Go Baby Grow

Chapter 40 – That Stinks

Monday, June 8th

Ryder ran his laps, completed 100 push-ups, and was in the process of more up-downs when Sam arrived. Nate was distracted as he coached Julie on her crunches and her form. Sam came up behind Ryder and tsk'd, "Good God in Heaven, Hunt, what'd you do to piss off Larson?"

Ryder paused momentarily to answer Sam's question, "Fifteen minutes late, Sir." He resumed his workout.

"Oh… that's not good at all. Fifteen minutes? Holy Shit, try that at the Academy and you'll pay for it for a lifetime," Sam commented. "What's your count?"

"24… 25," Ryder offered breathlessly as he reached for his water and drank half of it.

"Hey, Larson," Sam greeted. "You're treating the kid like it was the old days, man. Do you plan on showing up at his house tonight and offering a tour?"

"Not a bad idea," Nate laughed as he stood up and put his hand down for Julie to grab. She ignored it and stood, walking over by Ryder and grabbing her water bottle.

"We need to talk," Ryder mumbled.

"No, we don't," JJ responded.

"Yes, yes we do," Ryder stated as he set his water bottle down and announced to Nate, "Starting my regular workout now, Sir."

"Good idea," Nate quipped as Ryder took off running.

"Fill him with fluids," Sam urged.

"That's his second full water bottle. He's fine," Nate assured his friend. "I need to get back to the base. Want to take over presiding on Mr. I Need a Watch's workout?"

"I'm on it. Now, get the f%$# outta here," Sam chuckled. "In case this is goodbye, great seeing you again, Nate."

"Same here, Sam. Good times," Nate agreed. He looked at Julie and requested, "Text me? We'll figure out times to work out tomorrow."

"Sounds good," Julie smiled.

As Nate jogged to his Jeep, Sam commented, "He has to be one of the best guys I ever encountered at the Academy."

"Really?" Julie asked.

"Too bad you can't date him, JJ," Sam smirked as he elbowed his sister. "Great, great guy."

"How does that work? All the rules about dating?" Julie asked after Sam teased her.

"Why?" Sam inquired skeptically.

Julie tried to maintain a poker face. "I mean… it's good information to know. In general."

"Upperclassmen can't date plebes, you can't date someone in your own company – although it happens and people deal with it by changing companies, anyone can date civilians, officers cannot date mids and vice versa, officers cannot date enlisted. I probably forgot some obscure technicality. Those are the basics," Sam listed.

"All those people can't be in a relationship even if they've been together beforehand? That seems weird," Julie wondered.

"Pre-existing relationship doesn't matter. Some people say it does - there's some confusion around that. And you cannot be or get married while attending the Academy, so there's that," Sam further explained. "Why would you need to know all that?"

"Just wondering," Julie shrugged.

"Hmm… I've been wondering about something too," Sam hinted. "I'm still trying to figure out why in the hell you and he were alone at the house when I arrived on Thursday. He knows better than that," Sam commented as he watched Ryder run. After pausing, he added, "In fact, Julia, you know better than that."

"Relax, Sam," Julie shook her head. "The base called him and told him Dad was stuck on that ship. He let me know and asked if I'd like to grab some dinner on the way home. I invited him over to eat. He's Dad's right hand man. I was being hospitable."

"Did you hear yourself?" Sam pressed. "You knew Dad wasn't going to be home and you invited a guy over. I know I'm not around much, but I can't imagine Dad supporting your choice."

"You've been home for five days and this is the first you're mentioning it," Julie pointed out, as if his delay somehow excused her decision to set Adam's rules aside.

Sam shrugged and looked down at his little sister, "Then you wouldn't mind if I let Dad know."

Attempting to fake confidence, Julie commented, "Do what you need to do, Sam. Treat me like an adult capable of making her own decisions or treat me like your baby sister and go tell on me like we're little kids. I'm not going to beg you to save me from Dad."

Sam saw through Julie's bravado. Her eyes darted left to right and she wouldn't make eye contact. "You like him, don't you? Were you two messing around before I arrived?"

"What the hell, Sam? You're never around, you show up unannounced, and now you're accusing me of… I don't know what," she protested.

Sam squinted and studied his sister. "Itsy, don't be stupid, OK?"

With a forced laugh, Julie scoffed, "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Keep an emotional distance from officers until you are one. There are some experiences beyond your zone, and some rules not worth breaking," Sam emphasized.

Before dinner, Ria and Lucas were playing in the sand by the water. Owen made his way down and sat on a towel.

"How would you like to spend your birthday at a waterpark this year, Luke?" Owen asked with enthusiasm.

"Waterpark?! Yes!" Lucas beamed. "Please, please, please!"

"We wouldn't have the 4th of July bash at home, but Mom and I would take you and your sisters away for a weekend. It'd be a different celebration and lots of fun," Owen attempted to sell.

"No 4th of July party? But everyone in Seattle comes to that," Lucas overstated.

"I know," Owen sighed. "Mommy can't help this year. She has to stay off her feet. Besides, she and I are taking Ryder to Maryland and won't be back until the 2nd. After that trip, she'll really need some rest. Throwing the party is too much work without her help."

"That's ok. I like the waterpark idea," Lucas shrugged as he went back to digging in the sand.

"Ria, how's that sound to you?" Owen inquired.

"Good, as long as I can swim and don't have to sit in a chair and watch everyone else," she responded frankly.

"It'll be a big celebration. For Luke's birthday and for you, too," Owen proposed.

"Why for me?" Ria glanced up from the sand.

"Dr. Miche called this morning," Owen began. Ria set her shovel down and slumped. "It's not for a month, honey, but he wants to operate on your leg," Owen disclosed.

Without attitude and with genuine curiosity, Ria asked, "What if I don't want another surgery?"

"It's not really a choice. If you don't have the surgery, the pain in your leg will get worse and your muscles won't work properly. You could end up unable to walk," Owen explained.

"Oh," Ree sighed. "Then I guess I'll do it." She traced a circle in the sand with her finger and inquired, "Why do I have to be the one with stupid Spina Bifida?"

Owen slid over next to Ria and put his arm around her. "Stuff happens to people. We don't know why. Sometimes having Spina Bifida is the pits, isn't it?"

"It makes me angry. I have to work harder to do normal things," Ria admitted.

Lucas piped in with a reality check, "But you also get to do special things like playing at PT and spending extra time with Mom and Dad at appointments. And you get colored crutches and stuff."

"Yeah," Ria frowned.

"Here's the part I haven't told you yet, Ria," Owen added. "There are some exercises that you need to do before the surgery, and most of them are like playing. I'm going to ask Ryder and Nolan to take you to the gym with them and show you the rowing machine and something called an elliptical. Most kids don't get to play on those toys, but you do because Dr. Miche ordered it."

"I like being with my big brothers," Ria commented without making eye contact. "Can I do girl stuff too? Like have a party for the girls in our family where we can paint nails and play with hair?"

"Yuck," Lucas reacted as he raised one nostril and the corresponding side of his mouth.

Owen chuckled at Lucas and answered, "You bet. I think Mom would like some girl time, too. She's pretty lonely stuck on the couch all day."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~'

"Liss? I'm home," Nolan called out as he came through the front door at 5:40. The Living Room was empty and the house seemed abandoned, even though all of the cars were in the driveway.

As he loosened his tie and headed toward his bedroom, he heard Lissa's voice coming from the Master Bath. She was mumbling cuss words under her breath.

Nolan strolled in through the open bathroom door and found his wife attempting to style her hair. He leaned over her side and kissed her cheek, "Hi, Blondie. How was your day?"

"Good, I guess," Lissa offered. Everything lately was followed or proceeded by a disclaimer. "Becca ran to the store while Molly was napping. Of course, Molly woke up after 30 minutes."

"And the twins?" Nolan inquired.

"Fine. They're fine. Tummy time, playing under the toys, being fed, napping – that's their day every day, you know?" she explained.

Wrapping his arms around his wife, Nolan declared, "I'm so glad you are here with them, even for the boring every day routines."

"Yeah…" Lissa sighed as she further fussed with her hair.

"What are you trying to do with your hair, Babe?" Nolan asked from the walk-in closet as he changed clothes.

"I don't know. Whatever it is, it's not working," she grumbled. "I've worn it down, long, and straight since I can remember. I wanted something different tonight." Lissa began brushing her hair out and attempting to start over. "Everyone else has cute hair. Mine is boring."

Stepping out of the closet wearing a polo shirt and khaki shorts, Nolan grasped the brush she had in her hand and lightly brushed her long hair. "I love your hair. I love that it hangs down and shines in the sun. I love that it's the same style you've always had… and I love you," he smiled at the mirror as he hugged her.

"You're sweet, Nolan," Lissa half-smiled. "But you really don't have to spend so much energy trying to talk me out of being depressed."

His shoulders slumped and he stared at her in the mirror with a slight frown, "Liss… I said those words because I meant them." Lissa offered a brief smirk but no reply. Nolan leaned against the bathroom wall and smiled softly as he watched Lissa attempt to put her hair up, try to only put part of her hair up, then consider throwing it into a ponytail.

"How are you feeling about Becca? Is she a good fit?" Nolan inquired.

"Absolutely. I don't know how I could make it through the day without her," Lissa offered.

"Are you two bonding? Developing a synergy?" he wondered.

"Umm… I feel like an emotionless zombie most of the time, Nole. I'm not sure I'm capable of synergy right now," Lissa clarified. "But I like her. I think we should offer her the job. She's great with the girls and pleasant to have around."

"That's what I've been thinking. I've been wondering how you were feeling. I couldn't tell if you felt some tension toward her or if you were simply tired," Nolan disclosed.

With an audible exhale, Lissa glanced at her husband and stated, "Tired. Tired and depressed. Have I been bitchy? I don't want to run her off."

"No, not bitchy. Distant maybe," Nolan tried to explain without upsetting his wife.

Lissa frowned and responded, "Oh. I'll try to be aware of that. Could you check on the girls? Last I knew, Becca was in Molly's room with all three. We should probably head next door."

As Nolan reached the Living Room on his way to Molly's bedroom, Becca was stepping into the Living Room from the opposite side of the house. Molly walked along beside her, and Becca carried a twin in each arm.

"Hi, Mr. Tremblay Hunt. I didn't know you were home," Becca smiled.

Molly jumped up and down twice, almost tumbled to the ground, then walked toward her daddy. "Look at you hop, Kangaroo!" Nolan laughed. The toddler ran into Nolan's arms and kissed him with a smooch.

"Dada," Molly smiled as she patted his chest. "Mine Dada."

"Molly," Nolan sounded slowly. "I'm Emmy and Lizzie's Daddy too."

"No," Molly shook her head.

"We seem to be practicing to be two today," Becca chuckled.

"Joy!" Nolan sounded with fake enthusiasm and a laugh. Turning toward Molly, Nolan inquired, "Ready to go see Gamma and Papa?"

"Mine Dada," she declared again as she patted Nolan's chest.

"I've always wanted to be as popular as my brother," Nolan joked.

Becca offered, "Congratulations! I think I'm going to scoot. Anything I can do before I leave?"

"I think all is well. Let's plan to sit down on Wednesday and touch base about the first week and future plans," Nolan mentioned.

"Sounds great," Becca smiled. Nolan put Molly down and took Lizzy from Becca, then Becca put Emmy in the stroller.

"No, no, no," Molly said. "Molly, up."

Nolan looked at Becca, "We're going to try my dad's approach and ignore that language when it's insistent." After he placed Lizzy in the stroller beside her sister, Nolan turned toward the bedroom and yelled, "Liss? Ready?"

"Coming," she replied.

Nolan prompted, "Say bye-bye to Miss Becca." Molly blew Becca a kiss and Becca slipped out the front door. "Are you walking or riding to Papa's?" Nolan asked Molly.

"Nolan, don't give her the choice. She'll want to walk and it will take an hour to go from door to door," Lissa nagged.

"I'll walk with her, Babe. No worries," Nolan assured his wife, missing her point.

Lissa pushed the stroller and Nolan kept an eye on Molly as she meandered and pointed out bugs, flowers, rocks, and anything else that caught her attention. As they made their way to the Lake House, Nolan grasped Lissa's hand and kissed it, then continued to hold it as they walked.

After about ten steps, Molly ran and pulled on Nolan's shorts, "Mine Dada!"

"Oh, God… all day long…" Lissa huffed. "Don't let her say that, Nole."

"Yep, Daddy loves Molly and Lizzie and Emmy," Nolan responded. "And Daddy loves Mommy, too." He pecked Lissa's cheek.

Molly stopped walking after sounding a loud, "No!"

Lissa's jaw tightened and Nolan encouraged her, "Don't worry about it. I'm on it. I'm right behind you." Lissa continued to walk as Nolan knelt down.

Positioned eye-to-eye with Molly, Nolan lowered his chin and raised his brows. Molly mirrored him to the degree that he almost laughed. He continued staring at her until she began to crumble. With a shaking lower lip, Molly held out her arms and begged, "Up, Dada. Up!"

Nolan scooped her up and said to her, "You can be a stinker, Miss Molly Jo." From behind, Nolan heard a brief honk.

He turned and saw Ryder, who drove up next to him and rolled down the window. "Want a ride?" he grinned.

"Lissa would flip if Molly wasn't in a seat," Nolan smiled. "You look beat and beyond sweaty."

"I was late to the workout so Larson kicked my ass. I'm ready for bed," Ryder chuckled.

"Ucka Wy," Molly bellowed, feeling ignored and not part of the conversation.

"Molly Jo," Ryder called back. "I'll see you in two minutes." Ryder drove forward and Molly took the opportunity to melt down, calling out Ryder's name and crying.

When Ryder hopped out of the rig, he hollered, "Stop slapping her, Nolan. Geesh!"

"She's crying because you left," Nolan droned.

Although he was exhausted, Ryder forced himself to run to his niece. "I'm right here, Silly."

Molly reached out for Ryder and Nolan pulled her back. "Uncle Ryder is stinky. He can hold you after he takes a shower." Offering the customary motions she used when she had a full diaper, Molly crinkled her nose and slapped her hand over it when she heard the word 'stinky.' "Exactly, Molly Jo," her daddy chuckled.