Don't Leave Us (Book Three in the Don't Leave Series) (Watty Awards 2014)

Chapter Seven: Hold On

Chapter 7

It was a month later, and little Phoenix had grown so big already. I bounced him on the couch and he giggled a little as I tickled his stomach. Chris sat in the chair across from us, smiling at her son as he bounced on my legs. 

Reegan had recently announced that she was going to have another child the day after Phoenix was born. Considering Reegan being almost 17, and Mitch almost 28, almost 29, it was a little odd to have them having children. It could still be considered statitory rape in most books, but our family had learned to accept this. 

I was called up by Maggie about a week earlier that she had become pregnant. I wasn't surprised as much as she thought I was going to be; I knew that this was going to happen considering we didn't use protection. I wasn't surprised. 

We decided to part ways, and she would have her current boyfriend help her raise the child, claiming that it was his baby and that they would raise it. I didn't mind, it was a mutual decision. 

Besides, I would have another grandchild on the way, and I was currently an uncle anyways. I didn't want a biological child. In fact, Reegan, Mathew, Phoenix, and the new baby were considered my children. I loved them all to death and would do anything for them. 

Lauren and Tris had announced their pregnancy before Chris's and now have twins, one girl and one boy. The boy being named Alexander and the girl Aerodalia. I hadn't seen them since Mat's funeral, and they currently did not live in Canada. But they planned to visit as soon as the twins turn three months, which would be soon considering the twins were now two and a half months.

Adam and Alesa's baby, Grace, was now one and was the prettiest little girl ever. She was so sweet and lovely. They visited every two months and we always couldn't wait until they came. Reegan and Mitch wouldn't come to our meetings with them unless Graham didn't come. Reegan didn't want it too get awkward between them in any circumstances. 

Mathew was now two, which was insane. He had grown up so fast it was hard to believe. He was talking and walking and (almost) potty trained. Reegan having a little one would be good for Mat to have around the house and to have a sibling to play with, but she was too young to have another child so soon. 

 I wasn't too thrilled about her having another child so quickly, but it was her life and it was her choice if she wanted another child or not. Teen pregnancy was not common for this family, as Rebecca, Jason, Reegan, and Mitch know first hand. This was not typical and we all knew (but hoped that this wouldn't happen) that Mathew would have a child when he was in his late teens. 

Tyler came into the room, wrapping his arms around Chris as they both watched me play with their son, small smiles on both their faces. A few days after Phoenix was born, Tyler proposed to her. Chris said yes and they were now planning the wedding.

Phoenix yawned and reached his small arms out to me neck. I brough his small body towards my chest and he pressed his cheek into my left pex. He let out a small sigh, grabbing my thumb with one hand and bringing it to his chest. I could feel his small heart beat through his onesie, beating steadily as he slowly drifted into a state of sleep. 

Chris aw'd slightly, taking Tyler's hand in hers. Tyler smiled happily and kissed her temple.

"Tyler," she whispered, looking up at him slightly. He looked down at her with a smile.

"Yes, darling?" he said, kissing her temple once again. Chris sighed.

"I want another child," she said. I snap my head up from looking at the small baby in my arms to be greeted by a shocked Tyler and Chris looking at him with hopeful eyes.

"You just had a baby," I cut in. Chris looks at me and her eyes looked sadder than usual.

"Yes, but I want Phoenix to have siblings to play with and I want them to be happy and-" Tyler cuts her off.

"He has Mathew, and Grace, and Reegan's new baby to play with, my love. Do you want another child so soon?" Tyler asks her. She sighed again.

"I want another baby, but not at this moment. Maybe... we could adopt?" Chris looked back at me before looking at Tyler again. 

Adoption? I had never really thought it through. The only ones adopted in our family was Dustin and Graham, and I haven't seen Dustin or Dusk in over two years, not since Mat's funeral. I wouldn't be surprised  if they broke up. They were pretty rocky from when I saw them last; I would be sad, yes, but not surprised.  

"Adoption?" Tyler questions and Chris nods.

"Yes. A little girl. Maybe from the US, like Nebraska or something. I heard Nebraska Children's Home is really good about adoptions and fostering and everything like that," she explains. Tyler smiles softly.

"You really want another baby, don't you?" Chris nods with a smile.

"Dearly. Phoenix is the perfect baby, but I want a little girl to dress up and play with and buy her dollies and all that." It seemed if Chris was getting too excited about this all, considering she's been doing fucking research on this, but she really did want another child. I couldn't blame her. 

"Maybe I could adopt too. You know, a child, not a baby," I said out-of-the-blue. Chris and Tyler both look at me.

"You with children? Isn't Reegan old enough not to have anymore siblings?" Tyler asks. I shrug.

"Yes, but she's never had the expirence of having siblings. When Mat was in his coma, the closest to a brother to her was Dustin, but Dustin never shows anymore, so why not?" I reply. Tyler nods.

"I see where you're coming from," he laughs slightly before kissing the top of Chris's head and walking out of the front door to his car.

"I love you!" Chris shouts from where she was sitting. Tyler peeks in from the door going outside.

"I love you too," he smiles.

But we didn't know what was to come after he left the wooden door.