Chapter 41 Lainey
Lainey
Remington was scheduled to work today, but Chief let him have the day off so he could help bring Sutton and Kinsley home.
The fire station is not just a job, it truly is a family, and the more time I am around them the more evident it becomes.
Sutton is not even a fire spouse or significant other, but because she is important to Remington, she is important to the rest of them.
Ever since Derek’s death, they have all stepped up to be there for Sutton sure, but also Remington.
He lost his brother-in-law and one of his best friends.
Now he’s doing something today that is both beautiful and difficult.
We are all thinking about the man that is missing from this moment.
Earlier today Jess and Kendra came by and decorated Sutton’s front yard, so when we pulled up there was an adorable wooden stork dressed in pink, a baby in a blanket hanging from its beak.
Big letters spelling out “IT’S A GIRL” sprawl across the freshly cut green yard, and there are balloons tied to the mailbox by the driveway.
“Oh my gosh!” Sutton gasps when she sees the cheerful surprise.
“Welcome home,” I tell her with a smile.
“This is too much, you guys didn’t need to go to the trouble.” She wipes a tear as Remington parks in the driveway.
Helping her out of the car carefully he says, “Sut, we are going to celebrate you and Kinsley every chance we get. Today is a special day, and we are going to commemorate it. Let’s get a picture of you two by the stork!”
Bubbling laughter comes from his sister as she nods and slowly makes her way toward the lawn, Remington getting the car seat.
I pull out my phone and snap the pictures of the new mom and her precious baby cradled in her arms. Remington’s right.
We need to keep celebrating the moments we have, even if they feel a bit hollow.
Kinsley deserves the memories to be captured and the effort from all of us.
Renee opens the front door and says, “Charles, Charles! They’re here, our girls are home.
” We help Sutton and Kinsley inside, and Remington grabs the rest of the bags and supplies.
Once the door is shut, we all take a collective sigh.
Kinsley is home, safe and sound. It’s a new chapter for her and Sutton, one that is going to be hard to write, but we won’t let her do it alone.
“Okay, Kinsley,” Remington says in a sweet, low voice. “Are you ready to see your room?”
“Rem, her room is not quite done yet,” I whisper to him, urgently.
“It’s done.” He smiles and winks at me.
“How?” I ask in disbelief.
“I spoke to the muralist,” Sutton says from her place on the couch, stroking Kinsley’s tiny hand.
“They had time to squeeze me in when I was in the hospital. I asked Rem to come let him in so they could paint.” She smiles down at her daughter, contentment and sadness washing over her features in tandem.
“That’s wonderful! I can’t wait to see how it turned out.” I clap my hands.
“I know you are not supposed to do many stairs, but do you think you are up for the trip?” Renee asks Sutton.
“Yeah, Mom. I think I want to go up and see it. Then I can just stay upstairs, if that’s okay?” She looks to Renee for permission.
“Sweetheart, you can do whatever you want. I’m here, not going anywhere. I can bring you up anything you need from down here. Let’s go see the nursery, then you can set up yourself in bed and get comfortable. Rest.”
Nodding, Sutton hands Kinsley off to Remington’s strong arms and I swear I feel my ovaries pulse.
Seeing him hold her in the hospital room for the first time nearly had drool coming out of my mouth.
I don’t think I will ever get used to seeing how at ease he is with babies and children.
It is so sexy. He confidently walks toward the stairs, and I follow as if tugged by an invisible string tied to him.
Charles helps Sutton stand from the couch. “Easy, bug,” he says gently.
“Don’t you think I am too old for that nickname, Dad?” Sutton sighs, making her way gingerly up the steps.
“Never. You will always be my little bug. Doesn’t matter how old you are, I am still just as old as I was when we had you and I held you for the first time.
Snuggled right into me. Little snuggle bug.
I don’t get the snuggles so much anymore, but I’m keeping the name, bug.
” He smirks at her as they stop at the nursery door.
She is about to argue more, her stubborn streak mixed with the hormones rolling through her body ready for a fight, but it dies on her lips when Remington swings the door open.
Sutton gasps, a hand covering her mouth, and her body does a little sway steadied by her father’s strong arm around her shoulders.
Stepping into the room she whispers, “Oh my God, Rem, it’s so beautiful.
” She looks at him, her soft brown eyes swimming in depths of emotion, tears slipping down her cheek.
The mural wall is exactly what we had hoped for.
A soft green meadow with gentle rolling hills is splattered with the most stunning wildflowers.
The blue of the sky is dotted with soft, sweeping clouds, just being kissed with the start of a sunset.
Most importantly, throughout the meadow are a few adorable, friendly looking, fluffy sheep that match the blanket that lays across the back of the cream rocking chair in the corner of the room.
One of the sheep is positioned perfectly so it looks like it’s peeking right over the rail of the crib that’s pushed up to the wall.
Remington uncomfortably clears his throat and gives Sutton a funny look for some reason. A silent sibling conversation passing between them in a heartbeat of time, and she shakes her head.
“The guy did a nice job, I think,” Remington finally says. “When he was done, Eli and I came back and finished setting the rest of the stuff up. If you want me to move or change anything around, please let me know.”
“It’s perfect.” Sutton walks over to Remington, kisses his cheek, and takes her daughter over to the rocking chair. They settle in, and we all watch as she takes her first deep breath in her special space, her sanctuary.