"So she was crying?" asked Rebbie.
"Yeah. She tried to play it off, but I know mother and I know when she's been crying." said Janet. She and Rebbie were sitting in the upstairs living room while she visited with Gabby. Janet and Toni were allowing the family to visit with the baby more and Rebbie was here as much as she was allowed to visit her new niece. Plus, Rebbie was one of the few that Gabby was actually comfortable with. "I'm actually worried that something is terribly wrong. I've never seen her with that type of face before." Rebbie adjusted Gabby on her shoulder.
"I'm sure when the time comes, mother will tell us what's up." She tried to adjust Gabby on her shoulder again. "She's very scrappy to be a month old."
"I know. She moves around so much now. When we went to take her to the doctor, she would not sit still." Rebbie laughed.
"She's just like you. I don't even remember you crawling, you went straight to running." They laughed. Rebbie gently patted Gabby's back to burp her. "How are you doing? How are you feeling?"
"I'm okay. I'm healing up really well and can take full showers now. The umbilical cord fell off so now I can fully wash her as well."
"That's good."
"I'm so happy. That washing my cooch over the toilet thing was killing me." They laughed.
"I hated it too. But you still need to be careful. No baths, just showers."
"I know. I have to wait for the doctor's approval."
"And also for you and Toni to get back to your nasty selves...."
"I know. I know." Janet chuckled. "I'm actually not in a rush to do that anyway." Rebbie looked at Janet as she played with her hands.
"Are you okay? That doesn't sound like you and Toni."
"I know, I'm just not feeling it. I'm focused on Gabrielle." She sighed and sat back.
"You sure?"
"Yeah. Toni and I just want to make sure that we get into a good routine with her so that her going to work and me going to school is easier." Rebbie nodded. "You know, she was so worried about her that she rushed home from work."
"Really?"
"Yeah. At first, it made me feel bad......like she didn't trust me or something. But then I realized that she's new to being a parent too." Janet rubbed her forehead. "She came when I was using the bathroom and Gabby just so happened to start crying. She called me and rushed out. Then she kind of questioned me or it felt like she was questioning me. I've been thinking about it and...." Janet got quiet then chuckled. "....I'm probably just overthinking." Gabby burped and Rebbie took her off her shoulder.
"Good job, niecey. Big girl burp." Janet smiled. Rebbie began to wipe Gabby off and she moved her head around.
"Don't...wipe her like that." Janet felt her heart beat faster. Rebbie tried to wipe her again, but Gabby started crying.
"Ummm...I'll take her now." Rebbie tried to calm her down. "Here, just...give her to me."
"It's okay...I think she's cal..."
"Give me my baby!" Rebbie looked in shock as Janet held her hands out. They were shaking.
"Janet, are yo..." Janet got up and took Gabby from Rebbie.
"I'm fine." She sat down and calmed the baby down. When she did, she stopped shaking. "It's okay. Mommy's got you. Everything's okay. I got you now." She held Gabby close to her and looked at Rebbie. "I'm sorry, Rebs...I just..."
