Breaking Free

Chapter 15

I sat in the living room holding Norah who wouldn't stop crying. The kids and Josh were all asleep since it was a little after 4 am on Christmas morning.

I gently rubbed her back, trying everything I could to soothe her. I hear someone coming down the steps and I turn around to see Noah standing there.

"Is she okay?" He asks

"Yeah don't worry sweetheart. Sometimes babies get fussy and cry for a while,"

"Can I help? Maybe she'll calm down if I hold her for a bit,"

I smile and carefully hand her over to him. It was almost like she could sense his presence and started to quiet down as he rubbed her back. I leaned back on the couch and closed my eyes for a minute.

I woke up to the smell of Coffee coming from the kitchen. I threw the blanket off of me, got up and walked into the kitchen where Josh was preparing breakfast for everyone.

"Good morning baby. You sleep okay?" He asks

"On and off. Norah wouldn't stop crying last night. I guess Noah heard and came down to see if she was okay,"

"That's why she was sleeping on his chest this morning. I came into the living room and both of you were asleep on the couch,"

"I didn't want her to wake you up. I know you were tired,"

"We're a team remember? I'm here to help you with the middle of the night feeds, diaper changes and fussy newborns,"

Noah comes into the kitchen still holding Norah who was starting to cry again."I think she's hungry,"

"I got her sweetheart, thank you for your help last night. You're the best big brother," I say

"You're welcome mom. Do you want me to wake Eli and Evie up for breakfast?"

"Yeah go ahead. After we eat we can open presents,"

I make two bottles and sit down to feed the girls while Josh plates the food. Eli comes into the kitchen and sits down at the table, Noah sits down next to him, holding Evie in his arms. I could tell she was still sleepy.

"Time to wake up pretty girl. It's breakfast time," Josh says

She hides her face in his chest, groaning. Josh and I laugh, "I guess someone doesn't want to open presents,"

That woke her up and she sat in her chair, slowly starting to eat her breakfast. Josh sits next to me and takes Nevaeh from my arms to help feed her.

I take a few bites of my food before Norah finishes her bottle. I carefully burp her, but she almost instantly starts to cry afterward.

Evie plugs her ears, "she's loud. I don't like her anymore,"

"Sorry Evie but you better get used to it. The first few months there's going to be a lot of crying and long nights." I say

"Let me hold her," Noah offers

Sweetheart you don't have to,"

"I don't mind Mom, for whatever reason when I hold her she calms down,"

I gently pass her to him. The moment she hears his voice, she stops crying and looks up at him.

I smile, "She really loves you Noah,"

"I love her too. I can't wait to be a dad someday,"

"You'll be a great dad. Just don't be in a rush to grow up,"

"Do they know about your girlfriend?" Eli asks

"Eli shut up I haven't told them yet," Noah says

"Girlfriend huh? I thought you were focusing on football and going to college?" Josh says