Chapter 18

Grandma

The beginning of March came, and Sammie went in labor. James called right away to tell us so we could meet them at the hospital. Between us all, we would watch the kids while they brought their new baby into the world. You'd think I'd get used to it after so many, but I didn't. Each time one of them went into labor, I'd be just as excited as the last. New life was amazing, and when that life was one of mine, it was even better.

We sat in the waiting room for hours and hours. You'd think birthing a child would get easier each time, but it didn't. James, Scott, Carrie, Lucy, or Lance would come out to check on us and give us updates, but there was no baby yet. Our family took up the entire waiting room. I felt bad for anyone else having to be in there with us. Just to tell you how often we seemed to be there, the nurses knew each of the kids' names and would come in every little while to bring them all snacks.

After another hour, Parker and Cassie decided to take the kids, theirs along with James and Sammie's, home. I loved watching the two of them. He was a big, broody, bossy man, and she was his biggest challenge. They were absolutely perfect for each other. Each of my kids and grandkids had found a perfect mate, and I loved them each as my own. Jeff had been the only one I hadn't liked, but thankfully, Cassie woke up and realized what slime he really was. When she found Parker, it was as if my final prayer had been answered. I loved the guy, but I'd never thought he'd become one of my own. Watching him take care of my girl made me want to thank Jeff every single day for being the unfaithful asshole he turned out to be, but I'd never admit that to Cassie.

Just as Parker had gathered the kids together, the waiting room door opened, and in walked James. He had the biggest smile on his face, but underneath it all, my boy was exhausted.

“It's a boy,” he said, as his three kids ran toward him.

Jillian stopped frozen the second the word boy left James' mouth.

“Seriously!” she snapped out, looking exactly like her mother.

“Yes,” he said, as he stepped forward and scooped her into his arms.

“I wanted a girl,” she said. “I wanted a sister. Everyone else has a sister.”

“You're my baby girl,” James said, as he hugged her tight. “Doesn't that help.”

“No,” she said. “Can you and mommy try again? Maybe you'll get a girl next time.”

“No,” James answered, with a smile. “We're done having babies.”

“Why?” she asked. “Uncle Parker is way older than you, and he's still having babies with Aunt Cassie.”

“I am not,” Parker said, as he narrowed his eyes at Jillian. “Your dad is almost the same age as me.”

I looked over at Cassie and couldn't hide the smile that filled my face. She still hadn't told them, but it wouldn't be long before she'd no longer have a choice. Cassie was saved by Parker whining that he wasn't an old man yet and by the fact that their youngest was only seven months old.

“Hey now,” Lance Jr. said, as he took Jillian from James. “You're the only girl. That has lots of perks, Jilly. You'll never have to share a room. Nobody will ever take your toys. When you get older, you won't have a little sister getting into your makeup or trying to steal your boyfriends.”

“That's true, Lancie,” she said, as she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek.

Those two had been close since the day she was born, and they were so damn adorable.

“Wait a second,” James said, as he grabbed his daughter back and glared at Lance. “There will be no makeup, and there will never ever be boyfriends.”

“Come on, Daddy,” Jillian said, as she took on an attitude just like her mother's again. “How else will I have babies like you and mommy do?”

James stood there frozen, and the rest of us burst into laughter. Lance Jr. was laughing so hard that he was bent over with his hands on his knees.

“Oh, your time will come,” James said, as he looked at Lance. “You have three daughters. That's triple the boyfriends.”

Lance stopped laughing instantly. Then he stood up and stared straight at James.

“Not a discussion I'll be having,” Lance said sternly.

“Then you better think before you speak to my little girl about that stuff,” James said.

“Are you two finished?” I asked.

Both of the guys looked at me and smiled. They couldn't stay irritated with each other, none of them could. That was just one more thing that made our family perfect.

“Can I see my new grandson?” I asked.

“Yes,” James said, as he looked down at the kids. “The nurses said we can all go in for a couple of minutes, but we have to stay quiet.”

We walked down the hall single file, and I couldn't help but laugh at how long the line was. When we walked into the room, I looked over at Sammie. My poor girl was so tired that she was barely keeping her eyes open. I sat down on the couch, and Lucy walked over to me with the baby in her arms. As soon as I held him, I fell in love. He was the cutest mix of both of his parents. Jillian came over and took his hand in hers.

“You're really cute,” she said. “ I guess I'll still keep you, even though you're a boy.”

Carrie walked over and sat down next to me.

“He is pretty adorable,” she said, as she looked from the baby to Jillian.

All of the kids were circling around the new baby. That was the first time I actually realized just how many there were. I'd said the number before, but having them all standing right there together was something else. They weren't all related by blood, but you would never know it, and that was just one more thing that made our family so damn special. I knew each of those kids would be right there to help the next, and that was something you couldn't find everywhere.

“What do you think your dad would say if he could see this?” I asked, as I looked over at Carrie.

“He'd be so happy,” she answered.

“He'd think we were all crazy,” Scott said, as he walked over to us.

“Probably,” I said. “He'd love every single one of them though.”

“With everything he had,” Scott said.

“I'm so proud of all of you,” I said.

“For being crazy?” Sammie asked.

“For having kids that can't keep their legs together?” Lance added.

“Dad,” Sammie snapped.

“For being so close,” I said. “For always being there for each other. I've never seen a family like ours, not ever.”

“That's because you've never seen one so big,” Lance said.

“Just because I'm holding a baby doesn't mean I won't stand up and catch you upside the head,” I said. “I'm serious. You all make me so damn happy every single day. I'm lucky to be one of you. I truly am. You've all found love, and you all stick together. Of course you piss each other off every now and then, but I know you'd still be right there if the same person that pissed you off needed you five minutes later. That's family.”

“You're right about that,” Lance said. “Reid's still around. That says a lot.”

“That's exactly what I mean,” I said. “You're always saying something to piss me off, but I still love you.”

The room erupted in laughter, and not ten seconds later, the door opened. Every single person in the room pointed to Lance, and the nurse laughed.

“Stop causing trouble,” she said, as she narrowed her eyes at him. “You're going to get us in trouble.”

When she shut the door, Lucy laughed.

“What's so funny, Woman?” he asked.

“That same nurse used to practically slobber on herself when you were around. Now look at her,” Lucy said. “Are you getting old or just losing your touch?”

“I'm not old,” Lance growled out, “and I most definitely am not losing my touch. I'll show you as soon as we get home and my hand lands on that naked, sexy.”

“Dad,” Sammie yelled out, cutting him off, as her hands went up to cover her ears.

I'd never laughed as much in my life as I did when I was with my family. It was never a dull moment when we were around, and I wouldn't have it any other way.