Chapter 26
The next morning Roman, got up off the couch. He went into the kitchen, put coffee in the machine and turned it on.
Then sat down at the kitchen island waiting for his coffee, he put his face in his hands.
He had stayed at the hospital later than the others, just watching Machelle and the babies sleep. But, when he got home he couldn't sleep a wink. So he made sure the house was spotless, and then watched TV all night.
Then he heard the boys, coming down the stairs.
"Morning Daddy." JJ asked coming into the kitchen, and gave him a hug. "Are you okay, Daddy?"
"I am fine bud, just tired." Roman smiled.
"Can we come with you, to get Uncle Matt?" JJ asked.
"Crap, I forgot about that." Roman said picking him up. "No bud, I am just going to get them, and come back here. We are staying here, just long enough so they can drop their suitcases off. Uncle Seth is coming over in a bit, to babysit until then Okay?"
JJ nodded his head, and gave him a kiss on the cheek.
"Are we going there after, Daddy?" Jake asked, hugging Roman's leg.
"Yes, bud." Roman smiled, he put JJ down and picked Jake up. He walked into the living room, and turned the channel to cartoons for them. "Scrambled eggs and toast, okay boys?"
"Yes, please." JJ said, Jake nodded.
Roman kissed Jake's cheek, and put him down on the couch.
Jake smiled and put his head on the pillow, and his thumb in his mouth. Roman covered him in the blanket, and went back into the kitchen.
Roman got the eggs scrambled, and the bread in the toaster.
Seth opened the front door, and came into the kitchen.
"Morning, Uncle Seth." JJ yelled, jumping over the back of the couch and ran to Seth.
"Your lucky Mommy, wasn't here to see you do that. Your butt, would have been in a sling right now. JJ, you know better than that." Roman said, then added. "I would give you a 10 for the jump though, right Uncle Seth?"
Seth smiled, and gave him a thumbs up. JJ laughed, and ran back to the couch.
"You know you should lock your door, at night Ro?" Seth said, then whispered. "Did you even sleep last night? You look like shit, warmed over."
"Thank you very much, and No I didn't sleep. Well, maybe an hour or so." Roman said, putting the egg mixture into the heated pan. "I just unlocked the door, about fifteen minutes ago. I will sleep, when Machelle gets released from the hospital."
He handed Seth a coffee, and got plates out for the boys.
Roman let them eat, while they watched TV. While him and Seth, talked in the kitchen.
"Roman, that is not good. You know what will happen, you will freak on the first person that pisses you off. What if it is one of the boy's?" Seth asked. "I will go pick up Matt, and bring him here. You, need to rest at least for an hour."
"I can't sleep, with out her. I mean when I know she's in the hospital." Roman said, sitting on a stool. "This scared the shit out of me, Seth. What if it was worse? Or we were on tour, then what?"
"You can't think like that, Ro." Seth said. "Just think of it as we were here, and she is okay. You have two healthy boys, and she will recover from this. Right now, you need to be there for JJ and Jake. They are the most important, and need you to sleep."
Roman, let out a breath, and took another sip of his coffee.
"Your right." Roman said. "You okay, on getting Matt? The boys and I will watch TV, until you get back."
"No, I will take the boys with me." Seth said. "Then you can have a couple hours, at least. Where is the bag for Machelle? I will put it in the car, and drop it off on the way to the airport. I am sure she will be glad to have some normal clothes, for her and the boys."
Seth was right, and Roman knew it. He didn't argue, he just pointed to the hallway closet.
Seth went, and put the bag by the door. Then got the boys ready, to go.
Roman laid down on the couch, and tried hard to fall asleep.
Seth called Dean, and told him what was going on.
Dean said, he would check on him.
Sherri had called Machelle, to see if she needed anything.
"How is Roman?" Machelle said. "I know, he left here pretty late last night. He didn't drive, did he?"
"No, Sika drove them all to the hospital. Ro took a cab home, Dean, watched the boys." Sherri said. "Matt's plane, is delayed for another hour. Dean, just went over to tell Roman. Seth said, he looked like crap."
"Well, I should be home Saturday." Machelle said. "Joshua and Jordan, just got cleared to come home with me. That might help a little, I hope."
"Thank god, for that." Sherri said. "I will get Dean to come, and pick you all up then. I need a favour from you, I'll talk to you later about it. Maybe, Roman can stay there tonight, we can look after the boys. Then Roman, can get some sleep tonight. He told Seth, he can't sleep without you."
"That would work, out great. I could get the nurses, to get me a bigger bed." Machelle said. "You sure, you don't mind?"
"Nope, We need you both on Sunday to be rested." Sherri said. "Anything else you need to do, for the party?"
"You stole, my list." Machelle laughed. "I need to put sheets on the beds, in the guest house for Matt and Mandy. Shit they are in the washer, you will need to wash them again. The other sheets for the kid's beds, are in the dryer."
"Okay, Tia and I will go over right now and do that." Sherri said. "Has, Summer come to visit you? How is she?"
"Yeah, she's feeding Jordan now. She got released, this morning." Machelle said. "She says hello. Oh I need you to do me a favour, the clothes I brought for the boys are way to big. Can you look in their rooms, and see if I got some smaller sleepers."
Sherri laughed.
"Okay, I will go and do that stuff for you." Sherri said.
"Okay." Machelle said, and hung the phone up.
Tia and Sherri went over, to get the things done. After they got the sheets on the beds, they made Roman something to eat.
"I'm not hungry but, thanks." Roman said, pushing the plate away.
Sherri tilted her head slightly, and just like Machelle and both the boys they knew she was mad.
She let a breath out so, what she was about to say wouldn't come out wrong.
"You listen to me, Mister." Sherri said very calmly, Roman looked at her. "I am in charge, while Machelle is not here. Machelle and all the boys, need you in tip top shape. So, eat or I will shove it down your throat. I am playing, the Sister In Law Card."
Roman and Dean, stood there with their mouths open. Tia had a smile on her face.
"What, to mean?" Sherri smiled.
"Aw, yeah a little bit." Roman said.
Dean, Sherri and Tia, started to laugh.
"Oops Sorry, I think I played the Bitch Card by mistake." Sherri smiled. She cleared her throat, and tried again. "Okay shut up and eat the fucking sandwich, Is that better?"
"No, but I will eat." Roman smiled. "Just because, I don't want to see any more cards played. I can't wait until I get to play these cards, everyone is talking about."
"Sorry, that was an I'm Hungry card." Sherri smiled, and kissed his cheek. "I can't keep, all the cards straight today."
Then she took a bite, of the sandwich she had made for him.
Now, all of them laughed.
Seth, Mandy, and Matt came in from the garage.
"Whats so funny, did we miss something?" Seth said, and came into the kitchen.
"Yes you did, Seth." Sherri said, sitting down on a stool. "Just in time, to kick some Ass though. Matt, your brother is in a funk."
"I heard." Matt said. "Seth, told us all about it on the way here. How are they all?"
"I talked to Machelle this morning, and they are all getting discharged on Saturday." Sherri said, shoving Roman's arm. "Summer, is on her way here. Maru said she wanted to help, and wouldn't go home to rest. We made a bed up, just in case she changes her mind. Maybe you can convince your brother, to go and have a nap."
"I will have a nap, I promise." Roman said, putting his hands up in defeat. He put his arm around Sherri's neck, like a choke hold. Then pretended to strangle her but, kissed her cheek instead. "I don't need, any more Sister In Law Cards played thank you. I got the message Sherri, and thank you for taking care of us."
"Good, my evil plan worked then." Sherri smiled, and patted his arm lightly. "Your welcome, and just know I wouldn't have said the things I did if I didn't care."
Roman smiled, and kissed her cheek again.
All the kids came in, and hugged everyone.
"We are all stubborn, and hard headed sometimes. He just needs, a kick in the Ass." Matt smiled, and hugged JJ and Jake at the same time. "You boys are getting so big, Now stop growing. Roman you need to stop feeding these boys, they are growing like weeds."
"Daddy can't do that Uncle Matt, we want to kick butt in the ring." JJ smiled. "Mommy says, we need to eat to grow."
"You two will kick butt, exactly like Daddy and your Uncles." Matt smiled and kissed his cheek. "So, what do we need to do for the party?"
Vanessa came in through the front door, and headed to the kitchen.
"The girls, have it under control." Vanessa smiled, and kissed Matt on the cheek and hugged Mandy. Then picked up Jake, and hugged him. Sika and Afa, were right behind her. "Roman needs to sleep, he looks like crap. Sorry Jake, I know I said a bad word."
Jake smiled, and gave her a hug.
"It's okay, I heard Auntie Sherri and Uncle Matt say a bad word too." Jake said.
"It was Uncle Matt, I am innocent this time." Sherri smiled, and touched his nose. "Thanks Matt you got me in trouble, with the swear word police."
Everyone laughed.
Jake just giggled, in Vanessa's arms. She put him down, and all the kids went outside again.
Dean put some coffee on, and put a platter of meat and cheese out. Then went and put another one on the patio table, for the kids.
"I have two weeks here, and I hear you need some big strong men to move someone." Matt smiled. "Am I, right?"
Mandy was just going to say something but, Sherri put her hand up.
"I got this Mandy. Yes we do but, You buster have three options. One option is, you can become one of The Famed Goon Squad Members. Two, you can help by being a passenger in the moving truck." Sherri smiled. "That's because, you are still recovering from a heart attack. So, No Lifting or moving for you my friend. Roman, Dean, and Seth can load the truck but, you can keep them company driving. Or the last option, you can join the party car and drive with us. So, which is it?"
Matt smiled, he knew Sherri was fun to be around. He also knew, she was looking after his health.
"I'm not going, now." Roman said, before Matt could answer. "Machelle, is going to be home and-"
"Roman, you need this." Dean interrupted. "You know Machelle, will kick your Ass if you change the plan. Mikila and Mason will be here, and are totally capable of helping with the boys."
"Mandy and I, are going to be around too. We want to join, The Goon Squad." Afa smiled at Mandy, who nodded in agreement. "As a matter of fact, they can help us. Have you seen what we built, Roman?"
"Okay, your all right." Roman said, raking his hands over his face. "No, not yet. JJ and Jake, said they wanted to wait for Machelle. I know you will Uncle Afa, I really do. It's just, I should stay and let you guys have fun."
"Wow, that was easy." Matt smiled. "I was going to put you in the ring, and let the kids beat some sense into you. But Dean is right, you need this."
"It's only two days, and we will be back." Dean smiled. "She has plenty of bodyguards. Oops, I mean Goons as she calls them. Never mind that Matt, I was going to put him in the ring with Sherri. She is really scary when she's mad or Hungry, you missed it all."
Everyone laughed.
"That's okay." Matt smiled, and hung his arm over Sherri's shoulders. "I am a smart enough man, not to make a pregnant women pissed off."
"Smart Man, you got there Mandy." Sherri said Mandy smiled, and nodded her head. "To bad, my sister didn't marry one."
All the guys, including Roman laughed.
"Can we please go see these babies now, Uncle Roman?" Madison said, coming into the kitchen. "I only saw the pictures, Seth had. I can't wait, anymore."
Roman hung his arm over her shoulders and kissed her temple, and everyone else laughed.
"We just have to wait for Summer, Madison." Vanessa smiled. "Jake, JJ can we see what you built while we are waiting?"
"Yup, you can." JJ smiled. "Close you eyes though, Daddy."
They waited, until Roman's eyes were closed.
Then Jordyn Matt's son, helped Christian take the tarp off the fort.
Afa and Sika took Roman's arm, and led him outside. Everyone else followed.
'Open your eyes.' JJ and Jake yelled together.
The Fort was made from, old pallets.
Afa had a friend, that had an abundance of pallets at his work. The man was glad, they were going to make something cool out of them. The boys promised, they would take a picture of the pallets as a Fort.
To get in the Forts, there were hidden stairs on JJ's side. Roman, walked up the stairs.
Inside the Forts, there was a big space for the adults to sleep. But, beds could be pulled down from the wall for the kids.
A slide was coming down on one side, and on the other a kind of rock climbing wall.
In the middle of the two Forts, there was a wooden bridge. Made from slats from the pallets, glued and nailed together.
Afa had said he would replace them with thicker wood. Just so the adults could walk across, with out worrying about breaking them.
"Daddy, do you like it?" Jake asked.
After going into both parts of the Fort, Roman bent down to pick up Jake.
"You guys, did an awesome job." Roman smiled, and kissed his cheek.
"Uncle Dean and Seth slept in it already with us." JJ said. "Will you sleep in it with us tonight, Daddy?"
"Ah boys, Daddy has to much on his plate right now." Seth interrupted. "But, how about we do what we did the other night, with Jordyn and Madison?"
"I'm in for that." Taylor smiled.
"Me too." Christian said.
"I'm in for what ever you guys did, the other night." Jordyn smiled, and whispered to Taylor. "So, what did you guys do?"
Jordyn, was the oldest of all of them at 19. But not by much, him and Christian were two months apart in age.
Taylor Laughed.
"We had a camp fire, and slept in the fort." Taylor said. "We had hot dogs, and junk food. It was really fun."
"Yup, I'm in." Madison smiled.
"So I guess we have to stop off at the store, and get more Junk food." Seth said. "How about hamburgers, tonight?"
'Yeah' was all they heard.
Friday, was spent getting everyone from the airport.
Sika and Afa went at noon to go get Tao, and brought her to the hospital.
Afa had called Mikila and Mason, and they brought Valentina and her family when she landed.
Patty was very excited, and surprised her sister was here.
Valentina was very excited to meet her newest Great Nephews, and JJ and Jake for the first time.
Her daughter Gina was the one who translated, what JJ and Jake were asking. Then she would tell them, what Val said.
JJ and Jake, thought it was fun. Gina even taught them some Italian, to say to Valentina.
Sherri had called all their family, and told them the good news.
They were all coming, in two weeks. Just because the girls, would be away.
Sherri promised, to bring pictures with her.
All the families congregated, at Roman and Machelle's that night.
Since, it had the biggest yard. Of course, they had asked Roman. He didn't mind he was sleeping at the hospital, with Machelle that night.
Hunter and Stephanie came late but, joined in the festivities.
"Dad said to tell you guys if you need more time off, you all have it." Stephanie smiled.
"Thanks Stephanie but I think by then, our wives will be glad to get us out of the house." Dean smiled. "I have to say, this really did scare Roman. He was glad we were minutes away, and not hours."
"She is also very happy, she gets to go shopping for more baby clothes." Sherri said, sitting down next to Stephanie. "All the clothes we got, are way to big for them."
Both guys, and Stephanie laughed.
"Nikki told us we brought her some preemie clothes, this afternoon." Stephanie smiled. "Poor Joshua had just gotten a bath, and the sleepers, she had put on him were falling off him. She had to, wrap him in just a blanket. He looked so cute though, I took a picture."
Stephanie, showed them the picture.
Saturday Morning At The Hospital:
Dean and Seth went, and got all of them at the hospital.
Machelle was in the room, getting her things ready.
Roman came back from getting a muffin for Machelle. There were three nurses, standing at the door.
"What's going on?" Roman asked, one nurse. "Did something happen, are they alright?"
"Relax, they are all fine." The nurse smiled. Then she pointed to the room. "Just watch, your sister in law asked her to do it."
All the nurses, made room for him at the door.
He peeked in, and smiled.
Machelle was giving a class in diapering, to Dean. That was the favour, Sherri had asked her.
"What is that Freaking, smell?" Dean said, hiding his nose in his T-Shirt.
Dean was holding Jordan, in his arms.
"What else would it be Dean, it's shit get used to it." Machelle smiled. "This is your first lesson on changing diapers, Uncle Dean. Just be glad it's hard, and not leaking out his diaper and onto his sleeper. Don't worry, Uncle Seth will be right beside you."
"Are you crazy, I will puke?" Dean said, trying to hand her Jordan.
"Come on, don't be a chicken shit." Machelle said, smiling. Then handed Seth, Joshua. "You need to get used to it. Dean you said you needed help, and this is the perfect time. No one is here, except us. Seth, is here for support. Maybe some day you will look back on this, and thank me."
"I will." Seth smiled. He knew Dean needed his friend, right now. "Besides, I did this with JJ and Jake. See Dean you should have helped out, your regretting that now aren't you?"
"Yeah kind of." Dean said, carefully putting Jordan on the bed. Then started taking the sleeper off. "This is so, gross."
"Just be careful you-." Machelle started but, stopped and smiled.
It was to late, Dean had opened the diaper and Jordan peed on him.
Seth started laughing, he had tears running down his cheeks.
"If you would have waited. I was going to say, that you have to watch it when you open the diaper on little boys." Machelle smiled. "They pee, when they feel cold air sometimes. I used to put a wash cloth, over the boys parts. That way, I never got peed on. Roman always laughed, until it happened to him."
Machelle, went and got Dean a washcloth.
"Seth shut up, it's not funny." Dean said. "Just wait, until it happens to you. Shit, look at my shirt now? I smell like pee, and I think he got that in my mouth. Machelle, that was mean."
"Dean, it will dry. I would say he has great aim, if he got some in your mouth." Machelle smiled and handed him a towel, and a washcloth for covering. "We are going home, anyway. You didn't wait, until I finished. So, why is it my fault?"
"Come on Uncle Dean, it wasn't that bad." Seth smiled. "We can do this, we are Uncles. Your going to be a Dad soon, and you are going to be an expert by the time your baby gets here."
"Okay, your right I can do this." Dean nodded, and cleaned up the mess. "Okay, now what?"
Machelle, gave them step by step instructions. Just like when she taught, them to cook.
After they were changed and had clothes on, they put the boys into their car seats.
"See, that wasn't hard now was it?" Machelle smiled. "Next lesson, will be in an hour. When we get home, they will be hungry."
Dean and Seth smiled, and patted each other on the back.
"That was Brilliantly done, Machelle. We got all of it, on tape." Roman said, from the door. He walked into the room, and handed her a muffin. "Before you guys say a word, it is all between us. No one will know, unless you guys want it to be. Well the nurses know but, I don't think they will say anything. They thought it was a great and you did an awesome job."
"Okay let's get out of here." Michelle smiled. "I need some coffee, after I eat this muffin."
Dean and Seth, grabbed each of the boys. Roman got Machelle's bag and grabbed the vase of flowers.
As they walked out of the room, all the nurses clapped.
Machelle and Roman's place.
Sherri and the girls, had made a room up. For Machelle and Roman down stairs. So, she wouldn't have to go up and down the stairs.
They set up the guest room, for Seth up stairs. Just in case JJ and Jake, needed someone.
Mikila and Mason, had rooms beside Roman and Machelle's.
All the family, was at the house.
They sat around holding the new babies. While Machelle, opened presents for them.
JJ and Jake had presents to open too, just so they wouldn't feel left out.
Then had a BBQ, and had a relaxed night with family.
The first night, Machelle thought would be the worst. Just getting them off the hospital schedule But, it turned out to be the most tiring night for her.
She was awake most of the night, listening to Roman snore the whole time.
When he wasn't snoring, she was waiting for Jordan and Joshua to wake up from the noise he was making but they didn't.
She finally got out of bed, trying to do things that wouldn't make any noise.
She got all the new clothes together, and started laundry. Then got 'Thank You' cards done, and put them on the kitchen island.
It was about seven o'clock when Machelle was, getting the coffee ready for when everyone woke up.
"Why aren't you in bed, sleeping?" Matt said, coming into the house.
"Shit Matt, you scared the shit out of me." Machelle said, turning around and dropping the coffee scoop.
"Sorry." Matt smiled. "Didn't mean to scare you."
"It's okay. Roman's snoring, in the room. I couldn't sleep with that noise, and I was hungry. Want some Cheerios?" Machelle said, picking up the scoop. "Why are you up, you feeling okay?"
Machelle handed Matt, their 'Thank You' card.
"What time were you up?" Matt smiled. "This is my usual time, to get up. I'll get the milk, you get the bowls and cereal."
"I don't remember the exact time it was but, around 2:30." Machelle said, putting the bowls on the counter. "It's great, that Jordan and Joshua slept through the noise. But, I was waiting for them to wake up. Guess I should be thankful, they are sound sleepers."
"Yup you should but, I know what you mean." Matt said. "Mandy, was the same way. Madison was a weird sleeper, one night she would sleep four hours the next it would be six. They had a pretty big day yesterday, with meeting family and people fighting to hold them. Maybe, that's why."
"True, that they did." Machelle said. "So, who won the golf tournament?"
"We didn't have it, yet. As some people we love and cherish, got into a car accident. One of them, being eight months pregnant. Then the nerve of this pregnant women, she decided to go into labour and have my newest nephews." Matt smiled. Machelle shoved his arm, and smiled. "We just partied, at your place instead. The plan is to start it Monday, when the girls are away. Dad doesn't leave until Wednesday, anyway. Mandy and the kids, want to stay here if that's okay? I just noticed you don't have the boot on, where is it?"
"Of course it is." Machelle said. "The more help I get, the more rest I will have. Dr. Brown came to see me in the hospital and I got an X-ray done, he said it is healing fine. It will take up to a year to be back to normal but, it will heal. I'm excited, I get to wear two shoes again and go shoe shopping."
"Girls and their shoes, I don't understand." Matt said, and rolled his eyes.