Picket Fences! Part 29
Over at Mary Lou and Peter's house . . .
They arrived home with their new baby.
When Peter took Carrie in the kitchen to get her a bottle, Julie asked him if she could feed her baby sister.
He handed the baby to her and Julie gave Carrie her first bottle of milk at home.
Mary Lou called Joy and invited her over to see the baby.
"I'll be over in a few minutes!"
Joy arrived a few minutes later. Mary Lou greeted her with a friendly hug.
"Carrie's taking her nap. Let's have a cup of coffee and chat while we're waiting for her to wake up", said Mary Lou.
"Was having a baby in the hospital better than having one at home?", asked Joy.
"No, I wouldn't do it again. Peter had to wait in the waiting room until Carrie was born and then he only got to see her through the nursery window. The nurses would bring her to visit me for an hour, a couple of times a day. "
"Joy, did you know Rhys had another baby? One of his girlfriends was in the room next to mine. She had a little boy that looked exactly like Ryan and Kevin when they were babies", said Mary Lou.
"Well, Rhys does what he wants and it's not any concern of mine. All I have to say is that I hope his latest conquest has learned her lesson, too", said Joy.
"I would imagine she has, since he didn't marry her either", said Mary Lou.
When the baby starting crying . . .
Joy took her out of her crib and held her.
"She feels so good. I had forgotten how good it feels to hold one this little", said Joy.
"You should try for another one with Larry", said Mary Lou.
"Yeah, Larry would be tickled to death", said Joy.
Mary Lou put Carrie back in her crib, then she hugged Joy goodbye.
A few streets over at Claudia's house . . .
Her cousin Shannan called next-door neighbor Jonathan Henry and invited him over for breakfast. He said that sounded great, as long as she let him do the cooking.
Shannan greeted Jonathan with a friendly hug.
"My specialty is pancakes. How does that sound?", he asked.
"I love pancakes!", she said.
Jonathan went into the kitchen and started preparing the pancakes.
"These are delicious Jonathan. Where did you learn to cook so well?", she asked.
"I've been on my own for a long time. I taught myself how to cook out of necessory", he said.
"If you don't mind me asking, did your parents die when you were very young?", asked Shannan.
"No, they didn't die. They wanted to go to a party one night when I was a toddler and they left me alone. I was asleep, so I guess they figured it was alright, but I woke up and started crying. The Social Worker came and took me to the orphanage", he explained.
After they finished eating, they sat together on the couch.
"What do you do for a living Jonathan?", asked Shannan.
"I'm a Professional Party Guest", he said, "Does that bother you?"
"No, I'm actually quite impressed. I've heard it pays extremely well", she said.
"Yeah, it does, considering I only have to work a couple of nights a week", he said.
"What kind of work do you do?", he asked.
"I work in the film industry as a Film Representative. I'm just getting started, so it sounds better than it pays", she said.
"Well, I'm sure with your looks, you'll go far", he said.
"You flatterer you", she said nuzzeling his neck.
Jonathan gave her a romantic kiss . . .
Which led to more passionate kissing on both their parts.
"I think we better stop before I end up in the same boat as my cousin", said Shannan.
"I guess I better be going on home. I need to get some sleep before I go to work tonight", he said.
"Shannan, I'd like to take you out on a real date sometimes", he said.
"That would be great. I'd love to go out with you", she said.
Then Jonathan left to go home.
Over at Buford Falls Hospital . . .
Claudia was waiting in her room for Rhys to show up. Dr. Brian had already released her and she was ready to take baby Noah home.
Rhys walked in and asked "Are you ready to go home?"
"Yes, I was wondering if you had forgot about us", she said.
"Hey little boy, how did your mama think I would forget about you?", he told Noah.
"You want me to carry him?", asked Rhys.
"No, it's a hospital rule that mother's have to carry their baby out", said Claudia.
"I came in the car so you wouldn't have to walk home", he said.
"Thanks, I appreciate that", she said.
Claudia handed the baby to Rhys, so he could put him in the backseat.
(In the early 1950's, nobody, including babies and childern, was required to wear a seatbelt.)
When Claudia got in the car, Rhys asked "Is your cousin still at your place?"
"Yes, she's going to stay with me until she finds her own place. She'll be able to help me with the baby."
"If you need help, I'll pay for a nanny", he said.
"I've always heard that the NPC nannies weren't any good. I'd rather have my cousin there", she said.
"Sure, whatever you say!", said Rhys.
Then they left the hospital and . . .
They soon arrived at Claudia's house.
When she came into the house, Claudia took Noah into the kitchen to give him a bottle.
She left Rhys in the livingroom to get acquainted with her cousin.
"You surprised me", said Shannan.
"How's that?", asked Rhys.
"Most men in your position, wouldn't stick around to help with the baby. I guess I owe you an apology", she said, "I still think you're a jerk for not marrying her, but if she's alright with it, then I won't say anything more about it."
Claudia took Noah into the nursery and put him in his crib.
Rhys came in, went over to the crib and tucked Noah in while Claudia watched.
"Now that I said goodnight to my son, can I say goodnight to his mama?", asked Rhys.
"Yes, you may", she said.
Rhys kissed Claudia goodnight.
"I'd like to bring Ryan over to meet his little brother, if that's alright", said Rhys.
"Of course", she said.
Then Rhys left to go home to tell Ryan he had a little brother named Noah.
To be continued . . .
Subject: Picket Fences! Part 29 
Sat May 26, 2012 2:52 am
Thanks for sharing. I'm looking forward to the next part. Lilly 
Nice work Mary, your stories are never boring and always page turners. You do such a great job! The pictures are crisp, clean and nice to look at :balloons: . 
Neff and Cinda sure got us lots of new smileys. I love them all.
Tasia. "Papa Says!" is here: 