Chapter 2- Emergency Mode Activated!
Penny was coming up the stairs after a hard day's work, feeling super grungy and ready for a shower when she found Joey pacing outside her door.
"Holy crap am I glad to see you!" Joey cried out, "I'm so sorry to ask this, but I've got to get to Vegas like right now, my sister is in premature labor and her folks are out of town and I need to be with the kids and.."
Penny grasped Joey by the upper arms, forcing her to stop, "Hey calm down, I can barely understand you!"
Joey took a deep breath, trying to calm her body. "My sister isn't due for another three or four weeks and her folks usually watch the kids while she's at the hospital, but they are on a business trip in Florida. Her in laws can't get here for another week, and I'm the nearest person she trusts to watch her brood long term. They're staying with a friend right now but they're scared, since this has never happened before. I mean honestly, this is her fourth baby and she's always has fairly easy pregnancies. I don't start work for another week, since I wanted time to get settled in..."
"Joey, you're still all over the place honey." Penny unlocked her door and led Joey to the couch. "Sit down, and tell me what you need from me. A ride to the airport? House plants watered?"
"Oh I'm so sorry, I've just been so agitated. Since I was expecting to be home for the next week I had several packages coming next week, but now I have to go and I don't really know anyone else in town to ask. I can't delay the shipments, cause I really really need the stuff, it was already on backorder as it is!" Joey all but wailed, "I'm so sorry to impose, but could you sign for them and put them in my place? I'll pay you and give you my keys. I was going to ask Leonard or Sheldon, if you hadn't come just now, I have to go soon, traffic's gonna suck as it is."
"Lordy, you so don't want to involve Sheldon in this. He'd have a ton of paperwork waiting for you before you could get your stuff. One small box of rhinestones and he was off the rails talking about bail and stuff." Penny recalled with a small shudder, "I can totally get your packages and you mail in general; you don't have to pay me. Is it coming by mail or UBS?"
Joey visibly relaxed, "UBS; I can call them now to have them dropped at your place if you want, so you don't have to go upstairs. They are supposed to arrive Tuesday, there are three big boxes. The UBS guy is going to hate the stairs, but I suppose they're used to it, if they've delivered here before. I'm gonna have to talk to the building manager about that, I can't have clients not be able to come up because they can't do five flights of stairs. Holy crap, lookit the time, I've gotta run!" She reached in her pocket and pulled out the keys and a business card.
"Here are the keys. This is my card, I've got to get new ones made with the new address, but that's my cell number there if you need to get ahold of me. Thanks again Penny, I really really appreciate it. I'll take you to dinner when I come back ok!" She stood and grabbed Penny in a tight hug before almost running out the door. Penny stood, staring at the door for a moment, before dropping down on the couch in exhaustion. She looked at the card in her hand,
:: Joey Garcia: Costumer, Seamstress, Tailor
Please call for appointments and pricing. ::
Then a San Bernardino address and phone number were listed, along with a website and email address.
"Huh. I don't think I ever caught her last name, now I know." Penny said to herself, rising from the couch to deposit her keys, along with Joey's keys and the card into her bowl by the door. Locking the door she went to take a shower.
Joey placed her suitcase into the back of the car and threw her bag on the passenger seat, fishing out her ipod and plugging it in; driving for four or five hours with only the radio would drive her round the bend. She stopped at the gas station, topped up the tank and picked up some snacks and drinks for the road. She used the drive time to plan some costumes she had in the works and check in with her brother in law Nathan.
Nathan explained that the doctors were trying to stop the labor. He had talked to Mary, the friend watching their older children, and the kids, who were fine, worried of course, but in reasonably good spirits. He talked to his folks but the were unable to come any sooner than previously noted. Evie's parents were doing their best to wrap up their business so they could come home sooner, but it would still probably be a few days.
Mary said she was sorry that she couldn't keep the kids, but with her three and their three it was pretty crazy at her house. She didn't even have a car that could move them all at once.
Nathan told Mary not to worry as Joey was expected by morning and she could take the kids home to wait in familiar surroundings.
Talking to Nathan helped lift her spirits and she sent her love to Evie and told him to get on back to her as she needed his support much more than Joey needed him.
It was hours later, the sun was in her eyes and she was nearing her sister's house. She pulled up at the curb and parked. She unlocked the front door, turned off the alarm and greeted the beasts, who were all up under her feet. She checked the auto feeder and dog yard, everything was clear so she hung her keys on the rack and grabbed Evies. She reset the alarm and went out through the garage. Using the gps in Evie's van, she input the address Nathan had texted earlier and off she went to fetch her niblings.
When she pulled up in front of the unfamiliar house, she wasn't really surprised to see Gwyneth's face peering out the front window. She knew her niece wouldn't be able to sleep well until she was at home, in her own bed. If she was really lucky Zach and Maisy would go back to sleep for a little while longer and she could recharge a bit from the drive. Joey popped out of the van and rapped lightly on the door, a woman who opened it immediately, baby on her hip. "Oh please tell me you are Joey?" The lady said, sounding very tired.
"Yep that's me, you want ID?" Joey joked, as Gwyneth squished past and latched onto her waist. Joey wrapped her arms around her niece, holding her close, whispering to her hair, "I got ya love, they're gonna be fine. Your mama's a fighter, you'll see, she'll be home in no time." Gwyneth just looked up at her, fear in her eyes; she was aware that didn't always happen, old history never really died afterall.
"That right there," Mary said, indicating the hugging, "tells me pretty much everything I need to know. She didn't sleep well. In fact she kept me company since Maggie had a rough night."
"I like babies, you know that Auntie Jo," Gwyneth broke in, "but can we go home now. I'm really tired and I think if we get them in bed straight away Zach and Mais might sleep a bit longer."
Joey nodded at her words, "I was hoping that too!" She turned her attention back to the lady, "Mary right?" At Mary's nod she continued, "Lead on McDuff."
Mary led them into the living room, where Zach and Maisy were sprawled out on a pullout sofa bed. "I can get Zach if you can handle Mais," Joey told Gwyneth, "but did you have your back packs or anything?"
Gwyneth nodded and turned around to fetch her siblings stuff along with her own. There were two backpacks and Maisy's diaper bag, so she grabbed them and took them out the car, stopping to open the sliding door and get the buckles pulled up out of the car seat so it would be easy to tuck Maisy in. She turned in time to see Joey come out the front door with Zach slung up on her shoulder, she pointed to the third row to indicated his booster, but really Joey spent enough time around her mom to know how the carseats worked.
She trudged in to fetch Maisy and gave Mary a quick hug and murmured thanks, knowing the rest of her brood would be up soon. She picked Maisy up and snuggled her to her chest, she knew she wouldn't' be able to do this much longer, Mais was getting so big. She took her out and strapped her in, checking the straps were tightened down. Then she flipped up the middle row seat and buckled herself in while Joey talked to Mary.
Soon Joey was in the front and they were on their way home. Gwyneth dozed until they pulled into the garage at home, then she roused to be steered into her room and to bed. She was fully asleep before Joey made it back to the garage for the other two kids.
Joey moved the other two kids quickly, hoping against hope they'd stay asleep, Zach roused and hugged her, telling her, "Don't worry Auntie Jo, if Mais wakes up before you do, I'll get her fed and keep her busy til at least noon."
Joey kissed his cheek and told him, "Thanks buddy. You sure do have my number huh?" He lay down on the couch drowsy still and napped. Maisy clung to sleep tenaciously and Joey got her settled in her little bed, before she called Nathan to let him know that she was there and had the kids settled back home. He told her thanks and practically hung up on her, so she knew that things were happening at the hospital. She plugged her phone in to charge and flung herself down on the bed wearily.
The next thing she was aware of was giggles, as she swam back to consciousness. She opened her eyes to find Maisy sitting on her pillow with a plate of toast.
"Auntie Jo!" Maisy squealed, "You're awake! Did you talked to mommy and daddy, is Tyler coming now?"
Joey groaned but sat up and took the toast, "Thanks for breakfast Squirt. Where's everyone else?" She looked at her phone and found a text from Evie's dad, saying that they were wrapping up and expected to be on a plane that night. "I haven't talked to your daddy since I brought you home, but I'm gonna call him now to see how your mommy is, okidoki."
"Kidoki Auntie Jo." Maisy slid down off the bed and wandered off, while Joey stuffed a piece of the toast in her mouth and dialed her brother in law.
He told her that the doctors had been able to stall Evie's labor, but for how long they couldn't be sure. Since she was around 37 weeks gestation the doctors weren't as worried about Tyler's lungs as they would have been even a week ago. He let her speak to Evie for a few moments, which was really just to reassure Evie that Joey was really there with the kids, before he had to get off the phone.
Joey tucked her phone in her pocket, ran her fingers through her messy hair and bit into the other piece of toast as she left the room. She found Maisy and Zach playing a board game in the family room, and spotted Gwen curled up with a book, catching a nap on the couch.
"Hiya Monkeys! I just talked to your folks and they've talked Tyler into staying put for a little while at least. Your mama sounds tired, but I reckon I'd be pretty tired too, putting up with you guys and being pregnant." Joey joked, but she knew her sister was exhausted. She hoped she'd be able to rest, even if she didn't get to come home.
"I don't know about you guys, but I'm sure glad it's the weekend. Does anyone have homework? Or anything for school Monday I need to know about now. I don't want your grandpa's to be surprised." Joey continued, with a smirk.
Zach looked up, "Did you talk to Grandpa Arthur then? Are they coming home soon?"
Joey crouched down to hug him, "Yep they texted this morning while I was asleep. He said he was expecting to be on a plane tonight. So we'll see them tomorrow hopefully. So what'cha wanna do with the rest of today?"
They spent the day lazing about, waiting for the phone to ring. They were happy to hear from Evie's folks that they indeed had wrapped up early and were on the way to the airport that evening. It was 6 am on Sunday morning that Nathan called to tell them that Tyler had made his appearance and was doing very well. They'd whisked him off to the NICU as a precaution, but he was doing well, with only supplemental oxygen. Evie was recovering well, sleeping in her room and they said she'd be able to go up to the NICU to see Tyler when she woke up.
They were encouraging Nathan to do kangaroo care with Tyler so he didn't stay on the phone long. A few hours later Evie's folks landed and Joey was able to relay the same info to them about Evie and Tyler. They were ecstatic and even though they were tired they wanted to take the kids out for brunch. So Joey and the kids piled into the van and headed off to the Fleur de'Lune to eat at the buffet.
Nathan called that evening to update them. Evie was with Tyler, who was doing well. He was going to come home for a little while, but then head back to stay with Evie. It was very hard for Evie to be away from her kids and little Tyler too. He showed up a bit later, showered and hung out with the kids for a little while. Joey mixed up a batch of pizza dough and had the kids so busy making their own individual pizzas that they hardly put up a fuss when he had to head back to the hospital. Nathan kissed her cheek and hugged her before he left.
He hadn't been gone an hour, when the phone rang; his parents were calling to talk to the kids. They spent an hour talking to their grandparents, eating pizza and then got ready for bed. Joey slumped down on the couch. She expected Evie's folks in a few minutes, but was beyond exhausted. Thank goodness for Arthur and Sven being able to come back straight away from Florida, Joey was happy to help and she loved her niblings like crazy, but she'd been there for school mornings and it was a mad house. It was amazing how they could do the same thing every day for months on end and still be so disorganised at the same time. Sven was going to stay at the house with her and Maisy, since Mais was not in school yet.
She opened the door when they texted they were outside. Arthur was a no nonsense kind of guy and he knew better than to wake up the kids with the doorbell and the dogs barking. They exchange pleasantries, grilled her about her love life, yeah no, none of that thanks, and then went to bed.
The older kids were already at school when Joey woke up. She found Maisy sitting at the kitchen counter while Sven made her pancakes. Arthur took her aside to update her on Evie and Tyler. Everything was going as well as could be expected. He was going to go up and visit in a bit and bring up some things Evie asked for. Joey joined Sven and Maisy in the kitchen and had some pancakes.
"Mommy and I do shopping on Monday." Maisy said, between bites, "Are we going to the store today?"
Joey and Sven shared a look. He held up a hand to indicate the grocery list on the fridge, "Looks like we could use a few things round here. Best get to it hmm?"
Joey nodded, "Righto then Mais my love, we'd best find something for you to wear." She picked up Maisy and plopped her on her hip, walking up the stairs to see what they could find.
"First you have to check the weather Auntie Jo, then you can get dressed. That way you don't get cold!" Maisy explained and then squirmed down to go open the window in her room. She stuck her face up to the screen and sighed. "It's coldish. That means tights if I wear a dress."