"I never thought you could look more beautiful than the day I married you, but I think this image right here puts that to shame. Takes my breath away."
Lisa looked up from the recliner chair where she had been feeding Nora her morning bottle and smiled tenderly at Jack as he stepped up to her, bent down, kissed her cheek, and gently ran his hand down Nora's swaddled blanket.
"Morning," she smiled up at him as she smiled sweetly, giving him a nudgeto give her another kiss. He, too, smiled as he did that and then pulled up a chair right next to Lisa to observe Nora's morning feeding.
"How are you two doing this morning?" She looks like she's eating well.
Lisa nodded, smiling at Nora making her tiny suckling sounds as she drank her bottle, "She is. She's just perfect, Jack. Ahh, she had a pretty good night, up for those feedings almost exactly every two and a half hours. I won't object to her going a little longer as she gets bigger and stronger. Oh," she grinned, looking over at him, "they weighed her this morning, and you know how they told us she would lose weight initially and has?"
"Mmm hmm," Jack nodded as he leaned back and crossed his arms.
"She's right at 6 lbs again. Hopefully, her little 10 day stay here has been enough for her to be on the upswing now with her weight."
"That's great to hear," he winked at her and patted at Nora's foot that she had now kicked out of the bottom of the swaddle. "Keep it up, kiddo. We need you to get big and strong." He gestured at Lisa, "You told me about her night. How was yours? Did you get up to feed her each time?"
"Of course," she said with a single nod. "I'm her mom. That's my job."
"Actually," he leaned in closer, kissing her cheek again, "while she's here in the hospital, it's their job, I mean, not that you can't, but they are here to help, Lise. You aren't going to recover as easily if you aren't resting yourself. She's running a tight ship for us all," he gave a nod and smile to Nora, "with that feeding schedule of hers."
"I know, but, I just wanted to feed her," she said tilting her head and smiling at Jack. "I wasn't going to sleep soundly knowing she was going to awaken soon. I've been fine. I've been sleeping well in this chair."
"Yeah, but for over a week now, which brings me to my next question-"
"Which is?"
"Are my girls here ready to go home today? I'm really missing you both and really, really want you home for Christmas Eve today."
Lisa's smile widened more than it had in a very, very long time, "Oh, we're ready to go home. I've been telling her all about it, what life will be like growing up on the ranch, what it will be like having horses all around her-"
"And cattle," Jack winked.
Lisa chuckled, nodding, as she shifted Nora, "And beef cattle, yes, as well as what it will be like to travel some, go to France, see my horse races-"
"She's sounded pretty spoiled already," he winked.
"I have no comment on that, except to say I've done nothing of the sort since I've barely bought anything for her," Lisa laughed. "We haven't even talked about how much her sister and her nieces are planning to spoil her too." Jack chuckled, nodding at her comment. Nora finished with the bottle, and Lisa handed it off to Jack. He saw the burp cloths nearby and got one for Lisa, eyeing her.
"I'd offer to burp her, but I can guess you want to do that?"
"How'd you know?" Lisa laughed. Lisa shifted Nora to her shoulder and started gently patting her while she shifted in her chair, moving sideways to face Jack and folding up her leg under her. Jack watched Lisa with Nora and reached over to pat Lisa's leg.
"Really happy they are going to discharge her today. That's about the best Christmas gift we could ever want."
"Just remember that," she gave him a nudge of her chin. "I can't top this next year," she laughed again, and Jack joined her. Once she'd burped Nora, she frowned but then handed her over to him. "I suppose I'll share, I mean, since I've had her the last what, 10 hours or so?"
"Well, thank you," he grinned at her as he accepted Nora. "Good morning, Pumpkin. Glad to hear you and Mom had a good night. Ahh, that hair is starting to calm down a little," he nodded at Lisa as he examined Nora for the morning. "Man, Lise, she has your gorgeous eyes. I say it each day, but she does."
Lisa leaned over further, pointing at her, "She has your nose, yours and Marion's. I can't stop seeing that each day."
"Her mouth curves like yours," he said and quickly leaned over to peck Lisa's lips. She grinned at him nodding to Nora.
"Just save that part for me," she winked, clarifying, "the kissing part." Jack chuckled, and the couple turned back to her.
She had her eyes open some, making a lot of little noises as she scrunched up her feet and then kicked more out of her swaddle. Jack took her and put her on his lap, unfolding the blankets and just looking at her there. Lisa leaned over the chair, and the couple just stared at Nora there on Jack's lap as she took the opportunity to stretch her arms and legs, almost as if she knew that was what she should do. She put her little hands over her head, and Lisa met Jack's quick gaze and smiled again at him, beamed at him really. Both looked back at Nora who Lisa had dressed in a lilac sleeper Marion had purchased. The color was so sweet with her white blonde hair. Marion had happily purchased quiet a bit already, and Lisa had spoken to Jack about that earlier in the week.
"You know, I want to do something really lovely for Marion when we get settled at home. She's just been so wonderful through all of this, stepping up to help anywhere she can. She's been running things at home for you a lot when you've been here. She's been coming here when she can too, and I know she's been coordinating things with Maggie, you know about what we need. I know you feel the same that we couldn't have done this without her help. Our daughter here would be dressed in a diaper and that would be about it."
Jack nodded, "I completely agree with you, and yes, I think doing something for her would be a great idea. What did you have in mind?"
"I think she deserves a weekend away, a weekend to relax, reset, and just enjoy her own family, not that I don't love this big, crazy family we all are. I'd really like for us to send her on a getaway for the weekend, maybe to the resort at Banff. It's not that far, but beautiful in the winter. Spa on site, and obviously, we'll cover all the expenses. Plus, I don't have to mention who she might take with her," Lisa smiled softly at Jack. He just groaned, but nodded, agreeing with her.
"You know, Tim has been a big help too, I mean at the ranch and all. As much as I hate to admit it, yes, the two of them deserve a nice weekend away. Something tells me if we do that, Amy will disappear with Sorayah for the weekend, so in a way," he shrugged, "we all get a little peace and quiet and time to reset. Marion and Tim need it. Amy adores her friend, and you, Nora, and I need it after living here in this hospital for 10 days. I like it. Sign me up for this gift idea."
"Great," Lisa grinned. "I can book it all here with my laptop, and we can give her that as part of her Christmas. Check her schedule, and we'll plan to send her in January."
"Already know this time of year, her schedule is wide open," he smiled. "Great idea, Lise, a few days away for Marion," he sighed loudly, "and Tim."
"Stop it," Lisa had swatted at him gently because at that moment, he was running his hand over Norah's head while she was drifting off to sleep, and the two had been quietly talking. With all the other noises in the NICU, machines, alarms, everything, Nora didn't seem to mind hearing the voices of her parents. She slept on and the couple formed their plan.
As Jack and Lisa were just staring at Nora, completely in awe, she opened her mouth and just all of a sudden let out a high-pitched cry, one that almost startled Lisa.
"Oh, what's wrong? She seemed so content." Nora scrunched up her face, and Jack shifted, putting his hands there to pick her up while Nora's cry intensified. The nurse stepped over and smiled at the couple.
"Good morning, you three. Merry Christmas," she told them. "Someone is unhappy."
Lisa shook her head, frowning now, "She was so sweet, not a sound out of her. Finished her bottle, burped her, and she started crying when Jack put her on his lap."
Jack frowned with a roll of his eyes, "I make all the pretty girls cry." That had Lisa and the nurse laugh. The nurse nodded at Nora as Jack was now intent on picking her up.
"She looks like she's straining, about to go," she winked at Lisa. "That's all it is. Her little body is regulating itself, although not the present you want today," she laughed. Lisa looked at Nora and back a the nurse.
"Really? I honestly don't know much about babies. I was the youngest, and I have one nephew, but his mom and I aren't close. I'm close to him. She sends him to visit some, or did before she was going through this nasty divorce of hers that has dragged on for a couple of years, but I don't know baby cries."
"Yeah, she's right," Jack said now, picking up Nora with a grimace. "No doubt she needs a diaper change now."
"See," the nurse patted Lisa's shoulder. "That was it. She's not crying now," and the three all looked at Nora who looked calm and content now, closing her eyes like she was ready to go back to sleep.
"Huh, okay," Lisa nodded. She smirked at Jack, "Since you have her, you may have the honors."
"You know, two can play this game," he smirked back, standing up with Nora in his arms. "I'll remember the quick handoff after feedings. Seems to me we should have a rule-whoever feeds her, changes her."
"I'll agree to no such rule," Lisa said, now standing too to clean up the bottle and things she had out. The nurse spoke to them as Jack was right there changing Nora.
"The specialist on call will be in soon, as you know. He likes to get his rounds in early, and with today Christmas Eve, I expect he'll have you three discharged by mid-morning. Now, her car seat-"
"It's right here," Lisa moved out of the way, over by Nora's bassinet area, "they had her in it yesterday for over an hour, and she did just fine. No issues."
"Great, yes, it's noted on her chart, but she'll have to be strapped in that to leave, no carrying her out. We'll help you when it's time, but we're all so glad she's done well and can go home for Christmas."
"What a present for your mom and dad, Nora," the nurse smiled at her there on the changing table area. "You two," she looked at Lisa and Jack, "have been a joy in here."
"No, you have been amazing, all of you," Lisa said gripping her arm. "I can't thank you enough. She really had no issues other than being really early, and I know from being in here so many of these sweet babies are really sick. I'm counting my blessings, truthfully. Listen, we have trays of sandwiches and desserts coming today for the entire floor. It's the least we can do."
"Really?" The nurse's eyes widened. "Oh, you didn't need to do that. This is our job."
"Yes, well, even if it is, we can show our appreciation, and yes, Merry Christmas and thank you for taking such good care of our little girl."
"I'll leave you three for now. I need to check on a couple others, but you're free to bathe her, get her ready to head home to that family of yours we've all heard about."
"Oh, they can't wait to see her," Jack smiled. "Marion has, as you know, but Amy has been too young even at 13 to come in here, so she's dying to see her."
"It's a good day to go home," the nurse smiled and gave them a nod as she stepped away.
Jack finished with Nora and turned to Lisa, noticing that she was dressed for the day.
"Wow, you look very nice, a lot more like yourself. When did you get these?" He gestured to her, where she had on simple jeans and a red long-sleeved shirt with a black vest over it. The two had barely noticed each other the last few days with all their attention on Nora. Lisa smiled softly at him and gestured to her outfit.
"It's the first time I've felt somewhat like myself in a long time. Ahh, nothing too exciting here," she grinned as she rolled her eyes. "The jeans are maternity ones. I'm finding things that fit around five months or so are what are working now. Same with this top, something I got early on in my pregnancy, and as you know, I didn't go crazy buying a lot. Same with this vest," she gestured to it, "one of my maternity ones I wore a lot for work. The last few weeks I felt like a whale and barely had anything that was comfortable."
"Well, you look really lovely," he winked, reaching over to squeeze her hand. "I know you're frustrated with your weight and your clothes."
"Ahh, a little," she shrugged, gesturing at Nora, "but I'm really not complaining, not after being in the NICU seeing how sick some of these babies are. I know I have a long way to go to get back to any semblance of my own body. The doctor said it may never really happen especially with my age, and as hard as it is to hear, I'll take the battle scars," she grinned, waving her hand, "because the extra weight and all is worth it. It gave us her."
Jack looked over at Nora, there eyes fluttering, and Jack gestured back to the little bassinet she'd been sleeping in. "I think someone is nodding off on us, finds her very old parents boring already." The two chuckled, and Jack put her down where she settled to go back to sleep. The two moved to chairs they'd taken residence in, both nodding to a couple of other parents nearby who had their own little corners to sit.
"Well," Jack took Lisa's hand in his, "if I can do anything to help as you try to get yourself back, you let me know. I'll be glad to take walks with you and Nora. I know at some point you'll want to get back to riding-"
"Hmm, yes, that will be fun," she rolled her eyes. "Not quite on my radar for today."
"How are you doing? You still sore?"
"Actually," she nodded, "I'm doing okay, better than I expected. I'd never wish a stay here on anyone, but just being here in this room all day, every day, I've gotten some rest, which sounds impossible, but I have. No cooking or cleaning or thinking about doing those things. I'm just here, watching her, resting when I can, ordering everything under the sun, and I've even been able to keep up with Fairfield. As I've told you, just because I'm out of commission for the moment doesn't mean the stable stops."
"I know," he said with a roll of his head, "and I've been checking in with Harry each day. He's a good manager and treats your stable like his own."
"I know," she nodded at Jack, taking his hand in hers, the two hands clasped on her lap. "I've really missed you, just talking like this. I miss sitting at home with you and am so ready to get back home."
"Me too," he said, leaning over to kiss her cheek. She squeezed their joined hands again, nodding at him. "It's going to be a really special Christmas."
"Oh," Lisa's eyes widened, "food for tomorrow-"
"See," he tugged at their hands, "you just said it's been nice not worrying about that being here-"
"Right, but I'll be home now, and it's Christmas, and we have nothing-"
"Stop," he chuckled and met her gaze. "Amy and Sorayah made Christmas cookies. They had a good time doing that. Maggie sent over a couple of desserts too-an apple pie and a Christmas coffee cake. That's set. I'm going to put a turkey in for Christmas. I've done plenty before. You, my dear," he winked at her, "are going to rest and that's it. Just sit there and look pretty," he winked at her.
"Nora," she gave a nod to. Jack chuckled and nodded as well.
"Yes, of course, you can take care of her, but it's not all on you. I'll be there, and I can guarantee we have a 13-year-old who is dying to help with her too. Not many can say they bottle fed their aunt and changed her diapers." Lisa grinned and held back a laugh for a moment but then just started laughing. She glanced over at Jack.
"How about a compromise? I'll do mashed potatoes. Those sound great with a turkey."
"Deal," he offered her his hand to shake on it. He winked at her, and she grinned at him. "Knew that was going to happen. Already bought the potatoes, and we all love your mashed potatoes. Amy already asked if you might do those. I didn't want to ask, but I know you and knew you wouldn't just sit there idle. You can still look pretty," he winked at Lisa, and she laughed. "Marion is taking care of the vegetables and rolls. Good thing we put up the tree early December, so it looks and feels like Christmas at home. Nice quiet dinner tomorrow though. No extra guests, and anymore," he rolled his eyes, "I'm not even counting Tim as a guest."
Lisa bumped his shoulder, "He's not, no. You wouldn't have wanted anyone to call me a guest before we got married then either."
"No, I would not," he agreed. "Back to earlier, speaking of your sister, have you spoken with her?"
Lisa nodded, "A couple times, yes. She's called to check on Nora, and while I've tried to update her, the conversation, both times, has quickly turned to her divorce woes. I know what that is like. I've been through it, but she bring drama into anything she does, more than needed. She's very self-centered, and honestly, I feel awful for Ben."
"You talked to him too?"
She nodded, "Yes, he's been so kind and so thoughtful. Do you know that he called me and wanted me to send him pictures? He's excited he has a cousin. I asked him how he was doing, and I can hear the hurt in his voice. This divorce is wearing on him. I had a thought-"
"Do I dare to ask or should I just agree now?" Jack winked at her. She chuckled and titled her head. "That's the look," he pointed. "Sure, whatever you want."
"Stop," she laughed, nudging her shoulder against his. "I thought that maybe we invite him to the ranch this summer. I know you could use the help. He could bring his horse, Red, a jumper. I bought him Red before we met. Maybe even he and Amy could train together."
"It's a great idea," he nodded. "Your family is mine and is always welcome. I support whatever you would like to do and hate to hear Ben is being dragged through that. I saw it with Lou. Amy was too young, but Lou had the brunt of it too. Ahh, Ben could use Lou's room while he's here."
"Great," she nodded. "I'll sit on that for a little while but will offer it to him once things settle at home. Oh gosh," she groaned, "speaking of rooms-you just mentioned Lou's, and I haven't had time to really think about it, but I guess when you said you had a plan, I thought maybe you were wanting to put Nora in Lou's room."
Jack glanced at her with a sheepish look on his face, "We can put Nora upstairs."
Lisa considered what he said, shook her head, and then tilted it with a perplexed look on her face, "Wait, huh? You're banishing the baby to the attic?"
"No," he bumped his shoulder against hers, "that's the project I've been working on, with Tim," he nodded. "Actually, we've all worked to keep it quiet but surprise you. I thought about it a few months ago, where we were going to put Nora, long before you wanted to acknowledge that very pregnant stomach of yours was actually going to produce a baby," he winked. She groaned. "Tim and I cleared out the attic then. I was going to surprise you with a clean room at Christmas because as you recall, our initial deal was to start prepping for her now."
"Wow," Lisa's eyes widened, and she shook her head. "It's almost surreal to imagine being pregnant now, still. I hate she came early, but the idea of still being pregnant," she sighed. "No thank you. Somehow, she was a normal size, a little small, but I was definitely a huge pregnant lady. Okay," she turned back to him and smiled with a nod. "You cleaned out the upstairs?"
"I did. Tim did. We did some renovating. That's mainly what Tim has been working on since Nora has been born and why I have no argument he and Marion deserve a break, a trip. Amy chipped in. She and Sorayah helped Marion paint. I hope you like it. They took the bedding you picked out-"
"Oh, the navy blue with the pink elephants?" Lisa's eyes widened. "Oh, that was adorable, but I just put it on that list of Marion's for later. Nora can use a bassinet or something in our room. I ordered that-"
Jack nodded, "Maggie purchased your bedding. It's already there. Marion and Tim," he nudged her, "bought a rocking chair for you, along with a full wardrobe."
"Oh my," she shook her head. "I'm speechless with people's generosity."
He nudged her shoulder again, "I bought a crib set, one Marion saw you'd bookmarked or whatever it's called on your computer."
"That expensive French one?" Lisa's eyes widened. "You did?" She almost looked horrified, and Jack chuckled, pulling her toward him where he kissed her head.
"Of course, I did. Now, I have a beef with you about those directions being in French, but we got it put together, Tim and I. It's that gray set, so it's not the same wood throughout the entire house. Wall are a very light gray, contrast to the dark gray crib. Then, there's that navy and pink set you liked. Marion and Amy made the curtains."
"You're serious?" Lisa's eyes widened. "I'm, I'm, I'm speechless."
He made a face, "Hope it's okay, but it's all ready."
"Okay? I wouldn't decide on anything," she said, smiling warmly at him. She put her hand on his shoulder and pulled her toward him, kissing him there, tenderly. "Thank you. That's a wonderful gift."
"Oh, I ahh, I took the bassinet thing back," he told her sheepishly. "See, I wanted to tell you all of this now so you can be prepared, still excited and surprised, but I know it's a lot and will overwhelm you, not that bringing a baby home is any small task. Ahh, there's a family cradle, one that has been in the Bartlett familiy for generations. Tim and I fixed it up, got it ready. It's tight in our room, but I knew you'd want Nora nearby at least for now."
"You have a family cradle?" Lisa's eyes widened, and she teared up as she nodded. "That's about the most beautiful thing I've heard. I love you so much," she told him, leaning over to kiss him again.
"Ahh, well, good morning you two," they pulled back quickly from their kiss and smiled sheepishly up at the attending. "Always nice to see happy parents in here. Many days, it's not a happy place." Both Jack and Lisa wiped quickly at their faces and stood to talk to the doctor.
"Morning, Doc," Jack reached to shake his hand. "We have good reason to be happy. You're sending our little girl home and for Christmas."
"Indeed I am," he smiled at them. "Now, let's get this going and get you three on your way. I like to say this-it's been a pleasure, but I really don't want to have to see any of you in here again."
Lisa chuckled, almost coming out as a cry, nodding at him and then smiling at Jack, "I don't think you have to worry about that. She's been the biggest surprise, the biggest blessing, and all we want to do is settle in at home, get back to ranching, horse breeding, and raise now a beautiful and healthy little girl. That, I thought I would never do, and I'm not about to take a second of it for granted. You can tell other parents our crazy story, how the old, oddball couple miraculously and unexpected had a baby at our ages."
He smiled at them, chuckling himself, "And, as I've told you, you're not the oldest mom in here, by far, but yes, let's take a look at Nora. You two can get her dressed and packed up, and yes, go and enjoy your family Christmas. You've certainly been very blessed."