Life changes.

Tired. Pain.

I watch as Ally pulls into our driveway. I get out and start to the house with her behind me. I open the door and walk in. I feel four arms wrap around my legs. I smile and look down at my two beautiful children staring up at me with their big eyes. I bend down so I am eye level with my kids. They move their arms with me and end up crawling into my lap to be better. I smile and kiss their heads, "What's wrong?" Aubrey looks up at me with sad eyes, "Miss you." I smile, "I missed you too baby." Aiden leans against me and whines. "Daddy, miss." I laugh and kiss his head, "I missed you too buddy." Ally walks in behind me and smiles, "What about me?" Aubrey holds on to me but Aiden runs to Ally and hugs her legs. "Mommy." She smiles and bends down picking him up and kissing him. "I missed you too baby." Aubrey grabs my arm making me wince, "You hurt?" I nod, "Yes princess I am hurt, but I will be okay." She looks at me and I see her eyes scan my cast and then lean her head down and kiss it. "All better." I laugh and scoop her up with my good arm. "I wish it worked that way princess." She looks at me with sad eyes and I smile, "But it does feel better now, thank you."

Alex rounds the corner with two plates. "Hey, your back." He places the plates on the little table and comes over. "How are you feeling?" I shrug, "I've been better." He nods, "Understandable." He looks at Ally, "Are you feeling okay?" She nods, "Yeah. Tired, but good." I turn to her and smile, "Go get some sleep, I can look after the kids." She shakes her head with a yawn, "I have to go pick up your pain pills soon." I shrug and start to tell her they can wait when Alex jumps in, "I can go get them." I turn to him and smile, "Thank you." Ally shakes her head, "No, it's fine. I can do it, but thank you." He laughs and shakes his head, "Really, it's no problem. I can go pick the pills up while you sleep." She looks at me then Alex, "Really?" He nods, "It's no problem. I promised Aubrey I would take her to Chucky Cheese anyway." I laugh and look at Aubrey in my arm who is smiling her innocent smile. Ally then smiles, "Okay, well thank you." She puts Aiden down and hugs Alex and kisses him on the cheek before walking to me and kissing Aubrey and then my cheek before going upstairs.

I place Aubrey down and watch her go run into the living room with her brother to play. I smile and walk in after them. I sit on the couch and watch them play. I feel the couch dip and turn to see Alex sitting next me. "How are you really feeling?" I shrug and he laughs, "Ally can't hear." I look behind me and laugh, "Like shit. Everything hurts. My head is killing me. I don't know if I should scream in pain over my arm of itch it. My face literally hurts." Alex laughs and elbows me, "It hurts me too." I start to laugh and he continues to laugh.

After a few minutes I turn to him with a smile, "Thank you." he looks at me shocked, "For what?" I smile and look around, "With everything but mostly for taking care of my kids and Ally. But right now, thank you for making me laugh. It is so much better than hurting." He shrugs, "No problem. I remember being in pain and I wished all the time for laughter and smiles to take it away even for just a second." I nod, "Well thank you." He stands up and smiles, "Your welcome. Now I am going to go get you your pills. Will you be okay?" I nod and watch him grab his keys and walk out the door.

I sit down on the floor against the couch. Aubrey comes over and curls up into my side with her dolls. "Daddy, play." I laugh and grab a doll and nod, "Of course Princess." I start to play dolls with her as Aiden plays with my hair. I smile and for awhile the pain is gone. I bask in the love of my kids.

Alex walks through the door and I turn to see him carrying bags. "I bought stuff." I laugh and watch him come into the living room and sit beside me. He starts to empty the bags while naming what he got, "Cheeto's and Cheese Puffs. Popcorn and ice cream. Begal Bites, Pizza Rolls, and Hot Pockets." I watch everything start to litter the floor. "Doritos, a bunch of kinds. Fritos. Stuff to make tacos. Coke, Pepsi and Juicy Juice." I smile and watch him pull out stuff to make pizza and other junk food items. He also bought Aiden a new toy and Aubrey a new doll. He then holds up a bag to me, "And your pills." He also hands me a bottle of water. I take one and drink it down and smile, "Thank you. This was really nice." He laughs and starts to grab everything to put it up. "I also got movies." I laugh and watch him carry everything into the kitchen and put it away.

We all make our way into the kitchen behind him and start to make pizzas. Aubrey got a small pizza and wanted cheese and more cheese on hers. We even had to put cheese in her crust. Aiden got a small pizza and wanted pepperoni. I made a pepperoni pizza big enough to share with cheese crust. Alex decided to add a bunch of items to his pizza that looked weird and good at the same time. We started to cook them all when I heard feet. I turn and see Ally round the corner in paisley pajamas with her hair pulled up in a messy bun. "What are you all doing?" I walk over and kiss her cheek, "Making pizza. Want some?" She nods and looks at what we made. "I want to make my own." I nod and get everything ready for her. She decides to make a pizza with cheese and bacon crust and green onions, pineapple and pepperoni on her pizza. I laugh and shake my head as we put hers in to cook.

We walk into the living room with all our pizzas and sit down around the table and bring the end tables closer so we can eat. Alex puts in a movie and we all sit back and enjoy our pizza and junk food.

~''''

Alex left an hour ago. We watched three movies and ate a lot of food. We got the kids bathed and put to sleep. I clean everything up while Ally relaxes on the couch. It takes a little longer with one arm but I get it done.

I walk into the living room after placing the last of the food in the garbage. She looks up at me from the couch and smiles. "Everything done?" I nod and sit beside her. "Yeah, I'm tired." She nods and works to get up. I laugh and get up and help her stand. She stretches and looks around. "The kids had fun." I nod, "Yeah, I cleaned it up the best I could." She laughs and shakes her head, "Its fine. They are just going to tear it up again in the morning." She looks at me, "Let's get you to bed." I nod and follow her up the stairs and into our room. It feels so good to see my bed. I start to unbutton my pants but realize I am having more trouble than needed.

I hear a laugh and see Ally walking my way. "Let me help." She unbuttons my pants and help pull them off my hips where I proceed to kick them off. She then pulls at the hem of my shirt and starts to pull it up and over my head. I wince a little at the pain but smile at her, "Thanks." She shrugs, "No problem." She grabs the clothes and puts them in the hamper. I watch her walk back into the bedroom and pull her blankets back and climb in. She turns to me and laughs, "Are you going to get in bed?" I nod and climb in next to her. She moves down and starts to get comfy on her side. I move down and look up at the ceiling.

About ten minutes later I feel lonely. I look at her so peaceful and content. I sigh and move closer to her. She doesn't move so I figure she is asleep. I turn on my side the best I can and put an arm around her and because of her swollen stomach I can't hold her the way I normally would but it works. I lay my head on her pillow and feel content as sleep starts to creep up on me. I take in the smell of her hair and the feel of little kicks against my arm as I fall asleep with Ally in my arms.