Chapter 15
10:30 am. that same day
Andrew and Margaret continued to gaze in awe at their son--they couldn't believe that they had actually created this small human that was
now resting in Margaret's arms. Just as they were about to lean in for another kiss, Andrew's cell phone rang. He looked at the number, and
saw that it was his Dad.
"Sorry honey, but I need to take this call. I'll be right back" he said.
"Allright, don't be too long, though" she replied, as he stepped out into the hall.
"Hey, Dad. What's up?"
"I just thought I'd let you know that our plane should be landing in about half an hour. And we already decided that we'll just
get our stuff and wait out front--that way you can just drive around and pick us up. How's does that sound?"
"That sounds great. I'll see you guys in a little while. Bye" he said, closing up his phone and walking back in the room.
"Who was that?" Margaret asked, as she gently rocked Joshua back and forth in her arms.
"That was Dad. Their plane should be landing in about half an hour. I need to go pick them up.
"Will you two be okay here by yourselves for a little while?"
"As long as I'll be having some company soon, we'll be fine" she replied.
"Allright, I won't be gone too long--I love you both" he said, kissing her on the lips, before leaning over and gently placing a kiss on the top
of thier sons' head.
"We love you,too" And with that said, he walked out the door, walked outside to their car, and drove the 30 minutes to the airport.
11:00 am.
He pulled up to the front, and stopped the car. As he turned to his right, he saw his parents and grandmother. He got out of the car
and went over to greet them. "Hey Mom, hey Dad, hey Gammy" he said, as he hugged each of them. "How was your flight?"
After they talked for a couple more minutes, Andrew looked down at his watch. "Well, we better go. I told Margaret I wouldn't be gone
too long. And besides, I know how anxious you all are to see the baby"
Everybody put their luggage in the car, got in, and headed back to the hospital.
11:30 am.
They walked inside, went up to Margaret's room on the second floor, and quietly walked in.
"Hey Margaret" Grace said, as they all walked in. "How are you feeling?"
"Much better now" Margaret replied.
"So, is this him?" she asked.
"Yes it is" she said, looking down and smiling at the baby. "Andrew, honey, would you do the honors?"
"I'd love to." he said as he took thier son out of Margaret's arms, and carefully into his own before turning to
face them again "We'd like you all to meet Joshua Andrew Paxton--your new grandson and great-grandson."
They all smiled as they looked at the newest member of the Paxton family for the very first time. They couldn't believe that
their son, and grandson, was now a father himself.
"Mom, would you like to hold him first?"Andrew asked. Overcome by emotion, she slowly nodded. "Okay, Joshua, here's
your grandma" he said, gently laying him into Grace's waiting arms.
"Hi Joshua" she managed to choke out, smiling down at him. She looked up at Andrew and Margaret. "He's beautiful" They both
looked at each other, smiled and kissed.
"Allright, time to go see grandpa" Grace said, handing him to Joe. Joe looked down at his grandson--his grandson. He was actually
a grandfather. He couldn't help but smile. "He looks just like you, son" he said, looking at Andrew.
"Now, last, but certainly not least--your great-grandmother" Joe said, carefully handing to baby to Gammy. Like everyone else
before her, she smiled down at him. "He's amazing. And you're right, Joe--he really does look just like Andrew"
After everybody had had their turn at holding the baby, Andrew took him in his arms, walked back over to the bed, and
handed him back to Margaret. She gladly took him, and started gently rocking him back and forth in her arms.
"So," Grace asked "when are you guys going to be able to take this little guy home?"
"Actually, we talked to the doctor before I went to pick you guys up. She seems to think that, as long as he's perfectly
healthy, which he is, that we can take him home tomorrow." Andrew replied.
"That's wonderful" Grace said.
"Yeah, I will be so glad to be out of this hospital, and to finally be back home." Margaret added.
1:00 pm.
Before anyone had fully realized it, an hour and a half had just flown by. Joe looked over at the clock on the wall.
"Well, you guys probably want to spend some more time alone with your son, so we'll get going" Joe said. "And as soon as they
let you know what time they'll be releasing you, you call and let us know."
"Allright, we will" Andrew said. After everybody who could hug hugged, and all the goodbyes were said, Joe, Grace,
and Annie left. As soon as they walked out of the room, Andrew walked back over, and gently sat back down on the bed,
his right hand resting on her left leg. Margaret looked up at him.
"You know--it's not that I didn't enjoy them coming here--I really did. But I'm glad that it's back to just us"
"Yeah, I totally agree--it is much, much nicer this way" he replied, now carefully getting on the bed next to her.
They looked at each other and leaned in for another kiss. Andrew wrapped his left arm around Margaret, kissed her on the top of her head,
and then moved his right hand so that it was resting top of hers. They looked down at their new son, who was comfortably cradled in her arms,
and smiled. They were parents now--this was the beginning of a whole new life for them, and they honestly couldn't have been happier.
