"You didn't have to get up but thanks for the help." She said.
"No problem." He said and looked at her.
"You didn't believe us when we said we'd be here for you and help you did you?" He asked.
"I knew you guys would help just not to this extent. For god's sake I caught Steve baby talking and changing diapers." She said.
He continued to look at her.
"Yeah you all have every one has pitched in so much and I'm grateful." She said.
He smiled,
"Want some tea or something?" He asked.
"Sure." She answered and followed him down the stairs.
He got out two mug and the little packets of tea and hot chocolate. She put some water on to boil for herself and warmed some milk for him. She then sat down at the table with him and smiled.
"You haven't been getting enough sleep lately have you." He accused.
"Umm those two infants up there are mine and they don't quite sleep through the night yet even though they are going to be eight months." She said.
"What about cat naps and stuff when everyone else has them?" he demanded.
She shrugged helplessly,
"I can't just take naps." She said.
He shook his head as she hurriedly got up and made their drinks. She gave him a steaming cup of hot chocolate and laughed.
"You are the only guy I know who still drinks hot chocolate." She said.
"I'm sorry I can't make myself drink tea and hot chocolate happens to be very good." He said defensively.
They sipped in companionable silence.
"Thanks again, for every thing." She said.
He shrugged,
"No problem." He replied.
She
hugged him and said good night and walked up the steps.
She woke
up the next morning and stretched, then rolled out of bed to go check
on the boys. She walked in quietly not wanting to disturb them if
they were still asleep and seen that their cribs were empty. She
sighed,
"Dad or Paul must have them." She mumbled and walked downstairs.
"Dad…Paul?" she called out questioningly.
"Down here." Her dad yelled.
She walked in and seen the men working out.
"Hey where are the boys?" She asked.
"Shane came by earlier and picked them up to hang out for awhile, we all agreed that you are taking a whole day to yourself. There's a new spa in town we scheduled you in so hurry up. Your appointment is at ten."
She came back down a half hour later and Paul ushered her outside and into the car. "Dad this is really nice but…" She said.
"Kayla you're going to go to this spa, bathe in mud or whatever they do there and relax, you deserve it." He said and dropped her off.
She walked in and was greeted by a perky blonde. She got wrapped soaked massaged, and rubbed. When she changed back into her clothes her muscles were limp from relaxation. She walked outside and got into the car.
"Hey how was it." Paul asked.
"Great." She said.
"Where's my dad?" She asked.
"He's at the house everyone is, he's having a little barbeque." He said.
"Oh cool." She said.
We pulled in the driveway a few minutes later. She seen Shane's SUV and went inside and started looking for the boys. She found them upstairs, sleeping soundly. She watched them and sighed.
"Hey," Shane said quietly.
"Hi." she replied.
"Why did you take the boys today?" she asked.
"I wanted to. I wanted to hang out with them, don't worry I didn't use them to pick up chicks, and I wanted to give you a break." He said and moved forward so he stood besides her.
"They're great aren't they?" she asked.
"I can't believe they're going to be a year in four months." She said.
"Wow." He said.
"It really flew by." She said.
They looked at the sleeping infants in companionable silence.
"If you don't mind me asking how long has it been since Josh has seen the boys?" He said.
She looked away,
"About six months." She said quietly.
"Oh." Was all he said.
She walked over to Shane's crib and softly stroked his little tufts of hair. She sniffled, "Hey what's wrong?" he asked and cupped her chin forcing her to look at him.
"Why doesn't he want to see his babies, he said he would be here for them." She said and started crying.
He pulled her into his arms.
"He's stupid that's why." He murmured, rubbing her back.