by Barb Shuler
“Ms. Larson, are you ready to move back to your bed?” The nurse was at the door, her back to me. I guess she was giving me as much privacy as she could. I sighed again and shook my head even though she couldn't see me.
“Can I shower while I'm in here? I feel gross and disgusting,” I said, a pout pulling at my lips.
“I'll need to check with the Doctor, but I'm sure we can arrange that. Can you stay there for a moment?” She asked.
“Not like I can run off, now can I?”
I heard her chuckle as the door opened. I sat there, on the throne of all places, and was contemplating what was next when I heard the door open again.
“Please tell me he said yes, even if he said no. I'm stripping out of these things now,” I cursed as I tried to get the stupid pale blue gown off. Seriously I wanted a real shower. A bowl of warm water and a wash rag just didn't do it for me.
“Well, that's a helluva way to be greeted,” a deep voice said. My grin grew as I looked up into Tate's gaze.
“Tate, baby! Hey, please help me. I want a shower. I'm all gross.” I made a grabby hand out to him and he stepped inside the bathroom, careful to keep the door respectfully closed.
“Okay, did they say you could shower?” he asked. I frowned and shook my head. “I'd be happy to give you a sponge bath. It might do you some good.”
“Ugh, Nathaniel Cannon! You stop that right now. You hear me?” I scolded but it was too late. My body was zinging with desire. Oh, he was gonna pay for that. Yes sir. He was gonna pay.
“What? I was dead serious,” he said, his brow raised. He was fighting to not smile. I patted his cheek and shook my head.
“You're full of it, Mister,” I groused. He leaned in and kissed my lips. That was it. I was a goner.
“Ms. Larson, good news- Oh, Mr. Cannon, excuse me. I just talked to the Doctor and it looks like you will be going home today. Would you like to take a shower now or wait until you're home?” She asked and I blinked.
“Home… but- Do I smell?” I asked, almost afraid to know.
“You don't stink, baby. Come on, let's go get you ready. That's why I'm here. They called and said you were being discharged,” Tate said.
He helped me stand and back out to the bed. Two other nurses came in and within a few blinks I was unhooked from the machines, the two IV’s were removed and I sat there, my head laid against Tate’s chest. I wanted to get dressed and escape this place before they changed their minds.
A few minutes later and I had signed discharge papers, was dressed and being wheeled out of the hospital. I took in a deep lung full of fresh, crisp air - and regretted it. The pain in my side was met by my resolve. I would relish the pain in exchange for the fresh air. I let out the breath slowly. Thank you Jesus, I was free. I’d have done a happy dance if it wouldn’t have made me keel over in pain.
It only took a few minutes more for Tate to get his truck. When he pulled up I chewed on my lip. There was no way I could climb up into it. It wasn’t that it was high off the ground or anything, but with one good arm, I had no way to balance myself when I stepped up on the running board. As usual, I worried for no reason. Before I could protest, Tate had me in his arms and lifted me up into the truck. I smiled as he latched my seatbelt since I couldn't. After a brief kiss, he shut the door and moved around to climb in himself.
Home. I was finally going home.
* * *
Tate
* * *
I wasn't sure what to expect from Georgie when we got home. I'd told her everything about my son. Yeah, there was no doubt in my mind, or anyone else's for that matter. That boy was mine. He'd been checked over by a few doctors and he was healthy enough. He was a little under weight, and just starting to toddle around. Doctor Rutledge, the pediatrician at the hospital, said he'd adjust well. With Abbie there he'd have another baby his age to pick things up from. He'd be moving around and talking more soon. It was all music to my ears. I had no idea what he'd gone through at that house with those crazy ass people, but he'd never have to worry about that again.
By the time I pulled up at the house Georgie was asleep. The meds they have her on for pain were strong, and they always hit her hard. When I opened the door to get Georgie out, Tango leapt up and sniffed her. He whined before licking her face. After she started to stir I chuckled and pulled him back. “Move it. She's okay, I promise. Come on, let's get her inside, all right?”
We were greeted by two squealing babies - excuse me, toddlers - barking dogs and happy faces. Georgie woke enough to hold her arm out for Abbie when I sat her on the couch.
“Both of them,” she’d said. Ma and I moved to put Abbie and baby Toby against her. She wrapped her good arm around them and just sat there, breathing them in. There was a few minutes of silence before I heard Georgie sniffling. She kissed both Abbie and Toby’s cheeks.
“You okay, darlin’?” I asked, a little tense. What if she was in pain with them both standing on her lap, leaning against her.
“Yes” was all she said. She whispered to both babies that she loved them. I watched as she gave Toby a big smile.
“You, little man… I'm so glad they found you. You have a loving family now.” She said the words almost too soft for even me to hear, and I was sitting beside her. Both babies laid against her. I saw the wince of pain but the moment I moved to take them from her she glared.
“Don't, just let me have them for a minute.”
I nodded and leaned over to kiss her cheek. A few minutes later, when my attention went back to them, Georgie had scooted down a bit and they were all asleep. Abbie, Toby and Georgie were knocked out. I chuckled and went to pick up the kids.
“Here, just push the footrest up. Let them sleep,” Ma said. We fiddled with the lever and as soon as her legs were up Tango got up on her slinged side and laid his head on her thigh. I sat back into the corner of the couch and just watched them. I wasn't the only one. Everyone was staring at them. Georgie had accepted Toby, just like that. No questions. No hesitations. She took him into her arms and that was that.
If it were possible to love someone more, it was happening now. I loved this woman with all of my soul. With everything that had happened in the last week, hell, even before that, she has been a rock. So strong and able to overcome any obstacle put in her way.
I couldn’t wait months. No, as soon as she was feeling better, we were getting married. I was going to steal her name and give her mine. She would be my forever as I would be hers.
25
Two Toddlers & A Wedding
Tate
It's been almost two months since the incident at the ranch with Tabitha and her son. Georgie has healed well physically, though her shoulder is still a little tender if she overworks it. But she's not let that stop her. There are still many nights that she wakes up from a nightmare. She’s been known to jump out of bed and race to Abbie and Toby’s nursery to make sure they’re safe. Once she sees that our little girl is fine, and that Toby is settled, she will come back to bed, curl into me and cry until she falls back asleep.
The first few times she did that I would try to talk to her about it and she remembered nothing. The doctors said that could just be her mind's way of dealing with what happened. During the day she is okay, for the most part. There have been a few times that a noise in the barn triggers a panic attack, but we’ve been able to calm her down quickly. Thankfully, those episodes are few and far between. She’s been given meds to help with the anxiety, even though she put up a fight against taking them. Eventually, she agreed and has been good about taking them. But in this reality, in the world around us, Tango is her best medicine. The dog, her dog, the one that knows all of her feelings before anyone else, is like her very own xanax. He’s never far from her side nowadays. With the two new additions - other than Toby - running around this place has been hopping. It's been good that Georgie has Tango there for her. I'm hoping things will slow down now that it's the big day.
Getting used to being a dad
to two precious babies has taken some getting used to. I mean, I had enough trouble keeping up with one… now, they're all over the place. We all have our work cut out for us. Along with planning a wedding, running the Ranch and waiting on the results to get back on the DNA tests - and yes, Toby is mine - we’ve had to have him seen by doctors to make damn sure he's okay. In the beginning he wasn't at a normal weight, and I -we- had to know if he was truly okay. He's picked up on his weight after being with us a few weeks and just as the pediatrician predicted, he has adapted smoothly. Toby and Abbie have become cohorts; they're like little ninjas. In the mix of life we’ve also settled the court cases. Both Tabitha and her so called son, pleaded guilty. Not like they could fight the evidence against them.
We’d also made plans to move into our own home, so we had privacy and could spend time that wasn’t interrupted by a house full of people. Plans had been drawn out and as of a week ago, we had gotten the framework for our new house started. We are across the field from the big house. As Ma said it's within yellin’ distance.
Today though, all of that takes a backseat. Well, everything but my kids and the future Mrs. Nathaniel Cannon. As I stand on the petal covered grass waitin’ for my heart to come out to me I can't help but swallow hard. I wasn't this nervous the first time. Georgie makes me want to make this all perfect for her. After everything, I want to give her a good memory she can carry with her forever.
Soon, we would be hand in hand before our family and friends to join as one. I smiled to myself and tried to not fidget. I lost that battle. I shifted from foot to foot until Pops put a hand on my shoulder. I looked back at him and gave him a nod of thanks. Maybe my heart would stop trying to beat its way out of my chest too. Maybe not.
“Relax, son. Everything is perfect, and I doubt your girl will run off,” Pops said, laughing. Ass. I chuckled.
“Let’s hope not,” I retorted.
“Hey, I offered but she turned me down,” Cody chimed in. Jon punched him in the arm and we all chuckled again. Okay, I was calm..ish. I could do this. The bride is supposed to the the nervous one here. Not the groom.
After a few minutes - or what seemed like days - I looked at my watch. Ten minutes. Ten very long, never ending minutes until I could see my girl.
“Joseph!” Ma hollered. The small crowd of people seated in our backyard garden -including myself - turned to look at her. She waved her hand and was grinning from ear to ear. Okay, so it wasn’t bad news then. Pops marched down the makeshift aisle and up onto the back porch. After a whispered chat with Ma he gave me a thumbs up and headed inside.
“See, she ain’t smartened up and left ya yet,” Cody said, elbowing my side. I snorted and punched him hard in the shoulder.
“Ow, hey, fucker. That hurt,” he grunted and I shrugged.
“Stop tormenting him, Cody. You two are acting like children,” Abe said as he adjusted his tie. We cracked grins at that. Of course we were.
When the french doors opened we all turned. My smile grew so big my face hurt when I saw Abbie and Toby walking out. Phoebe and Danny held their hands so they didn’t toddle too fast and face plant as they walked down the aisle to us. ‘Cause lets face it, neither of my kids were very graceful right now. They were just getting a good hang on this walking thing and I really hoped there would be no tears and crying right now.
Tango followed them out and I chuckled. The damn dog had on a lavender bow tie that matched our ties. I should have guessed that. Since everything that had happened he had not let either of the babies or Georgie out of his sight for long.
“Damn, dude, even the dog gets to dress up,” Cody chuckled as I watched my son and daughter coming my way. Abbie had a tight grip on her basket of flowers and Toby had the pillow with the rings on it clutched so tight I could see his knuckles had lost color. When they saw me at the end of the aisle they squealed and waved their full hands at me. My heart did that flip flop thing and melted. Completely.
When the music started everyone stood and turned to fully face the doors. The moment I saw both Ma and Pops walking Georgie out of the house my heart hammered. Pops was whispering to her, but thanks to that veil she had on I really couldn’t see her face. I felt a hand squeeze my shoulder and was thankful that Cody was here, to stand at my side as I set forth to give my everything to the woman I loved.
My eyes roamed over her and I have to say, that dress showed off all of her curves. Sweet Mary, my girl was one sexy lady. I couldn’t wait to peel her out of that dress later tonight. Both Ma and Pops kissed Georgie’s cheeks and Ma helped her lift the veil over her face. The shimmering tears in her eyes matched mine.
I moved to take my place beside her and gripped her free hand. The crowd chuckled as the minister said, “who gives this woman to be wed?” because you guessed it, Tango barked and stood proudly by him Mama’s side. Her smile matched mine as we moved to face the man about to make our marriage official, then took each other’s hand in a tight grip, as instructed.
As the minister gave a speech on love and devotion my mind wandered. I stared into the eyes of my soul mate. I was on autopilot until the minister looked to me and asked if I had my vows. I nodded. I had repeated them to myself over the last week until I could taste them. We had agreed, short and sweet. Neither of us were attention whores, so it worked.
“Georgeana, the moment I saw you wasn’t one of my shining moments. I was an ass.” Everyone around us chuckled and I took in a deep breath. “You, my love, are a beautiful, kind and loving woman. You’ve touched this family in a way that nothing can compare to. I’m not only promising before our family and friends to love, honor and cherish you until the end of time, but to be the man you need. I love you, more and more, everyday.” I had to stop there. The ball of emotion rising inside me was making it hard to breathe. I saw Georgie hand her small bouquet of flowers to Phoebe and I almost lost it. This was happening. I wasn’t dreaming.
Georgie gave my hands a squeeze and as the minister talked again, turning his attention towards her. She gave a little nod and I could see she had to take a second to collect herself. I of course, was still trying to hold my shit together. Men didn’t blubber at weddings. What. The. Actual. Hell?
“Nathaniel Cannon, you stole my heart when I was unaware that was what I needed. The first time you took me into your arms… and danced me across the floors of this house...” She swallowed hard and it was my turn to be strong for her. I gave her hand a squeeze. The moment her eyes once again met mine I smiled. “You cracked the shield I had up. You brought me back to life. You and your family have opened your hearts to me. A girl no one knew. I was alone, and now… you have shown me what forever will mean. I love you so much. I promise to give you and our kids all of my love. I will love, honor and torture... I mean, be here for you until I take my last breath.”
As the crowd chuckled at her ‘torture’ crack I grinned. That was my girl. I took the pinned rings from the pillow Toby had and laid them on the Bible the minister held. He said a few words, and I’m sorry, but I was too busy staring at my soon to be wife to pay attention. When Cody elbowed me I blinked and saw Georgie was grinning. Shit, I’d missed something.
“Nathaniel, take this ring and place it on Georgie’s finger as you repeat after me,” the minister said, as he pushed his Bible out to me. I took the ring and repeated after him as I was directed.
“Georgie, I have chosen you alone from all the world to be my wedded wife. I give you this ring to be a daily reminder of my love and our promises.”
“Now Georgie, take this ring and repeat after me,” the minister once again directed as he pushed the Bible towards her. She took the ring and spoke her words with a shaky voice.
“Nathaniel, I have chosen you alone from all the world to be my wedded husband. I give you this ring to be a daily reminder of my love and our promises.”
We were both fighting back the emotions curling up inside us. As I squeezed her hand again a tear escaped her eye. I swallowed hard and mouthed “I love y
ou” to her. She returned the sentiment and as the minister spoke again the kids started to whine. Someone started tugging at my pant legs. I tried to let the others handle it, but they were not having any of that. Georgie gave me a big grin as she gingerly bent down and scooped up Abbie. She was crying now, as was Toby. I lifted him up and kissed his head as he laid against me.
“As we witness this gathering, the love and commitments between Nathaniel and Georgeana have been shared with us, and before God. They have given themselves to one another, and it’s now our duty to provide them with love and guidance as they set forth on this journey. In hard times, in good times they have promised to let the bonds of love keep them together. It is my great pleasure to pronounce them husband and wife.”
All at once, the crowd of our family and friends started to clap and whistle. My eyes never left my wife. The words left the minister's mouth confirming what we knew in our hearts. We would be here to love, honor and cherish each other until we left this earth. As the minister said, “Nathaniel, you may kiss your bride,” I was already leaning into her. I had been waiting all day to kiss my wife. I hadn’t however planned on the two children, the little demons to push us apart. I laughed hard as Abbie and Toby pushed us back. Everyone was laughing at that display now and I hoped it wasn’t an omen as to how married life was gonna go.
“Ladies and gents, I now give to you, Mr. and Mrs. Nathaniel Cannon.”
26
Tears, Cake & Chaos
Georgie