Pickle Flavor Binge
Author: Bitz
Story: Hearts on Fire Series
Characters: Chaison, Phoenix, baby Ari, Josh, Mickey
Rating: Teen
Challenge: Pickle Flavor Binge
Topping/Extra: Pocky
Summary: Phoenix's first pregnancy and the birth of her first child, Arizona
Word Count: 2660
A/N: Because the birth of my daughter Sofia is just around the corner in May, it just seemed right to do something in Pickle. I hope you guys enjoy it!
9. The Stork
Chaison looked at his wife in stunned silence. "I'm sorry...I...ahem..." He cleared his throat. "I didn't quite get that." Phoenix looked at him with a warm smile. She was all too happy to repeat her words.
"I'm pregnant, Chaise."
"Now?"
"Well, yeah! When did you think? Next year?"
Chaison took a deep breath and let it out in a rush, sinking down on the couch next to Phoenix who was looking at him patiently. He was again silent, rubbing his hand over his hair. Then he looked at her in confusion.
"How did this happen?"
Phoenix cocked her head with a knowing look. "Now, let's not go there, shall we? You should be the expect in knowing how it happens."
He gave an awkward smile.
12. in a family way
"When are you expecting, Phoenix?" Mrs. Grady, the store owner asked the woman as she waited with Chaison, Mickey and Josh to get her things rung up. Phoenix looked up at the woman in shock as Josh and Mickey craned their heads towards the other couple. Josh looked just as stunned as she did.
"Whoa, wait...expecting? Fire, is she for real?"
Phoenix glanced back at Josh; she had planned to tell him after they got back to the ranch. "Yes, she's right." Josh blinked. "Golly! Did Chaise even know about this yet?" He was amazed by the news as everybody could tell by his huge grin.
Chaison rubbed a hand over his head, laughing nervously. "Yep."
"When? What? How?" Josh was at a loss for words.
"She told me this morning."
Josh looked over at Mickey asking, "Did you know about this, babe?" She gave him a sheepish look and Josh was taken aback. "You knew before me? You sneaky little woman."
Phoenix gave her money to the storekeeper not bothering to look back at Josh. "She knew before Chaise did, Josh. She was there when I found out."
Josh looked at Mickey who shrugged with a smile. "Hey, that's what best friends do!" Everybody was silent afterwards and all that was heard was the register opening and closing. "Have a good day." Mrs. Grady said with a warm smile. Phoenix gave a small one back; not certain if she was happy that the shopkeeper was the one who broke the news like that.
4. eating for two
"Phoenix, are you going to eat some chicken?" Cheyenne asked, holding her skillet of the poultry smothered in gravy. Phoenix who had her head on her hand and looking weary, took a glance at it and shook her head slowly. "No. Thank you."
Cheyenne's eyes took on a worried light. "Okay...how about some mashed potatoes?" Phoenix shook her head; nothing sounded good at the moment. Nothing sounded good at all anymore. Chaison gave his wife a look of pity before saying, "She really hasn't be able to keep anything down." Phoenix could have hugged her husband at that moment.
Cheyenne gave a smile and said, "Oh yes, I remember those days quite well. But I had to keep telling myself that I have to eat for my baby. " She came towards the dining room table saying "As should you." Phoenix wiped a hand over her forehead, trying to keep the smells for effecting her so much as a plate was put down in front of her. "So come on, honey. At least eat some greens." Cheyenne suggested.
Phoenix took one look and one whiff of the collard greens in front of her face and immediately her cheeks became as full as a chipmunk's. Chaison was there in a flash, pulling back his wife's chair as she ran straight for the bathroom, moaning. He looked at his honorary mom with a look of disappointment.
"Cheyenne..."
"What? I was just trying to help!"
1. It’s a boy
Chaison and Phoenix looked at the screen excitedly as the sonographer started rubbing the device over her abdomen saying, "So you are about eighteen weeks along now right?" The couple nodded, and Chaison asked, "So can you tell what our baby is?" The tech nodded and said, "Yep, give me just a few minutes to calculate weight and weeks ok?" They both nodded and after a while the sonographer pointed at the screen and said, "See? There is your little boy!" Chaison's small smile broke out into a huge grin and he exclaimed, "A boy? Hot damn!" Phoenix on the other hand stared at the screen intensely. The sonographer noticed her lack of excitement and asked, "Can you see it, ma'am?"
She looked at him dubiously giving him an answer to satisfy him. "Yeah. Mmhmm."
The sonographer smiled; obviously pleased with his work. Soon after, he was finished and sent Phoenix and Chaison back to the doctor's office. As Phoenix walked next to her husband she said, "Boy, my ass..." Chaison frowned. "Pardon?" She looked up at him and said, "I don't know what kind of dumbass they've hired for that job, but that's a little girl in there."
"Firebird, how do you even know that? You're not a sonographer."
She wasn't going to let those words change her mind. "You watch. Next sonogram, we'll see how stupid he really is." Chaison smiled at her cockiness. "Ok, bet." Phoenix smirked.
"All right. Be prepared to lose, Mr. Kincannon."
2. It’s a girl
Phoenix looked at the confused sonographer with a raised eyebrow. He kept rubbing the device over her belly over and over as if trying to make his way magically appear.
"What...What happened to your little boy?" He asked her, genuinely wanting to know as if he was worried.
Phoenix sighed, nearly rolling her eyes. "Maybe...that little boy that you were so proud of finding was really a little girl the whole time, sir."
"A girl?!"
"Yes. Check again and see."
He did and when he confirmed what she said, he sat back in awed silence. "You are absolutely right, ma'am. I'm so sorry for my assumption before. "
"It's ok. I'm sure other sonographers don't get it right the first time either." She wiped away the gel from her stomach and asked, "Am I done?" He nodded silently. She got up, fixed her pants and headed out the door.
Chaison looked up at her wondering what happened. "Well?"
Phoenix gave a smirk. "You lost. You have a little girl on the way."
Chaison rubbed a hand over his face and shook his head in amazement of his wife's intelligence.
"Come on, let's go. I'll be expecting my foot massage back at home, sir."
"Yes, ma'am. You deserve it."
7. bun in the oven
"OOF!" Phoenix exhaled out as she bumped into yet another hard surface. She rubbed her sore belly with a slight pout and went about making something to eat for herself and Chaison. But it proved to be awkward as her stomach bumped up against the stove and against the counters and against the kitchen sink. She gave a sigh of annoyance and looked around thinking what the solution was going to be for this.
Later on, Chaison walked through the door and seeing Phoenix at the table, looked around with a confused frown and asked, "Hey, babe. What's for dinner?"
Phoenix got up and walked past her husband, saying in a clipped voice, "KFC. Get in the car."
8. baby on board
She didn't understand why she was even here at this office waiting to renew her driver's license. In her view, the DMV was one of the worst places to be in. It was crowded, the people issuing the licenses were rude and did she mention that it was crowded. If she thought that before she was pregnant it was safe to say that today was torture. Phoenix found herself standing on her painful swollen feet while people who seemed capable of standing themselves were sitting comfortably in chairs. She rolled her eyes and bared it; she wasn't going to be one of those women who assumed that they were just supposed to have a seat. She wasn't a queen last time she checked.
A woman who sat on the floor next to her, smiled up at her and asked, "How far along are you?" Phoenix looked down and said, "I'm 8 months. Almost nine." The woman's eyes widened and she said, "Wow...congrats."
"Thank you."
The woman went back to looking at her magazine, and Phoenix looked around hoping that somebody had heard that she was pregnant to offer her a seat. Of course...nothing. Phoenix sighed impatiently and prayed that this would go faster before her ankles or her bladder exploded. Hopefully it wasn't the latter. Suddenly a man's voice said, "Ma'am, would you like to sit down?" She looked over towards the voice and saw a older man most likely in his sixties getting up and motioning for her to sit down.
Phoenix smiled, trying to keep her sudden emotions down. "Yes, thank you so much, sir." She said, coming over and sitting down, feeling the pressure coming off of her back. The man smiled and then gave a slight frown saying, "I nearly did a double take seeing all these worthless people not even offering to give you a seat. Times have really changed huh? Not for the better either." I nodded, seeing a mix of people looking half ashamed and half annoyed at the man's words. He didn't care and put a comforting hand on my shoulder saying, "You just sit, sweetie and rest up you and that baby." Phoenix smiled and said. "I appreciate it."
The man nodded and headed to where her place was and Phoenix shook her head in awe. Times were indeed changing, but at least there was still chivalry.
11. pickles & ice cream
"Fire..."
"Yeah?"
"Whatcha eating?"
"What does it look like, honey?"
"Popcorn."
"Right-o"
"With green olives..."
"Yep. They give it a little zing."
"Oh...really..."
"Yep."
"Oh, boy. Why couldn't my wife like the normal thing like pickles and ice cream?"
"Ooh, hey. That sounds good too!
"Oy."
5. labor & delivery
Phoenix was vaguely aware of her husband's cooling yet sweaty hand caressing her hair back. All she knew was that she needed to get this pain over with and push this little girl out.
"All right, Phoenix. Give me another push!" The doctor ordered.
Phoenix groaned as she raised up and pushed as hard as she could; her teeth gritting together with her determination. Chaison held her hand, whispering lightly in her ear.
"You got this, babe. Do it! She's almost here!"
His reassuring words gave her another boost of strength and she pushed even harder, nearly screaming out as she felt intense pressure trying to exit her body. "Oh, my God...it hurts..." She ground out. Chaison's eyes were full of anguish as he caressed her head. "I know, baby. Almost there."
"The head is crowning, Phoenix. Give me one more big push!"
Phoenix took a deep breath, gathered whatever she had left and pushed, hoping that this was it.
14. cut the cord
Chaison looked in awe at the now squirming baby that was in the doctor's hands. He cleared her mouth out and immediately she let out a cry of life. Tears sprang to his eyes and he smiled down at his wife, who was reaching for her baby girl. The doctor put her on Phoenix's chest and she rubbed all over her daughter's body, tears streaming down her face. "You did a great job, baby. You did so good." Chaison sobbed out, kissing her forehead in pride.
"Mr. Kincannon."
Chaison looked up to see a pair of scissors. "Would you like to cut your daughter's cord?"
Chaison nodded. "Yes, sir." He said, delicately taking the scissors and after putting it where the doctor directed, cut his little girl loose from her mother. Just doing that job was enough to bring more tears to his eyes. He never thought this would be so intense nor that he would automatically feel such abandoned love for his daughter.
15. she has your eyes
"Hello, my Arizona Sierra..." Chaison cooed out to his brand new daughter, who stared back at him quietly. His hand held her head careful and steady as he walked around the room, smiling at his equally happy wife. "She's gorgeous." He said to her. Phoenix nodded. "She's perfect." She agreed. As if she knew they were talking about her, the baby scrunched up her face and let out a slight cry. Phoenix held out her hands as the baby's cries got faster and harder. "Here, let me see if she's a bit hungry." Chaison nodded giving the baby to her and Phoenix prepared to feed her saying, "It's ok, Ari. Mommy's here." Soon the crying died down and Phoenix smiled soft seeing the beautiful dark brown eyes of her newborn staring up at her. Her heart melted at the sight. She looked up at Chaise and said, "She has your eyes."
"Really?"
"Yeah. She definitely favors you more than me, look wise."
Chaison came to sit beside his wife, loving how peaceful she and his daughter looked. "I love my ladies." He said, putting his head on her shoulder. Phoenix smiled up at him. "Aw, we love you too, Daddy."
Ari blinked.
10. ten tiny toes
1...2...3...4...5...6...7...8...9...10
Phoenix gave an inward sigh of relief and then touched each little toe of Arizona's feet again
1...2...3...4...5...6...7...8...9...10
Yep, they were there...but one more check wouldn't hurt.
1...2...3...4...5...6...7...8...9...10
13. bundle of joy
"Aww, Chaise! She is just to die for!" Cheyenne exclaimed as she held Ari close to her. The proud parents smiled and then watched as she was passed on to Luke. "Don't you worry now, little girl. We'll get you herding cattle in no time." He said with a broad grin. "You know I'll see to that." Chaison agreed. Everybody laughed and then Cheyenne asked, "Did you hear from Joshawa yet?" Chaison's smile fell and Phoenix shook her head.
"No, we were hoping that we would see them today, but we know they are busy getting ready to go."
"Oh, that's no good. I talked to him today and he told me he would try his best."
Chaison nodded. "Yeah, but I don't want him to rush just because of us."
"And why not?" A voice called out. Everybody turned to see Josh and Mickey coming in with a bunch of pink balloons. Chaison got up and the two best friends exchanged hugs as Mickey waved and came up to Phoenix who hugged her close "Oh, I'm so happy to see you, Mickey. I didn't think I would be able to see you before you guys left for Texas." Mickey had tears in her eyes as she said, "I wouldn't miss this for the world, Firebird." Phoenix smiled, looking at Mickey's hint of a stomach protruding and said, "How is little boy?" Mickey smiled and said, "He's great. One day he'll be able to come and meet Ari."
Phoenix smiled. "I'd like that."
As the girlfriends hugged again, Luke handed Ari back to Chaison. Chaison kissed her head and then handed her over to Josh saying, "Meet your godfather, Ari." Josh held her gently and as Mickey came to his side, they both smiled and Josh said, "Golly...she's perfect."
Phoenix smiled. "I know. We couldn't agree with you more."
6. baby blues
Chaison couldn't understand it. They had a wonderful house, a horse full of beautiful horses and now, this beautiful addition to their family.
So, why was she sad?
This baby blues part of the journey...dammit, he hated to say it...sucked balls.
All he wanted, was to see her smile.
3. and baby makes 3
Phoenix looked up at her husband who had just asked, "You think our family is complete?" She raised an eyebrow at him as she stroked Ari's soft hair.
"What are you getting at, Mister."
"Getting at? What?"
"I know you!"
Chaison grinned. "I was just wondering if one kid is enough for you. Innocent enough question, babe."
Phoenix smiled back. "I guess 3 is a good number. But for now...this three is good enough."
Chaison pouted a bit. "Damn...I was hoping we could get started."
"Horny man...remember the doctor said 6 weeks. So tough."
Chaison crossed his arms, disappointed. "Damn doctor."
Story: Hearts on Fire Series
Characters: Chaison, Phoenix, baby Ari, Josh, Mickey
Rating: Teen
Challenge: Pickle Flavor Binge
Topping/Extra: Pocky
Summary: Phoenix's first pregnancy and the birth of her first child, Arizona
Word Count: 2660
A/N: Because the birth of my daughter Sofia is just around the corner in May, it just seemed right to do something in Pickle. I hope you guys enjoy it!
9. The Stork
Chaison looked at his wife in stunned silence. "I'm sorry...I...ahem..." He cleared his throat. "I didn't quite get that." Phoenix looked at him with a warm smile. She was all too happy to repeat her words.
"I'm pregnant, Chaise."
"Now?"
"Well, yeah! When did you think? Next year?"
Chaison took a deep breath and let it out in a rush, sinking down on the couch next to Phoenix who was looking at him patiently. He was again silent, rubbing his hand over his hair. Then he looked at her in confusion.
"How did this happen?"
Phoenix cocked her head with a knowing look. "Now, let's not go there, shall we? You should be the expect in knowing how it happens."
He gave an awkward smile.
12. in a family way
"When are you expecting, Phoenix?" Mrs. Grady, the store owner asked the woman as she waited with Chaison, Mickey and Josh to get her things rung up. Phoenix looked up at the woman in shock as Josh and Mickey craned their heads towards the other couple. Josh looked just as stunned as she did.
"Whoa, wait...expecting? Fire, is she for real?"
Phoenix glanced back at Josh; she had planned to tell him after they got back to the ranch. "Yes, she's right." Josh blinked. "Golly! Did Chaise even know about this yet?" He was amazed by the news as everybody could tell by his huge grin.
Chaison rubbed a hand over his head, laughing nervously. "Yep."
"When? What? How?" Josh was at a loss for words.
"She told me this morning."
Josh looked over at Mickey asking, "Did you know about this, babe?" She gave him a sheepish look and Josh was taken aback. "You knew before me? You sneaky little woman."
Phoenix gave her money to the storekeeper not bothering to look back at Josh. "She knew before Chaise did, Josh. She was there when I found out."
Josh looked at Mickey who shrugged with a smile. "Hey, that's what best friends do!" Everybody was silent afterwards and all that was heard was the register opening and closing. "Have a good day." Mrs. Grady said with a warm smile. Phoenix gave a small one back; not certain if she was happy that the shopkeeper was the one who broke the news like that.
4. eating for two
"Phoenix, are you going to eat some chicken?" Cheyenne asked, holding her skillet of the poultry smothered in gravy. Phoenix who had her head on her hand and looking weary, took a glance at it and shook her head slowly. "No. Thank you."
Cheyenne's eyes took on a worried light. "Okay...how about some mashed potatoes?" Phoenix shook her head; nothing sounded good at the moment. Nothing sounded good at all anymore. Chaison gave his wife a look of pity before saying, "She really hasn't be able to keep anything down." Phoenix could have hugged her husband at that moment.
Cheyenne gave a smile and said, "Oh yes, I remember those days quite well. But I had to keep telling myself that I have to eat for my baby. " She came towards the dining room table saying "As should you." Phoenix wiped a hand over her forehead, trying to keep the smells for effecting her so much as a plate was put down in front of her. "So come on, honey. At least eat some greens." Cheyenne suggested.
Phoenix took one look and one whiff of the collard greens in front of her face and immediately her cheeks became as full as a chipmunk's. Chaison was there in a flash, pulling back his wife's chair as she ran straight for the bathroom, moaning. He looked at his honorary mom with a look of disappointment.
"Cheyenne..."
"What? I was just trying to help!"
1. It’s a boy
Chaison and Phoenix looked at the screen excitedly as the sonographer started rubbing the device over her abdomen saying, "So you are about eighteen weeks along now right?" The couple nodded, and Chaison asked, "So can you tell what our baby is?" The tech nodded and said, "Yep, give me just a few minutes to calculate weight and weeks ok?" They both nodded and after a while the sonographer pointed at the screen and said, "See? There is your little boy!" Chaison's small smile broke out into a huge grin and he exclaimed, "A boy? Hot damn!" Phoenix on the other hand stared at the screen intensely. The sonographer noticed her lack of excitement and asked, "Can you see it, ma'am?"
She looked at him dubiously giving him an answer to satisfy him. "Yeah. Mmhmm."
The sonographer smiled; obviously pleased with his work. Soon after, he was finished and sent Phoenix and Chaison back to the doctor's office. As Phoenix walked next to her husband she said, "Boy, my ass..." Chaison frowned. "Pardon?" She looked up at him and said, "I don't know what kind of dumbass they've hired for that job, but that's a little girl in there."
"Firebird, how do you even know that? You're not a sonographer."
She wasn't going to let those words change her mind. "You watch. Next sonogram, we'll see how stupid he really is." Chaison smiled at her cockiness. "Ok, bet." Phoenix smirked.
"All right. Be prepared to lose, Mr. Kincannon."
2. It’s a girl
Phoenix looked at the confused sonographer with a raised eyebrow. He kept rubbing the device over her belly over and over as if trying to make his way magically appear.
"What...What happened to your little boy?" He asked her, genuinely wanting to know as if he was worried.
Phoenix sighed, nearly rolling her eyes. "Maybe...that little boy that you were so proud of finding was really a little girl the whole time, sir."
"A girl?!"
"Yes. Check again and see."
He did and when he confirmed what she said, he sat back in awed silence. "You are absolutely right, ma'am. I'm so sorry for my assumption before. "
"It's ok. I'm sure other sonographers don't get it right the first time either." She wiped away the gel from her stomach and asked, "Am I done?" He nodded silently. She got up, fixed her pants and headed out the door.
Chaison looked up at her wondering what happened. "Well?"
Phoenix gave a smirk. "You lost. You have a little girl on the way."
Chaison rubbed a hand over his face and shook his head in amazement of his wife's intelligence.
"Come on, let's go. I'll be expecting my foot massage back at home, sir."
"Yes, ma'am. You deserve it."
7. bun in the oven
"OOF!" Phoenix exhaled out as she bumped into yet another hard surface. She rubbed her sore belly with a slight pout and went about making something to eat for herself and Chaison. But it proved to be awkward as her stomach bumped up against the stove and against the counters and against the kitchen sink. She gave a sigh of annoyance and looked around thinking what the solution was going to be for this.
Later on, Chaison walked through the door and seeing Phoenix at the table, looked around with a confused frown and asked, "Hey, babe. What's for dinner?"
Phoenix got up and walked past her husband, saying in a clipped voice, "KFC. Get in the car."
8. baby on board
She didn't understand why she was even here at this office waiting to renew her driver's license. In her view, the DMV was one of the worst places to be in. It was crowded, the people issuing the licenses were rude and did she mention that it was crowded. If she thought that before she was pregnant it was safe to say that today was torture. Phoenix found herself standing on her painful swollen feet while people who seemed capable of standing themselves were sitting comfortably in chairs. She rolled her eyes and bared it; she wasn't going to be one of those women who assumed that they were just supposed to have a seat. She wasn't a queen last time she checked.
A woman who sat on the floor next to her, smiled up at her and asked, "How far along are you?" Phoenix looked down and said, "I'm 8 months. Almost nine." The woman's eyes widened and she said, "Wow...congrats."
"Thank you."
The woman went back to looking at her magazine, and Phoenix looked around hoping that somebody had heard that she was pregnant to offer her a seat. Of course...nothing. Phoenix sighed impatiently and prayed that this would go faster before her ankles or her bladder exploded. Hopefully it wasn't the latter. Suddenly a man's voice said, "Ma'am, would you like to sit down?" She looked over towards the voice and saw a older man most likely in his sixties getting up and motioning for her to sit down.
Phoenix smiled, trying to keep her sudden emotions down. "Yes, thank you so much, sir." She said, coming over and sitting down, feeling the pressure coming off of her back. The man smiled and then gave a slight frown saying, "I nearly did a double take seeing all these worthless people not even offering to give you a seat. Times have really changed huh? Not for the better either." I nodded, seeing a mix of people looking half ashamed and half annoyed at the man's words. He didn't care and put a comforting hand on my shoulder saying, "You just sit, sweetie and rest up you and that baby." Phoenix smiled and said. "I appreciate it."
The man nodded and headed to where her place was and Phoenix shook her head in awe. Times were indeed changing, but at least there was still chivalry.
11. pickles & ice cream
"Fire..."
"Yeah?"
"Whatcha eating?"
"What does it look like, honey?"
"Popcorn."
"Right-o"
"With green olives..."
"Yep. They give it a little zing."
"Oh...really..."
"Yep."
"Oh, boy. Why couldn't my wife like the normal thing like pickles and ice cream?"
"Ooh, hey. That sounds good too!
"Oy."
5. labor & delivery
Phoenix was vaguely aware of her husband's cooling yet sweaty hand caressing her hair back. All she knew was that she needed to get this pain over with and push this little girl out.
"All right, Phoenix. Give me another push!" The doctor ordered.
Phoenix groaned as she raised up and pushed as hard as she could; her teeth gritting together with her determination. Chaison held her hand, whispering lightly in her ear.
"You got this, babe. Do it! She's almost here!"
His reassuring words gave her another boost of strength and she pushed even harder, nearly screaming out as she felt intense pressure trying to exit her body. "Oh, my God...it hurts..." She ground out. Chaison's eyes were full of anguish as he caressed her head. "I know, baby. Almost there."
"The head is crowning, Phoenix. Give me one more big push!"
Phoenix took a deep breath, gathered whatever she had left and pushed, hoping that this was it.
14. cut the cord
Chaison looked in awe at the now squirming baby that was in the doctor's hands. He cleared her mouth out and immediately she let out a cry of life. Tears sprang to his eyes and he smiled down at his wife, who was reaching for her baby girl. The doctor put her on Phoenix's chest and she rubbed all over her daughter's body, tears streaming down her face. "You did a great job, baby. You did so good." Chaison sobbed out, kissing her forehead in pride.
"Mr. Kincannon."
Chaison looked up to see a pair of scissors. "Would you like to cut your daughter's cord?"
Chaison nodded. "Yes, sir." He said, delicately taking the scissors and after putting it where the doctor directed, cut his little girl loose from her mother. Just doing that job was enough to bring more tears to his eyes. He never thought this would be so intense nor that he would automatically feel such abandoned love for his daughter.
15. she has your eyes
"Hello, my Arizona Sierra..." Chaison cooed out to his brand new daughter, who stared back at him quietly. His hand held her head careful and steady as he walked around the room, smiling at his equally happy wife. "She's gorgeous." He said to her. Phoenix nodded. "She's perfect." She agreed. As if she knew they were talking about her, the baby scrunched up her face and let out a slight cry. Phoenix held out her hands as the baby's cries got faster and harder. "Here, let me see if she's a bit hungry." Chaison nodded giving the baby to her and Phoenix prepared to feed her saying, "It's ok, Ari. Mommy's here." Soon the crying died down and Phoenix smiled soft seeing the beautiful dark brown eyes of her newborn staring up at her. Her heart melted at the sight. She looked up at Chaise and said, "She has your eyes."
"Really?"
"Yeah. She definitely favors you more than me, look wise."
Chaison came to sit beside his wife, loving how peaceful she and his daughter looked. "I love my ladies." He said, putting his head on her shoulder. Phoenix smiled up at him. "Aw, we love you too, Daddy."
Ari blinked.
10. ten tiny toes
1...2...3...4...5...6...7...8...9...10
Phoenix gave an inward sigh of relief and then touched each little toe of Arizona's feet again
1...2...3...4...5...6...7...8...9...10
Yep, they were there...but one more check wouldn't hurt.
1...2...3...4...5...6...7...8...9...10
13. bundle of joy
"Aww, Chaise! She is just to die for!" Cheyenne exclaimed as she held Ari close to her. The proud parents smiled and then watched as she was passed on to Luke. "Don't you worry now, little girl. We'll get you herding cattle in no time." He said with a broad grin. "You know I'll see to that." Chaison agreed. Everybody laughed and then Cheyenne asked, "Did you hear from Joshawa yet?" Chaison's smile fell and Phoenix shook her head.
"No, we were hoping that we would see them today, but we know they are busy getting ready to go."
"Oh, that's no good. I talked to him today and he told me he would try his best."
Chaison nodded. "Yeah, but I don't want him to rush just because of us."
"And why not?" A voice called out. Everybody turned to see Josh and Mickey coming in with a bunch of pink balloons. Chaison got up and the two best friends exchanged hugs as Mickey waved and came up to Phoenix who hugged her close "Oh, I'm so happy to see you, Mickey. I didn't think I would be able to see you before you guys left for Texas." Mickey had tears in her eyes as she said, "I wouldn't miss this for the world, Firebird." Phoenix smiled, looking at Mickey's hint of a stomach protruding and said, "How is little boy?" Mickey smiled and said, "He's great. One day he'll be able to come and meet Ari."
Phoenix smiled. "I'd like that."
As the girlfriends hugged again, Luke handed Ari back to Chaison. Chaison kissed her head and then handed her over to Josh saying, "Meet your godfather, Ari." Josh held her gently and as Mickey came to his side, they both smiled and Josh said, "Golly...she's perfect."
Phoenix smiled. "I know. We couldn't agree with you more."
6. baby blues
Chaison couldn't understand it. They had a wonderful house, a horse full of beautiful horses and now, this beautiful addition to their family.
So, why was she sad?
This baby blues part of the journey...dammit, he hated to say it...sucked balls.
All he wanted, was to see her smile.
3. and baby makes 3
Phoenix looked up at her husband who had just asked, "You think our family is complete?" She raised an eyebrow at him as she stroked Ari's soft hair.
"What are you getting at, Mister."
"Getting at? What?"
"I know you!"
Chaison grinned. "I was just wondering if one kid is enough for you. Innocent enough question, babe."
Phoenix smiled back. "I guess 3 is a good number. But for now...this three is good enough."
Chaison pouted a bit. "Damn...I was hoping we could get started."
"Horny man...remember the doctor said 6 weeks. So tough."
Chaison crossed his arms, disappointed. "Damn doctor."