Married Life

Author's Note: Enjoy! I'm going to make a sequel after the 25th chapter. I don't know what it'll be called yet, but I'll keep you informed. I just don't want this story to get too big, you know?

Chapter 19: We Are Family

Bailey: age 4. Max: age 2 (If you're confused, it's because I deleted the previous chapter because I didn't like it. I didn't like it when I wrote it, didn't like it when I published it, and definitely didn't like it when you guys didn't like it. So, here's TAKE TWO of Chapter 19)

Cameron's POV

The alarm went off at 8:30 like always. I had gotten hardly any sleep last night. Between making sure Bailey had all the things on his school supply list, getting Max's lunch packed for day care (not because I had to, but because I didn't trust the day care lunches to be healthy enough), and laying out their clothes.

I walked into Bailey's room, and gently flicked on the light. "Come on, kiddo. Rise and shine! It's your first day of school!" I tried to be excited for him, I really did. But, I was scared to death about him starting kindergarten. Day care and preschool was one thing, but he was starting elementary school. Remember how old I felt when he turned one? Now, times that by 10 and that's how old I felt now. You get old quicker when you have kids. I went from a stylish young woman to a married mother of 2 in just a few short years.

But, when I look at my two sons…I know it was worth it. "Bay, come on. Get up." I said, kissing his cheeks and forehead. His periwinkle eyes opened sleepily, and he rubbed them delicately. "Too early, Mommy." and he tried to lay back down.

I snickered, when I realized that my husband does that very same thing. It was so adorable, I thought my heart would break in two. Why couldn't Bailey be my little baby again? The one I carried for nine months, named, and decorated a nursery for. Why? It just didn't make sense. I knew for months that he'd be starting school soon, but now…it was really hard. I didn't want my eldest to go off to school. Because, eventually, it'd be Max's turn to go off to school and I'd be all alone. Not really, but our kids would be growing up.

I finally pried him out of bed, and went to make breakfast as he got ready. I made his favorite, eggs and toast. He wasn't too picky an eater, but he was still that kid that wanted his food done exactly when he arrived at the table. I feel sorry for his future wife, who's gonna want to have a job but has to be home before Bailey gets home to get dinner on the table. Otherwise, she'll be divorced before too long. I smiled at this image, and put Bay's plate on the table. I finished packing Bailey's snack and lunch.

When he was done eating, I helped him finish getting ready and we sat on the couch watching cartoons for a little while. "Now, Rachel is going to be at the school when you get there, and she'll help you find your class. Okay?" I said to my son that was completely immersed in that show. "Bailey, are you listening?" I hit the mute button, and it was like someone hit a switch in his brain. He turned to me, with a confused face. "Mommy, why'd the sound go off?" I smiled a tad, then tried to swallow it. "Bay, you weren't listening to me. Rachel is going to be at the school drop off spot when the bus gets to school. She's gonna help you find your class, okay?" He nodded, and then started to cry.

Immediately, I scooted closer to him and tried to console my kid. "Bay, honey, what's wrong?" "What if the kids don't like me?" he wailed into my shoulder. "Why wouldn't the kids like you?" I asked. Those little punks better like my son, that's all I have to say. If they were mean to him…ooh….the claws would be coming out!

"I dunno…I wish you could come with me. Aunt Lisa went with Rachel on her first day…" The littlest jab of jealousy stung my heart. Now, I was going to school with him. There was no other way. "Bay, would it make you feel more comfortable to have me there?" I asked, rubbing his back as his sobs got quieter. He sniffled and nodded. I then patted his back, and got my cell phone.

I got House's voicemail. I left a message. "Hey House, it's Cameron. I'm just calling to let you know that I won't be coming into work today. My son's starting school and I want to go there with him. Save all your rude comments until I come in tomorrow. Okay, see ya. Bye."

I hung up the phone, and smiled at Bailey. "It's all taken care off now." I promised. Then I heard the shower shut off, and a few moments later my husband came in the room. "Well, you're taking Bailey to school?" I nodded. "I'll take Max on to daycare." I smiled, and blew him an air kiss. "Robert, how did I get so lucky and get you for a husband?" 'You won the lottery, Allie." he joked, rolling his eyes as he went to change out of that sexy towel and into something a little more work appropriate.

Finally, it was time to go. I kissed Max on the cheek, as he slept a little more. I reminded Robert to wake him up soon, then Bailey and I were out the door. Robert opened the window, and shouted "Good luck, Bailey!" Bailey smiled, and blushed a little. I laughed, then cranked the car. We got there a little early, but that was good because it would give us time to find the classroom. We eventually found it, and introduced ourselves to the teacher.

"Hi, I'm Allison Cameron-Chase and this is my son Bailey." we shook hands, and I told her that Bailey would prefer it if I stayed in there today. Not only that, I would prefer it. But, she told me that I wasn't allowed. Bailey looked up at me, his eyes reading the word FEAR to me. I turned to the teacher, Miss Swanson, and said that my son would like it if I stayed. She then informed me that if we didn't break the attachment now, we never would. I begged to differ, but I couldn't argue with her. She was my son's teacher for the entire school year and we had to get along for that purpose. I kissed Bailey unwillingly, and had to yank his tiny hands off my shirt. Then I left, tears staining my face as I heard my son wailing for me.

Chase's POV

I had just gone into the break room for a sandwich when my phone rang. I read the caller ID before I answered it. ALLISON. I flipped it open, to hear crying on the other end.

"Allison? What's going on? What's wrong?"

"I feel so guilty…" she sobbed after a minute or two.

"Why? Calm down and explain. I can't understand you if you're crying like that."

She explained, and then I felt like crying myself. And, I don't do crying. Not really. I didn't even cry when House punched me that one time. And that effing hurt, if I remember right.

"Don't worry, Allie. I'm going to head home right now." I said, grabbing my coat. She thanked me, and I quickly drove home. When I got there, Allison was sitting on the floor in our bedroom looking at photo albums. I looked over her shoulder, and saw pictures of us on our wedding day. Seems so long ago now.

"Look how young we were, Rob." she had dry paths from where the tears had been.

I smiled a little, and sat down next to her. "Yeah…one of the best days of my life-that day." She nodded. "Mine too." She flipped the page, and we saw a picture of Allison's baby shower. I laughed when I saw the one of Allison throwing cake in my face. She did too, and she leaned her head on my shoulder. "Back when married life was simple, huh?" I shook my head. "It was simple..but it was boring. Now, we have more than just our jobs as a reason to get up in the morning. It makes everything worth it you know? I see their faces, and it makes me happier than a 4 year old on Christmas."

She laughed louder. "You remember that too?" I nodded, grinning. I flipped a few pages over and showed her the pictures of that fateful Christmas, when Bailey got exactly what he wanted. He'd wanted a bike so bad that that was all he really asked for. Max thought he was crazy. We did too, kind of. But, I made sure I got it. And set it up for him on Christmas Day. When he came down the stairs, he wasn't expecting it.

I sat right next to the stairs with my camera. When he came down, he looked at the tree and his eyes widened with surprise. I grinned, and snapped pictures, as Allie filmed from a different angle. "OH MY GOD!" and he ran around like a chicken with his head cut off. I shook my head, and lifted Max onto my hip as we finished unwrapping presents. When they nodded off to sleep around the tree, Bailey tried to curl up with his bike.

"Allie, you're a great mom." I said, when I came back to the present time. She grinned. "You're a great daddy, Rob." I kissed her temple. "We made some beautiful kids, huh?" She nodded. "Yeah…they're just growing up too fast." "Well, one day…it'll just be you and me in this big house. Until then, they're still ours." I added, flipping to a picture of Bailey and Max sleeping when they were still tiny. Max had probably been 9 months old, and his big brother was supposed to be watching him sleep when they both had nodded off. I smirked a little, and got up off the floor.

"Our job's not done yet, honey." Holding out a hand for her. She smiled, and took it.