Gary and Libby - Take One

Chapter Seventy Six

Garys was there. He was always there. He kept telling me he was there and that he wa proud of me and that he loved me. I could hear his voice in my ear, and feel his hand around mine, but i couldnt see him. Because i couldnt open my eyes. I tried,  i really did, but i didnt have any energy left. I just wanted to sleep.
But i couldnt sleep either, because the piercing sound of a babies cry filled the room. Somehow my eyes forced themselves open.

And there he was. My baby. Squealing on my chest. Gary laughed, in relief i think, but all i could do was bite onto my bottom lip to stop myself wailing too. I think i whispered his name, because it wa all i coulld manage to do, my body felt weak with pure relief.
And then, all of sudden a brown haired nurse takes him away from me, she tells me not to worry, and that hes only going to be weighed, but i didnt want her to touch him, i wanted to hold him and look after him, but i needed to sleep, i really, really needed to sleep...

                                                                    ***

I stir slightly, something is drawing patterns on my shoulder.
"Lib, Baby, dont go to sleep yet." Gary whispers against my ear. Yet? What is he talking about... "Come on Libby, look at him."
Somehow i find the energy to force my eyes open again. The brown haired nurse is standing over me, holding only a clip board. My heart skips a beat. Only until i look over to Gary, whos beaming at me like ive never seen him smile before, hes moved his fingers away from my neck because his arms i are filled with a small bundle of blue. I breath a small satisfied smile.
"I was just explaining to your husband that everything is fine." The brown haired nurse breaks the silence and tears my gaze away from Ethan and Gary. "He seems to be breathing on his own, which is brilliat. He was only five weeks premature, which never really poses much threat, they're usually fairly strong by now anyway. We'd like to keep you both in thirty six hours, just as a precaution, but we've checked him and double checked and we cant see any problems, hes perfectly healthy as far as we're concerned, but if you've any worries, please, just ask."
I just nod in response, im too tired to speak.
"Congratulations." The brunette carries on. "You must be tired Mrs Barlow, ill leave you three alone." With that, spins on her heels and leaves the room.

"Mrs Barlow?" I roll my eyes as i speak quietly, tipping my head in the pillow so i can see Garys face better, its the first time ive actually spoken in what feels like hours.
"Problem?" Gary throws me that lopsided grin and i feel myself melting away as i shake my head slightly with the biggest smile i can manage. "Here..." Gary gently lowers Ethan into my arms. "Hes beautiful."
"He is isnt he?" I smile in agreement, cooing him slightly and adjusting his blanket. "Hey Ethan..."
"He takes after you." I feel Garys grin against my ear, before his lips kiss my neck. "Im so proud of you..." He whispers.
"You havent said..." I roll my eyes slightly.
"Im just making sure you know." He smiles back. I turn my head slightly to speak, but before i can get any words out Garys lips are on mine, kissing me slowly. "I love you." he smiles as he pulls away.
"Love you too..." I whisper, feeling my eyelids become heavy again. "Gary i need to sleep."
"Alright Baby." he reaches over and takes a sleeping Ethan from my arms, because i have no strength to pass him. "Get some rest."
"You'll look after him wont you?" I nod my head slightly towards Ethan.
"Of course i will, Libby." Gary smiles at me asif ive just asked a stupid question, in all fairness i probably have. "Now sleep."
I dont need him to tell me twice as i feel my eyes flutter shut.

                                                                                ***

"Well hes smashing isnt he?" Marjorie is sitting in the chair next to my bed where Gary usually sits, Ethan in her arms.
"He is." I grin, sitting cross legged in the middle of the bed, im ready to get up go home, but the doctors wont let me. Its nice to have Marjorie here, this room is driving me slowly insane. I reach for yet another Quality Street, the amount of chocolate people send is quite ridiculous, although Gary isnt complaining...
"You should go home with your Mum, Gary." I look over to him, hes standing at the end of the bed, his arms reached forwards and his fingertips resting on my knee.
"Not happening." He smiles innocently.
"Gary you must be exhausted. Go home, get some sleep in a bed tonight and come and pick me and Ethan up in the morning."
"Im not leaving you." He looks me dead in the eye as he speaks sternly.
"Gary we're going to be fine, nothing is going to happen." I turn to Marjorie. "Please take him home with you? Hes been sleeping on that chair for the last two nights, look how tired he looks."
"Maybe Libby's right?..." Marjorie starts, Gary shoot me an evil look, like ive just told on him, well i suppose i have really... "You dont want to start the whole thing off exhausted Gary, you wont be getting a decent night sleep for the next goodness knows how many years."
"Thanks fot the advice Mum." Gary smiles sweetly before turning to me. "But ill be staying here with Libby and Ethan." He widens his eyes at me, asif to say he cant be swayed. I just raise my eyebrows at him.
"Go. Home. Gary."
"No." He mouths back, the immature Gary is back by the looks of things. I decide to take a different approach.
"Please Gary? Im worried about you. Look at you, you're clearly exhausted, you havent eaten or slept properly for days, go home, get some proper rest and then we can enjoy ourselves when i get home and not spend it in bed..."
"Spending it in bed doesnt sound like a bad idea..." He raises his eyebrows at me and i blush slightly, aware that his mother is infact listening.
"Gary." I raise my eyebrow again.
"Okay, okay!" He sighs in defeat, ill go. But ill be here at eight tomorrow to help you get ready, okay? I dont want you packing anything? You're to take it easy okay?"
"Yes Doctor." I smirk.
"And no sarcasm. Get into bed."
I furrow my brow and do as he asks.
"Now stay here and rest until i come and get you tomorrow morning, no getting up and wondering around, understand?" He keeps his eyes on me as he takes Ethan from his Mums arms. "And ill see you soon little man, okay?" He presses his lips softly against Ethans forehead. "Look after you're Mum wont you?"
"You're too controlling." I roll my eyes with a smirk as Garys passes me Ethan.
He just raises his eyebrows back at me before planting a soft kiss on my lips. "Rest. Understand?"
"Yes." I breath. "I'll see you tomorrow, i love you."
"Love you both too." Gary kisses us each again, before making sure id call him if i needed him.
Finally he turns around and follows Marjorie out of the door, looking behind as he walks.
And then It suddenly occurs to me, this is the first night ive ever spent without him since we moved in together....