Author: GemmaGemroForever
Title: Big Surprise
Fandom: Sons Of Anarchy
Main Pairing(s):Gemro [Gemma/Nero]
Background Couples:Jax/Wendy
Summary: Gemma & Nero are together, but they are in for an unexpected surprise.
Rating: M
Disclaimer: No characters belong to me they belong to Kurt Sutter & FX.
Author's Notes: See chapter 1 for full notes.
I own nothing, but my OC's which are as follows: Gemma's O.B. Allison Shyer, receptionist Shelly, nurses Melissa & Nicole, Lucius's caregiver Kayla, Trisha the other receptionist, Dr. Jamie Booker, Dr. Samantha Booker (they are sisters), Dr. Paula Campbell, Dr. Carla Becker (pediatric cardiologist), Dr. Ramona Jessup (one of the NICU nurses, Amy Anderson (Atalaya's primary nurse), Dr. Amber Coleman, Dr. Tim Drake (Trauma room doctors) , Pamela Cole (Social Worker)
A few notes for this chapter: Again some Spanish in this chapter, translated with google. Since the time I wrote this chapter I've discovered Gemma's house has an upstairs to it so I've edited this chapter and previous ones to reflect that the best I can and fixed the scenes dialogue saying the nursery is upstairs.
FYI: I want to thank my friend Micheala for the idea of putting a bit of drama into Gemma's adoption of Lucius. I'll be beta-ing the rest of this story on my own. That said I'm so sorry I haven't posted up any new chapters in awhile I definitely haven't forgotten about this story by any means it's just my motivation hasn't been the best lately, but I think it's back now and I've been writing again on these next few chapters so hopefully I'll at least be able to post something new soon. I hope my readers will stick with me because there's a lot more to come for the Padilla family.
Anyway enough of my talking, on with the story...enjoy!
Previously On Big Surprise:
She looked up, her tear stained face breaks his heart. "Hey te quiero mucho" (Hey, I love you so much) He continues to hold her softly whispering words to try and make her feel better. A while later, she stopped crying and looks up at him again which he wipes her eyes with his fingers, her eyes close and she swallows hard, after all this time his soft touch still makes her fall in love with him all over again.
"I love you, too" she says.
"It'll all work out, babe" he says reminds her.
Taking a deep breath then replying. "I hope you're right" still not believing him, but inside hoping he is right.
They slide their heads down onto their pillows still in each others arms, Gemma closes her eyes barely able to mumble an "I love you". Nero's eyes close seconds later, he mumbled back. "I love you too, Mama" And with that the two new parents are finally asleep.
Chapter 23: ¿Todo va a estar bien? (Is Everything Gonna Be Alright?)
Wednesday January 11th3am:
A hungry cry comes from the bassinet disturbing Gemma and Nero's sleep. "Pimp daddy..babe" she called out, shaking him gently his shoulder, her eyes still closed."Yeah, I know, I'll get her" he responded back sleepily slowly opening his eyes. "Hold on, baby girl, daddy's coming" he said getting up from bed and padding his way to the kitchen, yawning, rubbing his eyes of sleep, once in the kitchen, he opened the fridge grabbing the bottle placing it in the microwave for a minute after a few seconds it beeps, he opened the microwave taking out the bottle and tests it on his wrist, it's a bit too hot so he puts it into a pot of cold water, after about five minutes he tested it again on his wrist and it's perfect now, he walked back to their bedroom where she's now semi awake and he's walking towards the bathroom, but she stops him speaking still sleepily "Here let me take that while you wash your hands" she offered he hands her the bottle while he goes into the bathroom to wash his hands.
Gemma picked up her daughter holding her trying to calm her down. "Shh, it's okay sweetheart, daddy's gonna feed you right now" she kissed her forehead then handed her and the bottle to her husband, he takes her in his arms putting the bottle into her mouth instantly she takes it. "Easy there, baby girl" he said, sitting on the edge of the bed while Gemma walked to get a burp cloth from the nursery returning seconds later placing the cloth on his shoulder. "Thanks" he whispered to her. "You're welcome" she said, yawning softly and grabbing the pacifier from the bassinet, quickly running it under the water in the bathroom, she returns giving it to him and then getting back into the bed under the covers. Nero carefully moves back slowly on to the bed with his daughter holding the bottle while she continued to eat.
A few moments later Talaya stops drinking, the bottle is now empty, he takes it out of her mouth placing her on his shoulder and patting her back within a few seconds she burped along with some spit up. "Okay little one" he whispered switching her position sitting her up wiping her mouth with the cloth, she yawns. "Someone's tired" he remarked, placing the pacifier into her mouth, she takes it right away, walking over to the bassinet he gently laid the tiny baby down, covering her up with her blanket, caressing her cheek with his fingers and gives her a kiss on the forehead as she cooed softly.
Nero yawns, getting back into the bed getting under the covers once again as Gemma moves closer to her husband. They kiss each other on the lips. "I love you, Pimp daddy," she said, putting her head on his shoulder while laying there she instinctively reaches over to play with the cross necklace around his neck. "I love you too, Mama" he rubs her arm.
"Are we going to get some sleep now?" she asked, looking at him.
"We better" he replied, pushing some strands of hair away from her face.
They let go of each other sliding onto their pillows, he puts his hands around her waist holding her and she put her hand on top of his and seconds later the couple is asleep.
Four Hours Later:7am:
Gemma's the first one awake slowly opening her eyes within seconds, Nero awakens at the same time opening his eyes looking at her.
"Good morning, Mama" he whispered, sleepily.
"Good morning" she said, yawning.
"Is the baby awake?" he asked.
She gazes over the bed and down into the bassinet, replying. "Yeah, she's awake"
He smiled. "Good" Gemma got up from the bed going into the bathroom shutting the door behind her to brush her teeth, pee and wash her hands while Nero stayed in bed trying to wake up.
Minutes later she returns from the bathroom bending down staring at her daughter whose moving all around her bassinet.
"Hey sweetheart, how's my girl?" she asked.
"Are you hungry?" came the next question.
The baby is quiet, but she picks her up placing her onto her shoulder when she does the baby starts getting fussy so she switches to holding her in her arms instead and sways her back and forth trying to calm her down.
"Is that better?" she asked, grabbing the pacifier from the bassinet placing it into her mouth.
"Babe?" she called out to her husband, who laying on his stomach just gazing at his wife and daughter together, but starts to get up.
"Yeah?" he answered back groggily heading to the bathroom. Once there he goes pee and brushes his teeth and washes his hands once again.
"Maybe we should get Talaya a bouncy seat" she suggested.
"Hmm, that's a good idea it'll give her something else to be in when she doesn't want to be in the swing" he says quietly.
"Yeah and we also need to get some baby Tylenol and a baby thermometer and I think I'll get one of those baby backpack things too just in case we need it because you know we can't always carry her around and maybe a few other things I want her to have" she replies. He nodded.
"She's already spoiled" he remarked.
"Hey, she's my first and only daughter" she says, defensively.
"Mine too, Mama" he said, smiling.
"Okay, I'll go and you stay here with her" she says.
"Alright, problem solved" he smiles.
"It's a plan, I'll go sometime today" she says.
"Fine" he says, walking over to his wife and daughter.
"Do you want me to take her?" he asked.
She shook her head. "No, that's okay, I've got her"
"Okay, I'm gonna go make myself some coffee then and take my pill" he said, walking to the kitchen.
Nero places the coffee and water into the machine, turns it on and fetched a coffee cup from the cupboard putting it under the machine within a few minutes the coffee streams into the cup, he opens up the bottle shaking out a pill, holding it in his palm, he popped it into his mouth and swallows it with a sip of coffee, groaning bitterly as it goes down.
7:15am:
Meanwhile back in their bedroom, Gemma still has Talaya in her arms.
"I love you so much, you are perfect and look at those long legs and fingers, your gonna be one tall little girl" she whispers, kissing her on the cheek, stroking her fingers with her own.
Mother and daughter walk upstairs to the nursery sitting down in the rocker as Gemma rocks her little girl.
"You're hungry now aren't you?" she asked as the baby yawned softly.
Talaya whimpers softly. "Okay, okay, sweetie, hold on" Gemma pulled her shirt up, un clipped the right side of her nursing bra and turned Talaya toward her breast then her nipple the baby instantly makes contact Gemma's grimaces in pain a bit. "Ouch!" she exclaims whispering to herself as the baby tightly grips onto her mother's fingers.
In the kitchen, Nero's coffee is done and takes it from the under the machine and poured in some cream and sugar in the cup then goes to the nursery.
"Hey Mama" he said, taking a sip of his coffee walking further into the room.
"Hey yourself" she says, yawning as she continues nursing and rock their daughter.
"Feeding time, huh?, it's a beautiful thing to see" he says, smiling at the scene.
"Yeah it is, but you have no idea know much this hurts" she answers, pointing to her nipple.
"Aww, baby I'm sorry, I wish I could help" he says sympathetically.
"I know you would" she flirted.
"Mm-hmm" he said, flirting back.
"She's perfect, babe" she says, smiling up at him proudly.
"Yeah, she is" he says, smiling and nodding.
"She's gonna be tall like us, look at her fingers and long legs" she remarks
"Yeah I noticed, it makes sense" he smiles
Moments later, Talaya stopped sucking and rolled her head back gazing up at her mother, she picks her up putting her back onto her shoulder, Nero walks over to grab a burp cloth for her placing it on her shoulder. "Thanks, Pimp daddy" she says. "You're welcome, Mama" he said.
"Are you still planning on going to the store?" he asked.
"Yeah" she responded, continuing to pat her back.
Nero put his coffee down on the dresser and goes into the bathroom to wash his hands again. He returns to the nursery a few minutes later.
"Let me hold her" he says, walking over to her.
"Okay, but she needs to burp" she reminds him.
"I know" she handed him their daughter and he lifts her up onto his shoulder patting her back gently as Gemma places the burp cloth on his shoulder.
"I'm gonna go get dressed and head to the store" she says, but adds. "but first I'm gonna pump out some milk for you just in case you need to feed her again"
"Mmm, you know Mama I love looking at them" he remarked, flirtatiously.
She chuckles replying. "I know" quickly walking over to him to give him a kiss on his lips.
Nero sat down in the vacated rocking chair with his daughter as he continues patting her little back trying to get to her to burp.
"Come on, sweetie" he encouraged.
"Talaya, daddy's got you" he says, rubbing her back.
After a few more minutes she finally burped twice. "There we go that's my girl" he praises, kissing her on the cheek.
Carrying the breast pump with her in her hand she retreats to the kitchen and sat down in the chair, she lifted up her shirt once again, turning on the pump, she touches her nipples they are sore, placing the two suction cups on her breasts and nipples she attaches the two bottles to the pump waiting for the milk to come out within seconds it does and the bottles are now filled up. She turns off the pump, clips her nursing bra into place and pulls down her shirt placing the bottles in the fridge and carries the pump with her again.
"Baby, the bottles are in the fridge if you need them and now I'm really going to get dressed and leave" she says, walking into the nursery placing the breast pump on the dresser.
"Alright thanks" he said, smiling.
Gemma goes into their bedroom and put on one of her biker t-shirts and jeans, next she goes into the bathroom to put on her make up.
She walked back to the bedroom picking up her phone, keys and purse from the dresser opening her purse she notices her heart medication. "Damn!" she curses to herself softly putting her hand on her head.
Quickly she headed to the kitchen pouring herself a glass of water, takes out the pill bottle opens it and tips the bottle sideways to get out the pill once it's in the palm of her hand, she pops into her mouth, she drinks the glass of water swallowing the pill, it goes down her throat bitterly. "Ugh" she groans placing her hand on her stomach.
She closes her purse up placing it on her shoulder, and again grabs her keys, phone, sunglasses and goes to say goodbye to her daughter and husband.
"Okay, I'm gonna go now" she said, walking to the nursery.
"Bye, sweetheart, I love you" she says, kissing him on the lips as his tongue slips into her mouth a softly moan escapes her.
"Bye Mama, I love you too" he said back, not letting go of the kiss.
Gemma reluctantly broke off the kiss before the passion can get the better of them in front Talaya.
"Sorry, baby we gotta stop, not in front of the baby" she said, breathlessly.
"I'm sorry, you're right" he said, apologetically.
"Don't apologize, it's okay, I started it" she said, smiling.
She looked down at her daughter "Bye sweetie, mommy's gonna miss you so much" she smiles, kissing her tiny hand. "You be good for daddy okay" she whispers, inside she doesn't want to leave her baby, but knows her she's in good, capable hands.
Looking to her husband. "Love you" he replies. "Love you, too, we'll be fine, I promise, now go" They give each other another quick kiss goodbye as Gemma goes to the doorway, but stops turning around to speak again. "Call me if you need anything" He nods as she heads out, he shuts the door behind her.
8am:
Getting into her SUV, she buckled up and pulled away, within a few minutes she arrived, turned off the ignition, unbuckles her seat belt and un zips her purse and places her keys, phone and sunglasses in it then zips it up back up and gets out of the car and walks into the store. She gets a cart and immediately goes to the baby section. Going down the isles she finally spots what she needs.
Meanwhile back at home, Nero has put Talaya down in her bassinet with her teddy bear, she's a little fussy right now he finds her pacifier and quickly rinses it off in the sink and walks back to her placing it in her mouth which she takes.
"Let's see" she said to herself gazing at each of the different bouncy seats that are there, she finally decides on a neutral one which is little gray and blue, whispering "$30.00, $40.00, $50.00" Suddenly a ringing from her purse startles her, unzipping her purse she flips her phone up, seeing the name on the caller ID: Nero she immediately answers inside scared to death.
"Hey, is she okay?" she asks in a panicked voice. "What's wrong?" she continues, her voice still in a panicked state.
"Whoa Mama, calm down, take it easy, she's alright and in her bassinet, I was calling to see if you got there okay" he said, calmly.
she breathed a sigh of relief, replying "Thank god, she's okay and I'm fine I made it here" Adding. "Nero, don't scare me like, my heart can't take it" she says, swallowing hard, trying to compose herself.
"Neither can mine" he said, chuckling softly.
"Anyway, I'm trying to decide which bouncy seat to get" she says now calm once again.
"Just get the best one, Mama" he advises.
"Yeah, I will, but thanks for the advice" she said, sighing heavily.
"You're welcome" he responded.
"I think I'm gonna get the one that's most expensive because I want it to be a great one" she says truthfully.
"That's good, Gem" he replies, walking over to check on Talaya who still in her bassinet.
"Okay well I'm gonna let you go and I'll be home soon" she says, picking up the pink and purple bouncy seat that's $52.00 putting it into her cart.
"Alright, see you when you get here" he says. Adding "I love you"
"I love you, baby" she said, hanging up as Nero does the same.
She throws her phone back in her purse and zips it up again then goes over to the toys section. Meanwhile at home Nero is doing laundry, washing the baby's clothes and burp clothes that are dirty, once the clothes are in the washer, then walked to the bathroom to wash his hands next he picked up his baby girl whose still awake, grabs her homemade blanket from her mother from the nursery and spread it out in the middle of his and Gemma's bed, placing her on top and pillows around her little body so she doesn't roll off.
"Hey little one, daddy laid you on the blanket mommy made you" he said, taking a seat on the bed next his daughter just looking contently at her as she cooed as he walked out from her bassinet quickly grabbing her pink with teddy bears blanket placing it in front of her as she reaches out the few inches to grab onto it tightly.
Back in the store, Gemma is now looking at the activity centers for cribs trying to decide what one to get, she decided on getting the one that has the most activity on it to keep Talaya busy which is the pink mobile with the duckies, flowers, and bunnies it also plays music and has a remote placing it in her cart. Next walks over to the health & beauty section to get baby Tylenol, the thermometer and a medicine dropper gazing around the isle she finally spots both items and throws them in the cart. Then goes back to the baby section once again to pick up a few more items that includes a swaddling blanket, playing mat with toys on it, a walker which she doesn't need one right now, but will later on, vaporizer, high chair and light blue portable crib and then picks out a baby carrier backpack there's a few colors it comes in, but she decides between the purple and red one finally deciding the purple one and also picks up some diaper rash cream, a pacifier holder finally she goes to the register, pays for all the items then heads to her SUV taking out all the bags and boxes placing them in the truck leaving the cart, she hops into the car, buckles up and headed home.
9am:
Gemma arrives home a few minutes later, turns off the ignition, unbuckles her seat belt and grabs her purse off the front seat she unzips it throwing her keys into it then placing it onto her shoulder and gets out the car opening the backseat grabbing one of the bags and headed into the house.
"Sweetheart, I'm home!" she yells, shutting the door behind her and placing the bags on the kitchen table.
Nero came into the kitchen greeting her. "Hey Mama, I missed you" he smiles.
"Do you need any help bringing in the other bags?" he asked, kissing her on the lips.
"Yes there's a few of them I kind of went a little crazy with the shopping" she responded.
"Alright, I'll be right back" he said, opening the door again.
A few minutes later, Nero returns with the remaining bags and items in hand. Gemma goes out to the car shutting the doors and then comes in shutting the door behind.
He gently put the rest of the bags and on the floor remarking breathlessly. "Damn Mama, you weren't kidding about going crazy, what did you do buy everything on the baby shelves and the baby section?" he says joking looking down at all the bags and items.
"Damn Mama, you weren't kidding about going crazy, what did you do buy everything on the baby shelves and the baby section" she quipped mockingly.
"Hey!" he says, lightly smacking her shoulder.
They both start laughing hysterically, but stop after a few minutes "I'm sorry, babe" she apologizes,
"It's okay" he says, they hug each other tightly.
"How is Talaya doing?" she asked, starting to take out the items from the bags and opening the boxes with Nero's help, he walks to the nursery and quickly places the new mobile on the other side of her crib.
"She's fine, babe, I put her in our bedroom in the middle of the bed, don't worry I put pillows around her so she doesn't roll off" he said, smiling.
She smiled back at him. "Aww, I'm gonna check on her" she said, taking the bouncy seat placing it on the table for now.
"Well I'm gonna put the the baby Tylenol, medicine dropper, thermometer in the medicine cabinet and put the diaper rash cream on the changing table and the vaporizer in the nursery then get everything else out and put away" Nero said, rambling a bit
"Okay thanks" she said, adding. "And I'm gonna put Talaya in her new bouncy seat and see how she likes it" each of them both head to the bathroom and the bedroom.
Gemma walked further into the bedroom taking a seat close to her daughter.
"Hey sweetheart, mommy's home, I missed you" she said, smiling.
The baby looked over at her mother as Gemma put the bouncy seat on the floor for now.
Meanwhile after putting the Tylenol and thermometer in the medicine cabinet and placing all the other bags and items in the nursery for now Nero goes into his son's room to check on him and Kayla who stayed the night again.
Gemma goes to wash her hands in the bathroom and returns to the bedroom a few minutes later and picks up Talaya placing her in the bouncy seat turning it on moving it back a bit from the bed out of the way.
"What do you think, baby?" she asked, walking over taking a seat on the floor next to her daughter.
Talaya stays calm, quiet and happy as Gemma goes into the nursery to get walkie talkie clipping it onto her jeans.
Back in Lucius's room, Kayla and Lucius are awake. "Do you want some breakfast, kiddo?" she asked, sitting up.
"Yeah, I'm hungry" he responded.
"I'll make you some breakfast" she smiles.
"What would you like?" she asked.
"Eggs, toast and bacon" the boy replied back.
Kayla turns to Nero asking. "Do you want some breakfast too?" he shook his head, no.
"Okay, what about Gemma?" she asked. He shrugged his shoulders. "I'll ask her" he says walking into his and Gemma's bedroom.
"Hey Mama" he said, taking a seat on the floor next his wife.
"Hey" she said.
"How does she like her bouncy seat?" he asks, curiously.
"I think she likes it, she seems happy in it" she says, smiling.
"Hey baby girl" he greeted his daughter in her seat, gently shaking her little foot with his hand.
"Kayla asked if you want some breakfast since she's gonna make Lucius some" he said, looking at her patiently waiting for her answer.
"What is she going to cook?" she asked, curiously.
"Eggs, bacon and toast" he replied.
"Oh yeah, I'm actually hungry from all that walking around with the shopping trip" she says.
"I'll let her know, be right back" he said, getting up and going into Lucius's room.
Nero walked the few steps to his son's room leaning into the doorway. "Gemma wants some breakfast too, she's hungry"
She smiled. "Alright, no problem" getting up from the floor she carries Lucius into the kitchen and sat him down in the chair. "There you go, pal" she says, getting the skillets out for the bacon and eggs.
Walking over to the fridge she opens it taking out the carton of eggs and bacon placing it on the counter, she turns on the oven placing the skillets on each burner she cracks the eggs putting them in the one skillet and the bacon in the other one. She reaches for two spatulas.
10:30am:
Back in the kitchen, Kayla is is moving the eggs around and flipping over the bacon, as Gemma and Nero arrive.
"Hey you two" Nero said, kissing his son on his forehead.
"Hi, Papi" he says, smiling.
"Hey sweetheart" she says, putting her hands on his shoulders stroking his hair with her fingers.
"Hi Gemma" he said.
Moments later the bacon and eggs are done, Gemma quickly places two slices of bread in the toaster for Lucius and pulls down the lever.
She walked back to the chair and sat down waiting for the toast.
Kayla got the plates down from the cupboard and silverware from the drawer.
Seconds later the toast pops up, Gemma goes over to get it and butters them, then put the bread on the plate while Kayla places the eggs and bacon on it. Gemma returns to the table placing Lucius's food in front of him along with a fork.
"Baby, do you want something to drink?" she asked.
"Milk please" he replied.
Without a word, Gemma gets up again going to the fridge, opening it and grabbed the milk, reaching for a cup from the cupboard, she poured the milk into it then put it back in the fridge.
"Here you go, sweetie" she says, smiling taking a seat back in the chair.
Nero took two slices of bread for Gemma placing them into the toaster pulling down the lever, he waits patiently by the counter for the toast.
Kayla hands Gemma her plate of food.
"Thank you, sweetheart" she says.
"You're welcome" she smiles.
"Baby, can you get me something to drink?" she asked, looking at her husband.
"Sure, what do you want?" he asks.
"Orange juice" she replied.
"Okay" he says, going over to the fridge.
He opens it getting out the juice, grabbing glass pouring the juice into it and handed it to her.
"Thanks" she says, taking a bite of her food.
"You're welcome" he responded, placing the juice back into the fridge.
A few seconds later her toast pops up, Nero takes it out and butters both and put them on her plate.
Gemma placed the walkie talkie on the table as everyone started eating crying came from in the other room interrupting them. Gemma starts to get up, but Nero stops her. "I got her, Mama, she's probably hungry"
Gemma sat back down in her chair, replying. "Thanks, babe"
Nero washed his hands at the sink, then goes to the fridge to get the bottle of breast milk placing it in the microwave for 50 seconds a while later the microwave beeps, he took the bottle out and tests it on his wrist, it's fine.
Back in the kitchen everyone is done with their breakfast, Gemma scrapes off the plates and places everything in the dishwasher turning it on while Kayla wipes down the counters and the table.
"Thanks for helping to clean up, sweetheart" she says to the younger woman.
"Not a problem" she smiles.
"I'm gonna go and check on Nero and Talaya" she announced, taking the walkie talkie from the table with her.
Walking upstairs to the nursery she leans into the frame of the doorway, the walkie talkie still in her hand.
"Hey, can I help with her?" she asked.
"Nah, babe that's okay, but I forgot I have some of Talaya's clothes in the washer that I think need to go in the dryer" he says.
"Okay, I'll do that" she says, walking out of the nursery.
"Thanks, Mama" he yelled.
"You're welcome" she yelled back from the other room.
Gemma clipped the walkie talkie onto her jeans and walks into laundry room where the washing machine and dryer are and notices the clothes are done she takes them out putting them into dryer, closing the door and turns it on then walked back to her husband and daughter while Kayla is now back in Lucius's room with him drawing pictures.
He walked to his and Gemma's room with the bottle in hand to the sound of the crying baby. "Okay Mija, daddy's here" picking her up he placed her in his arms, putting the bottle in her mouth she starts to eat as he holds the bottle for her. She continues eating as Nero walks to the nursery and sat down in the rocking chair slowly rocking her and grabs a burp cloth placing it onto his shoulder.
Ten minutes later, Talaya's done as the bottle is now empty, Nero put the bottle down and lifts her up over his shoulder and pats her back trying to get her to burp, seconds later she burps along with spit up on the cloth, turning her around he sat her up wiping her mouth.
"Let's get you dressed and changed" he said, taking her over to the changing table.
Laying her on the table, he undresses her taking off her diaper throwing it away in the diaper pail, she's now naked, her umbilical stump is now gone as he blows bubbles on her tummy, the baby laughs, his fingers trace the scar down on her chest gently next he goes over to the dresser trying to figure out what to dress her in for the day finally deciding on little over halls, a white undershirt and white socks. He wipes her down with the baby wipes, put on a new diaper and dresses her in the outfit and put on the socks.
"All done, baby girl" he announced, picking her up back up onto his arms with his hand supporting her head. He goes over to the bouncy seat trying to find her pacifier it's not in there he looks around finally spotting it a few feet from the seat on the floor, he picks it up and walks into the bathroom to wash it off under the water then sticks it into her mouth and she takes it.
"There you go, daddy loves you" he kisses her on the forehead.
A Few Hours Later: Afternoon – 3pm:
Lucius and Kayla are at the park together while Gemma and Nero are home together enjoying the alone time with their daughter even though they feel as though they haven't slept in forever, but they still can't imagine their lives without their little girl. Nero is in the nursery folding his daughter's clothes and putting them away in the dresser while Gemma un clips the walkie talkie from her jeans putting it on the table next to her, she decides to take a little nap while Talaya is back in her bassinet with her pacifier quietly cooing.
5pm:
After two hours, Gemma's eyes flutter open and she stirs sitting up in the bed, a bit disoriented and also amazed that she was able to get two full hours of actual sleep. She starts to get out of bed, but stops when she notices a note on the side table putting on her reading glasses she started to read:
Hey Mama,
I went into Disoa for a bit to check on Lyla and the girls, be home soon, Lucius and Kayla are home from the park now and are in Lucius's room playing.
Love, Nero
A smile crosses her face as she swung her legs over the bed looking into the bassinet checking on her daughter she's has fallen asleep. "Sweet dreams, sweetheart" she said whispering softly as she gets some clothes from her dresser and walks the few steps to the bathroom shutting the door behind her, she decides to take a shower while she can, stripping off her clothes she turns on the water making sure isn't too hot and it's not next she turns on the shower and stepped in letting the warm water run down her exhausted body.
5:30pm:
Moments later, Nero walked into the house shutting the door quietly placing his keys on the counter.
"Mama?" he called out.
"Gem?" he called again.
He walks around looking in the living room, dining room, nursery and finally his and Gemma's room, hearing the shower running, he smiles looking into the bassinet at his daughter, she's awake again.
"Sorry little one, didn't mean to wake you" he whispers. Minutes later turning the shower turns off, Gemma steps out grabbing a towel wrapping it around her wet naked body, she opens the door walking into their bedroom. "Mmm, gorgeous, you drive me crazy looking like that, Mama" she gasped. "Oh shit baby, you scared me!" he chuckles softly at her reaction. "When did you get home?" she asked, looking at him. "A few seconds ago, sorry didn't mean to scare you" he said. Taking a deep breath she responded. "It's okay, I'm just glad your home now" She goes back in the bathroom shutting the door to dry herself off and get dressed in jeans, nursing bra, underwear and a black long sleeved t-shirt seconds later the door opens and he lets himself in to wash his hands coming out into the bedroom a few moment later.
"Hey baby girl, how are you doing?" he says, picking her up.
"Did you miss daddy?" he asks rubbing her tummy.
After five minutes Gemma returned to their bedroom dressed, clean and her hair brushed and pulled back from her face and her hands washed.
"Ah, I feel better" she exclaimed, sighing contently.
"I'm glad" he said, smiling.
"Babe, Talaya needs to be nursed" she pointed out.
"Mama, she's not even crying yet" he said.
"I know, but she will be in a few minutes" she responded, knowingly.
"Alright, here you go" he handed her to his wife.
"I'm gonna take a shower myself" he says, walking to the bathroom.
"Okay we'll be in the nursery if you need us" she smiled walking away.
Gemma sat down in the rocking chair with her baby, her cradling her.
"Let's get you some milk in you, yes" she said, lifting up her shirt and unclasping her bra, exposing her breast that's when Talaya started to fuss. "Okay, sweetheart, here you go come on, it's right here" she encouraged holding her breast toward the baby's mouth shifting her position she takes it after a few seconds, making full contact with her nipple as Gemma grimaces whispering to herself. "Ow!"
In the meantime, Nero's in the bathroom still in the shower. After 20 minutes he steps out of the tub grabbing a towel wrapping it around his waist then washes his hands at the sink and walks into his and Gemma's bedroom to get some clothes to wear deciding on a tank top, boxers and pants going back in the bathroom he dries himself off and got dressed then brushed his hair.
He opens the door and goes to the nursery to check on his wife and daughter. Suddenly the back door opens and closes.
"We're home!" Kayla yelled from the kitchen.
"Papi, Gemma!" Lucius shouted.
"In the nursery!" comes Nero's reply.
"That shower felt good" he remarked, contently.
"Yeah I know what you mean, wish I could have joined you" she said, flirtatiously.
"Oh I know you- " Nero stopped talking spun around to see his son and Kayla who stood at the door of the nursery.
Nero came over to him bending down to his level.
"Hey pal" he greeted.
"Hi Papi" the boy said, smiling.
"Did you have fun at the park?" he asked, the boy shook his head.
"That's good" Nero responded.
"We also got some dinner because he and I were hungry" Kayla spoke up.
"So I guess you two don't want dinner?" the older man surmised.
The young woman shook her head up and down. "Yeah, we're okay" she said.
"I'm glad you guys had fun today" he said, kissing his son on his forehead.
Nero stood up taking a deep breath. "Well Lucius and I will be in his room" Kayla announced, helping her young charge to his room, as he watched them walk away.
Turning around his eyes are again focused on his wife and daughter.
"Hey Mama" he said.
"Hey" she replied back.
"Is she almost done eating?" he asked, curiously.
"Yeah, I think so" she said, looking at him. Adding "Why?" she questioned. "Just wondering" he responded.
And she suddenly stops sucking. "I think she knew what we were talking about" she joked. He chuckles. "I think she's done now" she said.
Nero held out his hands. "Let me take her" she handed the baby to him, he carefully takes her into his arms, supporting the back of her head with his hands and she grabbed a burp cloth placing it on his shoulder as he patted her back.
"Come on, Mija" he said encouraging her.
He patted her back a few more times and that's when she burped along with some spit up turning her around he wipes her mouth with the cloth.
"Do you want some dinner?" she asked, standing up from the rocking chair.
"Yeah" he said, still holding Talaya.
"Okay anything in particular?" she asked.
He shook his head. "Okay maybe something easy like sandwiches?" she asked, crossing her arms underneath her. Thinking a few moments he answers back. "Whatever you feel like doing Mama, is fine with me"
"Well how about some salads?" she suggested.
"Okay" he replied.
"Do you still want the sandwiches too?" she asked.
"It doesn't matter to me" he said.
"Okay" she responded, walking away and to the kitchen.
6pm:
Once there she got a salad bowl from the cupboard placing it on the counter, next opens the fridge getting out the lettuce, cheese, ham, bacon bits, croutons and the salad dressing putting everything on the counter. She pulls apart the lettuce throwing it into the plastic bowl along with the cheese, ham, bacon bits and croutons then mixes everything up for a few minutes and leaves it on the counter. Next she makes two ham and cheese sandwiches for her and Nero, placing them on two plates.
"Baby, dinner's ready!" she called out from the kitchen.
"Be right there, Mama!" he called back.
Nero walks out of the nursery and into his and Gemma's bedroom and put Talaya in her swing turning it on and gently rocking it back and forth. He chuckles a bit watching her. "Daddy will be back okay" he said to her, walking to the kitchen.
He arrives in there and sat down in the empty chair.
"Hey thanks for making dinner, babe" he said, smiling.
"You're welcome" she said, grabbing two bowls from the cabinet and two forks from the drawer.
She set their plates down with the sandwiches on them on the table along with the silverware. Nero got up to get the salad from the counter placing it on the table.
"What do you want to drink, babe?" she asked.
"Milk" he replied back.
Opening the fridge, she grabs the carton of milk out, gets two glasses down and pours the milk in them then closes the milk and put it away.
Gemma sat down handing Nero his glass of milk and he handed her her plate and they both start to eat their dinner.
"Where's Talaya?" she asked, curiously.
"In her swing" he said, chewing then swallowing his food.
She smiles hearing that as silent falls on the couple as they continue eating, their forks occasionally scrapping the plates and them taking sips from their glasses of milk.
6:30pm:
A half hour later, Gemma and Nero are done eating they put their plates and glasses in the sink. Nero wiped down the counters and Gemma did the dishes drying them and putting them away.
"I'm gonna check on Talaya" she said, starting to walk away to her and Nero's bedroom.
"Okay" he said, simply, walking to join his wife in their bedroom.
Turning to her husband she asked. "Have you seen the walkie talkie for the baby monitors anywhere?"
"I think the one is in the nursery, I'll go look for it" he said.
"Thanks, Pimp daddy" she said, smiling.
"No problem" he said, smiling back.
He walks to the nursery and goes inside looking around, his face expresses confusion.
"Mama. I can't find it" he remarked, walking out of the nursery.
"Oh I'm sorry, it's over there" she said, pointing to her side of the table.
Nero rubs his face over his face as Gemma walks around to him wrapping her arms around him.
"Hey, what do you say about us giving our daughter her first bath?" she suggests.
He cups her face in his hands and responds "Yeah, that's a great idea" he says, smiling.
They both washed their hands at the bathroom sink and Gemma goes to get Talaya while Nero put the small baby bathtub in the tub and turns on the water making sure the water isn't too hot or cold, it's not.
"Okay Mama, it's ready!" he yelled from the bathroom.
"We're coming!" she responded back.
Gemma with Talaya in her arms she bends down handing over the baby to him, he undresses her, then takes off her diaper, putting her carefully into the baby tub while she grabs the baby shampoo, the soap and a washcloth.
She crouches down on the floor beside her husband soaking the washcloth in the water and lathers it up with the baby shampoo and begins to gently wash Talaya's smooth, downy soft brown hair, the baby coos softly, Gemma and Nero both smile. Nero grabs another washcloth from the cabinet placing it into the tub of water getting the cloth wet then puts some soap on it, scrunches it up and rings it out then carefully washes her little body.
Talaya squirms and kicks her feet.
"Whoa, little lady, it's okay, mommy and daddy are here" he says, soothingly.
"Hey, sweetheart" she says, calmly holding onto her.
"Shh, shh" she whispers, continuing to wash her hair.
After a few minutes, Gemma carefully rises off the soap from her hair making sure there's no soap in it or in her eyes.
Nero washes her body off again gently with the washcloth.
"Are you enjoying your first bath?" he asks, smiling.
"You feel better now?" she asks, smiling at her daughter who now calm and cooing.
"Watch her while I go get her a change of clothes and a new diaper" she says, getting up from the floor.
"Okay" he said, leaning over the tub caressing his daughter's cheek with his finger.
Gemma walks out of the bathroom and upstairs to the nursery, she goes over and opens the dresser trying to figure out what to dress her baby in, looking through the clothes exhaling sharply finally deciding on the onesie with the heart on it and some pink socks. She grabs a diaper and the powder and walks back to the bathroom.
Coming back in the bathroom she put the clothes, diaper and powder on top of the toilet and washes her hands again. After a few minutes Talaya starts whining a bit
"Okay baby girl, your coming out" she announces, bending down opening the cabinet grabbing a towel.
She held open the towel as Nero gently takes Talaya out of the tub and she starts to cry.
"Hey, hey, shh, it's okay" he rubbed her back before handing her over to Gemma.
"Mommy's here, sweetie" she said, wrapping her up in the towel trying to soothe her.
"Shh, shh" she whispers, holding her close, kissing her on the forehead.
She swayed her side to side a bit trying to calm the baby down, finally she does.
"Let's get you dressed and ready for bed" she whispers to the baby.
Nero walks with mother and daughter to the nursery.
"Mama, are you gonna feed her now or wait a little longer?" he asked, curiously.
"I think I'm gonna wait at least another hour" she said, asking "Why?"
"Just wondered" he says.
Gemma gently places Talaya on the changing table taking off the towel from her naked body.
"Ah, is that better?" she asked, kissing her belly.
"Oh damn, I forgot to grab the clothes, diaper and powder from the bathroom, babe" she said, looking around the nursery realizing about the forgotten items.
"I'll get them" he said.
"Thanks!" she yelled back.
He returned a second later handing her the clothes, diaper and powder she sat the baby up placing the outfit underneath her body then placing her back down onto the table, puts the diaper under her and sprinkles on some powder and closes it and gets her dressed again, a few moments later she hands her to her father "Gotta wash my hands first, be right back" he said, minutes later he comes back from the bathroom taking daughter from his wife while Gemma gets the baby brush from on the dresser. "Now let's brush that hair, sweetheart" she said as Nero turns her around so Gemma can brush her hair. "Okay all done" she announced.
7:30pm:
A half hour later, Talaya starts screaming loudly. "Oh, it looks like someone's hungry again" she surmises. "You get the bottle" she said, he nodded walking to the kitchen, he quickly zaps it into the microwave for a minute, it beeps and he takes out testing it onto his wrist, it's not too hot he returns to his wife and daughter whose still screaming "Your daughter's got a set of lungs on her" he remarks, giving her a playful nudge, she scoffs remarking back "My daughter?!" he chuckles "Yeah" she lightly slaps his arm "Hey, what are you trying to say, huh?" she asks, smiling "Nothing Mama, relax" he said, giving her a quick kiss on the lips the baby is still crying finally he has her in his arms once again and gives her the bottle she instantly takes it, while Gemma quickly walks to the nursery to grab a burp cloth, putting it on his shoulder, he takes a seat down on his and Gemma's bed leaning back onto the headboard relaxing as she looks on smiling at the tender moment of father and daughter bonding, quickly snapping the beautiful moment with her camera.
A while later, Talaya stops drinking, he puts the bottle on the table and switches her position to his shoulder to burp her.
"Come on, Mija" he whispers, encouragingly.
He continues patting her back until finally she burps and he wipes her mouth with the cloth putting it on the table beside him.
"That's my good girl" he says, getting up from the bed.
"We should put her down" he suggested.
"I think that's a good idea" she replies.
"I'll put her down" he says.
"Wait, I have to pump first we only have one more bottle for later" she points out.
"We can wait" he says, still holding and rocking her a bit.
"Okay" she said, walking to the nursery, Nero grabs Talaya's pacifier from the bassinet and places it in her mouth she takes it, but quickly spits it back out and starts crying.
"Hey, hey baby girl, it's okay" he soothes, switching her position back to his shoulder patting her back,
That's when she spits up again and it's a lot over all his shirt, the pacifier falls on the floor a few feet away.
"Mama!" he yells from the bedroom.
"Yeah!" she yelled back.
"Could you get me a towel?" he asked.
"It's okay, baby, daddy's got you" he says soothing, kissing her the cheek.
She comes rushing out of the nursery with an concerned look on her face, her shirt is off and bra is exposed.
"Yeah, sure" she said, seeing his shirt covered in throw up.
"Oh man" she says, adding "Hang on"
Rushing to the bathroom she grabs a towel from underneath the sink and briskly walks back into the bedroom helping him to clean off his shirt.
"Thanks" he says as she starts wiping off his shirt.
"Sure, but that towel isn't gonna get out the smell" she pointed out, smirking.
"I know" he said, adding "This isn't the fun part"
"I know" she says, sympathetically, continuing "Here let me take her a minute while you take off your shirt" she says, adding "Unless you want to wash it quickly with a baby wipe" she suggests as she walks into the bathroom to wash her hands.
"Huh?" he responded in confusion.
"Yeah, I've heard baby wipes can get out the smell" she says as she dries off her hands with the hand towel in the bathroom then returns their bedroom.
"Hmm, nah I'll just take off my shirt and put it in the washer" he smiles flirtatiously
"Mmm, well..." she trails off, licking her lips.
He takes off his shirt walking to where the washer is throwing in his shirt and walks back into bedroom where his wife is holding their daughter.
"Let me get a clean shirt" he says, opening his dresser drawer finally finding one and putting it on.
"I'd rather look at you with your shirt off" she says flirtatiously.
"You know we can't do anything" he says, placing his arms around her.
"I know that" she says, clearing her throat.
"You go pump and I'll take her until you're done" he says as she hands the baby over to him and goes back into the nursery once again. He picks up her pacifier from the floor, cleans it off putting it back in the bassinet.
She sat down in the rocker un clipping her bra exposing her breasts she turns on the pump and grabs three empty bottles attaches the suction cups to her breasts and attaches two bottles to them waiting for them to fill up within a few minutes they are filled she un screws the bottles and puts bottle lid back on the bottles and starts filling up the last bottle then put the last lid on the last bottle she turned off the pump putting it away and clips her bra back in place and put her shirt back on walking out of the nursery with the bottles in hand.
"Bottles are ready for tonight I'm gonna put them in the fridge" she said, walking to the kitchen.
Once there she opens the fridge placing the bottles in it, closes the door, she walks over the sink to wash her hands quickly and walked back to her husband and daughter.
"Are we ready for bed, little one?" she asked, taking her from him.
Gemma looked down at her daughter's face smiling, the baby yawns softly as the two of them go to the nursery together. She sat down in the chair again and grabs the Goodnight Moon book from the shelve, she puts on her reading glasses, opens the book and starts to read while rocking her. As she continues reading the baby eyes close and by the end of the book she's sound asleep. Putting down the book on the dresser she quietly gets up walking over to the crib, taking down the bars and gently placing Talaya in it, kissing her on the forehead then covers her up with her blanket, she whispers "Night, night sweetheart" putting the bars on the crib back up she turns out the light walking back to her and Nero's bedroom.
"Talaya's asleep" she announced, while looking through her dresser at her clothes to figure out what she's gonna wear for bed, Nero is doing the same. Deciding on boxers and a shirt he walks to the bathroom to get dressed while Gemma picked out her matching pajamas set to wear and gets dressed in their bedroom. He comes out and go into his son's room to check on him seeing both that Kayla and Lucius are sound asleep, he walked over to his boy's bed and covered him up, giving him a kiss on his forehead. "Goodnight, Mijo" he whispers walking out going back into his and Gemma's room.
9pm:
Nero is now back in his and Gemma's room again, the two get into the bed and cover up, moving closer to each other. Nero turned off the light on his side of the bed, switching positions, he turns on his side and his eyes close he mummers "I love you" kissing her on the forehead within seconds he's asleep. Gemma turns off the light on her side of the bed, but is restless, tossing and turning unable to fall asleep even though she knows she needs it, finally she turns on her back just staring blankly up at the ceiling, her movement causes Nero to awaken, sit up and turn on the light.
"Mama, what's wrong?" he asked, rubbing her arm soothingly.
Taking a deep breath she replies "I'm worried about tomorrow, you know with the social worker coming" she said, looking at him.
"I know babe, but it's gonna be alright" he said.
"I just-" she exhaled sharply and started to cry in frustration and pain.
He pulls her into a comforting hug, placing his hand on the back of her head.
After a few minutes she stopped and is sniffling wiping her eyes.
"I'm sorry" she whispered, apologizing.
"It's okay" he whispered, cupping her face in his hands.
"Do you really think it's gonna be okay and that I'll still be able to adopt him?" she asked, knowing she'll get an honest answer from him and he always knows what to say to her.
He nodded. "I love you" she says, gazing into his soft brown eyes.
"I love you too" he says, caressing her face with fingers her eyes closed at the touch.
"Nero.." she called out.
"Yeah?" he said.
"Thank you" she said.
"For what?" he asked.
"For being you" she says, smiling taking his hand into hers, giving him a kiss.
His hand moved to the lamp turning it off once again.
He smiled. "You're welcome, Mama"
"Let's try and get some sleep okay" he said.
"Hold me baby, please" she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
He does and Gemma's body is relaxed now in his arms and they lay back down in the bed finally her eyes close and she's able to fall asleep, Nero followed soon after.
January 12th Thursday Early Morning - Nursery 3am:
A screaming cry from over the baby monitor, bolted Gemma up from the bed startled, a bit disoriented and half asleep, she untangles herself from her husband, getting out of the bed, she walks into the nursery picking up her daughter wrapping her blanket around her.
"Hey, hey sweetheart, mommy's here" she soothes, taking a seat in the rocker.
She switched the baby's position to her shoulder, patting her back and continuing to rock her.
"Shh, shh" she whispers, her eyes close, leaning back in the chair, within a few minutes they both fall back to sleep.
Back in Gemma and Nero's bedroom, Nero suddenly awakens, turning over his hand instantly goes over his wife side, it's empty and cold, he sat up looking around confused for a bit, he got out of bed and goes to the nursery, turns on the lamp light, finding his wife and daughter in the chair looking like they are asleep smiling at the moment, he quietly turns off the light again and walks out of the room and goes back to bed.
6am:
Talaya's is now awake again and starts crying softly, the cries stir Gemma awake again she opens her eyes. "Good morning, sleepyhead, do you want some breakfast now?" she asked, adding "Hmm?" her hand goes to the back of her head to support it as she kisses her on the side, switching the baby's position again to her arms and she unbuttons the first few buttons of her pajamas shirt exposing her left breast, she points it toward the baby and she instantly takes it, Talaya places her tiny hand on her mother's chest as Gemma gazes down at her baby lovingly. Approximately an hour later she's done eating, she grabs a burp cloth placing it on her shoulder and pats her back."Come on sweetie" she whispers, continuing patting her back a bit more just then she burped loudly. "Good girl" she praised her, kissing her, she switched the baby's position back to her shoulder rocking her.
8am:
Nero opened his eyes, turns over on his back and sat up in the bed, rubbing his eyes of sleep trying to wake up, throwing off the covers he got out of bed, goes into the bathroom shutting the door behind him, pees and wash his hands and brushes his teeth then padded his way to the nursery.
"Hey Mama" he said, turning on the light, walking further into the room standing beside her.
"Hey Pimp daddy" she said, tiredly.
"How is she?" he asks.
"She awoke at 3 and wanted to feed at 6" she says, closing her eyes again.
He nodded, silently taking his daughter from his wife. "Hey baby girl" he whispers.
"Babe, go back to bed okay get some rest before this afternoon I'll take care of her" he said, helping her from the chair with his one free hand, he gives her quick kiss on her cheek, "Okay" she murmured as her exhausted body walks from the nursery to their bed she plops her head down on her pillow and instantly she's asleep.
In the nursery, Nero has his daughter in his arms feeling her diaper. "Looks like someone needs to be changed" he said, walking over to the changing table placing her down, grabbing a diaper the powder and wipes he takes off her clothes and the dirty diaper throwing it in the diaper pail, he wipes her private area and bottom then lifts her up putting on the fresh diaper underneath her, sprinkles some powder on her and closes the tabs. "All done" he smiles, he quickly takes a few wipes to wipe his hands clean. "Let's get you dressed again" he announces starting to put the new and fresh clothes he picked for her which consists of jeans and pink t-shirt which says I'm so cute on within a few minutes her new clean clothes are on and he decides to put on her pink and blue butterfly bib around her neck.
The baby suddenly starts to cry softly. "Are you hungry?" he asked, picking her up placing her on his shoulder rubbing her back soothingly. They walk to the kitchen, where Nero opens the fridge taking the bottle of breast milk out warming it up in the microwave for 1 minute. While waiting he grabs Talaya's bouncy seat with his one free hand from the other room placing it on the kitchen table and places the baby in it.
After a few seconds it's done, taking it out he tests the bottle on his wrist making sure it's not too hot - it's not. He picks up his daughter from the seat and her into his arms and they walk to the nursery once there father and daughter take a seat in the rocker, he grabs a burp cloth placing it on his shoulder then gives Talaya her bottle which she takes and he rocks her a bit and she grabs onto his fingers. A half hour later the bottle is empty and he puts her onto his shoulder and pats her back gently trying to get her to burp. "Vamos, Mija, puedes hacerlo" (Come on, Mija you can do it) he whispers. "Vamos nena" (Come on, baby) he continues patting her back a bit more until she lets out two big burps. "That's my girl" he praises.
Still having his daughter in his arms he walks to his son's room where he and Kayla are already awake.
"Hey you two" he said.
"Hi Papi, Hi Talaya" the boy says, smiling.
"Hey Nero" said Kayla, who still laying down on the floor.
"Is Gemma awake?" the young woman asked.
"She was, but I told her to get some rest for today" he said, looking at her.
The young woman and Lucius look at him confused. "Okay I have to something to tell you two, a social worker is coming today about the adoption" he explains.
"Oh" they said in unison.
"Dad, is Gemma gonna be able to still adopt me?" he asked.
He walked over to his son's bed and sat down, placing his hand on his forearm with his free hand.
"Yeah...of course" he says.
"Well then why is the person coming here though?" he asked, curiously.
"Because Mijo, the people need to see if Gemma's a good mother to you" he said, explained again.
"But she is a good mom to me and Talaya and I love her!" he says, angrily.
"We know she is and I know you love her, but they don't see it that way and they have to be convinced" he explained once again.
"Oh..okay, I'll tell them!" he said, smiling proudly.
"I know you will" he says, truthfully.
"Are you hungry?" he asked, he nodded.
"I'll make you some breakfast, pal" Kayla chimed in.
"Okay, I want some toast" he said.
"You got it" she said, standing up, going into the kitchen.
"Papi, can I hold my sister, please?" he asked, holding his hands out.
"Sure, but you have to wash your hands first okay" he reminded him.
"I'll take him to wash his hands" said Kayla.
"Thanks" he smiles.
Kayla picked him up and carried him into the bathroom helping him to wash his hands. Five minutes later the two return to Nero whose still in his son's room sitting on the bed. Kayla quickly grabbed his crutches and he walked slowly to his bed and Kayla put him back onto it against the headboard with a pillow underneath his arm. "Okay Mijo, put your arms out, but don't move her, stay very still" he instructed, placing the baby in his son's arms. Lucius smiles down at his sister happily.
"Hi, Talaya, I'm your other big brother do you remember?" he asked, as the baby looks at him, cooing.
"I love you" he says, giving her a kiss on her forehead.
"Do you want me to take her?" Nero asked.
"No, not yet dad" the boy says.
"Let me know" he replies.
All the sudden, Talaya started getting fussy.
"Oh, here let me take her" he said, taking the baby from his son into his arms putting her on his shoulder, gently patting her back soothingly.
"Shh, shh, baby girl, it's okay daddy's here" he says.
Nero walks into his and Gemma's room to retrieve Talaya's pacifier her bassinet putting it in her mouth and she takes it instantly calming down.
Kayla is now done with making Lucius's food. She goes back into his bedroom and carries him to the kitchen placing him into the chair.
"Okay kiddo, here's your breakfast" she says, placing his plate of food in front of him with a glass of orange juice.
"Thank you" he said, smiling then starting to eat.
Three Hours Later:11am:
Gemma awakens, slowly opening her eyes, she stirs sitting up on the bed rubbing her eyes of sleep. Moments later, Nero appears in the room with Talaya on his shoulder.
"Hey Mama, did you have a good sleep?" he asked, taking a seat on the edge of the bed with the baby now positioned in his arms.
She nodded. "But I'm still tired" she continues "How is our little girl?" she asks, gazing up at her baby.
"She's fine, just a little fussy, but the pacifier being in her mouth stopped that" he says, chuckling softly.
He leans in giving his wife a kiss on the lips. Gemma gets out of bed and goes into the bathroom shutting the door behind her she goes pees, brushes her teeth, gargles with mouthwash then washes her hands and returns to the bedroom to her husband and daughter.
Sitting on the bed she randomly says "I have to take my pill" he nods, getting her pills for her from off the dresser, she got up from the bed and goes into the kitchen getting a glass filling it up with some water from the sink. Opening the bottle turning it over the pill drops in her palm, she puts the bottle down on the counter and pops the pill into her mouth and takes a drink of the water to washing down the pill it bitterly goes down her throat, she groans softly placing her hand to her stomach. Pouring the remaining water in the sink she opens the dishwasher putting the glass in it and closes the cap again on her pill bottle and again goes back to her bedroom with her daughter and husband.
"Let me have her, so you can take a break for a bit, besides she's probably hungry" she says, holding out her arms. He smiles handing "You sure, Mama?" he asked, continuing "I enjoy being with her she's my daughter" he kisses her on her forehead.
She nods "I'm sure, now hand her over" she demands. "She's all yours" he said, handing her to his wife she gently took her into her arms.
"Babe, you want some juice or something?" he asks as he walks away.
"Yeah, thanks, maybe it'll wake me up a bit more" she said, reminding him.
Nero goes to the kitchen, gets a coffee cup placing under the machine and pours in the coffee and turns it on then gets a glass and the orange juice from the fridge pouring it into the glass and takes it to her.
Back in the nursery Gemma places a burp cloth on her shoulder, opening her shirt with her nursing bra exposed, she un clips the side of her bra holding her right breast toward the baby's mouth she quickly takes out her pacifier and instantly starts sucking. "That's a good girl" she whispers leaning back into the rocker rocking her slowly.
Ten minutes later, Talaya's done eating and Gemma has burped her, then closes her bra and buttons her shirt back up with her free hand.
"Babe?" she called out, tiredly.
Nero comes into the nursery. "Yeah?"
"Can you put the bouncy seat on the dining room table for me, please?" she asked.
"Sure" he replied.
"Thank you" she says, standing up from the chair following closely behind her husband.
Going into his and Gemma's bedroom, not finding the seat in there he suddenly remembered it's on the kitchen table where he left it earlier going in there he picks it up bringing it into the dining room setting it on the dining room table. Gemma gently put her in it and places her pacifier on the table next to her just in case.
Nero handed her her juice. "Thanks" she said, taking a small sip, they sat down at the table making small talk while keeping an close eye on their daughter. Gemma continues drinking her juice leaning back in the chair while her husband just stares at her lovingly.
Two Hours Later: 1pm:
Talaya is still in her bouncy seat happily cooing while Gemma is in her room sitting on the edge of her bed with her hands in her head. Nero has joined her there.
"Mama?" he questions, placing his arm around her.
"What?" she asks.
"You alright?" he asks.
"No, I'm so scared and nervous" she admits.
"I know, but we'll get through this together okay, I love you and our family and I'll be by your side forever" he says proudly.
She looked over at him, but says nothing. Taking a deep breath, she stands up putting her polished fingernail to her mouth chewing on it nervously.
Nero rises from the bed walking the few steps to his wife pulling her into his arms.
"Hey, hey, it's gonna be alright" he whispers, holding onto her.
Her eyes close and they stay in the embrace for what seems like hours when Talaya's crying interrupts them.
"I'll get her you stay here and relax, maybe take a warm bath or something" he says, kissing her on the forehead.
She cupped his face with her hands giving him a soft kiss on the lips.
"Now go..and thanks" she lets go of him.
"You're welcome" he said, walking to the kitchen to wash his hands then walks over to his daughter.
Picking her up a smell comes to his nose. "Mm Mmm I think someone needs a change" he surmises, smiling. Father and daughter walk to the nursery he lays her down onto the changing table carefully, undresses her and undoes her diaper. "Whew baby, that stinks we are gonna have to hose this girl down!" he exclaims smiling as the baby coos.
Lifting up her legs he takes her diaper from underneath her, gently wipes her down, puts the wipe into the diaper closing it up and throws it into the diaper pail and gets a fresh diaper putting it underneath her, he sprinkles some powder on her area and closes the diaper fastening the tabs then dresses her once again.
1:15pm:
Meanwhile in their bedroom, Gemma's still in the same place Nero left her, but she decides to take her husband's advice and take a warm bubble bath maybe it'll calm her nerves, stress and anxiety normally she'd smoke a cigarette for all of that, but knows she can't even though she really wants to right now.
She walks into the bathroom shutting the door behind her, she turns on the water testing it making sure it's not too hot or cold – it's not. Next she opens the bottle of bubble bath putting a couple cap fulls of it in the water then she plugs up the tub, takes off her clothes and steps into the tub she sits down leaning her body against in the back of the tub just silently relaxing waiting for the water and bubbles fill up.
Ten minutes later, a soft knocking at the door startles her back to reality.
"Gem?" a voice comes from the other side. Silence from the bathroom.
"Mama?" comes the voice, Gemma shakes her head, it's her husband.
"Yeah?" she answers.
"Are you okay in there?" he asks.
"Yeah, babe I'm fine" she said.
"What time is it?" she asked.
Looking at his watch "1:25" he says.
"Okay thanks" she says.
"You're welcome" he replies, walking away.
He quickly goes to the kitchen sink to wash his hands then go to check on his daughter, whose now in her bassinet.
"Hey Mija, how are you doin' huh?" he asks, caressing her tiny foot with his hand.
"Daddy loves you" he says, smiling down at her.
"Do you want to play with some of your toys?" he asks, walk to get her a toy. He picks out her rattle, walking back to his daughter he waves the rattle closely in front of her, her eyes follow it and tries to reach for it. She doesn't get it. "That's okay baby, you'll get it soon enough"
He continues watching her coo and as he caresses her cheek softly with his fingers.
After another five minutes of relaxing, Gemma steps out of the tub, dries herself off with a towel then put her clothes back on and goes over to the sink to wash her hands. She looks at herself in mirror. "It's gonna be okay" she whispers to herself.
Opening the door she goes to look for her husband and daughter and find them in her and Nero's bedroom.
"Hey you two" she greets them.
"Hi there" he says, smiling.
"How is she?" she asks, taking a seat beside her husband and staring down at her daughter.
"Fine" he said.
"Do you feel better?" he asked.
"I don't know...I guess so" she admits.
He rubs her back soothingly pulling her into him and she holds onto him tightly.
"I love you, Mama" he whispers into her ear.
"I love you, too" she whispers back taking his hand into hers.
1:50pm:
Gemma is getting more and nervous as it's gets closer to 2:00, Nero is trying his best keep her calm and feel better about this whole situation. That's when Talaya starts crying.
"She's hungry again" she says looking over at her husband.
"I'll feed her" he says. She nods.
He goes into the kitchen to get the bottle from the fridge, warms it in the microwave for a minute then takes it out and tests it on his wrist it's perfect. Returning to the bedroom, where he finds Gemma holding Talaya on her shoulder trying to soothe her.
"Shh, shh, it's okay sweetheart, daddy's coming with your bottle" she says, rubbing her back.
Without a word she hands over the crying baby to her husband, he gently supports her head and little body taking her into his arms.
"Shh, shh" he whispers, putting the bottle into her mouth holding it for her and she instantly takes it.
Father and daughter walk upstairs to the nursery and sit down in the rocker, Gemma walks into the room and grabs a burp cloth for him putting it on his shoulder. "Thanks, Mama" he says as she smiles at him, staying silent.
Gemma walked out of the nursery and in the dining to check on her cockatoo, she feeds him and gives him some water then closes the little door to the cage next she goes to the kitchen sink to wash her hands again.
Back in the nursery, it's been a few minutes now and Talaya's still eating, but suddenly stops, the bottle is pretty much empty now. He takes it out of her mouth placing it on the table and switches the baby's position to his shoulder patting her back. "Come on baby girl, you gotta to burp for daddy" he encourages. He continues patting her back this time a little harder finally she burped along with some spit up, he turns her around wiping her mouth with the cloth. After she's done eating he decided to let Talaya lay on her new playing mat with her toys so he gets it from the floor of the nursery with his one free hand.
Walking back to the his and Gemma's bedroom he lays the mat on the floor and gently laid his daughter on it, he gets her pacifier from the other room putting it on the mat.
"What do you think?" he asks, taking a seat on the floor beside her.
Her little body stretches out and she yawns softly, but she's calm still.
Gemma comes into the bedroom to check on her daughter.
"Hey look where your at, sweetheart" she exclaims, joining her husband on the floor.
"Does she like it?" she asks, making eye contact with him.
"I think so, she's not crying" he says, looking at her.
2pm:
A knock at the back door startles Gemma, she looks at her husband nervously, swallowing hard. They get up from the floor and go to the kitchen together. He squeezes her hand tightly for support.
"Oh god Nero, I don't think I can do this" she whispers.
"Mama, you have to you know that" he says, her eyes close, exhaling sharply.
Opening her eyes, she nods slowly making her way toward the door, her hand shake slightly. She turns back to her husband, he gives her a small nod.
"I can't believe I have to do this" she whispered to herself, sighing heavily she turns the door knob opening it to reveal a tall long haired blonde woman holding a brief case standing there.
"Gemma, Teller Padilla?" the woman said, with a smile on her face.
"Yes?" she answered back, calmly.
"I'm Pamela Cole, the social worker for your home visit concerning the adoption" she said, extending her hand out.
To Be Continued...