We Are Free

Helping Out

The next day we take everything they need and pack it up. We take it to the new house. We go back to Zac's old house and move all the rest of it. We got a U-haul truck. It was a big one.
     We get everything onto the truck and leave. Zac leaves the keys in the mail box for the land lord. We go to the new house and unload everything. We put Zane's crib in his room and all his stuff. One point we were pushing the bed through the house.
"Damn it push Zac." I say.
"I am pushing so suck it."
"Small objects are chocking hazards." The girls start laughing. We eventually get it in the bedroom though. We leave all baby stuff in the living room. Zac and I are going to paint the baby's room.
     Zac had gone out and bought the paint and everything. They next day we leave all the kids at Anna's and go to Zac's. We were all wearing crappy clothes. We mix the paint. We cover the floor and start painting the room.
     We have fun with it. Chloe puts things away and makes the house look decent. We talk to. We devise a plan to get Chloe out of the house. We did get paint on our clothes. We leave when it is all ready. The next day we go back over.
     Zac and I go to Goodwill and get a book case. We go to Menards and get 3 wooden rods and some wicker baskets. We also get some pillow cases and iron on letters. We go back to the house.
     Zac and I get to work. We put the wooden rods on three shelves. We put the pillow cases on the wicker baskets and take them off. We iron the words down on them and place them back on. We talk while we work.
"Are you ready?" I ask him.
"No but I don't think you ever are." He says.
"Probably not."
"I can tell she isn't either."
"No she isn't but you can do it."
"I know and thanks for helping out it means a lot I don't know what I would do."
"No problem. You helped me move so I'm going to help you."
"Yeah." We finish the book case. We bring it in the bedroom. We had fans in it and it was dry. We put it against a wall next to the dresser. We put the crib in the room to.
     We put the sheets in it and all that. When that is done we put Blake above the bed. We put hangers on the rods and diapers in a wicker basket. We put wipes in it to. We put blankets in the one next to it.
     We hang up the curtains and add butterflies and flowers to the walls. When we are finally done it is late. We finally let the girls in. Chloe almost started crying.
"It's beautiful guys." Chloe says.
"Yeah it is." Halo says.
"You like it." Zac says.
"I love it." Chloe says.
"We will get more for Blake as time goes by.
She hugs him. The kids come in the room and they all love it. We leave and go home. I take a hot shower and we go to bed. We are not done yet that's for sure. The next morning we go to their house again.
     We help them finish up. The time is coming so close and they are both extremely excited. Emily is to. They can't believe it. Emily has felt Blake moving and kicking.
     She layed her head on Chloe's stomach and Blake kicked her. We all laughed. Another time she laid her hand on Chloe's stomach and Blake put her hand on Emily's. She got wide eyes and smiled. When we are all done we go home.
"I'm extremely exhausted." I say.
"You and me both." We put the kids to bed and chill in the living room. I can't wait to hold my niece. I know Zac can't wait to hold his daughter either. He is an amazing dad and he becomes a greater one every day.
*May 10th*
I have to keep my boot on still. I went to the doctor and that's what happened. I go back in another 4 weeks. I'm excited to see what comes next.
     Chloe is close. It won't be long until we throw her her baby shower and Blake comes into the world. Today I'm going to lunch with Emily at school. I'm bringing Subway in. I'm also bringing one for Ava. I go to Subway and pick up the food. I go to the school and they were at recess. I go out with them and she comes running up to me.
"Hi hon how is school?" I ask her.
"Good." Ava comes to me and gives me a hug. We go inside. We sit at a table and I give them their food. They tell me about their day and I tell them about mine. They act interested but I know they really aren't.
"When are we having the baby shower for Chloe?" Emily asks me.
"Here soon."
"Okay. I want Blake to come I want to hold her." She says.
"I know me to."
"Isn't Blake a boys name?" Ava asks me.
"It can be both."
"Oh." We finish lunch and they go back to class. I go back to work. I have to go to lunch with Andrew sometime. I finish at work and pick Emily up.
     We go to gymnastics practice. She has fun and learns a new trick. We leave the practice and go home. When the kids are in bed Halo and I talk.
"How was lunch with the girls?" She asks me.
"It was good Emily can't wait until the baby shower." I say.
"We all know that."
"Yeah they had fun."
"That's good."
"Yeah, now I have to finish this homework assignment."
"Speaking of which how is that going?"
"It's going good I have all A's."
"Wow good job."
"Thanks. I don't know how I am doing it but I am."
"Yeah well you are doing it."
"Yup..... and done."
"You know sometimes I wonder if you are Superman."
"Nope not Superman but I am a super hero.
"Which one?" I put my laptop on the table.
"Guess."
"Spider-man?"
"Even though he is badass no."
"Batman?"
"No."
"Then who?"
"I'm your man."
"My man."
"Yup. I can be another super hero if you want me to."
"Ohhh what that one called?"
"You can figure that out after." She smiles I grab her waist and get on top her. I kiss her and she looks at me.
"How did I get so damn lucky?"
"I'm not sure but we can figure that out later to." She smiles and I know it's going to be a long night.
     *May 20*
The kids get out of school soon. They are excited that's for sure. Chloe's due date is so close. She could really go in at any moment. I got my boot off finally and my ankle healed nicely.
     The baby shower is today. Halo and Chloe went out. They went to lunch and shopping. Zac and I set up the house. We put a banner above the kitchen that says ' it's a girl' and pink balloons everywhere.
     We put the cake on the counter. Andrew and Emily play with Zane. The guests arrive and everyone puts their presents in front of the tv. When everyone is there it is all set up.
     It is really hectic. I get a text from Halo saying she is back. Everyone hides and everything goes dark. They walk in and the lights turn on.
"SURPRISE!!" Everyone yells.
"Oh my gosh I nearly went into labor." She says. We start laughing and she hugs us all. She was so happy. We sit down and talk. The kids run around and have fun. We eat and play games. Then we open presents.
     They got a lot of stuff. Most was from us and family. We eat cake and talk more. The shower lasts 3 hours in total. When everything is said and done we are the only ones left. We help them put stuff away. We sit and talk longer.
"So Zane are you excited to have a baby sister?" I ask him.
"Yes!"
"That's good. I know Emily is excited. Andrew is to." I say.
"He sure is. Zane will lay on Chloe's stomach and wait for Blake to move then he will laugh." Zac says.
"Cute."
"Yeah."
"When I go into labor I will call you or Zac will."
"Okay sounds good. If it is while they are in school we will get them. If it is at night they won't go to school. Zac are you taking off?"
"Yeah, from Monday until two weeks after she comes."
"Then I need your um.. um... damn." I snap my fingers.
"I got you."
"Okay." He hands me the papers and I take them. We leave and go home. We get the kids fed and in bed. They fall asleep really soon.
     They were tired and I can't blame them. Halo and I go to bed. We can't wait until she comes. Zac can't either he wants to hold her and love her. I'm excited to.
     I have always wanted a niece and I can't wait until she is born. Zac will most likely cry his eyes out when he sees her. This whole year and some has been a blur of stuff.
     It's been busy and hectic but in the end it's worth it. I got to inspire some people. I get a niece. I get to see Emily and Andrew grow another year older. I don't want them to but I love seeing the people they become.
*May 29*
We haven't herd anything yet. We are so close her due date is tomorrow and we all are getting antsy about it. Today it is Saturday. We don't have anything going on. We are just impatiently waiting a phone call.
     I put Emily in some jean shorts a t-shirt and high tops with a messy bun. Andrew was wearing shorts and a shirt. Halo and I had just gotten dressed when my phone rings. I pick it up.
     "Hello." I say.
     "Hey man her water broke." Zag says.
     "Really?"
     "Yeah we are on our way to the hospital meet us there."
     "Okay sounds good." I hang up and call a meeting.
     "We need to get to the hospital Chloe's water broke." We all get ready and leave. I quickly throw a bag of stuff for the kids to do together. We get to the hospital and the nurse sends Zac out.
     "So?" I ask.
     "She is in pain of course. She is on an iv and her mom can't make it. She said she got called in for work and can't back out." Zac says.
      "So?"
      "Um she said she just wants me in there then. She is doing good though and so is Blake. The doctor said she is fully developed and will come when she is ready. I will text you and let you know what is happening."
     "Okay sounds good." He leaves the waiting room.
*1 hour*
I get a text she is two centimeters dilated and still doing good. She has a really high pain tolerance.
*2 hour*
She is 3 centimeters and doing good. She hasn't asked for an epidural at all. Emily is bouncing off the walls more and more every minute. Andrew is about there to. Halo is trying to remain calm and so am I. It isn't easy. I can only imagine what Zac is doing.
*3 hours*
She is 5 centimeters and has asked for an epidural. She is waiting for it. She only has about 5 more to go. She is doing good and Blake is in position.
*4 hours*
The epidural is doing good and she can't feel anything from the waist down. She is 7 centimeters and very close. Emily is doing her best to control herself. Andrew is bouncing off the walls. Halo and I are keeping calm.
*5 hours*
She is 9 centimeters and ready to push. The doctor is getting ready and so is she.
*6 hours*
We are all stiff and sore from sitting in the waiting room. When Zac comes to the waiting room Emily runs to him. We all go back and Chloe was holding Blake in her arms. She gives Blake to me and I hold her. She was so cute. I start crying.
     "She is beautiful." I say. Halo holds her and starts crying. Emily sits down and I show her how to hold her. She holds Blake and we all take pictures. Andrew holds her.
     He was so sweet and loving he kisses her on the head. We stay in the room for a little bit before heading out and going home.
      "I love her." Emily says.
      "We all do." I say.
      "I can't wait until I can show her how to paint her nails and play dress up."
      "Awww you will be such a good auntie."
      "I want you and Halo to have a baby." Emily says out of no where.
      "Me to." We look at each other.
      "Um not right now. I wanna graduate."
      "I agree."
      "How old will you be when you graduate?" Emily asks me.
      "I will be 20."
      "Dang it." We laugh.
      "Hey we have talked about it and there will no hearing the words I am pregnant until I am graduated and at least 20 years old."
       "Okay." She says. We get home and the kids run around like they are on a sugar high. They are so excited it is unreal. A few days later Chloe goes home and they are all tired. I can't help but wonder what it will be like when I have a baby.
     When I get engaged and when I get married. For Zac that's next. Halo is Chloe's maid of honor and I'm Zac's best man. The wedding is taking place this summer. They don't want anything big.
     Emily is the flower girl and Andrew is the ring holder. One day it will be for me. For now I'm focused on school and in the end I'm going to make everyone proud.