On a bit of a roll at the minute, hope you enjoy. This is more a filler chapter.
Chapter 21
They'd been home from hospital for a week and Darcy was well and truly settled in. It was half past 5 and Karen was up and sat in the nursery feeding Darcy. Karen didn't mind being up this early because every moment with her little girl was precious. Darcy was such a good baby and despite her first night in hospital, wasn't waking up too frequently, which meant less agitated parents and siblings. Karen was gazing down at Darcy as the nursery door opened, it was Jess. Ever since Darcy had been home from hospital Jess was always up for her morning feed, she loved this time with her mummy and sister. But Karen was worried with school starting today that Jess was going to be too tired, Harry wouldn't be up till 7 that was a whole two hours later.
"You should still be asleep" Karen looked up as her little girl crept in and sat next to where she was nursing Darcy.
"But it's not that early"
"Jessica I'd still be asleep if it wasn't for Darcy's feed." Jess was fascinated by her little sister and she loved her to bits, she couldn't remember what it was like without her. Karen burped Darcy whilst convincing her eldest to go back to bed.
"Come on you bed" Karen put Darcy back to bed and made to leave the room.
"I only want to watch her"
"Come on you've got school today" Karen sighed and Jess
began to throw a strop. Karen was too tired for this argument.
"Please just do as your told before you wake up Darcy"Jess stropped off towards her room and Karen sighed with relief that was until the slam of Jess's door resonated throughout the whole house. Rob was quick to be woken up and bumped into Karen in the hall.
"What's going on?" Rob was just as shattered as Karen was.
"Jess didn't like being told to go to bed"
"Again!" Rob commented it was a constant battle.
"I would have just let her stay with Darcy but she's got school today"
"Sounds like she's calming down, you go back to sleep I'll settle Darcy"
"Thanks Rob" they shared a kiss before going their separate ways.
Rob scooped up his screaming baby and cradled her as though protecting her from the world. Her screams soon became grizzles.
"That's better Darcy, shhh."
As Darcy seemed to calm down Jess made another appearance.
"Is she ok?"
"She's ok aren't you Darcy. Why didn't you do as mummy said Jess?"
"I did"
"No you slammed the door and woke everyone up" Jess looked very sorry.
Rob placed his little girl tentatively into her cot before giving Jess a hug and taking her into her own room to have a little heart to heart.
"We know you love her to bits and that makes me and mummy so happy that you want to do everything for her. But you have to go to school today and you'll be tired. Darcy will still be here when you get back and I'm sure she'll have missed you and have lots of cuddles for you when you're back. She may even be awake before you go to school. So how's about you try and have a few more hours sleep so you aren't tired at school." Jess seemed to understand and valued Rob's little chat, she scooted down into her bed and rob brushed back her hair and kissed her head.
"Now stay in bed you. I love you"
"Love you to Rob."
Rob returned to bed immediatley wrapping his arms around Karen.
"Did you sort Jess out?"
"Yep" rob said confidently
"Alright mister, your not so good at everything"
"Oh really? Name something"
"Loading the dishwasher"
"Alright I'm tired you aren't allowed to nag me" Karen and rob giggled to themselves before finally falling back to sleep. When the clock did finally strike 7 Rob woke to find Karen not in bed, he headed to the nursery expecting Darcy to have woken up again. When she wasn't there he was slightly concerned, he grabbed his dressing gown before heading downstairs. Karen was getting breakfast together with Darcy in one arm.
"Wasn't expecting you to be up" he gave her a morning kiss and took his little girl from Karen for a morning hug.
"Well it's the first day back after the holidays"
"You aren't going in?" Rob was seriously worried karen was thinking about work already.
"NO! God no, not planning on leaving this little one for months! No just think it's going to be a tricky morning getting those two ready and to school." Rob sighed with relief.
"Shall we go and wake up your brother and sister then Darcy" rob held Darcy's arm and made it look as though she were waving to her mummy as they went to get Jess and Harry up, leaving Karen to get breakfast sorted having managed to actually get dressed and showered before anyone was up.
Harry was easy to get up especially with the sight of his little sister, he got dressed into his uniform and hurried downstairs to get his breakfast but not before giving Darcy a kiss. Rob then went to get Jess up but it was clear her palaver earlier that morning had worn her out.
"Come on Jess, mummy's made breakfast you've got to get up for school." Jess huffed, she looked shattered, Rob was a little worried about her.
"Come on missy, Look Darcy's up like you hoped" Jess smiled and was cohered out of bed by her little sister followed by a yawn. Rob went and dressed Darcy before swapping with Karen so he could get ready, he was on paternity leave so he didn't have to get ready for work.
Karen sat and ate her breakfast with a little Darcy in her arms. She'd forgotten how mastering skills with one hand became second nature after a baby. Darcy gurgled away which put everyone in a good mood.
"I'm going to miss Darcy today" Harry said sweetly.
"Well she'll be here when you get home and she's going to walk you to school" rob had returned and snatched up a piece of toast.
"Are you sure sweetheart?"
"I need to get out of the house and a walk would do us all some good."
Harry and Jess were excited at the thought and were running to put their shoes and coats on.
"Don't forget your reading book Harry and Jess you need your trainers for PE" rob organised the older two, whilst Karen began to get Darcy all snuggled up and into her buggy.
"This is going to be her first little outing since she's been home" rob commented sweetly.
"It will be" Karen loved the sparkly eyed look that graced Rob's face whenever he talked of or looked at their daughter.
"We could go through the park on the way back"
"I think she'd like that."
"But first let's get those two to school."
Karen made sure she had everything she may possibly nee for Darcy whilst her children began to dump their bags on her to put them on the buggy.
"Oi you two are so cheeky sometimes." Rob ushered Jess and Harry out the door and Karen followed closely behind with Darcy.
Harry rushed off down the road with excitement, Jess skipped along after him as Rob revelled in their new found family as he slipped his arm around Karen's waist. Darcy was sleeping peacefully all wrapped up.
Karen had a definite glow about her, she was looking gorgeous the complete definition of a yummy mummy, rob couldn't keep his eyes off of her. Her hair was clipped up out of the way and she wore a loose pair of jeans and t-shirt all covered by her distinct black coat. Jess gave up on running after Harry and came and hovered around Rob and Karen. She looked shattered the poor thing, rob and Karen shared a look of concern.
Rob took hold of the buggy so Karen could talk to her little girl as they walked along to school, she placed one arm around Jess and felt most of her little girls weight fall into her.
"Are you ok darling?"
"I'm just tired mummy, very tired" Karen felt so guilty. What sort of parent was she going to look like bringing in her 9 year old half asleep. Karen was being paranoid.
"What are school going to think?" Karen talked through her concerns with Rob,
"They'll think that as a new big sister things at home are a little crazy at the minute with a newborn baby, hence why she's a little more tired than usual" Karen looked down at Jess whose eyes were rimmed with darkness.
"Maybe she shouldn't be going in?"
"No I want to go to school. I want to see Florence and Poppy!" Jess suddenly woke from her dazed composure.
"Ok sweetheart, if you're feeling up to it then of course you can go." Rob gave her a calming look that told her she had nothing to be worried about. Harry had stopped and waited for them to catch up and heard their discussion.
"Do I have to go to school? I'm really tired too!"
"Nice try mister but you are definitely going to school, you have bags of energy!" Rob ruffled his hair.
They reached the school and parents of Jess and Harry's friends cooed over little Darcy, Harry's teacher even came and had a little look. Through the whole thing Darcy remained asleep, which rob and Karen were pleased with a screaming baby in the middle of the playground would have been a nightmare. Jess and Harry said their goodbyes to their little sister and mummy and Rob.
"Be good you two!" Rob called after them. Karen and rob left the school and headed for the park on their way home.
"She's being very good" rob commented sweetly,
"She's always good, she's perfect" Karen replied.
"That's because she takes after her daddy" Karen practically choked on her own breathe.
"You're anything but perfect!"
"Yeah but that's why you love me" rob teased her
"Oh I wouldn't want you any other way." They were such a pair of hopeless romantics. They reached the park and Rob instantly scooped up little Darcy who had woken up and walked towards the swings. He sat down carefully and gently sung back and forth. Karen stood and watched taking a few photos.
"Don't go too high" Karen was being a sweet over protective mummy.
"She's ok"
"No seriously Rob that's too high now"
Rob loved how protective Karen was being.
"I think you're scaring mummy with your dare devil skills Darcy" rob teased as he slowed down to a pace Karen was more comfortable with.
"This was a lovely idea" rob told Karen.
"Well I was just so sick of being cooped up inside"
"I know, maybe we should go for walks more often"
"I'd like that" as Karen and rob shared a romantic kiss, Darcy got really fussy. Karen brushed her little cheek and then realised, she looked at her watch to double check.
"She's due her next feed" Darcy was really screaming, Karen was getting more stressed as they tried to soothe her momentarily at least until they got home. Rob placed her back into her buggy and immediately started walking quickly, figuring the constant movement would be helpful. She cried and cried but that was better than the screaming. Karen trailed along behind until they finally got home.
"Here we are Darcy" Karen scooped her up and swiftly fed her.
"She was hungry" rob commented from the doorway.
"That was some quick intuition earlier, you sure you haven't done this before" Karen questioned. Darcy was soon settled in her mummy's arms and calm was restored.
Today had been the first day of reality, the battle with getting children to school, a baby fed, changed and cared for and dinner made. It had run pretty smoothly and it was clear from the moment Jess and Harry arrived home that they'd missed a little person. Dinner had been made and demolished, Jess and Harry now lay on the floor around little Darcy who was laying down under her baby gym not that she was able to do anything on it yet. Harry would tickle her feet and Jess would dance her bunny around her and pretend to kiss her cheek with it. Karen and Rob were sat snuggled on the sofa admiring the three of them interacting together.
"Sadly it's bedtime you two, please can you go and brush your teeth and put your Jim jams on"
Karen asked to the sounds of sighing.
"Come on school tomorrow" rob added before anyone attempted to pluck up some kind of deal.
"Darcy's going to bed too"
On that note the two children did as they were told and Karen and rob were left with Darcy who was fighting to keep her eyes open.
"I think we have a worn out little girl"
"Must have been all that fresh air she had today and going on the swings with daddy"
Darcy yawned in response.
"I think that means daddy hurry up and take me to bed" Karen commented sweetly as she watched her partner scoop up their little girl and take her to bed.
"Sweet dreams Darcy."