October 2011

Kids' Ages

Jack Hotchner - 6

Henry LaMontagne - 2

"Just put it over there guys," Emily instructed Aaron and Derek as they carried in the dining table. She patted Aaron on the rear as he passed by. He looked good, too good, in his long-sleeve shirt with the sleeves rolled up and backward ball cap. As thankful as she was that their friends were helping them move, she kind of wished they weren't there at that moment.

Jack ran through the house, little Henry close behind. They nearly crashed into Aaron and Derek as they trampled through the dining room and out the sliding glass door to the backyard. Emily shook her head at the boys before heading up the stairs to check on the girls. Emily found not only JJ and Penelope in the nursery but Spencer as well. The girls were both rolling fresh layers of soft yellow paint while Spencer sat on the floor reading through a manual. Light brown pieces of wood and hardware surrounded him. A crib mattress was propped up against the only wall that wasn't finished.

"Spence, what are you doing in here?"

"Building the crib," he replied, not losing focus. "Rossi was supposed to do it but he said that he couldn't read the instructions. What kind of Author can't read a manual on building an infant crib?"

"Spence, Honey, he was pulling your leg. He just didn't want to do it," JJ explained.

"Oh."

Emily crossed the room to sit in the rocking chair in the corner, ruffling Spencer's hair as she passed.

"Are you supposed to be in here?" Penelope asked. "We don't want Emily Jr. to come out with an eleventh toe or something."

Emily rolled her eyes. "Emily Jr. will be fine. The windows are open. Also, that is so not what we are naming her if it is a girl."

"Oooh, have you two discussed names?" JJ questioned. "That was my favorite part."

"Well, we know that if it's a girl, her middle name will be Silvia after my grandmother, but we haven't narrowed down the first names. Aaron likes Emma but I think it's too close to Emily. We also like Lainey and Ellenore."

"I always thought Jules was a good name," Spencer piped up from where he was now putting the mattress in the crib.

"Why don't you use it for your own kid, Spence?" Emily posed.

"I could see a little Spencer ruining around," JJ agreed.

Spencer shook his head rapidly. "I'm not having any children. Too many germs."

"You're a germ," Emily teased childishly. There was a crash from downstairs. Emily was across the room in a heartbeat. "Derek Morgan that better not have been my lamp, Mister!" She yelled, rushing down the stairs. "It's from Italy, y'know!"

Later on, all of the adults were downstairs unpacking various boxes when there was a crash and then a wail followed by crying. Everyone dropped what they were doing and raced to the hall, where they found Henry lying on the ground in front of the stairs and Jack standing about a quarter of the way up.

"Jack, what happened," Aaron questioned in a soft but stern voice.

"He tripped. I didn't do it, promise," Jack answered, eyes watering. "Aunt Jenny, Uncle Will, are you mad at me?"

JJ was too preoccupied with her son to answer but Will said, "Nah, we ain't mad at ya, Pal."

"We should get him checked out. I think his arm may be broken," JJ said. She and Will left with their son and the others followed shortly after.

"Come here, Buddy," Emily instructed, beckoning for the six-year-old. She and Aaron led him over to the couch and she pulled him onto her lap. Aaron gently wiped away a tear that had spilled out.

"You're not in trouble, Buddy," Emily promised him.

"But you do need to remember to be careful with him. He's not even three yet. That's a lot smaller than you," Aaron continued.

"Why don't you go finish unpacking your room? It'll be time for dinner soon." Emily advised.

"Okay Emmy," Jack agreed, standing up and hugging both his Dad and Emily.

With Jack now gone, Aaron scooted closer to his wife and draped an arm around her shoulder, putting his other hand on her barely there bump. They both rested their heads on the back of the couch. They recovered from the day's events in silence together. Emily turned her head to face Aaron.

"Welcome Home, Aar."