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“We need to be ready for this baby.”
“We are ready.” I looked around and pointed out that we were more than ready. I was thankful that my team had appeared the week before to set up the nursery. My mom had basically set up the kitchen by herself while Sue had to sit under her watchful eye, and my dad and his team had set up pretty much everything else.
“I just still feel unprepared.” She let her emotions show, and I could see she was beyond exhausted and a little nervous.
“Oh, darlin’,” I bent down in front of her and took her hands, “even if we aren’t totally ready for this, we have so many people who will step in to help. When our baby comes, you’re going to be so tired, so you need to rest now. We both do, because I hear there are a lot of sleepless nights ahead of us. Everything will fall into place, I promise.” I kissed her fingers, and she let out a heavy sigh. “Now, I’m going to run you a bath, and while you two soak, I’m going to make dinner.”
“No, Dan, you worked all day.” She stood and put her hands against my chest, and I could feel her belly press against me. I captured her hands, then turned her around and marched her into the bathroom and sat her on the closed toilet seat.
“I promised to take care of you.” I turned the water on, pushed the plug in the hole, and poured her favorite bath salts all around. “And that’s what I’m doing.”
I unzipped her dress as the tub filled then handed her an elastic. She gathered up her hair and tied it on top of her head, then she let me help her into the tub.
“Thank you.” She sighed as she slid low into the bubbles so only her belly with its new outie button was above the waterline. I leaned down and smiled at our baby inside, then gave it a kiss.
“You look adorable.” I grinned and lit a few candles then turned off the overhead light.
“I’ll come get you when dinner’s ready.”
“Dan?”
“Yeah?” I held on to the handle of the door.
“You asked me what name I’d really like for a boy.”
“I did.” I smiled, loving that she’d thought some more about it. Up to now, we just couldn’t come up with one we both liked.
“What about the name Cole.”
“Cole. Cole Logan.” I tested the name.
“No.” She shook her head, and I looked at her with a question. “Cole Edison Logan.”
A smile broke across my lips while I tested the name again.
“I love it.”
“I do, too.” She rubbed her tummy. “I think we have a Cole in here.”
I turned back and sat on the floor next to the tub and reached over to pat her bump.
“So, if it’s a boy, Cole, and if it’s a girl, Emery.” I was happy we had names now; our minds were made up. To me, that was the most important part and made it more real.
“I love you, Dan.”
“I love you more.” I drew a circle around her belly and rested my head on the side of the tub. Dinner could wait for a few more minutes.
I had to keep a watchful eye on Sue as the months drew on. She was a stubborn mother-to-be and was determined to have everything perfect before the due date. A few times, I tried to get her to sit and relax, but that didn’t go over so well. I had to get creative, so I’d make up little tasks that needed to get done, and while she was busy on those, I did the bigger jobs. Even Mom got in on the creativity and often made up reasons Sue needed to go places with her. It was a struggle, but when our baby finally decided to make an appearance, I wanted Sue rested and ready.
Daniel
Our son Cole was brought home wrapped in a camo blanket given to him by his grandparents. I figured why not. He might as well have a head start, as he was about to grow up in a world that was flooded by all things military. To say I was proud to have a son was an understatement, but there was no doubt in my mind if we’d had a daughter, I wouldn’t have changed anything about the way she was raised. The Logans were born leaders and fighters, and I was determined to make sure our son would be brought up the same way.
Little did I know how friggin’ stubborn Private Cole would be.Sue Junior, for sure.
“Sue! Suuuuuuue,” I called out. I knew she was somewhere in the house laughing at me. “He hates the peas. I mean, I don’t blame him. They’re nasty, but hereallyhates the peas.”
“He has to eat them.”