Worth Waiting For

Two days later, Joe and I had Lexi all ready to go home. Home. What a wonderful word. We had Big Rob and Logan here to help us get to the car safely because somehow, word got out that the Jonas’ were bringing their brand new baby girl home today. I was slightly worried but Joe and I trust Logan and Rob immensely.

I hovered over Lexi as she lay resting in her carrier, already asleep. She was adorned in a tiny pink outfit the top drawn down so she wouldn’t be exposed to the sun. I grabbed the tiny blanket resting on the hospital bed and unfolded it. Joe came up behind me, wrapping one arm around my waist and I smiled up at him. He bent down and gently kissed Lexi’s forehead. I did the same before covering the carrier with the blanket.

“Ready to go?” Joe asked.

“Yeah,” I said, grabbing a light jacket from the rocking chair. Joe grabbed the hospital bag in one hand and picked up Lexi’s carrier in the other. I looped my arm through his and we walked to the hallway.

“If you have any questions don’t hesitate to call.” Dr. Lockhart said. “You have the pediatrician’s number as well right?”

“Yes… Dr… Carter. Thank you for everything Dr. Lockhart.” I said, smiling at her as she waved. We met up with Rob and Logan in the lobby.

“Ready to roll?” Rob asked.

“As ready as we’ll ever be.” I said, glancing down at Lexi’s carrier in Joe’s grip. “You have a good grip on her?”

“The strongest.” He said reassuringly. He kissed my forehead and smiled. “Don’t worry Lyss.”

I nodded and Rob walked in front of us, Logan behind. Rob opened the large glass doors and started to push his way through the paparazzi. Joe and I ducked our heads, Lexi’s carrier between our bodies and Logan behind us keeping the paparazzi at bay.

“What’s her name?”

“Can we see her?”

“How are you recuperating Melissa?”

Joe and I ignored the questions as Rob led us to the car. He turned around to keep the paparazzi back so Joe and I climbed in. I walked around the side and smiled and waved quickly before climbing into the car. Rob and Logan jumped in and Rob started to drive home.

“Well,” Joe said, letting out a breath. “That was easy.”

I laughed as he set Lexi down on the seat between us. I pulled the blanket back and it surprised me to see Lexi’s wide brown eyes looking up at me.

“She’s awake,” I said surprised.

“She didn’t even make a sound.” Joe said, looking down at her and smiling. “So I finally get to see the room you and my dear brother have kept a secret.”

“Hey, you’re the one who didn’t want to know mister.” I said.

“I know.”

“You know, you could’ve gone home sometime yesterday and seen it.”

“And leave you two at the hospital? I don’t think so.”

“You’re a dork.”

“Yeah, but I’m your dork.”

“He’s got you there.” Logan said, turning around.

“Oh shut up Logan,” I said, kicking the back of his seat and Joe and Rob laughed. “I can’t believe our parents were too busy to come and see us off, taking our baby home.”

“Yeah I know… weird.” Joe said, turning to look out the window.

“You know something.” I said, narrowing my eyes at him.

“No I don’t.” he said.

I frowned and looked out the window, my eyes glancing back at Lexi occasionally. She was still wide awake and just looking up. I smiled down at her and she reached her hand out and I let her grab my finger.

“Here we are.” Rob said, pulling into the driveway. The only cars there were mine and Joe’s because… obviously… Kevin and Lauren were at work and Lana was at school. Joe and I climbed out of the car, he carried Lexi again and we walked to the door. I pulled out my key to unlock the door when all of a sudden it opened.

“Surprise!” Lauren cried, jumping up and down and pulling me inside by hugging me. I looked around and saw my parents and Joe’s entire family and Mr. and Mrs. Herrmann as well as the boys in the band. Logan and Rob came in behind us.

“What’s going on guys?” I asked, looking around and smiling. I saw a banner hanging in the front room saying Welcome home Alexandra! There were large, wrapped boxes all over the front room and I couldn’t help but look confused.

“Well,” Joe said, coming up behind me and placing a hand on my lower back. “Since no one knew we were having a girl besides Nick, you opted out of having a baby shower. Lauren and Lana came to me yesterday with the idea of throwing an impromptu mini-shower today and I thought you’d like the surprise.”

“Aw, guys!” I cried, hugging Lauren and Lana.

“Mel, open my present first!” Frankie cried, grabbing my hand and pulling me to the chairs that had been brought into the front room from the dining room.

He took a small box that Denise handed him and gave it to me, standing by my side as Joe set Lexi’s carrier on the floor in front of him. Frankie bent down and smiled at her as I opened his present. I pulled out an outfit that said My Uncle Frankie is the bestest! And burst out laughing.

“Thank you Frankie,” I said, messing up his hair. “This is great.”

“Can I hold her?” he asked. “I didn’t get to at the hospital.”

“Well… yeah, I think you can. Come here,” I said, taking his hand and bringing him so he was standing with his back against my legs. I bent to my left and picked Alexandra up out of her carrier and smiled at her. I carefully lifted her over Frankie’s head and once he saw her, his arms instantly went into a cradling position. I gently set her down in his arms, my hands instinctively underneath just in case.

“Hey Lexi,” he said softly as she looked up at him and he smiled. He gently rocked his arms back and forth.

“Wow Tank… you’re a pro. Maybe in a few years we’ll have you babysitting.” Joe said laughing.

“Alright, alright, Grandma’s turn,” My mother said, coming over. She gently lifted Lexi out of Frankie’s arms and smiled. Frankie turned to me with a huge grin and wrapped his arms around my neck.

“She’s perfect Mel.” He whispered, kissing my cheek before going back to his mother.

“Who’s hungry?” I asked standing up.

“Melissa Anne Douglas! You sit down. We are throwing this party.” Lauren said. I sat back down and started up at her. “We already have food made.”

“Oh… well… okay then.” I said. I watched as my mother passed Lexi to Mom while Mrs. H. waited her turn. My father was talking with Mr. H. and Dad and the guys, Nick, and Kevin were talking with Joe. “Hey… Dad?” I asked, walking over to him and my father-in-law.

“Yes Melissa?” he asked.

“Uh… where’s Gran?”

“She… flew back to London last night.”

“I thought she was moving here.” I said, taken aback.

“She decided it would be better to stay in London.” He said, shaking his head.

“So… she comes for my wedding and the birth of my daughter… sees her once and just… ups and leaves?”

“I don’t know what to tell you sweetheart.” He said and I sighed looking around. “So, where’s my grand-daughter at?”

“Dad’s got her.” I said, pointing to my father-in-law and Dad looked and smiled as Mom walked over. “I’m glad you two are here.”

“We wouldn’t miss it.” Dad said.

“Of course we wouldn’t we’re her grandparents.” Mom said.

“Speaking of that. I was thinking of what Lexi should call you, you know, when she starts talking and all. I was thinking she could call you two Grandma and Grandpa and she could call Mom and Dad, Gran and Gramp. Just so things aren’t confusing since I already call all of you Mom and Dad so…”

“I think that’s wonderful.” Mom said, smiling at me.

“I just can’t believe Lauren and Lana did this for Alexandra.” I said, looking as everyone laughed and cooed over Lexi who was now in Kevin’s arms.

“I don’t think this is all for Lexi.” Dad said. “I think this party is a testament to you, Melissa, and the family you’ve created here. I regret that you needed to…”

“Clark,” Mom sighed.

“I… now let me finish Marie.” He said, looking down at her. “I- I regret it. And these… recent experiences have-“

“Oh, now please don’t become one of those ’I-had-a-heart-attack-I’m-going-to-express-my-every-thought’ types.”

“Not every thought dear. Just this one. It take a re-… a remarkable person to inspire all of this.” He said, waving his hand out to my family and friends.

“Thanks Dad,” I said, tears brimming in my eyes.

“Alright, that’s enough.” Mom said softly.

****

“Well that was exhausting and fun at the same time. Thank you so much girls.” I said, hugging Lauren and Lana.

“You’re welcome Mel. I should go to bed I have an eight o’clock class tomorrow. Goodnight everyone.” She said closing the door to her bedroom.

“So, Kevin and Nick set up the temp crib in your bedroom earlier.” Lauren said, nodding at a sleeping Lexi in Joe’s arms.

“Thank you,” I said, hugging both of them. “Come on Joe.”

“Wait, I want to see her room first.”

“Oh, right.” I said turning around to the nursery. I opened the door and he stepped in and looked around.

“Wow. You and Nick sure know how to decorate a room.” He said, looking at every piece of furniture, every painted detail on the wall.

“Thanks,” I said, smiling as Lexi yawned and curled up more in his arms. “Now, let’s get her to bed.” I said, shutting off the light.

We walked into our bedroom and over to the temporary crib my brothers-in-law had set up at the foot of our bed. Joe gently lay Lexi down in it and smiled at her as her arms lay next to her head. I stood with my hands on the edges of the crib, in disbelief that this was real. This was my life now. Joe wrapped his arms around my waist and placed his chin on my shoulder.

“We sure done good.” He whispered. I turned around in his arms and placed my hands on his chest.

“Hi,” I whispered.

“Hi,” he whispered back, leaning down and capturing my lips in his. “So… when do we get our honeymoon?”

“How about you chill for a few months babe? Give us time to adjust… let me recuperate.”

“Fine,” he sighed. We changed into our pajamas and climbed into bed. I rolled onto my side so we were facing each other.

“Goodnight Papa Jonas.” I said smiling, pecking his lips.

“Goodnight Mama Jonas.” He whispered, wrapping his arms around my waist and pulling me close to him.

****

I woke up with a start when I heard Lexi crying. I turned on the table lamp and looked at the clock. 3:05 in the morning… I groaned and sat up, walking to the crib. Joe sat up too and put on his glasses.

“Go back to sleep.” I whispered.

“No… I wanna help.” He mumbled sleepily.

“Fine,” I said, lifting Lexi up and bringing her to the changing table. “Can you get wipes and diapers from the nursery? Kevin and Nick didn’t bring them in here when they set up the table.”

“Mhmm…” he got out before walking out to the hallway. I watched him walk to make sure he didn’t fall down the stairs. He started to open Kevin and Lauren’s door.

“No, honey, the other door.” I said. He waved his hand at me and started to open Lana’s door. “No… Joe… the other door.”

He finally got into the nursery and I heard him rummaging around while I bounced Lexi up and down in my arms. He came back with a teddy bear and baby powder. I sighed as he walked into the room.

“Here, honey… please be careful and hold Lexi. I’ll go get the right stuff.” I said, transferring Lexi to his arms.

He sat down on the bed with Lexi in his arms and he smiled sleepily down at her. I went and switched the things to what I really needed, closing the bedroom door when I returned. Joe stood up and put Lexi on the changing table and started to undress her as she continued to cry. He took off the dirty diaper and opened his eyes wide.

“Whoa… that’s intense.” He said; suddenly wide awake now.

“Mm, she gets it from you.” I joked. He stuck his tongue out. I finished changing Lexi and she stopped crying. She looked up at Joe and I with those big brown eyes. “You know… she has your eyes.”

“Yeah… but she looks like you the most.” He said. “Which is not bad at all. Though, of course I’ll have to fight all the boys off.”

“You have a long ways to wait for that honey. Now come on… let’s try to get a little more sleep now.”

“Okay… next time I’ll get up.”

“If she needs to be fed wake me up.”

“I can do it.” He said.

“Oh you can breast feed now?” I asked sarcastically climbing into bed while he put Lexi back in the crib.

“Yeah… I underwent hormone treatments over the past month.”

“I thought your man-boobs looked bigger.” I said.

“Ha-ha, very funny.” He said, kissing the top of my head. “Goodnight.”

“Night.”