79. Love Takes It's Own Time
Thanks so much for the reviews on the last chapter. I didn't expect that many and I'm so glad that you guys liked the names of the twins. I
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Jay smiled proudly and leaned his head back. "I can't believe I have a son."
"I thought it didn't matter to you?" Erin smirked, patting Caleb's back softly.
"It didn't until I held him," Jay shrugged. "I love the girls just as much as I love him but he's my son, Erin." Erin nodded her head, understanding.
"You don't have to explain it to me. I know." She chuckled softly as Caleb burped and cradled him in her arms.
"You know something Er?" Jay turned to her grinning.
"What?" she asked happily, twisting his wedding band on his finger.
He looked quickly at their daughter before looking back at her. "We make damn beautiful babies." She laughed, happily and returned her attention to her son.
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Erin sighed and rested the carrier on her hip as she waited for Jay to unlock the front door, struggling himself, to balance the baby and their bags. "Give him to me Jay, just unlock the door. It's cold."
Jay sighed and dropped the bags to the ground, handing the baby's chair to his wife. "Is Everly home?" she asked, expectantly, hoping she'd see her daughter for the first time in three days.
Everly had come down with croup the day after she'd gone to Hank's. None of them wanted to risk infecting Erin with the bug for fear of putting the twins' fragile health in danger.
Erin sighed tiredly as Jay kicked open the door and tossed the bags inside. "Take it easy Jay," she grinned at him, kicking him lightly on the ass.
"Hey," he spun around, grinning back. "Be nice." She laughed softly and set the carriers on the floor, sliding her coat off her shoulders. "Burgess brought Everly home a few days ago. She didn't want to stay with Hank." He took her coat and hung it up in the closet.
"She didn't?" Erin asked surprised. "Is there something you aren't telling me Jay. If it's about Everly you can't keep it from me." Jay sighed and picked the carriers off the floor, moving into the living room.
"She was sick Erin. You already know that."
"So why did she want to leave Hank's. That's not like her," Erin frowned worriedly. "Is she alright?"
Jay nodded and pulled the blankets off the sleeping twins. "You know how Everly is when she's sick," he shrugged and pulled Arden from her chair.
"Tell me how she was this time," Erin insisted, taking her daughter from Jay's arms. Jay sighed and sat down on the coffee table, folding the blanket in his lap.
"She was sick and she was exhausted and she was irritable."
"She wanted me," Erin sighed, sitting down on the chair, the baby in her lap. Jay nodded and smiled slightly.
"That's why Burgess picked her up, she figured if Everly couldn't have her mom she could have the next best thing." Erin nodded slightly and began to remove the baby's sweater. "She understands why you couldn't be with her Erin. She's not upset." Erin sighed and forced a smile at her husband.
"I promised her I'd always be there Jay. I swore to her that the babies would never interfere with me being her mommy." Jay tossed the blanket on the table and stood up quickly.
"Erin you were giving birth. What were you supposed to do?." She gave him a stern look, gesturing to the babies, slightly startled by their father's outburst.
"I get that Jay. I know there's nothing that can be done but it still disturbs me that my child was sick and I couldn't help her." Jay nodded and moved back to the couch, unzipping Caleb's coat and pulling the tiny boy into his arms. They heard the slow, unsure creaking of a door opening and Jay looked quickly at Erin before setting their son back in his chair. Erin did the same, rising quickly out of the chair and easing Arden into her seat, turning expectantly to the source of the noise.
"Mama?" a timid voice called out, followed by a 20 month old poking her head out the door.
Erin smiled maternally and crouched down in the entrance of the living room, her arms outstretched. Everly dropped her teddy bear in the hall and flew into Erin's arms, burying her face in the soft crook of her mother's neck. "Hi Baby," Erin whispered, running her hands through Everly's thick hair. "How are you feeling?" Everly sniffled lightly and clutched Erin's neck tighter.
"Me ok." Everly explained.
Erin smiled sadly and rubbed her daughter's back comfortingly.
"I'm sorry I wasn't here to take care of you pumpkin."
Everly nodded into Erin's shirt.
"But you know what?" Everly shook her head and pulled away, letting Erin stand. "The babies and I are really going to need some help. They need their big sister to help us show them how much we all love them." Everly smiled and nodded as she looked up at her mommy.
Erin grinned, reaching out for Everly's hand. "Now I want you to come in here for a second. We've got something to show you." Everly smiled in anticipation and slid her hand into Erin's. She followed her into the living room where Jay stood grinning by the door.
"There's my baby," he swooped down and hoisted her into the air, bringing her into his chest for a bear hug as Everly giggled happily.
"Hi da-dee. Me miss ooo." Jay grinned and kissed her cheeks.
"I missed you too Princess."
Caleb let out a tiny squawk and Everly looked down at the couch. Looking up at her father she slid from his arms to the floor and moved to look at the baby, whose face was scrunched up, preparing to let out a wail. Erin stood back and watched as her daughter approached the seats on the couch, watching the interaction protectively.
The baby's face became a dark shade of red and he began to scream, his fists waving angrily. Everly stood still for a moment, moving only to slide her tiny finger into the baby's smaller fist. "Hi baby," she cooed softly, stroking the outside of the baby's hand. "Why cwy?."
Jay grinned and moved to Erin's side, wrapping his arm around her waist. She gave his hand a gentle squeeze before moving to Everly's side and running her hand along the baby's wrinkled forehead.
"Everly, this is your baby brother Caleb." Everly continued stroking the baby's fist, her eyes never leaving his flailing body.
"Brover?." Everly repeated as she stared down at the baby.
Erin smiled proudly and picked the baby up from his chair, holding him tighly against her chest as she bounced him gently. Everly saw slight movement from the other chair and she took a step sideways, looking down into the other seat.
"That's your baby sister," Jay crouched behind her, his hands on her shoulders. "Her name's Arden."
Everly grinned and touched her sister's foot.
"Sisser," she whispered, turning around to look at her mother.
Erin smiled and sat down on the couch, unbuttoning her sweater to feed the wailing baby.
"Mama, doin?" Everly asked curiously, climbing onto the couch beside Erin. Erin smiled and stroked Everly's hair as Caleb latched on and began to eat hungrily.
"I'm feeding Caleb, sweetheart," she told her daughter.
"This is where babies get their milk from." Everly watched in amazement as the baby grunted and pawed at Erin's breast.
"Baby hunwee" she asked, moving closer into Erin's arm.
Erin nodded and pulled the cotton cap from Caleb's head, stroking his hair gently. His eyes fluttered and closed, but he continued to eat.
"You used to get milk from Mommy too but you were never like this when you ate," she smiled at her daughter's face. "You were very quiet and very still when you ate, Mommy used to fall asleep when I fed you because you were such a good eater."
Everly grinned and looked at her father who nodded his head.
"When you cried at night we used to put you in bed with us and we'd all go back to sleep. We never even knew you were there." Everly grinned proudly and touched the baby's cheek.
"Sisser?" she asked, looking over where her sister had begun to stir.
"Arden is very different from you and Caleb," Jay told her, picking the baby up from her seat. "She doesn't like to cry, she waits for Mommy or me to pick her up instead."
Everly watched her father sit down, her sister cradled in his arms. "And when she eats she doesn't go to sleep right away like you and Caleb. She likes to watch Mommy's face." Everly smiled at her sister who was staring intently at Jay's face as she experimented with the movements of her fingers.
Erin grinned up at Jay as Caleb relaxed in Erin's arms, releasing her breast.
"Do you want to help me burp Caleb, Everly?" she asked, smiling.
Everly grinned and nodded and Erin chuckled as she eased the sleeping boy over her shoulder. "Put your hand on his back gently. His neck is very weak, he doesn't know how to hold his head up by himself yet," she told her. "And pat his back gently, like this." Erin took her daughter's hand and patted the baby's back gently.
"He wittle," Everly smiled, as Erin sat back and watched her children.
"He is pretty little isn't he?" Jay grinned, reaching over to wipe milk from the corner of his son's mouth. And he gently took Caleb from Erin's arms.
"Me wittle?" Everly turned to her father. Erin reached over Everly to gather Arden from Jay's arms.
"Well," he smiled, passing the baby over Everly. "You were almost seven pounds. Caleb and Arden are six, so you weren't that much bigger than them."
Everly smiled, giggling fiercely when Caleb let out a loud burp.
"Why don't you come over here and help Daddy put Caleb in his swing. He's going to have a little sleep."
Everly grinned proudly and slid off the couch, following Jay to the other side of the room where two swings were set up with cradles hanging from them. She pulled back the blankets in one and watched as Jay set the baby in gently. When he stepped back she pulled the blankets loosely around him.
"Night night Caweb," she whispered, stepping back slightly. Jay approached the cradle and kissed his fingers, setting them on the baby's tiny lips.
"Sleep tight baby boy," he whispered, resting his hand on the baby's quickly moving tummy. Erin watched proudly from the sofa, Arden sucking her thumb contentedly in her arms.
"Sisser nap?" Everly asked, standing at her mother's feet. Erin shook her head and kissed the baby's fist.
"Arden just wants to snuggle with Mommy for a little while." Everly nodded softly and gestured for Jay to pick her up.
"Why don't we go in the kitchen and make your Mommy some dinner, huh baby girl?" Jay bounced her wildly in his arms, kissing her cheek. Everly giggled and nodded as Erin rose from the couch.
"Why don't we all make dinner together, I still have one arm." Everly giggled again and wrapped her arms around her father's neck.
"Papa and Wiv too?" she asked, giving her father puppy dog eyes.
"You don't have to give me that look girl," Jay grinned.
"Go ahead and ask them." Everly squealed and slid from her father's arms, running toward the phone on the base.
Jay chuckled and slid his arms around Erin, bending down to kiss Arden's forehead. "I love you," he said emphatically, planting a gentle kiss on Erin's lips.
"I love you," she returned, shifting the baby in between them. "You know what Jay?"
He shook his head wordlessly, kissing her again. "Our family is perfect." He grinned and kissed her again.
"I know." He set a crooked smile on her face.
"You know everything these days don't you?" she joked, rubbing her cheek against the down on the baby's head.
He nodded happily and moved his kisses to his daughter. "Then you know we're going to Wisconsin in a week?" he pulled away and frowned.
"Since when?"
"Since it's almost the holidays and I have just given birth to your children," she toyed with him. "The time honoured tradition of introducing our children to your cabin for the first time."
"Er," Jay groaned. "Not this again."
"Jay," she grinned. "You cannot deny me anything now. I own you." He looked at her incredulously.
"Explain that one to me, I'm having a little trouble grasping why."
"You mean you're not grateful to me for bearing you three beautiful children, even a son in there for good measure. Jay that hurts," she grinned, rubbing gentle circles on Arden's back.
"You hit below the belt, you know that Er?" he grinned back, reaching for the baby. She pulled away abruptly, still smiling.
"No babies for you until I see dinner on the table." He gaped at her.
"Who are you and what have you done with my wife. You know, the one who used to be nice to me." She chuckled and leaned forward to kiss him.
"Poor baby. Now I'm hungry and tired of hospital food. Show me what you got." He wagged his eyebrows and moved his hand to the zipper of his jeans.
"If that's what you want." Erin shrieked and kicked him lightly.
"Stop. We have three kids" she laughed.
She smiled and moved to Burgess who had been busy bringing in Everly's things from her car, hugging her gently.
"Thanks for taking care of my baby," she whispered.
"Thanks for taking care of me too."
Burgess hugged her back, careful not to squish the baby.
"It was my pleasure. It was a learning experience for me and Adam since we're going to have two kids this time next year. Adam and Jack enjoyed her company and I did too. We had a lot of fun when she wasn't releasing bodily fluids in one way or another."
Jay groaned and swung Everly up in the air.
"That's gross Burgess, we don't want to hear about that."
Burgess pulled away from Erin and rolled her eyes at Jay, eliciting a giggle from Everly.
"Jay go," Erin ordered him, pointing to the kitchen. "I'm hungry."
Everly laughed and kicked her father's sides.
"Go Da-dee. Run." Everly said
Jay groaned.
"You guys are driving me crazy." He turned and galloped into the kitchen, Everly squealing delightedly. Erin chuckled and eased herself into the couch, holding Arden in front of her face.
"Your daddy's easy." Arden stared unblinking, her tongue popping in and out of her mouth. Erin sat the baby in her lap and looked over at Burgess. "Sit down, you are making me nervous." Burgess took a seat on the couch and smiled.
"Everybody's okay?" Burgess asked hesitantly. "I haven't seen Caleb yet." Erin gestured to the moving swing in the corner.
"He's responsible for that ear shattering display a little while ago. There's certainly nothing wrong with him. He's his father's son, everybody has to know he's here." Burgess chuckled.
"And her?" she gestured to the baby fiddling with her fingers again.
"She's perfect," Erin brought the baby's lips to hers quickly. "Not that they're not all perfect," she clarified, returning her daughter to her lap. "She's healthy and strong, and curious, and peaceful and content to just sit in my arms and relax." Burgess nodded happily.
"Good. No more worries."
Erin snorted and shifted the baby so she was cradled in the crook of her arm. "Not likely. With every baby comes a billion and one worries that never ever go away. They're mostly good worries but they're worries nonetheless."
Burgess rolled her eyes and gazed at the baby.
"So how does it feel to be a mother of three?" she smiled. "Better yet, how does it feel to be a thirty year old mother of three with a better figure than half the mothers of Everly's friends with only one?"
Erin laughed and pushed herself up from the couch.
"Can't complain," she grinned. "Now I have to go help my family in the kitchen before Jay sets the place on fire. I'll call you when dinner's ready."
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"Hey Burgess, hand me that hammer, would you?"
Kim sat up and stretched her back, and she looked around her.
"Where is it?"
"Last time I saw it it was on the table."
Kim turned and plucked the large hammer from the table of her dad's garage. Kim's parents had just returned from a cruise and had bought a dresser that they needed help putting together, so they enlisted the help of Adam.
Kim grabbed the hammer and walked it over to where Adam was standing in the hot garage. "You want a drink, sweetheart?" she asked, tousling his sweat soaked hair. "You're hot."
"Thanks, you're not so bad yourself," he grinned mischeviously.
Kim laughed and slapped him playfully on his bare back. "That's not what I meant."
"I would love a drink," he raised his eyebrow, standing up beside her. "We should take a break anyway. Besides, you and the little Barbossa need some rest" Adam said placing his hand on Kim's flat stomach.
"Barbossa?" Burgess asked as she tilted her head to the side.
"From Pirates of the Caribbean. After all he or she is made of seaman" Adam said with a smile.
"Adam..." Kim sighed and turned to walk away.
"Darlin, come on that was funny. You can't tell me that Captain Jack and Barbossa isn't a funny combination" Adam argued as he followed Kim up to the house.
"Are you guys just now coming in?" a portly old man smiled. "You'd think you liked it here or something."
Adam laughed and pulled a bottle of water out of the fridge that stood by the front door. "What can I say, I can't get enough of you."
The old man laughed and cuffed Adam on the back.
"You are too much Ruzek."
Turning to Kim he nudged her shoulder. "How are you today? Is he working you too hard?"
Kim smiled at her dad. "Not too hard dad, I told him you'd make him pay if he did."
Kim's dad turned to Adam and shook a finger at the young man. "That I would my dear. So how's my favourite grandson?"
Kim smiled and scanned the house in search of her son, currently in the care of her sister who was undoubtedly off flirting with one of the neighbors.
"He's wonderful, dad," Kim beamed. "He's growing like a weed though. he's missed her Papa Burgess. Never thought you and mom would get back from your vacation."
Kim's dad grinned and pulled out his own drink.
"Fabulous. I missed him too. Where is he?"
Kim stood and walked towards the back of the house, spotting her sister's head through the window. "I got him," she smiled back to her father.
Entering the room she raised an eyebrow as her sister flirted shamelessly with her latest crush. "Sorry to interrupt," she stated, picking the playing baby up off the floor. "Just rescuing my son. Please continue." Kim's sister gave her a playful glare and Kim chuckled as Jackson happily munched on a toy.
"There's my Buddy," Kim's dad boomed, walking quickly over to Kim and the baby. Jackson's eyes grew wide and he babbled happily, holding his pudgy arms out to the old man. "You are growing like a weed aren't you?"
Taking him from Kim's arms he danced the giggling boy joyously around the room.
Kim moved to Adam's side and put her arm around his shoulder as they watched the two. "He loves him," Adam grinned, taking her hand.
"He sure does," Kim agreed. "We should have him and my mom over for dinner more often. I forget how much I miss them"
"We'll ask them later," Adam agreed pulling Kim to him with a mischevious grin. "Right now, I would like a kiss please."
Kim giggled coyly. "You would, would you? What if I don't wanna?" Slowly her face inched closer to his.
"Resistance is futile," he whispered seductively. "If last night was any indication, you want me bad."
"Yeah?" Kim whispered, her lips meeting his gently.
They kissed slowly, Adam tightening his arms around her body as he pulled her closer.
"What do you say we take this to the car Mrs. Ruzek?" he suggested into her lips, stepping up the intensity of the kiss.
The sound of Jackson forcefully calling out to his mama caused Kim to realize her surroundings and pull away from Adam reluctantly. She moved shyly at her smirking father and a tight faced Jackson who waved his arms in Kim's direction as he continued to call for her mother.
"What's the matter, Jack?" Kim asked her baby, taking him gently from her dad's arms. Jackson planted a wet open mouthed kiss on Kim's lips and looked over Kim's shoulder at Adam.
"I think he's feeling a little left out," Kim's dad grinned as the baby reached for Adam and planted another kiss before sighing and resting his head on his father's warm shoulder. Kim's dad wrapped an arm around Kim and pulled her close as Adam stood and began walking with the baby.
"You don't have to look like that kid with your hand in the cookie jar around me young lady."
She looked at him, confusion in her face. "Don't give me that look. I know what people do when they're in love and you and Adam are most definitely in love."
Kim blushed a deep crimson and looked quickly away.
"All I ever wanted was for my kids to be happy and I'm glad that you love each other so much."
She smiled and kissed him gently on the cheek.
"Adam and I wouldn't have been able to do this without you."
It was her old man's turn to blush.
"You gave him a chance no one else would have given considering everything that's happened, and you've been more of a father to him in the last year than his own father has."
"I'm glad to help Kim," Kim's dad smiled. "Now I think you've done enough today. Take these kids home and get them into bed."
"Sure thing, dad" Kim smiled at him before kissing his cheek again.
"Come over for dinner on Friday, both you and mom, we're having your favourite." He nodded happily and followed them outside.
"I'll clean up the garage. You guys just head home and relax."
"Thanks, but I can get it. I don't mind" Adam sighed.
"I got it, Adam. Just take my daughter home" Kim's dad said again.
"I'll come back and finish it up after church tomorrow" Adam said.
"You're a good guy, Adam," Kim's dad smiled paternally and rested a hand on the boy's back. "I might just take you up on that."
"You will take him up on that," Kim insisted, placing a coat on the Jack's soft head. "I mean it dad," she scolded. "You work too hard."
Kim's dad chuckled at her persistence and nodded his head. "I hear ya"
"Shit," Kim gasped, remembering her sister.
She rolled her eyes at Adam before running back into the warehouse. She returned a few minutes later dragging her stunned younger sister by the hand.
"Okay, what the hell is going on?" Kim's sister questioned, rubbing her now free hand.
"We're leaving," Kim stated, taking Jack over to her dad. The old man kissed the baby's head and held a hand out to Kim's sister. Pulling her into a hug he whispered in her ear.
"Behave yourself, and don't put too much faith in these boys around here. The only catch is Adam and he's already taken." Kim's sister chuckled and pulled away.
"I'll remember that dad. Have a good night."
Kim waved softly as Adam pulled the car out of the driveway and they made their way home.
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Erin awoke to the sounds of hungry grunts. She opened her eyes, slowly adjusting to the darkness of her bedroom. She frowned slightly, seeing Jay's side of the bed empty. Hearing the noise again, she brought her attention to the rocking chair where her husband was cradling a baby in his arms, a bottle held firmly in his hands.
"Okay big guy," Jay whispered, stroking the baby's head. "We're gonna have a little talk now."
Erin smiled sleepily, resting her head on her arm so she could watch the interaction between father and son. Caleb continued to grunt and loudly devour the contents of his bottle.
"First of all, your Mom and I are so very glad that you and your sister are here and you're safe. We are going to do our very best to make sure are happy forever." He paused, continuing to rock slowly. "I think I did a pretty good job with your big sister, but I'm a little nervous with you little boy."
Erin frowned from the bed and continued to listen.
"My dad didn't do a very good job with me, I know he probably loved me but he really messed it up. I don't want to make the same mistakes with you so I'm going to need your help."
Erin fought the tears of anger at Jay's dad that threatened to fall. "I love you, baby boy, and I am going to make sure you know it every day, but if there's ever anything you need from me I want you to tell me and I will give it to you in a second."
Erin heard the pop of the baby's mouth releasing the nipple and heard him softly sighing his baby noises.
"You sound like a happy boy," Jay whispered again, laughter in his voice. "So why aren't you sleeping?"
Caleb's breathing quickened and Erin could tell he was excited at the communication but couldn't yet express it.
Jay chuckled, knowing the same thing. "It's late Caleb boy, Daddy's got to go to work soon." As if on cue the baby let out a tiny squeak, something he did when he yawned.
"You know what little man, you come and sleep with us tonight." He slid quietly out of the chair, setting the bottle on the night table as he slid into bed, he smiled shyly as he saw Erin's open eyes.
"Did I wake you up?" he asked, setting the baby on the bed between them. He chuckled softly, noting Arden, already sleeping softly beside her mother. She shook her head and stroked Caleb's hair gently.
"I heard a baby, I didn't know you had him already." He nodded his head and rested on the pillow, his finger in Caleb's tiny fist.
"Hey Jay," she lay back down so they were lying face to face.
"Yeah," he sighed, reaching over to stroke Arden's cheek.
"You really are the best dad in the world, you know that?"
He gave her a tired smile and took her hand, resting their arms on their sleeping babies.
"They're very lucky to have you." She smiled as Caleb turned his head to the sound of her voice. "I'm pretty lucky to have you too." He smiled gratefully and kissed her fingers.
"I think we're all pretty lucky." They intertwined their fingers and watched their babies sleep.
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Everly sighed as she looked over at her brother and sister who were asleep in their car seats as Jay parked the car.
She looked at the door as Erin opened it and she lifted her head up off the back of her car seat.
"Out...Out" Everly said pulling at the buckles of her car seat straps.
"I will. Are you ready to go to church?" Erin asked as she unbuckled Everly's seat and pulled her arms out of the straps.
"Me am" Everly said "Hold me"
Erin sighed "I can't bug. I'm sorry. Mommy can't lift you up right now. Not until her tummy gets all better from the babies"
Jay came around the back of the car with one car seat in each hand and he sat them down on the pavement as he lifted Everly up and out of her car seat and sat her on the ground on her feet.
"Becka" Everly said pointing up at the car.
Jay sighed and nodded as he reached into the car and pulled out Everly's newest toy an American Girl Rebecca Doll that was a "Big Sister" gift from Hank and Olivia.
Erin and Jay however weren't thrilled with the idea of Everly having such an expensive gift at such a young age. But according to Hank "If she's big enough to be a big sister, she's big enough for an American Girl doll"
Jay handed Everly the doll and he cracked a smile at his daughter who was dressed in the same dress as the doll she was holding.
"You ready to go inside?" Jay asked.
Everly nodded and held her hand up for Erin to take as the new family of five made their way into the church.
Everly stood closer to Erin as they made their way into the sanctuary and were greeted by a crowd of well wishers who were anxious to get a look at the twins on their first official visit.
"Mommy" Everly said as she moved closer to Erin and held onto her leg.
"It's OK, Evie" Erin said as she pulled her daughter off of her leg. "Climb up here and sit down"
"No" Everly said as she moved to hold onto Erin's leg once again as Erin unbuckled Arden from her car seat and lifted her out for one of the church members to see.
"Everly" Erin said looking down at her daughter. "Jay..." Erin said looking for some help from her husband who was talking to Matthew Casey and holding Caleb in his arms.
Jay looked at Erin who gestured down to Everly and he gave her a smile and handed Caleb to Gaby who happily took the newborn in her arms.
Jay knelt down next to Everly and reached for her "Hey, Ev. How about you and I go to the back and play. Just me and you"
Everly nodded and reached for Jay as he lifted her up in his arms and grabbed her doll and her diaper bag before making his way to the nursery.
Jay quickly signed Everly in and walked in with her. "Look Everly all your friends are here. Can you say hi to everyone?"
Everly held tight to Jay's arm as she waved at her friends and she tightened her grip on her daddy as she felt him lower her to the ground.
"No no" Everly said as she still held tight to Jay who knelt down to his knee.
"Everly, you like nursery, remember. All our friends are here and look over at the door. There's Michelle. You know Alvin's daughter. I bet she missed you in class last week. Don't you want to tell her all about your brother and sister?" Jay coaxed as he pointed to where Michelle was standing talking to another one of the nursery helpers.
"No" Everly said as she turned on her feet and put her back against Jay's chest her tiny hand still holding onto his suit jacket.
Jay looked down at his watch and then he picked a piece of fuzz off of the back of Everly's sweater. "Do you want to take your sweater off?"
Everly nodded and moved out of Jay's arms as he slid the tiny sweater off of his daughter's body and laid it on top of her diaper bag.
"Evie, I bet that Becka is hungry" Jay said as he picked the doll up off of the floor. "How about you go and pick her something yummy to eat?"
Everly looked at the doll and at her daddy. "Mmmkay"
Jay watched as Everly walked over to the small toy kitchen area in the nursery where Noah, Matty Jr. and the Severide twins were playing and he stood up as he watched Michelle walk over towards his daughter.
"Hi Everly" Michelle said as she knelt down next to her.
"Hi" Everly said as she picked through the toy food to find something for Rebecca to eat.
"What are you doing?" Michelle asked as she watched Everly.
"Feed Becka" Everly said as she picked up a plastic apple and a cup.
Michelle gave Jay a smile and watched as Jay gave her a nod before he stepped out of the nursery and closed the door quietly behind him.
"Are you ready for trick or treat, Evie? What are you going to be?" Michelle asked.
"Doc" Everly said as she picked up a spoon.
"Doc McStuffins? That's going to be so much fun. Are you excited?" Michelle asked.
"Me am" Everly said.
"Do you like being a big sister?" Michelle asked as the lead teacher started to gather all the toddlers and babies around for their story.
Everly was quiet as she turned around and looked over and saw Jay missing.
"Da-dee?" Everly said as she moved away from the play kitchen. The idea of feeding Becka forgotten.
"He'll be back later, Evie. Let's go hear a story" Michelle said as she reached for Everly's arm.
"No...No...Da-dee" Everly said as she ran to the glass window by the door and pounded on it.
"Evie. Let's play" Michelle said as she knelt down to pick Everly up.
"NOOOOOO" Everly screamed as she started to sob. "Daaa-deeee"
Michelle picked Everly up as she continued to cry. Hot tears falling from Everly's blue eyes and down her cheeks onto her purple dress.
"It's ok" Michelle soothed. "Let's play with our friends. We'll play anything Everly wants to play"
Noah walked over to where Michelle was standing as he looked up at her.
"Evie said?" Noah asked.
Michelle nodded as she looked down at him. "She'll be ok in a minute"
Noah picked Everly's doll up off the floor and held it up. "It ok Evie. He be back...he be back"
Everly looked down at Noah and started coughing as she continued to cry. Her small body racked with sobs as she started to gag from being so upset.
"No fro up, Evie? You sick?" Noah asked as he looked up at Everly. "I call mommy"
Noah quickly walked over to the play phone and picked it up as he pretended to call Olivia.
Michelle sighed as she bounced Everly on her hip and she walked over to the pager and buzzed Jay's nursery buzzer.
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Jay rocked in his seat as he looked down at Caleb who was asleep in his arms. He adjusted the blue blanket over his son as he listened to the preacher talk about upcoming events in the church. He looked over at Erin as he felt the nursery buzzer gently vibrate in his pocket.
"That's Ev" He whispered to Erin who looked up from Arden and over at her husband. "You want me to go?"
Jay shook his head as he looked over at Adam who was holding Jackson on his lap as the infant quietly teethed on a ring.
"Can you take him?" Jay asked as he looked past Adam to Kim.
Kim nodded and smiled as she took Caleb from Jay and sat back down next to her husband.
Adam smiled as he looked at his wife. "Just think, Darlin. It won't be too long and this will be us. A baby for each lap"
Kim looked at Adam and returned his smile "I can't wait"
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Jay could hear Everly sobbing as soon as he stepped out of the sanctuary. He picked up his pace as he heard her screams for him and he opened the door as he looked at Michelle who was holding his daughter.
"There's your daddy" Michelle said as Jay walked over to her.
Everly held her arms out to Jay as he took her and she clung to him. Her small body shaking as she held onto him.
"What happend?" Jay asked. "She's never like this"
Michelle shook her head. "I don't know. She was fine and then all of a sudden she freaked out"
Jay held onto Everly as she gasped for breath as she started to settle in his arms.
"Are you ok, bug?" Jay asked.
"Da-dee" Everly said as she buried her face in his neck.
"Daddy's here. It's ok" Jay assured as Michelle handed him Everly's diaper bag and doll.
"Go" Everly said pointing to the door. "Mommy"
Jay nodded as he walked out of the nursery with Everly on his hip. "We're going"
Jay walked into the bathroom with Everly as he quickly wiped her face with a baby wipe before walking to the door of the sanctuary. He found Erin and took a seat next to her as Everly reached for Erin.
"Mommy" Everly whined and the two quickly switched daughters as Erin cradled Everly in her lap.
Everly laid her head down on Erin's chest as she cuddled into her mother's arms.
Erin swayed side to side as she looked at Jay.
Both knowing that one member of their family wasn't adjusting to her new life as well as they thought.
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