled my fingers through my hair.
"What's wrong with my brother?" Rory asked looking back down at Madison.
"He's as worn out as I am and still mad at the nurses and such." He nodded.
"Well go get some sleep. I'll watch her." I didn't move. "Come on, I got this."
"But..." I couldn't peel my eyes off the slackened face of my sleeping daughter.
"Go." Rory said reaching out to pull me towards the door.
"Make sure to test the milk on your hand-"
"Right, to see if it's too hot." I nodded and lingered in the doorway a few more moments. Finally, I turned away and went down to my bedroom. I opened the door and watched my husband take off his shirt.
"Hi." I whispered and sat down behind him. I rubbed his shoulders until he visibly relaxed.
"Shouldn't I be doing this for you?" I shrugged and collapsed between his shoulder blades. "Sorry about earlier."
"It's fine." I closed my eyes. I felt Gale's hand searching for me and I let my leg fall around him. I don't remember turning and getting into the sheets.
"Goodnight." Gale whispered as he pulled me into his side.