The Problem with Dreams

Chapter 90 - Coming Home

Sunday, March 2nd had been a long time coming. Not because of the date, but because it was the day little Melody was finally coming home. Greg and Susan were up early, far earlier than anyone else, showering and dressing and getting ready for the day, more than an hour before it was light. Susan checked the nursery to ensure it was as ready as she could make it, checked the little bag she'd packed for their daughter, and then went down stairs to make breakfast for herself and Greg.

"Breakfast alone. I predict this is the last time we're going to be doing this for a very long time," Susan said.

"I suspect you are right," Greg said.

"Is the car seat in the car yet?" Susan checked.

"I put it in last night. It really helped I had some experience with Peter's to figure out how it goes in. We didn't have car seats when Julie and Alan were little," Greg related.

"I don't think my parents did either," Susan told him. "So what are we forgetting, Greg?"

"Don't worry so much, Susan. I'm sure we'll be fine. If we have forgotten anything, someone will go out and get it. We have plenty of help for the coming week," Greg reminded her.

Susan nodded but didn't say anything as she finished her toast.

"Speaking of help, how did you do with the house keeper interviews yesterday?" Greg asked.

"Okay I think. There were two I liked. I want to check their references and I need to collect my notes and figure out if there is anything I missed I should have asked. I was planning to do that tomorrow though," Susan told him. "I thought today should be about family."

"I completely agree. I was just wondering as you didn't mention it last evening ... not that there were many opportunities," Greg hastened to add as Susan drained the last bit of liquid from her cup of tea. "Are you ready?"

"I need to brush my teeth, and I want to put our dishes in the dishwasher so we don't leave that for Mom to do," Susan said.

"Of course," Greg said.

It didn't take them long to finish their morning routine, and they were on the road well before six in the morning.

c

On this morning at the hospital, it felt normal because Susan was used to arriving so early. But carrying Melody's diaper bag into the hospital felt distinctly different.

"Have we got everything?" Greg checked.

"Right here," Susan said.

Together they went in and rode the elevator one last time to the third floor. As they got off, they were treated to a parade of babies being pushed to their mother's rooms.

"That probably means Melody is alone," Greg commented.

"And that she's hungry," Susan said as she pressed her hand to her chest just above where her blouse was stretched tight across her breasts.

Greg arched a brow at his wife, but he made no comment as he pushed open the nursery door and they went in. As they expected, Melody was crying, though not as loudly as she sometimes did. They washed and put on the gowns, even though none of the nurses were currently there. Then Susan went to feed her daughter, settling herself in the rocking chair before the first of the nurses returned.

"My, you're here bright and early this morning. The day shift hasn't even come in," one of the nurses remarked.

"Dr. Bower suggested we arrive early this morning, so we did," Greg commented.