Unexpected

On the Forefront

Matt

"Did you have fun with Antonio and Laura?" I asked looking at both my kids in the revision mirror of the car. They had stayed at with them the past two nights after while I'd been at the hospital with Gabby. "It was fun daddy! We went to the park and Eva showed me all her dollies that she had when she was younger!" Ellie smiled looking at me. "That's great baby, I'm glad you had fun." "Daddy auntie Laura said mummy and mummy's baby were sick. Were they sick?" "Yeah baby girl. Remember I told you they were in hospital for a few nights? But Owens mummy Nat and aunt Chrisite helped mummy and the baby get better." "So mums okay now?" Lucas asked speaking up for the first time. "Yeah, she's very tired but she's feeling a lot better, and Nats given her some medication to help her eat and sleep a bit better." "Okay," he nodded.

We pulled up into the garage of the house and I got out and undid Ellie's seatbelt. "I'm going to start cooking dinner so the two of you can have a play for a bit. Just be quiet, I don't know if mum will be sleeping on not," I smiled putting Ellie onto my hip and grabbing both their bags. "Hi mummy," Ellie smiled as I opened the door to see Gabby laying on the couch. "Hi beautiful. Hi Lucas," she smiled slightly looking up. "Feeling okay?" I asked putting Ellie down and giving Gabby a gentle kiss. "Yeah. I'm a bit hungry actually." "What did you want me to make for dinner?" "There's enough food to make a lasagne if you want." "Sounds good baby. Just relax okay."

It wasn't long after dinner when Gabby was nearly asleep on the couch watching Lucas and Ellie play with their toys. "Do you want to go to bed baby?" I whispered sitting down next to her. She shook her head and leaned into my side. "Mm I love you." "I love you too Gabs." "You've got shift tomorrow." "I'm not going." "What? Why?" She asked sitting up. "Don't be rediculous I'm staying here to help you with the kids." "Thank you, I didn't think you'd be able to get the day off." "Of course," I smiled slipping one arm around her stomach, "felt any kicks yet?" "No. Hopefully in the next week or two." "Yeah." "It's 8 o'clock. I should get the kids into bed." "I've got it Gabby, you need to relax. Why don't you go have a shower while I put them to bed?" "No I'm ok. I'll talk Lucas if you take Ellie?" "Alright. Time for bed you two."

Gabby

"Mum can you stay for a bit until I fall asleep?" Lucas asked as I pulled his curtains closed. "Yeah baby," I smiled gently laying down on his bed beside me. He was quick to put his head on my shoulder and put one arm around me. "I love you mumma." "I love you too buddy." He turned his head towards me and looked directly up into my eyes, "mum, you are the baby are going to be okay?" "Yeah, everything's going to be fine." "Not like Alexander?" I knew this would be on the forefront of his mind- exactly like Matt, always worrying. "Baby it was different with Alexander. Daddy and I didn't know, and the doctors didn't know. This time they do and they're doing everything they can to make sure me and the baby are okay. I promise if we weren't okay Natalie wouldn't have let me come home." "Okay," he whispered. I gently wiped a tear that had fallen down onto his cheek and kissed his head. "Get some sleep, I'll see you in the morning." "Night mumma."