Chapter 13

Gil smiled. His need for her never ceased to amaze him. Not just sexual need, he needed her in his life, he felt as if a part of himself was missing if she was not near him. He hated it when she was working, he never felt complete unless she was near.

"Told Mom we would be there in an hour," Gil said.

"I know we were going to spend the weekend child free but can we swing by Doc's and pick up Amelia? The house is so empty when she is not here," Sara said, stepping from the shower.

"I know," Gil said, drying Sara's back, "I miss her."

Gil went very quiet.

"What is it?" Sara asked.

"I'm going to miss the both of you so much while I'm in Washington," he said.

Sara kissed him, "Maybe I can take a couple of days off and Amelia and I can fly up and spend a weekend with you."

"I'd love that," he said finishing dressing, "Now lets go get our little lady and talk to Mom," he said.

"Before we go there is something I wanted to talk to you about," Sara said, sitting on the bed.

Gil sat next to her, "That would be?"

"I want to stop taking my pills on Amelia's first birthday," she said.

Gil and Sara had talked about a second child, they just had not decided if they wanted to wait one year or two. Gil had told her that - because it was her body that had to endure all the changes - it would be her decision as to when.

"If that is what you want," Gil told her. Then he smiled, "Mine is the easy part, you have to do all the work."

Sara laughed, "You can carry and deliver the next one."

"I would if I could," he said, meaning every word that he had said.

On the drive to Doc's house they talked about Gil's sabbatical and what they wanted to do for Amelia's birthday which would be in three months.

As they waked into the house Gil watched as Mrs. Robbins sat on the sofa reading to the baby. Gil shook his head, everything about his child delighted him. He never knew having a child could be so fulfilling. He knew it was going to be life changing but he never dreamed it would be this exciting.

"Ladybug," Gil called.

"Dada," Amelia said, finally realizing he was standing there, "Mama."

Sara walked over to her and held out her hands, "We are going to see Nana."

Amelia smiled, spread open her hand, placed her thumb under her chin and moved it away form her face. "Nana."

"Yes," Gil said, moving his fist in an up and down motion, "Very good."

Mrs. Robbins smiled, "Amelia is doing so well. I didn't realize a child that age could learn to sign."

"She has learned MOMMY, DADDY, NANA, EAT, YES, NO, BED, BABY, THANK YOU, PLAY, DOG, DRINK and BOOK," Gil said.

As he said each word Amelia showed the signs.

"You said so smart," Sara said.

Amelia laughed, "Yes."

Doc and his wife walked to the car with them after thanking them for keeping Amelia, Gil buckled her into her car seat and headed to his mothers house.

Amelia pushed the doorbell, when Betty answered it Amelia signed "Nana eat."

"Betty took her granddaughter and kissing her, then she signed, "Yes."

Betty looked at Gil, "I made dinner. I hope that is alright."

"Fine," Gil said.

Betty led the way to the kitchen and placed Amelia in her highchair. "Chair," Gil signed and said then he repeated it.

"Chair," Amelia signed.

Betty smiled, "Yes."

Betty walked into the living room and came out carrying a very big cat.

Gil laughed, "He is huge."

Gil knew his mother had wanted a cat, several time he had taken her to the animal shelter to look for one.

"Look Amelia," Gil said, turning her chair so she could see the cat, "Nana has a cat."

Gil showed Amelia the sign for CAT but Amelia was not interested, she was hungry. Amelia reached for her plate and showed the sign for EAT.

Sara laughed, "I think Amelia is more interested in dinner."

Betty smiled and served dinner, after they ate everyone went into the living room, Amelia sat on the floor next to the cat and started to pat her knee - the sign for DOG.

Sara smiled, "No. Mickey is a cat."

Sara showed her the sign for CAT and repeated "cat".

Amelia quickly caught on as she signed cat then pet it.

"Mom," Gil said, "I need to talk to you about something."

Betty looked at him.

"You know I have to leave for Washington the end of next month," he signed.

Betty nodded her head.

"I was wondering if you would like to baby-sit Amelia while Sara is at work," he said, handing her the information they had downloaded from the computer on the specialized baby monitor.

"Yes. I would love to," Betty signed, a big smile on her face.

"Is this alright with you too Sara?" she signed as she looked at Sara.

Gil smiled, "It was her idea."

Betty did something that shocked Sara, she stood and hugged her.

"Thank you," Betty signed, "Thank you."

Sara smiled, "With this you will know if she cries while she is in the bed."

Bursting with pride Gil added, "And Amelia already knows enough signs to tell you what she wants."

Gil once more went through the signs that Amelia knew.

"And she is learning more every day," he added.

"I have a very intelligent granddaughter," Betty signed, smiling.

Amelia sat on the floor and played with Betty's very large, very fluffy cat as the adults discussed Gil's plans for his Washington trip and the plans for Amelia's party. Sara assured Betty that she would give her plenty of notice as to the days that she would need her so that Betty could plane accordingly. Gil then told his mother that he would pick up the monitor and make sure it was working properly before he left.

"I would like them both," Betty said, "One for while I am awake and one for while I'm asleep."

Gil laughed, "I thought you would."

"Look," Sara said, pointing to Amelia.

Both the others looked and then laughed - Amelia had fallen asleep with her head on the cat.

The adults said their good byes then Gil scooped his daughter up off the floor and headed for the car. Once more Betty thanked Sara.

At the house Gil undressed Amelia and put her in her footie pajamas then tucked her into bed. By time he had gotten to his room Sara had already had her pajamas on and was laying on the bed. Gil changed into his sleeping shorts and crawled in next to her. Sara snuggled close to him, yawned and kissed him.

"Love you," she said.

"With all my heart," Gil said.

Gil checked to make sure the monitor was on, turned off the light then joined his wife in sleep.