A week had passed. They'd kept Joanna for a week to make sure there were no problems with her. Joanna and the baby were going home to John's home. He and Cody were already there. Joanna was waiting on her discharge papers. She was sitting in a chair holding Charley.
"Today's exciting Charley." "Today we're going to our new home." "We're gonna go live with your daddy." "It's gonna be a big, new adventure."
"Excuse me Mrs. Rhodes." A nurse said. She was holding a clipboard. "Here are your discharge papers." "All you have to do is sign by the X." Joanna signed.
Joanna and Charley got on a plane for Tampa. They arrived at John's house by mid-afternoon. When John saw them pull into the driveway he went out.
"I'll get Charley." He said. He opened the door to the backseat. "Hi Charley." "Daddy missed you."
They all went inside.
"Your stuff is here." John said as he took Charley out of her car seat.
"Good I can start unpacking as soon as I put her down for a nap."
"She looks like she's ready."
"Yeah she's had a busy day."
"It looks like you both have." "Come on I'll carry her up." They were going up the stairs.
"Where's Cody?"
"In his room."
"You did finish the nursery right."
"Yeah." "I just hope you like it." She opened the door and saw all new furniture
"Where did all this come from?"
"I bought it."
"When?"
"When you were in a coma."
"You've had it set up all this time."
"Yeah." "Do you like it?
"I love it." "Thank you."
After they put Charley down for a nap. Joanna went into the bedroom and started unpacking boxes. John came in the room.
"Jo take a rest." John said. "Worry about these boxes later."
"I can't." "Charley's gonna be up before I know it." "I at least have to get half of these done."
"Let me help."
"Ok." John started unpacking a box.
"Where do you want these?" John asked holding up the urn with Cody's ashes in it.
"Can we put them on the fireplace mantel in the living room?"
"Sure."
"Thanks."
Later that night Joanna was holding Charley on the couch. Cody sat down next to her.
"Mommy, can I hold Charley?" Cody asked.
"Ok but you have to be really careful."
"I will."
"See the way mommy's holding her?"
"Yeah."
"Do you think you can do that?"
"Yeah."
"Ok." She handed her to him. "Good." "Make sure you support her head."
"She's really pretty mommy." "She looks like you."
"Do you like having a sister?"
"Yeah." "I like having a baby in the house."
By the time Joanna and John went to bed Joanna was really tired. They got in bed.
"You looked whipped baby." John said.
"I am."
"You should've taken a nap today."
"I didn't have the time." "I am really glad to be here though."
"I'm glad you're here to." They kissed. "I love you."
"I love you too." "Goodnight."
"Goodnight."
It around two in the morning Joanna heard crying on the baby monitor. She got out of bed. John got up.
"Lay back down Jo." He said." "I'll go."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes." He kissed her. "Go back to sleep."
John made Charley a bottle and went into her room. He got her out of her crib.
"It's ok Charley." "Daddy's here." He sat down in a rocking chair and put the bottle in her mouth. "There you go." "You know Charley I'm still a little afraid about being a daddy." "I'm not like mommy she's a pro because she already had your brother." "I'm new at being a daddy." "I figured that's ok because you're new to being a baby." "We can help each other learn." "I wouldn't trade you for anything in the world." "Other then your mommy, you're the best thing that's ever happened to me."
He finished feeding her and put her back in her crib. He kissed her cheek.
"Goodnight Charley." "I love you." He whispered.