Hazel Rain

Chapter 63

Summer was winding down and Kim couldn't be happier, things had finally slowed down and they had fallen into a nice boring routine.

She could hear their laughter as it floated on a soft breeze, they had all the windows open in the house and she was sitting in the glider with Dylan. His chubby hand held a fistful of his blanket, she couldn't get over how far he had come. He was now just a few weeks shy of eight months old, he'd put on a good bit of weight and looked healthier than ever.

"Watch me jump, daddy!" Sam hollered, she didn't need to look out the window to see what was about to happen, their middle child had to be part fish. He spent a lot of time in the pool, it was often a fight to get him out.

She heard the familiar sound of him breaking the surface of the water, and Adam's cheers as he resurfaced, he'd sputter and wipe his eyes, "Did you see me, daddy?" He asked. Over the course of the last six months or so it had become Sam's favorite phrase, 'Watch me..' he'd call out and damn it if you didn't watch him. Often it was something silly but it the mind of a five year old it was absolutely amazing and it had to be seen by everyone..over and over again.

"I did, man. That was so cool." Adam replied.

Most people would complain about the monotony, they'd want to know how she did it, doing the same thing over and over again..day in and day out..wasn't it boring, they'd ask. Nope, it was heavenly. The fact that she knew what was going on without seeing it..that would drive most people crazy, but not them. Not when they knew just exactly how fragile life was, they had quickly learned to savor each day...each minute, because they never knew when they could lose it all.
.

Nope, they loved every minute of their boring life.

Now, don't be fooled..things had changed.

It was still a bit odd to think of just how much it had changed. She watched as Dylan's eyes fluttered closed, and she leaned her head back and let her own eyes follow suit.

"Sit down, you two." Rhonda had approached them one night after dinner, "I need to talk to you both."

Adam moved Dylan to the mamaROO, the swing was still of favorite of Dylan's. It had done them well when they first brought him home after his surgery they were so leery of holding him, afraid he'd been in pain and the mamaROO had been perfect for him. "Okay...should I be worried?"

Kim sat with her legs pulled up under her next to Adam on the couch, "What's up, Ro?" Kim still used the nickname the kids had given her.

Rhonda had a death grip on one of the throw pillows, "I love you both..so very much. Adam, you'll never really understand how much I love you and how grateful I am that you saw it in your heart to allow me in not only your life..but your home." She had been determined to not cry, but it was useless. The tears flowed despite her best efforts, "I have watched you two love each other through trying times, I've watched as you both held on to each for dear life during Dylan's struggles. I'm so very.." her voice cracked and she took a deep breath and blew it out slowly, "So very proud of you Adam, you're an amazing father, husband, and son. Kim, you're the mother I wish I could've been.."

"Mom..what's wrong...what's going on?" Adam panicked, "you're scaring me a little.." he scooted to the edge of the couch, his heart thudding in his chest.

Rhonda grabbed Adam's hand, "Don't be scared, Son. Nothing is wrong...in fact everything is right..."

"Okay.." Kim was just as perplexed as her husband was, "We love you too, but like Adam, I'm a bit nervous."