A/N: Starting to try up some loose ends :) I'm finally starting to get back in control of everything since I came back from my vacation, but anyways enjoy xx Mariah
Katie stood in the kitchen looking at her pantry as Stitches lazily wandered between her feet, purring against her ankles for food. Now that Ned had been home for a few weeks, Stitches had put some weight on with the extra food Ned had been feeding him, not that she minded. He'd been looking a little on the skinny side if she was being honest.
She skimmed over the empty shelves in her pantry. They really needed to go grocery shopping. It was July 2nd and she had nothing in her pantry. She'd wanted to pack something for the long car ride to her parent's cabin for the holiday weekend, but apparently, that wasn't happening.
"Hey buddy," she crouched down and rubbed Stitches soft fur. He almost replied to her by nuzzling his soft cat cheek into her calf with a soft purr. "Oh Stitches, I love you too." She whispered and pressed a kiss to his head as she eased herself back up to her feet.
She shifted her weight to her other leg to ease the residual soreness of her joints. Since Ned had come home, they had made it a point christen nearly everything in their home. On every surface, against nearly every wall, and this kitchen counter she was leaning on is no stranger to absorbing Katie's cries or Ned's grip.
She sighed in the memory of him taking her on the couch after her phone call with her grandma Faith last night. Ned had thrown her legs over his shoulders and without a chance to stretch beforehand, the rigorous event certainly gave her body a workout.
Katie once again reviewed her pantry before scoffing and shutting the door. They'd shop when they got back. She went to the fridge next, seeing how bare it had gotten too.
"Ned?" She closed the fridge and walked toward the stairs, climbing them. "Baby?" He didn't answer, but she kept walking and entered their bedroom, seeing it was empty and sighing. "Ned? Oh," then she saw him, packing his Dopp kit in the bathroom. "There you are. Why didn't you answer me?"
"Sorry, I spaced out for a second there." He muttered, tossing his toothpaste in the bag. He smiled over his shoulder at her, feeling her hand touch his cheek. "You all packed?"
"Yeah. I was just gonna make some sandwiches for the road when I thought I better come ask you what you wanted," she wrapped her arms around his waist, laughing as she pressed a kiss into his shirt. "I know how hungry you can get and I wanna get to the cabin before it gets too dark."
"Is there still any ham?" He asked, zipping the bag closed. He turned, his hands sliding up her sides, pressing a kiss to her. "Or did I eat it all?"
"I think you ate it all," she nodded, sighing. "There's no food in this house. I'm pretty sure all that's in the fridge at this point is coffee creamer, sauces and moldy carrots."
He chuckled, rubbing her back as he stepped past her. She winded herself in him, walking with him and sitting on the bed as he zipped his duffle bag up. "Well," he muttered softly. "I'm not feeling turkey. Wanna make a pitstop at Subway? I have to fill up the car anyway and if we go to that gas station off 22nd street you can run in."
She stood, grabbing her laptop bag and her travel bag. She'd been so thankful for the luggage set they'd gotten as a wedding gift. It made weekend trips much easier. "I always enjoy Subway," she nodded, and Ned slid the travel bag off her shoulder and onto his. "Hey, I can carry that."
"Yeah, I know." He turned, walking out of the room. "But I've got it."
She rolled her eyes at him, scoffing as she followed. Ned went out the front door as Katie walked into the living room, pressing a kiss to Stitches. He lounged on top of the couch, stretching out and rolling onto his back.
"Hey bud," she scratched his belly. "I know you can't talk or anything, but I put extra food out for you. I know you'll be fine, and you'll probably just stay on your dad's pillow all four days." The door opened again and Ned appeared, smiling at her. "Sorry. I was just giving my mom speech to the cat."
She saw the smile curling his own lips, how his arms rippled with lean muscle as he lifted them to embrace her, and she relished the solid feel of them around her as his lips pressed to her forehead, before moving to her lips and capturing them with his.
She kissed him back passionately, letting her tongue move with his, her hands clutching at his shoulders, pulling him closer as she moaned. She nearly dropped her laptop bag, but he'd caught it, setting it down before she pulled away.
"C'mon lover boy," she laughed and grabbed her laptop, opening the door. "Let's get going."
Ned and Katie were the second car to pull in, directly after Jim and Melinda had parked. Katie bolted from the car, beating her siblings to the door for the rush to get the best room. Katie was determined not to get stuck in a twin bed room, like before. Ned had slept on the floor beside her, like the gentleman he was, but that didn't leave for a lot of room.
"They never do change, do they?" Jim chuckled, meeting Melinda at the trunk where the rest of the luggage was.
"Ahh, I love watching them rush to the door." Melinda laughed, shrugging. "You got this stuff? I'm gonna get Emma set up."
"Yeah," Jim kissed his wife, winking at her as he grabbed the cooler. He saw Ned then, looking at his phone as he leaned against the car. "Hey, Ned! How was the drive?"
"Jim – hey, do you need some help with that?" Ned asked, pushing up from where he'd been leaning on the car, exasperation evident in his voice. Jim carried the cooler with ease, setting it down inside the cabin and jogging back over to the jeep. "The drive was fine, like it always is. It just gets a little long." Katie reappeared, looking triumphant as she came up to Ned. "Did you get it?"
"Did you doubt me?" She smirked, wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him. "A queen bed, just for the two of us. I brought some cute pajamas to wear for you since there are kiddos around."
"Ahh that's enough for my ears," Jim butted in, covering his ears. He grabbed the kids' suitcases, walking into the cabin.
"Sorry, dad," she laughed, pressing her face into Ned's shirt as her face blushed. He could feel just how red her cheeks were at her father's embarrassment.
"Oh don't mind him," Melinda muttered, carrying Emma's car seat. "He's just…" Melinda winked then, and Katie smiled knowingly. "On edge."
"Better do something about that mom," Ned joked, rubbing Katie's back as she pulled her head back and looked at her mother.
"Oh, I plan on it. Can you two maybe watch Emma for a little bit later?" Melinda swung the seat around slowly as Emma whined. "Oh baby.. Yes mama hears you. Just a minute."
"I'll bring her in," Ned took the carrier from her. "You two can chat."
"I think she needs a diaper change Ned," Melinda eyed him. "Can you handle that?"
"Oh yeah. I'm not completely helpless you know." Ned chuckled, looking over at Katie as he pressed a kiss to her cheek. "It's good practice for someday." He walked on, passing Jim as he stepped over the threshold.
"What was that about?" Melinda leaned on the car next to Katie, folding her arms.
"We had a conversation," she shrugged. "Nothing too big. Just talking."
"That's great news Katie!" Melinda beamed at her daughter, rubbing her forearms. She noticed her daughter's face then, stepping a bit closer so she could talk in a volume that her father couldn't hear. She rubbed her forearm, hoping to get a little further with her. "What's up, bug?"
"What if I can't have another baby mom?" Her voice broke as she dropped her head, her breath catching in her throat. "It's just a thought in the back of my mind, you know?"
"Oh Katie," Melinda pulled her in, kissing her forehead. She let her eyes flutter close, just holding her daughter as she cried. "I know those thoughts and you just need to press on."
"I thought that I was done with this," she whispered, her tears were silent now.
"I know what happened with me is not near your situation, but I do know that grief comes in many waves." Melinda explained, rubbing her back. "Because when you take a leap forward and think that you have put everything behind you and it's better, another wave comes."
"I just… I want it to stop hurting so much," she sniffled, wiping away her tears as she pulled back.
Melinda felt tears spring from her eyes, seeing the look on her face. Katie looked like she did when she was a little girl, the scrunched up brow, puffy red eyes and tear stained cheeks.
"I know," Melinda whispered, rubbing her sides. "I know baby, and one day, when you think about him… it won't hurt as much as it does now. You have to believe that."
"I do," she looked past her mother, seeing Ned in the window with Emma.
Ned must've pulled off his flannel, only wearing a gray tank top on his torso, showing his muscled arms as he held Emma to his chest, pointing to Melinda as he spoke to the seven month old. Emma's wailing came to a stop as the baby saw her mother, her chubby hand touching the glass. Melinda waved with both hands, grinning widely at her as she walked forward.
Katie smiled at Ned, going to grab their bags then. She knew this long weekend would be just what she needed.
Their first day at the cabin had been perfect.
They'd had plenty of sunlight to still go swimming. Jim had grilled burgers while everyone changed into comfier clothes. After they ate, Emma went down not long after. Aaron and Jim tossed a baseball back and forth as they all sat by the fire. Lana was asleep in Melinda's arms and Mackenzie had turned in around nine. Katie sat in Ned's lap, resting her head on his shoulder. When she dozed off, he'd turned in, carrying her to their room.
Tomorrow arrived and Ned snuck out for a run. She felt the kiss on her temple as he moved from the bed, nearly waking up, but somehow she pushed herself further into sleep and rolled onto her stomach. Katie had drifted awake a not too long after, the sunlight in her eyes.
"Katie," he snuck an arm around her body, pulling her close to him.
She had almost leaned into his chest, until she remembered that Ned had slipped out of bed earlier. Had he come back while she was asleep? "I'm just waking up," she muttered, leaning into his chest, letting his arms wrap around her.
"I am too," she felt him press his erection into her back and she giggled, moving around in his arms untl she was face to face with Mason. "I love you."
His hand slid over her stomach, which was swollen with child. She couldn't breathe. What was this?
Katie bolted upright in bed, gasping for air. Ned was still gone, the sound of her littlest sister wailing downstairs flooding through her ears.
What could that dream have meant?
She hadn't seen Mason since he'd kissed her. She'd talk to her mom about this at the baseball game later, an annual tradition. Then again Mackenzie was the one who had the most dreams, maybe she'd do more good then mom would.
The door opened, revealing a sweaty Ned and her father. She pulled the blanket up higher, not completely remembering what she'd worn to bed.
"I know that look," Jim said, moving to sit on the edge of the bed. "Nightmare?"
"It was the weirdest dream… I just don't know what it means." She sighed, pulling back from his hand as he went to hold hers. As much as she loved her father and the way he comforted her, she just wanted Ned. That was just something so different about her husband holding her. Ned was by her side, kissing her cheek, rubbing her back. "Hey, you…"
"I'll get your mom," Jim smiled, leaning in and kissing her forehead.
"I'm fine dad. I'll talk to her in a bit," she reassured him. "Just… give us a minute?"
"Of course, bug." Jim winked, standing up and closing the door behind him.
"Alright, what was the dream about?" Ned asked.
"Mason," she sighed, looking up at him.
"When was the last time you saw or heard from him?" He asked, rubbing her forearm absentmindedly.
"I haven't seen him since after Memorial Day," she muttered, shrugging. "I just thought he lost interest. I hoped."
"I'll make a few calls. Look into him at work, LeTrai should be able to pull some strings for us." He smiled, kissing her. "Don't worry about that bastard, okay?"
"Yeah, I won't." She whispered, smiling at him.
"I'm gonna shower," he moved off the bed then, going to his duffle and grabbing his Dopp kit. "I think your mom is making breakfast. I smelt bacon on my way up."
"Okay," she moved to where her feet touched the carpet, rubbing her eyes. "I'll go check it out." She looked at her outfit, shorts and a tank top, going to open the bedroom door. She was hit with the sound of her bustling family, smiling as she basked in another minute before she went down.