~S~
"Isn't she lovely," I was half whispering, half singing as my eyes remained closed. "Isn't she wonderful..." I continued as I kept my arm wrapped around Ruth, who was sitting with me on the couch. "Isn't she precious, less than a minute old..." My voice was so gentle as I felt her snuggle into my chest a little more.
It was the second time that I had gone through the lyrics, but it was her absolute favorite, so even if I was half asleep and still trying to finish my coffee, I'd sing it a million times over for that girl, if she asked me to.
"Well, that is just the sweetest sight." My mother was trailing in from the kitchen, still in her pajamas with messy hair and a cup of coffee in hand. "I just love waking up to that voice." She added with a gentle smile as she watched Ruth's eyes light up by her presence.
Usually when I had some time off of work, I ventured out to see them, but my hands had been awfully full since I'd been off the road, so they came to us. And it was pure magic.
Ruth and my mom were so close, it made my heart burst.
They were both early birds, so many mornings, I would find them in the sunroom, having tea and cookies together as they watched the birds fly around the feeders out the big window. And when they thought that I wasn't paying attention, Barbara and Jess would give her sugar and sweets, like all really good grandparents do. They were so patient, so enticed and over the moon to have another little girl running around, filling the house with loud giggles and more excitement than we had in years.
Ruth was everything we needed at the time.
"We've been up since six, just singing." I chuckled softly, not complaining one bit.
I loved having her there more than anything... She held my world in the palm of her hand- kind of like her mom.
"Oh, sweet baby." Barbara sat down with us on the sofa, which caused Ruth to reach one hand out to hold her great grandmothers. "Did you not sleep good last night?" She tilted her head to the side, staring into those two little blue eyes with so much love.
Ruth just giggled in return, even though she was just as tired as I was... She was always so happy and bubbly.
"Let's let grandma go get herself some more coffee." She gave me a soft, playful wink as she held out her arms for Ruth to come snuggle with her.
I chuckled softly when she slipped out of my grasp and fell right into my moms open arms. "Grandpa is supposed to come hang out with us for a little while today." I announced as I stayed sitting with a throw blanket over my legs and my tired eyes directed at them.
Barbara had always been the very best grandma to both of her granddaughters, but to see her with mine was just extra special to me...It was a feeling that I can't quite put into words, but I'll never forget, or at least I never want to.
"It's supposed to rain for awhile today," she announced as she began to carefully twist Ruth's little blonde hair into braids.
Biting down on my lower lip, I nodded lightly as my eyes dropped to my drink that had grown cold. "The kids went to their grandmas for the night to see their mom," I felt terrible for them, I really did, but I couldn't force him to let me in...
I only knew the very small details of what was going on and when I spoke to Lark, occasionally I'd hint at it, ask her if she'd spoken to her father, but she never knew too much either... I think it all really bothered him and talking about it with us just made it feel too real for him.
