Chapter 49
(Phoebe's POV)
It has been two weeks and claire has been staying with us. Susan has broken up with Jim, but Claire feels safer at our place. She is going to school everyday and Henry is in 7th heaven.
I am 18 weeks pregnant and feeling great. The second trimester feelings are real. I am showing and love my bump. Nathan loves how my boobs have gotten bigger. Figures.
Henry starts daycare today and I am getting him ready. Nathan and I both have work and a meeting with Lia about the adoption process for Henry. I am nervous about it, but I am very hopeful.
"Bee you come," Henry says.
"I don't come, but you get to go play at the fun playground, remember?" I ask him and he nods.
"Bee stay," he says and I smile. It is going to be a tough goodbye, but I know he'll acclimate and it is the best thing for him. He will love getting to play.
"Okay let's go find Nathan," I say. Henry runs out in front of me and I stand up slowly.
We go downstairs and Nathan is in the kitchen. I hear the squeals of Henry as Nathan tosses him in the air. I laugh and come in. Nate is in his scrubs with a jacket on.
"Bee bee's birthday is this weekend," Nathan tells Henry.
"Bee Bee two?" Henry asks. We start laughing.
"Youre two silly. Bee Bee is turning 27," Nathan says.
"Dats big," Henry says.
"Thank you, Hen," I say and kiss his head as we laugh.
We load him into the car and head out. "Did you remember his lunch?" I ask. Nathan nods.
"Henry are you excited," Nate asks him.
"Yep," he says and We smile.
When we get there Henry remembers and jumps up and down.
"We play here?" Hen asks and we nod.
When we get inside the same woman greets us. "Hi Mr. And Mrs. Moore. Hi Henry," she says. Henry hide behind my leg and I smile at her.
"I will take his things and show you to his home room," she says and we nod.
I pick Henry up and follow the women. My little guy is so big. My heart starts to hurt a bit. Pregnancy Hormones.
"Here we are. Miss Kelly, this is Henry, Mr. Moore and Mrs. Moore," the woman introduces us.
"Phoebe and Nathan please," I smile as she shakes our hands.
"I am Kelly. Now who is this?" She directs her attention to Henry. He gets shy and hides in my shoulder. She has soft brown eyes. You can tell she loves her job.
"Tell her your name bud," Nathan says.
"Henwy," Henry says and we smile.
"Well Henry I am Miss Kelly. I am so excited you are here. Do you want to come and play?" She asks.
"Bee bee Nate come," he says.
"Buddy, we will watch you, go with Miss Kelly," I say putting him down.
Miss Kelly takes his hand as they walk. He turns and I give him a big smile and thumbs up. He blows me a kiss and that's when the tears roll down my face. Nathan notices and takes my hand guiding me out.
"It's almost worse that he didn't cry," I say in the car and wipe my eyes.
"He's getting so big," I say and nathan kisses me.
"Baby, he's going to have so much fun," he says and I nod taking a deep breath.
"Ugh, I'm sorry pregnancy hormones," I say and Nathan laughs.
"I love you Bee," he says and I smile.
As we drive to the hospital we discuss our meeting with lia. We are both nervous but hoping for the best.
"Do you have anything planned after the meeting?" He asks and I shake my head.
"Why don't we go to lunch just us and then pick Henry up," he says.
"Sounds like a great plan," I say and he smiles kissing me.
I go into my office and get my patient sheet. It's going to be quite the busy day. All my brain is thinking about is adopting Henry.
I visit a couple of patients and head downstairs to the ER. I was called there because a child wandered in alone. The child refuses to talk but is obviously malnourished.
I knock on the door and see a young boy. He looks to be about 6. He is very thin and dirty. My heart aches for him. They haven't even gotten his name.
"Hi there, I'm Phoebe. I am just here to talk to you. I don't have to check you, would it be okay if I sat down?" I ask giving him the choice. He says staring at the floor but nods.
I sit down and pull out a toy car. "I brought this for you. I heard you had a cars shirt on. I love loyhhtenung McQueen," I say. He looks up at me and takes the car eagerly. He starts rolling it on his chair arms. I can see he is slowly opening up.
"What is your favorite cars movie?" I ask him. He holds up a number 2.
"The second one? Me too, I love when Mator thinks the wasabi is pistachio ice cream," I say and he smiles at that.
"Can you tell me your name?" I ask him. He shuts down at that question. His eyes direct to the floor.
"How about I guess," I say and he looks at me confused.
"Is it Lightening McQueen?" I ask and he shakes his head.
"Mator?" I ask. He shakes his head again this time letting out a giggle.
"Hmmmm what about Finn McMissle?" I ask. Naming the characters from cars.
"Duke," he says quietly. I write that down.
"Duke, that's an awesome name," I say. He shrugs.
"Duke, how did you get to the hospital?" I ask him. He keeps staring down at his feet.
"Was it a plane?" I ask. He shakes his head smiling.
"Did you walk?" I ask. He shakes his head again.
"Did someone drive you?" I ask and he nods.
"Did you know the person who drove you?" I ask him and he nods.
"Was it your mommy?" I ask. He shakes his head no.
"Was it daddy?" He nods and I write that down.
"What's daddy's name?" I ask.
"Daddy," he says and I nod.
"Do you know why daddy dropped you off?" I ask.
"Cause I have a sick tummy," he says and I nod and write that down.
"A doctor is going to come in and check your belly," I say.
"Duke is there anything I can get you? Do you want juice or are you hungry?" I ask.
"No thank you," he says and I nod.
I see the doctor on the case is nathan he'll be good with Duke. I get Duke a blanket and turn on cars in his room. His eyes are glued to the screen.
"Duke Dr. Moore is going to come in and check your belly okay?" I ask and he nods.
Nathan comes in and has already been debriefed about everything. "Hi Duke, I am Nathan. I am here to make sure you are healthy. I heard your belly hurts," Nathan says gently. Duke nods and stays staring at the movie. I can tell he is listening to us though.
"Okay, would it be okay if I checked?" Nathan asks. Duke nods and lays back like nathan instructs him to. When he lifts up his shirt nathan and I are both shocked.
There is a gash and what looks like a burn on his skin. It does not look too good.
"Hey buddy, how did this happen Nathan asks
"Daddy was mad," he says and we nod. Okay now we have to call social services.
I watch as Nathan cleans the wound the best he can with Duke squirming. Nurses come in and give Nathan more equipment.
Duke takes it all in like a champ. After we give him candy and turn on another movie. I introduce him to the social worker Carol. I stay until he looks comfortable.
When I walk out it's time for our meeting with Lia. I head up to the conference room. Nathan is already there. "Hi," I say.
"Hi, any news on Duke?" He asks and I shake my head.
"Carol from social work is with him now," I say and he nods.
"I'm nervous," I admit. Nathan nods and takes my hand.
"Me too," he says and I smile.
Lia walks in. Her expression is unreadable. She asks how we are and we both say good. "I won't take anymore time as I know you both are anxious," she says.
"So good news is we have not found any family willing to adopt Henry or take him in," she says and we nod. As sad as it is, this is a relief.
"The other good news is you have been approved to adopt him," she says and I cover my mouth smiling. Tears flow down my face as I look at nathan.
Henry will be with us forever. He's not going to be taken back. He is going to be our son and our little beans big brother. Nathan holds me tightly. I feel the relief for him.
"Now there has to be a lot of papers signed and meetings to be had, but the worst part is over," she says. "Congratulations, Moore's," she says and I smile.
She leaves us alone. I stand up and Nathan takes me in his arms. I cry in relief. This little boy has a forever home. No more moving.
"Shhh," Nathan says and rubs my back. I hold onto him tightly.
"Come here," Nathan says and cups my chin.
"We're officially his parents, Bee," Nathan says and I wipe my face.
"I can't believe it. We have to tell everyone." I say and he nods.
"First we tell Henry," he says and I nod.
We walk out of the hospital and decide to take Henry to lunch at my parents. Well surprise them with the news. Well tell the rest of the family at my birthday dinner this weekend.
As we pull up to the daycare Nathan opens the car door for me. I get out and we walk in. We tell the front desk woman that we are here for Henry. She goes back and we see him come out of the classroom.
As he spots us he gets the biggest grin and runs over. I bend down and catch him in my arms. "Hi buddy," I smile.
Nathan gives him a big hug too and picks him up. "He did great today. He is a social butterfly," she says and we thank her.
When we get in the car we ask Henry about his day. "I plays with Paxton," he says and I smile.
"Is Paxton a boy or a girl?" I ask.
"Girl," he says and I smile. That's a cute name for a girl.
"Is she your girlfriend?" Nathan asks.
"Yep," Henry says. I gasp and turn.
"What?" I say and take his foot wiggling it. He giggles and smiles at me.
We pull up to my parents house and Henry gasps. We didn't tell him we were coming here. I smile as I get out and lift Henry out. He of course runs to the door asking for Nana and Bubs.
My mom answers the door and gives Henry a big hug. I smile as she wraps me in her arms. "Hi baby girl, you look amazing, how is my grandson in there," she asks and touches my growing bump.
"Well we do not know if the baby is a boy or a girl but baby is doing great," I say and she smiles.
"Hi Nathan,'' she says and hugs Nate.
"Hi Mom," he says and she invites us in.
"Where Bub?" Henry asks looking around.
"He is on the phone in the office," my mom says and Henry goes to run to my dads office and nathan grabs him and picks him Up much to his dislike.
"Buddy we got to wait for Bubs to be done while he is working," Nathan explains. Henry nods and Nathan puts him down.
My mom gets us all drinks while Henry plays in the main room. "How has work been?" I ask her.
"It's been alright, kind of slow this season. We are looking into working with an E-book company," she says.
Nathan and my mom get into the logistics of what that would look like. Before my mom asks if we have any names picked out.
"We haven't really talked about it, I think we both have names we like," I say. The crappy part about not knowing the gender is that we have to have two names.
"Oh I just loved the name Nolan for a boy, but your dad would never let me use it," she says and I smile.
"Did you have any other girl names?" I ask.
"Emma and Rose," she says and I nod. I like Rose for a middle name. It's Nathan's grandmas and my moms middle name.
"Where's Henry," Nathan says and I look and he's not by his pile of toys.
"Oh I know," I say and head straight to where we told him not to go. I get closer to my dad's office and hear him on the phone.
I open the door and low and behold Henry is on my dad's lap coloring as my dad works. Something I am sure I did as a kid. I smile and when Henry sees me he goes closer to my dad.
My dad holds up a thumbs up and says Henry is fine where he is. Little stinker we'll have to talk about that with him. I smile and shut the door heading back into the kitchen.
Nathan and my mom are talking as I enter. I rest my hand on my bump. "So what do you guys want for lunch? We can order or Gail has made sandwiches and fruit salad," she says.
"Let's do sandwiches there's no need for ordering food," I say and she nods I help my mom get out all the stuff. Nathan makes Henry a peanut butter and jelly. I hear footsteps and my dad walks out with Henry on his hip.
"Henry said that he went to play today," My dad says as he hugs me.
"Yes, his first day of day of daycare," I say and squeeze henry's cheek. Henry giggles and buries his head in my dad's shoulders.
"How's my grand baby?" My dad asks. I turn to the side showing him my small bump.
"Growing like a weed and giving me lower back pain," I laugh and my dad smiles. As I laugh I feel the baby kick.
"Here," I take my dads hand and pretend to laugh. The baby kicks and my dad gets the largest smile on his face.
"Bubs," he says and hugs me again. I can feel the happiness radiating off him.
"Oh let me feel," my mom says. I move her hand and the baby kicks.
"Oh I could cry," she says and I smile.
"Baby," Henry says and points to my belly.
"Yes, good job buddy. There is a baby in Phoebe's belly," Nathan tells Henry.
We all sit down to eat. "So why did you guys stop by today? Not that we don't love having you," my mom says.
I look at Nathan and smile. "Well we had a meeting about Henry's adoption," I say looking at Henry who is oblivious to our conversation and is focused on his peanut butter and jelly.
"Oh how did it go," my dad says. My mom takes his hand.
"We are officially in the adoption process," Nathan says. My mom gasps and puts her head in her hands. I know she is crying.
My dad comes over and takes me in his arms. My mom and nathan. "I am so happy for you Bubs. You deserve this," he says. I smile hugging him.
"Thanks dad," I say and he kisses my head. I give my mom a hug. She bends down to Henry and kisses his cheek.
"He's going to be a Moore," she says.
"Yes he is," I say and smile. Henry Moore.
The front door opens and I turn to see Claire walking in. "CECE," Henry yells. I smile as Henry runs to her. She picks him up and puts her backpack down.
"How was school, Bear?" Natahn asks as she walks over holding our little man.
"Eh," she says.
"Hi Christian," she says and Hugs my dad. Claire and My dad are very close. He is also very close with Henry. There is no doubt in my mind the baby in my belly will be swoon over him.
"Claire what can we get you?" My mom asks.
"Oh I am okay I'm not hungry," she says. I see my dad eye her. She is very thin. I hope he does not say anything.
"We have an extra sub," my dad says.
"I'm okay, thank you guys," she smiles. I see Nathan's smile face too. Oh these men.
"So Claire how is William?" My mom asks.
"He's great, I am going to dinner with him tomorrow," she says and I smile. She is head over heels for him.
We continue talking and I see Henry is getting tired. I tell my parents it's time for them to head out. We will see them this weekend for my birthday dinner. We bid them goodbye and head out. Claire drives behind us and when we get home I put Henry down for a nap.
I come downstairs to nathan and Claire talking. Nathan and I need to talk to her about when she is going back to Susan's. Neither of us care how long she stays. I would have her here forever if possible. Susan is asking and getting antsy.
"Claire, Pheebs and I wanted to talk to you," nathan says and Claire shifts in her seat.
"Is everything okay?" She asks.
"Oh yes, nothing bad sweetheart," I say.
"Susan has been calling me asking when you are coming home. You are welcome here as long as you want to stay, but I just need to know what to tell your aunt," I say.
Claire nods and stays staring at the ground. Nathan speaks to break the silence.
"You don't have to give us an answer now sweetheart," he says and I nod.
"Yes, no pressure. We don't want you stressed about this," I say and she nods.
"I should probably go soon," she says.
"We want you to do whatever you feel comfortable with sweetheart," I say.
"I'll think about it, if I ever overstay my welcome just tell me," she says. I smile and shake my head. Nathan goes over and wraps his arms around her. I don't miss the way she relaxes as he hugs her.
After a long night everyone is finally in bed, we had dinner together, played and helped with homework. Nathan and I are both showered and laying in our bed. I am resting my head against his chest as he strokes my hair.
"How are you Bee?" Nathan asks.
"Me? I'm good, great actually," I say.
"I want to have a night just you and I soon. Berkeley said she'd come stay here with Claire and Henry," he says.
"Yeah?" I say and look at him.
"We've both been so busy and you've been growing our child," he says.
"This is true," I say and he smiles.
"So what do you think this little one is?" Nathan asks his hand splayed against my stomach.
"see I thought it was a boy, but I keep saying she when I talk about about it," I say. Nathan smiles.
"I think it's a girl," he says and i smile.
"My mom's right about names," I say.
"We should probably start discussing that," I say.
"I think Rose should be the middle name if it's a girl," I say and nathan looks down at me.
"Yeah?" He asks. That makes me nervous.
"Well I was just thinking because it's Nana's and my mom's middle name," I say and he smiles kissing my forehead.
"I love it," he says. "It's simple and meaningful," he says and I nod.
"What about you? Do you have any names you like?" I ask him.
"I've always like the name Camden, for either gender," he says. Not sure how I feel about that but I won't turn it down right now.
"For a girl, Nora," he says. I smile. Nora Moore. Nora Rose Moore.
"Actually, I love that," I say.
"Really?" Nathan says.
"Yes, Nora Rose Moore," I smile.
"I love the name Greyson for a boy," I say.
"Greyson Moore, and Grey as a nickname," nathan smiles.
"Did we just name our baby in one conversation?" I ask.
"It seems like it," I say.
"Well then we should celebrate," he says rolling me on top of him. I smile against his lips. We stay up late getting lost in each other.