A Blessed Christmas Event Part 1/3
By: Nectar99
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: These characters don’t belong to me. They belong to WB and Shoot The Moon Productions.
Timeline: This story is set a year and a half after the series ended. Their marriage is common knowledge.
Summary: Lee reflects on a very special Christmas.
I’d like to thank the three T’s!! You are wonderful, and I really appreciate all you’re help!!
Lee
Stetson/AKA: Daddy
January 8th, 1989
As I sit here rocking my newborn daughter, I can’t help but grin like a simpleton. Her little body is snuggled against my chest, and her head is resting against my shoulder. As I inhale her unique scent, the urge to run my lips delicately across her scalp is overwhelming. Her skin is so soft to the touch, and she smells like a baby: My baby that I love with all my heart. Reality still hasn’t kicked in completely, even after uttering those words over and over again. Unable to control myself any longer, I kiss the top of her head repeatedly. I can see that Jenny’s eyelids are finally closed which leaves me content in the fact that I was able to quiet her, without depending on Amanda to assist me. Amanda is very tired, and still weak from the birth. Though she won’t admit this me, I can read her like a book. It astounds me when she arises from the bed, only after two hours of sleep, hearing just the slightest whimper from either baby. Luckily, I was awake when Jenny began to stir. My amazing wife has blessed our family with two healthy babies, and I can’t begin to describe how wonderful I feel.
DEcember 23rd, 1988
Anticipation coursed through my entire body as the holiday approached. As much as Amanda hated to admit it, she required help in her current condition. She was eight and a half months pregnant.
The decorations, the tree, and even the baking were only a few of the things that needed to be done. Dotty and the boys were troopers throughout the entire event, lending hands here and there as needed.
We had only been in our new Rockville home for six months, but Amanda successfully transformed it into a wonderful homey environment. With five bedrooms, Dotty and the boys had their own bedrooms, leaving one room for the new baby. Little did we know that we were to be blessed with two children at the time we purchased the house.
Our preparations for Christmas included hiding the gifts from our nosey teenagers. The only logical place we could find was in the attic. Even though Amanda still had two weeks to go until the babies were to arrive, I didn’t like the idea of her climbing the steps. Of course I didn’t win that argument, and she proceeded to help with the presents. When we went back into our room, I watched her wince as if in pain. Suddenly alarmed, I reached out to her. “Amanda, are you okay?”
“Yes, I’m fine, Lee. I’m just having a mild cramp, that’s all,” she tried to comfort me.
“I want you to sit down now, and take it easy,” I insisted.
“Lee, I’m fine, really,” she pleaded.
I shook my head back and forth in defeat and led her downstairs. We said goodnight to our family, and locked up for the night.
When I finished in the shower, I entered our bedroom and was amazed to find Amanda awake. Pillows were strategically aligned beneath her body in an effort to give her some comfort. I was bushed from the day’s events and couldn’t wait to hit the hay. I pulled down the comforter, and wrapped my arms around her. I rested my hands gently on her large abdomen, amazed at the activity going on inside. I felt strong hard pokes all over, and realized why Amanda still was awake.
“Does that hurt?” I asked wondering what the feeling was like coming from the inside.
She snuggled closer, running her hands atop of my own. “No, it doesn’t hurt right now. Sometimes the pressure hurts, when they are kicking me in the ribs, or my bladder, but most of the time it’s a wonderful sensation,” she enlightened me.
I kissed her on the cheek and whispered, “thank you,” before drifting off to sleep with her in my arms. As tired as I was, I was still acutely aware of every move Amanda made.
DEcember 24th, 1988
As dawn approached, I knew Amanda didn’t have a restful night. She twisted and turned in her sleep, trying not to awake me in the process. ‘I wonder if she knows just how much I love her, and that I notice all the little things she does to comfort me? Does she realize how brave I know she is?’ I asked myself. Using my face, I gently moved the hair from the back of her neck, and placed soft kisses along her shoulder. I certainly didn’t want to disturb her, but I had to touch her.
I slid out of bed and tip toed down the stairs. The light filtered through the kitchen windows, illuminating the entire room. It was uncharacteristically cold for this time of year, and the weatherman predicted a white Christmas. As a looked out the kitchen window, I said a silent prayer for a white Christmas.
I quietly prepared scrambled eggs, toast, and orange juice. As I headed back upstairs, Jamie nearly knocked me over as he descended the stairs.
“Jamie!” I hollered, wincing as I realized just how loud I screamed.
“Sorry, Lee. I was just coming down to get some breakfast. I can smell it all the way from my room,” he replied.
I couldn’t help but smile. “Okay, I left the eggs on the counter. Sorry I yelled, but you scared the…. you startled me,” I quickly caught myself.
When I opened the bedroom door, I nearly dropped the tray at the sight in front of me. Amanda was curled up in a ball, holding her stomach.
“Amanda, what’s wrong?” I blurted out rather alarmed.
She straitened out after a moment and finally met my worried face. “I’m okay, Lee. I just had a contraction, but it’s nothing to get alarmed about,” she assured me, sensing the look of panic on my face.
“I’m not worried, just a little concerned,” I unsuccessfully tried to convince her.
“Lee, will you relax? I only had one contraction. It may not even be a contraction, so trust me I’m just fine. I’ll let you know if it’s the real thing,” she promised me. “Ahh, you made breakfast for me?” She changed the subject rather quickly.
My concerned expression dissipated when I saw the look of love and appreciation in her eyes. “Yes, this is for you, and I want you to stay in bed and enjoy it,” I insisted.
After the meal, Amanda wanted to get cleaned up. I assisted her into the bathroom, and ran a warm bath. I helped her into the tub, and then knelt down on the floor to offer some assistance. “Do you need any help?”
I felt her soft hand gently stroke my forearm. “Thank you honey, but I’m just fine. If I need anything, I’ll just give you a holler,” she replied graciously.
I left the bathroom door ajar and went to check on the boys. Jamie was finishing his breakfast, and Phillip hadn’t made it downstairs yet. Dotty emerged from the pantry, and gave me a hug and a kiss. She’s one of the most warm and loving people I know. It’s easy to see where Amanda gets it.
“Good morning, Mom,” I love calling her that.
Good morning, dear. How’s Amanda this morning?” She inquired.
I swirled around the idea of acting as if everything was fine, but my hesitation was noted in her eyes. This woman should have worked for IFF. She had a knack of reading people within moments, and I found that quality remarkable. “She had a contraction this morning, but she said it’s nothing to worry about,” I whispered, trying not to alarm Jamie.
“She what? Is her suitcase packed? Does she need any help upstairs?” She shot off the questions, quicker than I could possibly comprehend.
I was finally prepared to fill the shoes as the calm sensible one in the house. “No, she’s just fine. It was just one contraction, but I’ll go check on her in a few minutes.” I sounded better than I expected, and nearly smiled at the fact.
Dotty relaxed, and let out a deep breath. It looked as if she was about to say something when I heard Amanda’s voice calling me. Amanda normally responded in a calm voice, but something about her tone told me that something was wrong. I had to will myself not to charge up the stairs, alarming the rest of the family.
When I was out of sight, I ran into our bedroom to see what was going on. I opened the bathroom door to find Amanda standing in the tub. She wore a look of surprise on her face, and I wasn’t sure what to expect.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, wondering why she was standing in the tub with no water.
She smiled and placed her hand on my chest. “I don’t want you to get alarmed, but my water just broke.”