Disastrous

Sixty Six

2 YEARS LATER

Shay's POV

The sun was shining down pleasantly, the wind brushing by just enough to keep the sweat from your brow. West Virginia was breathtaking in the summertime, and Rory was enjoying the weather as he jumped around on the trampoline. My firstborn, my sweet, caring little baby boy was already three years old.

When I watched him now, jumping and giggling, his mop of dark, loose curls flopping over his forehead, I felt content enough to take a deep breath and smile. Rory was so happy despite the way the first year of his life was. He was giggly, energetic, and very proud to be three years old.

"Momma watch!" he called through a fit of giggles, rolling in a ball and somersaulting across the netted trampoline. I called out praise for him, giving him a thumbs-up when he regained his balance.

"Can Kasey come on?" He enunciated each word slowly, determined to get them right.

I smiled at his request, perching Rory's little sister higher on my hip. She had her thumb stuck in her mouth, her dirty blonde hair in frizzy pigtails.

"Kasey can sit right here with you, but you have to be careful. Okay?"

Rory nodded eagerly, sitting across from Kasey. Kasey's puffy cheeks were red, and her hand was full of slobber as she pulled it from her mouth. She looked around the trampoline curiously, wiggling her bare feet. I smiled down as I watched my children interact. Kasey would be two in three months, and to me, she was absolutely perfect. After all of the troubles throughout the pregnancy, myself and the doctors had been worried that Kasey would be very sick when she was born. She was born beautiful and healthy, but one month early.

Her doctors visits now proved that Kasey was slightly developmentally delayed, but I wouldn't wish for her to be any other way. She was a quiet, stubborn little girl. In many ways she was the polar opposite of her big brother, but they were so amazing together. Rory loved being a big brother, he was gentle, patient, and kind with her.

"Shay?"

I turned away from the opening of the trampoline, facing the back porch with my hand still on Kasey's back. My husband came walking out, a beer in hand, a construction vest still adorning his torso. He walked out to us with a smile on his face, my face lighting up immediately. It had been a long couple of days without him.

"How's my family doing?" he asked with a dimpled grin, wrapping his free arm around my waist. Jack kissed my cheek, and then my jaw. Rory was squealing as he made his way towards the exit of the trampoline. I hastily grabbed ahold of Kasey so Rory wouldn't crush her, moving out of Jack's grip. Rory jumped out of the trampoline with all of the trust in the world, Jack catching him in mid air.

"Hey buddy," Jack laughed, holding my son in a warm hug. Rory wrapped his arms around Jack's neck, squeezing tightly. Jack pretended to choke, him and Rory picking up right where they left off in their 'play fighting'.

Picking up Kasey, I sat her on my hip and began making my way inside the house. "We should start making dinner!" I called back to my two silly boys, both of their laughs echoing through our backyard.

"I'll get the grill out!" Jack laughed as he crawled inside the trampoline with Rory.

Shaking my head with a happy smile, I made my way up the back porch, pulling the wooden screen door open. Kasey asked for a "sippy", so I made my way to the fridge and pulled out the carton of whole milk. Double checking the date, I poured the milk into her favourite green sippy cup, twisting the lid as tightly as I could. Kasey liked to test me by trying to remove the lid sometimes. Satisfied with the lid, I sat Kasey down in her highchair at the kitchen table and gave her the cup.