"Okay," Lisa said, stacking the paperwork and then pulling off her glasses, "the paperwork is finally done." She looked over at Marion, sitting in the recliner chair by the window. "Wow, I can't believe the number of forms I had to fill out to prove to Canada my baby is mine," she chuckled.

Marion laughed too, nodding, "Just wait until she goes to school. Paperwork is never ending." Marion then stood and walked toward Lisa who was standing at the rolling table where she'd finished the last of the tasks before she was discharged. Marion looked over Lisa's shoulder at the paperwork and then did a double take, picking up the form.

"Wait, her middle name is Grace? How did I not know that? My middle name is Grace."

Lisa tilted her head and frowned with a look of surprise, "It is?"

Marion gave her a horrified look and shook her head, "How did you not know that? How did Dad not remember that? Seriously? He forgot?"

Lisa started to laugh and wrapped her arm around Marion's shoulders and gave her a side hug, "Gotcha. I'm just messing with you. Yes, I know it's your middle name. Yes, Jack knows it's your middle name. We did that as a tribute to you, but what does surprise me is that Jack didn't mention it?"

"Huh, what?" Marion's eyes widened.

Lisa sighed and rolled her eyes, "Honestly, he did say he was going to talk to you about this, tell you-"

"I can't believe I didn't ask myself before now about her middle name. I guess we've all just been so focused on her getting here and then making sure she's okay, oh, and for my crazy stepmom to finally acknowledge she'd had a baby and get the little sis all the things she needs. I mean, that's where my focus has been, making sure that if her parents won't do it, I'm stepping up to make sure she's loved and cared for," Marion smirked.

"Stop!" Lisa swatted at her shoulder and then dropped her head, groaning. "Honestly, I really can't believe I did nothing. NOTHING, not one thing to get ready for her. Looking back, I want to ask myself what I was thinking?"

"We are all asking that," she nodded at Lisa, adding, "and asking then what were you thinking, procreating with Dad," she shuddered, and Lisa burst out laughing, so much so that she had to turn away when she started to blush. Lisa finally calmed down and turned back to Marion.

"Okay, all joking aside," she pointed at Marion, "yes, we thought it would be sweet and special to give her the same middle name as you, Grace, because for one, it's a beautiful name, and for another, you've been so amazing. You're the rock in all of this for me, and I really appreciate you. I know we have a very unique relationship, and I wouldn't change it for anything. I love that we can joke, but then we can be serious and talk about anything, have deep conversations. I know our family roles here," she rolled her eyes, and Marion chuckled nodding, "but you're just," Lisa paused, "I don't even know what to say. You're just everything to me."

"Oh, Lisa," Marion smiled warmly at her and stepped to her to give her a hug. "I feel the same about you and just love the energy and the happiness you have brought to our family, and," she said smacking Lisa's shoulder, "the little sis now too. You brought her to the family," she grinned. Lisa nodded with a small smile.

"Now we just need to get her home."

"Few more days," Marion pointed at her. She looked back at the paperwork, "Nora Grace Bartlett. I love it, so sweet. Old fashioned, yet elegant and classy," she eyed Lisa, "hmm, like you. Now," she clapped her hands together, "are we set to go over to the NICU? I'm sure Dad is wondering where we are."

Lisa waved her hand at that, "I can bet you that Jack hasn't even thought about where we are. He is so in love with that little girl. Man, she already has him wrapped around that tiny finger of hers," she grinned. "I just adore seeing him with her. I can bet you he's sitting in one of their recliner chairs holding her or feeding her again. It's a fight, the two of us, who gets to hold her more, so the fact that I have to wait in the room here to be discharged officially, he's not sorry at all to have alone time with her. It's really something how you can live so long without someone, and in an instant," she pursed her lips, "or maybe nine months, you just cannot imagine life without that little person."

"I definitely know what you mean," Marion smiled. "She's amazing, and she's such a little fighter. I wish they would let her go home too."

"Few more days," Lisa repeated and then sighed, frowning, "which means I'm not going home for a few more days-"

Marion frowned at her, "You really should go home some and rest. You are recovering too. She will not be alone here. Between Dad, you, even me, we can make sure someone is always here with her."

Lisa gave her an appreciative small smile, nodding, but then sighed, "I hope you understand. I've told Jack this, but I'm not leaving here without my baby. It's not happening. I'll sleep on the floor," she chuckled lightly. "She's mine. I've waited 42 years for this, and I am not leaving her. I've told Jack to take care of things at home as he needs to, and I am staying here until she can come home, end of discussion. The NICU said they had a room with some cots, and I'll be more than fine to stay there."

Marion reached over and squeezed Lisa's hand, "You sound exactly like a mom saying that. I wouldn't think of arguing with it."

The two, in their sweet moment, looked up when they heard a knock at the door. A nurse, not one that had been Lisa's normal nurse, stuck her head in.

"The doctor will be here shortly to discharge you. He got caught in a delivery, but he should be here soon."

"Thank you," Lisa nodded at her, and the two women were left alone again. Marion looked around the room, snapping her fingers as she stepped over toward the window.

"We almost forgot these beautiful flowers Dad got you." Marion retrieved them and put them on the cart with Lisa's other things. "They really are beautiful, but he knows you love lilies, so that's no surprise with a gorgeous bouquet of them."

"It's been a real joy to see him this happy and excited. To think," Lisa sighed, shaking her head before she continued, "well, that I was worried Jack would leave me over Nora, that he would be so set in not wanting a baby that he'd leave me."

Marion scrunched up her face, nodding, "I know your emotions were all over the place, but yes, even unexpected, Nora is an amazing blessing, an amazing gift to our entire family. Gosh, like you said, I can't imagine life without her in it now, and she's this tiny little blonde, ahh, bullet," she grinned, "just exploding all of our lives."

Lisa laughed at that, "Hmm, yes, she has certainly shaken things up and did just burst into our lives, still a little sore being reminded of that," she chuckled. "Oh, her hair," Lisa laughed, grinning at Marion. "I can't believe it's so blonde, almost white, but then," she put her hand up to her face, laughing, "that it's completely sticking up, like we gave her a mohawk or something. The NICU nurse helped me try to smooth it down with a bit of baby oil, but nope, that hair," she laughed. "I know it will eventually calm down, but it's so sweet and so crazy. The nurse said she had a feeling it was just like that while I was pregnant, probably pressed up against me like that, and her hair is just used to that right now."

"I LOVE all her hair, and yes, the blonde hair is super cute on her. She's going to look great in pastel colors with that hair color. It will be interesting to see if it stays that blonde, with Dad's well," she rolled her eyes, "dark hair, even if it's gray now. You have blonde hair," Marion waved at Lisa. "Was yours that blonde?"

"No," she smiled. "I just can't believe how much I love her. Yesterday when we were able to sit with her, I didn't even realize three hours had passed until Jack pointed it out. I can't wait to get back down there, if only this doctor would hurry up."

"Oh!" Marion's eyes lit up. "It's your OB, right? Is it that hot doc, Dr. McDreamy? He was easy on the eyes," Marion grinned at Lisa.

Lisa closed her eyes, laughing, as she snorted before she answered, "I don't know. It's the doctor on call today. It's a group practice, so we shall see, but," Lisa paused and stopped laughing, looking at Marion. When Marion caught Lisa's eyes, Lisa grinned at her, "You're right. He's so hot. I could never tell your dad that at any of my appointments. Oh, I was so hormonal and then, to have to talk about things like heartburn with him," she groaned. "Mortifying. Jack is a kind of handsome I can't describe," Lisa shook her head as she crossed her arms, "but that doctor, hmm," she grinned at Marion. "Had you and Tim not gotten back together, I'd have said go for it."

"Hmm, yes, because that wouldn't be weird at all," Marion laughed, continuing, "dating the man who delivered my little sister, who was my stepmom's doctor. No," she shook her head, "not weird at all."

"Knock, knock," they both heard the doctor call out as he opened the door. Marion's eyes widened at Lisa, and both women turned quickly toward the door, both with hands behind them as they stood side by side, smiling. Marion reached up and smoothed down her hair and then did the same to Lisa, grinning widely at her.

"Hi, umm, doctor," Lisa said, fumbling her words.

"Mrs. Stillman, sorry for the delay. I was caught up in a delivery."

"Oh, it's fine," Lisa said, almost breathless, and she caught Marion holding back a chuckle.

"I'm sure you are ready to get out of here-"

"Well, yes but heading down to the NICU. I'm not going home without her."

"I've tried to tell her she has help," Marion cut in, smiling at him. "Hi, ahh, I saw you briefly before Lisa had Nora."

"Ahh, yes," he nodded, pointing, "sisters?"

The two glanced at each other and both let out a snort laugh, Lisa turning back to him, "Ahh, very dear friends and umm," she scratched the back of her head and made a face, "I'm actually her stepmom."

"Little complicated," Marion said with a roll of the eyes. "You've seen my dad, though," she waved, "so you get that he scored the younger, hot wife jackpot with Lisa."

"Ahh," the doctor nodded and continued to tap away at the computer, not really amused by the two women now. "Well, everything looks good here, Mrs. Stillman. A couple of things-"

"Umm, yes," Lisa turned from Marion to look at him. Marion had been mouthing something to her and making some eye movements, but Lisa, knowing it was nothing important, probably improper thoughts about the good doctor, turned toward him and away from Marion. "Sure, aahh, what do I need to do?"

"Okay, so you need to schedule a follow-up with us in six weeks, which is approximately the beginning of February. Just call the office. I'd do it here on the computer, but the systems aren't linked," he told her. "That's for you," he gave her a nod. "Ahh, your daughter," he paused, looking at the paperwork, "Nora, she has a pediatrician after she's discharged?"

"Umm, yes," Lisa could hear Marion in the background almost snickering, and she swatted her hand behind her, but answered the doctor. "Yes, she does, in Hudson."

"Great, otherwise, I have a list we refer from if you need it. Now, back to you," he stated, looking up from his computer. Lisa studied him now after the conversation she and Marion had just had. He was good looking, young, probably early 30's, sandy blonde hair, tall, very, very tall, good build. Yes, Marion was right about him."

"Okay, well, again, ahh, I understand you are staying here down in the NICU until your daughter is discharged, but as far as the OB side of things, you are clear to go home. Call the office if you experience any major problems or significant pain. You had said you were feeling okay, all things considered?"

"Yes, I am," she nodded. "Moving slowly, but doing okay."

"You had a pretty easy birth," he held up his hand. "I realize no birth is easy, and as a man saying that, it's even worse, but you had no complications, not a long labor, and you what, only were pushing for about 40 minutes."

"Wow, Lisa," Marion nudged her, "that's like a rockstar for a first kid. Mine was horrible. He's right-you had it easy."

The doctor continued, "Blood pressure was good and still is. Honestly, speaking freely," he looked at her, and Lisa nodded for him to continue, "for your age and all, you did really, really well. I know she was early, but she was a good size. Despite your food aversions and feeling unwell, you gained a good amount of weight for a baby-"

"That is what I'd love to know how to get off," she sighed, making a face at Marion. "I know some will come with time, but what are we talking? How long until I get back to some normalcy with my weight?'

"Ahh," he nodded frowning, "that really varies, and I wish I had a better answer. Unfortunately, younger women bounce back much faster. Just the way it is with their bodies. I know that isn't what you want to hear. Maybe since you did so well, this will be the same, but I have to warn you that as you know, women in their 40's tend to pick up extra weight just because metabolism changes. I don't know how easily or quickly it will come off. Light exercise to include starting with some walks-once she's discharged, take the baby on a walk in the stroller and work up to more exercise to get that weight off. Now, that needs to wait-the more strenuous exercise, which brings me to another point."

"Okay," she nodded. "I'll be glad to get out and take some walks with her, obviously not in the dead of winter, so I suppose that will have to wait a little too."

"Yeah, probably," he nodded. "The other-"

"Oh, when the weather finally changes, we can walk with her at Fairfield, your nice, long paved driveway," Marion nudged her. Lisa nodded and turned her attention back to the doctor.

"Mentioning activities," he eyed her, "regarding that postpartum check-up in six weeks, "that is to clear you for all activities. Until then, as I said, very light exercise. You didn't have a C-section, so you are cleared to drive and all, carry light loads or the baby in her car seat, but as far as more strenuous things, let others handle that. No moving heavy furniture, climbing ladders, putting away heavy boxes of the Christmas decorations, things like that. Also," he said, in a matter of fact voice as he collected some of his paperwork, "that extends to physical activities with your husband. Give yourself the six weeks to heal before resuming any activities with him."

"Oh," Marion waved her hand, with a dismissive look at Lisa, "that's jus a suggestion," she grinned widely. "I mean, I don't know any women who waited that long or for that specific appointment. I know I didn't. Maggie has told me she didn't," and as Marion was just blabbering away, she froze, and her face turned to a deep red crimson. Her eyes widened, and she made a face, looking at the doctor first. "Sorry, doc, probably not the right setting to be admitting that to you, but oh gosh," she put her hand to her face and looked to Lisa. "I can't believe I just encouraged that. I mean," she shook her head with her eyes tightly closed, "no, it's you and Dad. No, sorry. Don't listen to me. Not happening. Just don't ever touch my dad again. I don't want to know what is going on down the hall since we all have to live together. Nora was just immaculate conception. Dad's old. He has no carnal feelings left-"

"Marion!" Lisa interrupted, now beet red herself. She eyed Marion, and Marion grimaced and nodded at her, trying to convey how sorry she was for sticking her foot in her mouth. Both looked to the doctor.

The doctor was now also red, clearly embarrassed when he had been pretty calm, cool, and collected. "Okay, yeah, well, never had that conversation with a stepmom-stepdaughter. So, umm, let's just get back to the postpartum checkup-"

Lisa cut him off, putting her hand up, "I think I'm clear. I understand and will make an appointment."

"Good, any other questions?"

"No," Lisa said quickly, her face still red. She fanned her face, feeling the redness from Marion's blabbering, and the doctor then tapped some paperwork on his table. "Here are your discharge papers. You are all set, and we will see you in the office soon. Oh," he snapped his finger, eyeing Lisa, "just ahh, speak to your husband about whatever plans you would like going forward, and we can discuss that at your appointment."

Lisa's face reddened again, catching Marion there looking at her in horror, and she pursed her lips and nodded at the doctor, "Okay, thank you. I will."

He left the room quickly, and Marion folded over, hands on her face.

"Oh gosh, I am so embarrassed! I can't believe I said that and in front of the hot doctor! I can't believe I said that period right here with you. Yes, you've been good about personal boundaries with Dad. I know I joke a lot, but that there was a nightmare, my nightmare."

"I'm not going to disagree with you," Lisa sighed, walking to the table to collect the paperwork left for her. Marion stood up, caught Lisa's eye, and Lisa rolled her eyes at her. Marion finally just burst out laughing.

"Gosh, so embarrassing. Seriously, ugh, but really," she frowned, "if you do have any questions about," she waved her hand, "you know, female stuff after having a baby, I will answer. I know I didn't really want to ask my mom things, and sometimes you suffer in silence. Two kids later, I feel like a pro."

"Thank you," Lisa said with a small smile. "You know what I want to talk about?"

"What's that? Anything, please, other than the hot doctor and the romantic goings on of my dad-"

"A trip to the NICU," she stated. "I want to talk to the nurses about my sweet girl and see how she's doing."

"Let's get out of here," Marion nodded in agreement, grabbing the cart she'd brought up for Lisa's things. "I'm going to take your things to the car, I mean, aside from the bag you want to keep here to stay, and I'll meet you in the NICU. We'll have to pry Nora from Dad, but maybe I can get him to go eat something."

"Hmm, yes," Lisa nodded, stepping toward the door. "You know what-the one good thing for me, about not really leaving the hospital," she grinned and added before Marion spoke, "no wheelchair because I'm not really leaving."

"So true. I'll run this down and be back soon. You go to the NICU."

"Yes, and," she eyed Marion, "never a word of that train wreck of a conversation to Jack, deal?"

"You don't have to ask me twice," Marion laughed. "Good grief."

"Oh, but I will tell Maggie all about it. She'll die when she hears how you put your foot in your mouth."

Marion shook her head as she pushed the cart down the hall with Lisa walking next to her, "Tim will die when I tell him, but at least I don't have to have some ideas of the goings-on of my dad for six weeks," she burst out laughing.

Lisa eyed her and waited for Marion to stop laughing, smirking at her, "I thought you said no on waited six weeks?"