Go Baby Grow

Chapter 16 – Wake Up, I'm Here!

Saturday, May 1st

On Saturday morning at 7:30am, Julie woke up to the sounds of someone in the kitchen grinding beans and making coffee. She heard Nolan singing Baby Mine softly to one of the babies and couldn't help but smile and listen to his gentle, comforting voice. Hearing Nolan caused her to wonder if Ryder was much of a singer. He never really sang in the car, but that didn't mean anything for certain.

Nolan paused his singing and asked his daughter, "What does Mommy want for breakfast? Are you going to help me put something together?"

Carrying on an ongoing conversation, Nolan added, "Let's see… Mommy likes fruit. What about fruit? How's Daddy going to slice up an apple and a banana with sweet Emmy in his arms?" A few moments later, he added, "And toast? Cinnamon toast? Excellent suggestion, Ems. Let's add some yogurt to the tray and call it good for now."

Although his voice faded as he returned to his bedroom, Julie could hear Nolan sweetly coo, "Beautiful Blondie… Emmy's hungry and we made you a little breakfast." His voice, and Lissa's, faded so that Julie could only hear the sounds but not the words.

A minute later, Nolan came out of the bedroom whistling. He talked to himself as he set the tray and poured Lissa's coffee. Again, his voice faded as he entered the bedroom. Forgetting Julie was in the guest room near the babies' room, Nolan hummed and woke up Lizzy. She fussed with moans and groans but didn't cry.

"I know, I know… never wake a sleeping baby," Nolan apologized to his daughter. "But Mommy wants you and Emmy on the same schedule." He sang as he changed her diaper and fawned over the baby as he carried her across the house to the Master Bedroom.

Although Julie knew Nolan, she had never listened to him sing. This more outward display of tenderness touched her heart. She began wondering what her life would look like when she became a mother. Although she hoped to delay motherhood, Julie hoped to have a family eventually. In her dream, she would graduate from the Academy, attend Flight School, and fulfill at least one if not two five year commitments in the Navy before even considering pregnancy. Using that schedule, she'd be either 29 or 34 when she became pregnant.

Her daydream was interrupted by a loud rap at the front door followed by Ryder letting himself in. "Who's awake around here?" he hollered. Molly began crying and Ryder mumbled under his breath, "Great."

"If you wake her, she's all yours, Idiot," Nolan called out from the bedroom.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm on it. Take a Xanax already," Ryder quipped as he headed to Molly's bubble gum pink bedroom. Speaking in baby talk, Ryder greeted Molly, "Good morning, Molly. Uncle Ryder's sorry he woke you up."

"Up… up…," she half-cried, half begged.

As he picked her up, Ryder observed, "You make a cool workout weight first thing in the morning, girlie. How much do you weigh? About 20 pounds? Let's try this… up, down, up, down."

Julie giggled as she imagined Ryder lifting the baby up and drawing her down over and over. Molly did not seem particularly thrilled as she insisted, "Uck Wy, no!"

"No? You're gonna tell your Uncle Ryder no? Don't you know I'm your ticket to fun? I'm the Uncle who's going to take you to concerts that your parents refuse to allow you to attend. I'll even take you to rated R movies before you're 17. Work with me here, Molly," Ryder retorted, even though he minded her command and stopped lifting her up and down.

Nolan entered the room and quipped, "Did you come here to morally destroy my daughter, to serve me breakfast, or for some other reason?"

"Hey, man, I'm even changing the kid. If I were you, I would've waited to come in. But since you didn't, she's all yours… half-changed, naked ass, and all," Ryder laughed as he stepped away from the changing table and traded places with Nolan.

"You're a schmuck," Nolan laughed. "The least you could do is hand me something for her to wear. How were you going to manage that? You didn't pick anything out and set it nearby ahead of time."

"So…" Ryder grumbled.

"So were you going to leave her on the table unattended and start rooting through her closet, turning your back on her as she fell onto the floor?" Nolan challenged, mostly teasing.

"Dude, you are so brilliant. How'd you know that was my exact plan?" Ryder sarcastically replied as he threw an outfit at Nolan.

"I'm going to continue to pray you never become a father, Ryder," Nolan joked.

"That's the plan. Single, childless, flying jets, and travelling the world," Ryder proudly declared.

"You never answered my question: what brings you over here so early on a Saturday morning?" Nolan re-inquired.

"I was hoping to talk JJ into running with me," Ryder mentioned as he walked into the hallway and knocked rapidly on the guest room door. "Yo, JJ, get your ass out of bed. Let's run."

"Good morning to you too, Ryder," Julie called back from under the covers. She'd worn jeans, a t-shirt and her running shoes the previous evening and did not have anything else to wear. "I didn't come prepared. I didn't know I'd be spending the night."

"No excuse," Ryder laughed. "What do you need?"

"Just shorts," she replied

"You're running topless?! Sweeeeett," Ryder replied.

Dryly, Julie stated, "Yeah, you know me."

Ryder let himself into the Master Bedroom after knocking and being invited to enter. He asked Lissa if she had a pair of shorts Julie could borrow. As she fed the babies, Lissa pointed to a dresser and directed him to a particular drawer in the dresser.

"She can have them," Lissa shrugged. "They'll probably never fit me again."

"Don't say that," Nolan cooed softly as he looked up from the floor where he was playing with Molly. "It just takes time, Liss." Lissa rolled her eyes and Ryder returned to the guest room.

Not thinking, Ryder barged in to give Julie the shorts. She had slipped out of bed, having slept naked since she had nothing else to wear, and stood in lace panties. Her bra was in hand but hadn't made it onto her body yet, and her back was facing the door.

"Here JJ," Ryder announced as he opened the door and burst in. "Oh, shit! I'm sorry. Shorts here on the floor. I'm leaving," he detailed as he stepped out.

Simultaneously, when Julie heard him offer the shorts, she responded, "Thanks, RB." A split second later, as he cussed and apologized, she yelled, "Ryder! C'mon! I'm naked. Out!"

Mortified, Ryder closed the door and leaned against the hallway wall. Within a ten second interchange, Ryder had experienced enough emotion for an hour's worth of life. He was blown away by Julie's toned body, but embarrassed about walking in on her. Her nearly naked image was burned into her brain. Dressed in boxers and gym shorts, he was rock hard and placed his hand on top of himself praying he'd soften before she appeared in the hallway. Think dead kittens, car crashes, Grandma Evelyn having sex, he repeated in his head.

Sounding nothing but fatherly, Nolan appeared and questioned, "What's going on over here?"

Mumbling quietly, Ryder shared, "I walked in on her and all she had on were sexy panties."

"Lucky you," Nolan chuckled.

"She's gonna kill me," Ryder groaned quietly.

"Ryder, Ryder, Ryder… the messes you make for yourself," Nolan laughed as he returned to his bedroom, eager to tell Lissa what had happened. Glancing down toward his brother's waist, Nolan advised, "Good luck with that."

Left alone in the hallway trying to imagine horrific scenes that would shift his focus away from Julie's hot body, Ryder closed his eyes. The guest room door flew open and Julie ran past him and toward the front door at full speed, teasing, "If you want me bad enough to be a Peeping Tom, you're going to have to catch me, Stalker."

After hesitating to let her words sink in, Ryder laughed and sprinted to the door. The two disappeared down the street, running at a fast pace.

"Were we that stupid?" Nolan inquired as he glanced at his wife.

"Nolan… by the time we were their age, I was pregnant and we were married. Yes, we were that stupid," Lissa commentated. She walked up behind him and wrapped her arms around his body, adding, "And I'd be stupid with you all over again."

"No regrets?" Nolan mused with a grin.

"Nope," Lissa affirmed as she kissed his unshaven cheek. "None whatsoever."

Meanwhile, conversation was plentiful on Julie and Ryder's run. When he caught up to her on the street in front of Nolan's house, Ryder profusely apologized, "JJ, really, I am incredibly embarrassed and so sorry I burst in on you."

"You should be," she grinned. "Did you at least get a good look?"

"C'mon!" Ryder huffed.

"Are you going to reciprocate?" she laughed. "You know… let me catch a peek at the amazingness known as Ryder Hunt in the buff?"

"You're going to harass me all day, aren't you?" Ryder sighed.

"All day?! Hell… more like for the rest of your life," Julie teased.

"In my defense, how would I know that you sleep naked?" Ryder spouted.

Julie glanced over with lowered eyebrows of disbelief, "What does that have to do with anything?"

"I mean… I coulda caught you in PJs… if you'd been wearing any," Ryder attempted to defend himself.

"I'd just slipped on my panties. You could've caught me completely nude, too," Julie reasoned.

Ryder, in a rare instance, had no comeback. The two ran and accidentally bumped elbows as they turned a corner.

"What?" Julie asked, assuming the bump had been intentional.

"Same… what?" Ryder echoed.

"You bumped me," she laughed. "Were you hoping that'd make my clothes disappear?"

"Were you hoping that'd make my clothes disappear," he taunted as he imitated her in a silly voice.

"You're that stuck? The only time you imitate people is when you can't think of a great comeback," Julie reported from experience. "I'm disappointed in your lack of wit."

Seriously, Ryder sounded, "I said I was sorry."

"Oooohh! Is RB being hawassed too much? Are your wittle feewings hurt?" Julie questioned in baby talk.

"If you were a guy, I'd hit you right now," Ryder grumbled.

"If you were a guy, you'd be able to catch up," she boasted as she quickened her pace and sprinted.

Letting her win, Ryder increased his pace but not enough to catch her. Breathless, he flopped onto the bench where she was already sitting. Unable to help himself, he repeated, "I am truly, truly sorry, Julie."

"Ryder," she smiled as she patted his knee. "Get over yourself. So what? It happened. No big deal."

He casually let his glance wander to a nearby fountain, unsure what to make of his conflicting emotions of attraction, embarrassment, concern and friendship. Julie shifted in her seat, pondering whether to keep teasing him, flirt with him, or press for clarity about his interest in her. She rested her head on the back of the bench and closed her eyes as the morning breeze cooled her body.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`'

Ryder and Julie looped back to the house, completing a three mile run. Before the arrived in front of Nolan and Lissa's driveway, they stopped to catch their breath and to chat.

"You kicked ass," Ryder praised his BFF as they both stood dripping with sweat.

"I had to slow down a little so you could keep up, but, you know, friends do that type of thing for one another," she laughed. Ryder peeled off his sweaty t-shirt and wiped his face and hair with it.

Boring his green eyes into her brown eyes, Ryder commented, "That's why I'm so thankful for you, JJ."

She smiled softly and walked in a small circle as her heart rate decreased. She inquired, "What's your plan for the day?"

"Nothing. No plans," he shared. "I'm pretty sure Owen doesn't even have plans for me."

"That's unusual," she chuckled.

"How about you?" Ryder inquired.

"Captain wants me to study the Chain of Command and Ranks. Wanna come join me?" Julie nearly begged.

"Not that it sounds particularly thrilling, but it would be helpful. Besides, that way we can hang out," Ryder thought aloud. "What time?"

"Ten?" she suggested.

"I'm there," he promised. He turned toward the Lake House as he called out, "See you soon."

Julie made her way up Nolan and Lissa's driveway. She chatted briefly with Lissa and borrowed a clean t-shirt from her before heading back to the guest room. Julie jumped in the shower and relaxed under the warm water. She towel-dried her hair and threw it into a messy bun before heading home.

When she arrived at home, she parked in her regular spot inside the garage and made her way from the detached garage to the back door. The house was silent and Julie, having seen Adam's car in the garage, wondered why. Guessing he was in the shower or somewhere in the yard, Julie poured herself a small bowl of cereal and mixed it with yogurt.

As she scooped a bite onto her spoon, she heard the distinct sound of female laughter and a sound she knew but hadn't heard in years: the playful tone of voice and chuckling of her father. Omigod…his date went… really, really well, she thought. As in so well that she's here.

While she was thrilled for him, she also had no idea how to proceed. She wanted to go upstairs to change before Ryder arrived, but she didn't want to end up in an awkward encounter with her dad or his all-night date. It was far easier to pretend she knew nothing about the banter and giggling she heard from above.

Glancing at the clock, she realized Ryder would arrive shortly. She made her way through the Living Room as quickly and quietly as possible, not sure how to react when she spotted a dress, Adam's shirt, and a pair of heels on the heirloom carpet. She hurried out the door, unaware that she left her phone on the Dining Room table.

Julie ran up to the SUV and Ryder rolled down the window. "Everything ok?" Ryder asked.

Whispering as she greeted her friend, Julie disclosed, "No. Everything is not ok. Some woman's dress and my dad's shirt are on the Living Room carpet and I'm pretty sure my dad is with a woman upstairs."

"No way," Ryder responded with shock. "Way to score, Captain!"

"It's both funny and a little horrifying," Julie laughed.

Ryder suggested, "Why don't you text him and ask when he expects you home?" Ryder suggested.

She felt in her pockets and didn't find the phone. "Crud… I left my phone inside. Come in with me and help me find it."

"I'm looking on the main level only. If your dad's upstairs, I don't want him finding me in your bedroom," Ryder joked.

The two slipped inside and heard the giggling and chatter. Not paying attention to the direction from which the sound came, they headed toward the kitchen assuming the fornicating couple was upstairs. When they rounded the corner and appeared in the kitchen, they were greeted with the site of Maggie in one of Adam's t-shirts. The hem of the shirt barely covered what needed coverage. Adam was wearing a pair of boxers and a Cheshire Cat grin. All four froze.

"Uh…hey kids," Adam dared to speak first.

Julie turned toward the table and explained with her back to her father, "Left my phone behind. Found it!" As she attempted to make a quick exit, she bumped into Ryder who was leaning against the door frame.

Boldly, he approached Maggie and wrapped her in a tight hug, "Good morning, Auntie."

"Hi… Ry…." Maggie sputtered with horrified embarrassment.

Loosening his grip, Ryder kissed Maggie's cheek then caught Adam's eye, "Morning, Sir."

"Ryder," Adam stated flatly.

Julie stepped over and grabbed Ryder's wrist, "Let's go. We have… umm… errands to run." She pulled him out of the room, through the house and down to the sidewalk. They jumped into the SUV, and Ryder started the car and drove off. They made it two blocks before Ryder stopped the car in front of someone's yard and burst into hysterics.

The laughter was so full that he could barely speak. "I can't believe what we just saw," he roared as he held his stomach. Tears streamed down his face from the hilarity.

"I can't believe you hugged your aunt," Julie pointed out as the speed of her voice was doubled from normal. "I was so horrified, I had to get the hell out of there."

"Why in the world would you be horrified? Your dad could moonlight as a model. Who cares if he's wandering around in his skivvies," Ryder pointed out as he continued to laugh.

"I care," Julie emphasized. "That whole scene was surreal. My dad had that I've-just-been-laid grin and a twinkle in his eye. Your aunt was all wrapped up in my father's shirt and was flirting with my dad. Did you notice that when we first stepped in there, she was grabbing his ass? Like a huge handful."

Ryder held his hand up like he was trying to grab something. He guffawed and couldn't form coherent words. Finally, he calmed down enough to laugh lightly as he declared, "Wait til I tell my mom."

"You can't tell anyone anything," Julie insisted with widened eyes.

"They're grownups, JJ. They're allowed to boink all they want," Ryder pointed out.

"Ooooohhhhh," Julie screamed as she covered her ears, "Do not ever say those words in relation to my dad again. That's burned in my brain now!"

"I'm not sure which is funnier: walking in on the blissful couple, hugging my aunt, or listening to you freak out," Ryder shook his head with a wide smile.

"Easy for you to say, RB. You didn't walk in on your dad," she stated with disbelief, even though a smile was beginning to emerge as the humor of it all sunk in.

"Like I haven't spent the last ten years of my life walking in on, overhearing, and dealing with my parents' sex life," Ryder scoffed.

Julie closed her eyes and opened her mouth slightly, "I can't believe you said that. Another set of words I don't want etched into my memory." On the floor, Julie's cell phone sounded the Navy fight song – the ring tone for texts and calls from Adam. "Ohmigod, he's texting me. I can't even…"

Ryder picked it up and reached over to grab her hand. He placed her thumb on the home button to gain access to her phone and, eager to see the text, let her arm drop. As he read, he began howling.

"What? Do I want to know?" Julie groaned.

Ryder read, "Itsy, I apologize. How about we meet for lunch at noon at Ray's Café?"

"Why is that so hilarious?" she inquired.

"Because, Einstein," Ryder laughed as he pushed her upper arm. It's a little after ten now and he wants to meet in a couple hours."

"So?" Julie shrugged.

"Julie!" Ryder exclaimed. "He wants to do the nasty with Aunt Maggie a time or two before he sees you."

"Ryder! Please!" Julie hollered before breaking into laughter. Finally, she let the humor of the situation prevail. Giggling as she spoke, she questioned, "What should I write back?"

"I've already responded for you," Ryder teased as he stared at the phone. "Can Ryder come too? He really wants details."

"You didn't!" Julie yelled in shock as she put her hands over her face.

"I really didn't," he confessed. "Here," he said as he handed her the phone.

She read and re-read Adam's text. Inhaling slowly, she typed back, Sure. You and I only? Or others?

Ryder's welcome to join us, Adam responded.

So the three of us then? Julie replied tentatively.

Right – either you and I for 2 or add Ryder for 3, Adam clarified.

"Do you want me to go?" Ryder wondered.

"I dunno," Julie shook her head. "If you want to go."

"I'll think about it," Ryder nodded. "What do you want to do until noon? Should we go hang out at my house?"

"Sure," Julie agreed readily, hoping she could erase the memory of Maggie grabbing Adam's ass.