Chapter 16
9:00 am.--February 19th,2012
Andrew woke up first. He was still laying next to Margaret on her hospital bed. He glanced over at the bassinette off to one side,
and smiled. He still couldn't believe that at this exact time yesterday, he had actually become a father. He, along with Margaret, was
now responsible for another human life.
He got up off of the bed quietly,so as to not wake her up, and walked around to where their son was. He leaned over, and gently picked him
up and held him in his arms. He looked down at him, and smiled. "Hey, Joshua, it's your Daddy. Your Mommy and I love you very much. You
have the best Mommy in the whole world."
Upon hearing this, Margaret woke up. "Well, he may have the best Mommy in the world, but he also has the best Daddy in the world" she
replied.
"You're awake." he said, walking back over to the bed. "How did you sleep?"
"Well, knowing that my husband and son were in the same room as me, I slept very, very well"
"That's good" he replied, as he, being very mindful of Joshua in his arms, leaned over and gave her a kiss--which she gladly returned.
"So, would you like to hold our son again?"
"Of course"
Andrew manuevered their son out of his arms, and gently placed him back in Margaret's. He sat back down on one side of the bed, and
wrapped an arm around her right shoulder. Then they both, again, looked down at little Joshua, and smiled before looking back up at each
other lovingly.
"I love you, Mommy"
"I love you too, Daddy"
They both leaned in, so that their foreheads were touching, and shared an amazing little kiss. At that moment, someone knocked
on the door, and walked in.
"And how's the new little family doing today?" she asked.
"Never better---never better" Andrew replied, kissing Margaret on the head.
"That's great. Well, everything looks great, so it looks like you guys can go home today"
Andrew leaned down close to Joshua "You hear that, buddy?--we get to go home today" he said, kissing him, and smiling.
"So what time will we be able to leave?" Margaret asked.
"Well, the check out time is 10:00 this morning. Does that work out okay?"
"Yes, that works out good"
"Great, well then, I guess I'll leave you guys alone, so that you guys can get ready to go."
"Allright, thank you so much, . You've been wonderful--really" Margaret said.
"You're very welcome--goodbye"
"Goodbye"
After had left, Andrew looked at Margaret. "Well, I promised Dad I'd call him to let him know what time
they would be releasing us. I guess I'd better go do that"
"Allright, you go do that, and then, as soon as you get back, we can start getting ourselves, and little Joshua here,
ready to go"
"Okay, I'll be right back" he said, giving each of them a little kiss before walking out into the hall.
He dialed the number to his parent's house. After ringing three times, someone finally picked up.
"Hello?"
"Hey, Dad. I just thought I'd let you know that we spoke with the doctor a few minutes ago, and that we need
to check out of here by 10:00 this morning"
"Okay, thanks Andrew. We'll be there in about 30 minutes."
"I guess we'll see you guys pretty soon, then. Bye" He closed his phone and walked back in the room.
"They should be here about 30 minutes" he said.
"I guess we better starting getting ready, then"
30 minutes later...
It took them a little while, what with needing to tend to themselves, as well as the baby, but they were finally all ready to go.
Just as they had finished making sure that they hadn't forgotten anything, the door opened and Joe, Grace, and Annie walked in.
"Hey you guys" they all said, walking over and hugging first Andrew, and then Margaret, before leaning down to give Joshua
a little kiss.
"Hey Mom, hey Dad, hey Gammy" they both replied, carefully returning their hugs. They chatted for a little while, before
happened to glance at the clock on the wall--9:55.
"Well, I guess we better go--it's almost time to check out" he said. By this point, a wheelchair had already been brought in to
help transport Margaret and the baby to the car. "Is everybody ready?" Everyone nodded. "Okay, let's head out"
As soon as they had gotten out to the car, they all turned to face each other. "Allright, I guess we'll just follow you guys back
to your apartment" Grace said.
"Okay, then we'll see you guys then" Andrew replied.
Andrew helped Margaret get into their car, and then carefully secured Joshua into his carseat. Afterwards, he went around
and got in the driver's seat, started the car, and looked behind them to make sure the rest of his family was still there,
before beginning the short trip back to their apartment--and this whole new, and exciting chapter in their lives.
