He Shoots, She Scores
Welcome Home
With Carrie, 12 years later
It was 7am, Carrie was already on her back porch of her new Buffalo home cup of coffee in hand. It had been 6 years since they lived in Buffalo and Carrie was glad to be home again. She took a slow sip of her coffee, today Nate would come home hockey season ending for him and ending his career while she was happy her husband would get to see her 4 kids everyday she was nervous he would miss hockey.
She let a hand drop to her stomach as she felt a gentle kick “Don’t you start that again” she laughed she was 4 months pregnant with baby number 4, the first 3 being girls. Abigale Elizabeth was born a week after their second anniversary, Madison Nicole was born 3 years later in late September, and Emerson Ashly would be turning 3 in a week, never in her life could Carrie have imagined having soon to be 4 children with Nate Gerbe, but here they were and with that thought she smiled
“Mommy” Carrie heard behind her turning to see Emerson standing in the doorway of the sliding door
“Yes baby?”
“I hungry”
“Ok sweetie, let’s make some breakfast” Carrie walks in the house picking up Emerson and putting her into her booster seat at the table “Maddie, Abby, get up for breakfast!” she yelled up the stairs and a few minutes later 12 year old Abby and 9 year old Maddie fumbled down the stairs
“Mom, its summer” Abby groaned sitting at the table Carrie had to resist the urge to laugh at her daughters dark brown hair she got from Nate and curls she got from Carrie sticking up in multiple directions
“I know that Abby, but you guys are going to grandma’s today so I can go to the doctor. But first you guys need to clean your rooms, we’ve only been here a month and your rooms are disgusting is that the first thing you want daddy to see?”
“Daddy?!” All 3 girls chorused in excitement
“Yeah he’s coming home today, so who wants what for breakfast so rooms can get cleaned?”
“Cereal” Abby says getting up and reaching for the bowl and box herself
“You’re easy, as always” Carrie says “Maddie?”
“Oatmeal!” Maddie says happily and Carrie shakes her head
“My strange baby, only 9 year old I know that loves oatmeal” she reaches into the cupboard smiling at her daughter who’s eyes were a perfect green match for her own “Ok, Emmy what do you want sweetheart?”
“Pancakes!”
“How about some fruit” Carrie says matching her enthusiasm turning to Abby pouring milk on her cereal “All that girl wants is pancakes” she whispers and Abby laughs
“Ok mommy” Emerson says and Carrie moves to the fridge cutting up fruit and tossing it into a Dora bowl.
“Ok Abby you’re good, Maddie here is your apple cinnamon oatmeal and Emmy fruit” Carrie sets the bowls down in front of the girls and turns, putting 2 pieces of toast into the toaster and cutting up fruit for herself
After breakfast Abigale and Madison hurried through cleaning their rooms while Carrie tidied Emerson’s when they were all dressed they headed out the door to Carrie’s parents in the falls and a few minutes later she was on her way to the doctors
With Nate
Nate boarded the plane quietly he was ready to go home, he missed Carrie and the girls and was ready to spend all his time with his family. It was hard for him to believe how fast the last 12 years had gone by since Abby was born now he was a retired 38 year old hockey player. Sitting in his seat he recalled the conversation he and Carrie had the night before
“So what time do you leave tomorrow?”
“I have to be at the airport at 8 if there’s no delay I’ll be on the plane and in the air shortly after 10”
“Will you be home by dinner?”
“I should be, what are you making good”
“I was thinking we could go out” Nate can almost hear the laughter through the phone
“If I never eat fast food or restaurant food again it will be too soon! I should have never let you leave me, I’m a slob and I don’t eat good things without you”
“Ok, ok fine I’ll cook how about some nice steak, corn on the cob and potatoes?”
“This is why I need you, if you knew what I’ve been eating for the last month you’d kill me”
“I’m sure the fast food would do it for me”
“Carrie, what if I have nothing in common with the girls?” he asks all of a sudden the seriousness in his voice making even him nervous
“Nate you act like you never saw them at all”
“We’ve never really spent long periods of time together Carrie I’ve always been doing hockey”
“Stop it Nate, the universe revolves around you in our girls’ eyes. Maddie came into our room the other night just to get one of your t-shirts because she missed you” Nate smiled and then heard a small voice in the background sound teary eyed
“Sounds like you are needed, I’ll see you tomorrow baby, I love you”
“Love you too, see you when you get home handsome”
Sitting on the plane now Nate ran a nervous hand through his hair, they had 3 girls now and another baby on the way and even though Carrie told him everything would be fine he was still a nervous wreck on how him, constantly being home would go over with his daughters. Once the plane was up in the air he fell asleep waking up only when the pilot’s voice boomed over the speakers telling them they were landing in Buffalo International airport. He looked at his watch it was after 3 finally he was home. He headed out towards the baggage claim and grabbed his suitcase and hockey bag off the conveyer belt and headed out to find his father-in-laws truck
With Carrie
She got home with the girls a little after noon the doctor had told her the sex of Gerbe number 4 and while she was excited she intended to keep it a secret from Nate.
“Ok girls, you all had lunch at grandma’s so I don’t have to feed you but I need you guys to do me a favor” The girls looked at her waiting for what they had to do “Abby, will you vacuum the living room and dust the tables and Maddie will you straighten up the shoes in the front hall and sweep the kitchen I need to take Emmy upstairs for her N-A-P T-I-M-E, and then I will come down here and start marinating the steak and you girls can go outside”
“Ok” they chorused and Carrie made her way up the stairs with Emerson while Abigale and Madison started their chores. She was down the stairs only a few minutes later
“Grandma and Grandpa must’ve tired Emmy out she fell asleep on the way up the stairs” She says as she heads towards the kitchen
“Mom, there’s a moving truck next door!” Maddie says sliding into the kitchen on her socks
“Are there any kids?” Abby asks entering the room
“I dunno I just saw the truck!”
“Well lets go say hi” Carrie says picking up the baby monitor off the counter and making her way towards the front door.
The 3 of them stepped out onto the porch watching as two race car beds got carried into the house.
“Looks like we’re gonna have some little boys as neighbors, hold on a second I know that blonde hair” Carrie takes a step off the porch before yelling “Tyler Ennis, after all these years you still haven’t cut that mop of hair”
“Carrie, it’s my signature look ok, hold it Carrie?!” he turns to face her “Wow I haven’t seen you in a while, how have you been?”
“Good and you?”
“Not bad, where’s Nate?”
“He’ll be home later, we came back before hockey ended. I seen some race car beds go by, you talked Lacey into 2 kids huh?”
“Well, 3… actually 4”
“Wow”
“Yeah I see Abby is all grown up… that is Abby right?”
“Yeah that’s Abby and next to her is Madison Nicole, upstairs asleep is Emerson Ashly and then there’s a to be determined due in 5 months”
“Congratulations, we have 3 boys Jason Andrew who just turned 6, and then twins Michael James, and Ryan Alexander, who are 2. And I can’t forget, we too have a to be determined due in 5 months, Lacey knows if we are having a girl or boy, she won’t tell me”
“Sounds like the same thing I am about to do to Nate”
“You girls are evil”
“Tyler?!” Lacey says walking out the door her 3 boys following her like ducklings in a row
“He’s over here Lace”
“Oh ok… oh my God Carrie?! How did I not know you were going to be my neighbor?” She says walking the few steps between the two houses
“I guess cause we never talked about moving back extensively”
“Probably not, Tyler have you found Michael and Ryan’s mattresses yet? They are so tired and I have no where to put them down for their nap”
“Sorry babe Carrie distracted me”
“Lacey you can put them down on my couch I have another baby monitor up in my room”
“Thank you, nothing is worse than 2 whinny boys. Who are these two”
“That would be Abby”
“Holy crap she got big”
“She’s 12, and next to her, well more of hiding behind her is Maddie, and sound asleep upstairs is Emerson”
“Well I’m sure Tyler has told you all about these 3, but just to clear it up Michael is in green, and Ryan is in blue” Carrie nodded and walked in the house with Lacey looking for the other baby monitor while Lacey laid the two boys down on the couch
“Since you guys are unpacking still why you don’t eat here tonight? My parents are coming over and so is my sister and brother in law so there is already more than enough food and if your boys don’t like steak corn on the cob and mashed potatoes that’s no problem I’m also making hot dogs and mac and cheese because Emerson doesn’t like steak and Maddie is some strange child from another planet that does not like mashed potatoes”
“As long as you have ketchup my boys will eat hot dogs and macaroni and cheese all day”
“Sounds like a plan. Nate is supposed to get home at about 3, so I figure like 4-4:30 for dinner cause if I know my husband he fell asleep on the plane and will refuse to eat until he gets home so he can eat dinner and will be ready to eat my couch”
“Preferably not the one with my kids on it”
“Well if Abby, Maddie and Jason want there’s a swing set in my back yard they can go play, beyond the swing set though buddy I’m sorry it’s all girl stuff that’s all I got”
“It’s ok Mrs. Gerbe” he says and joins the girls running out the back door
“You have the politest 6 year old I have ever met! Want some coffee?”
“He’s so freaking cute sometimes I can’t believe he’s mine, and of course I want coffee”
Lacey and Carrie sat in her kitchen catching up while the movers half unpacked her house, by 2:30 all 6 kids were running around the house when Carrie’s sister and brother-in-law pulled up with her mom. Carrie lit the grill putting the steaks on one side and the hot dogs on the other. Lacey helped get the corn and potatoes ready while Carrie’s mom made salad. The house was full of laughter and chaos. It wasn’t long before Carrie heard a scream from the living room
“Madison Nicole!”
“Its Papa’s truck! Daddy’s home!”
“Ok, that’s a totally acceptable reason to scream”
The front door swung open slowly and Nate had to drop his suit case and hockey bag to catch Abby and Maddie
“Hi girls” he says with a laugh hugging them tightly “Where’s your sister?”
“She’s playing with Mrs. Ennis’s boys” Abby says
“Ennis? No way”
“Hey, gerbs!” Tyler says turning the corner
“Enzo dude, I didn’t know you were moving back to Buffalo”
“Yeah, we’re your neighbors, just moved in today”
“Hi daddy” a small voice says interrupting his conversation
“Hey there cutie” Nate says bending down to pick up Emerson “I missed you sweet pea” trying to kiss her on the cheek
“Daddy, I go play” she says trying to wiggle out of his arms
“Well ok then” he says putting her down gently and watching as her tiny bare feet make their way quickly across the hardwood “I have been shot down by my own daughter”
“With a face like that I can understand why” Tyler says earning an eye roll from Nate
“Ya know I happen to like that face very much” Carrie says “Where’s my dad”
“Shutting off his gps… or right there” Nate says as his father-in-law enters the door
“Hi dad”
“Hi honey”
“Thanks for picking him up”
“No problem, is coffee made?”
“Of course” her dad nods and both he and Tyler make their way towards the kitchen
“Now I believe you were talking about how much you liked my face” Nate says with a sly smile
“Really I was? I don’t remember saying a word must’ve been someone else” He wraps his arms around her waist putting his forehead to hers “I’ve missed you handsome”
“I’ve missed you too, but I have one other person to say hi to before you” Carrie looked at him confused until he lightly rubbed her belly “Hi little one, daddy’s missed you too” She smiled as he kissed her belly and she felt a light kick “Ok now its mommy’s turn” he kisses her softly only once and she pouts “You’re the one with a house full of company, I am not going to kiss you the way I want to in front of your parents”
“Nate, we’ve been married for going on 14 years now, I think they can handle us kissing. And besides we’ve been in different states for a month don’t you dare hold out on a good kiss now mister”
“Woman, the things you make me do” he sighs dramatically
“I certainly did not make you give birth to 3 children and carry a forth. Kiss me the right way” she looks around for any kids before adding “damn it”
“So demanding at the ripe old age of 33”
“Mom?”
“Go ask grandma or aunt Ana”
“Ok”
“You aren’t going to give up are you?” Nate says with a smile as she shakes her head. He pulls her out on the porch closing the door, he kisses her gently again this time pulling her closer and deepening the kiss, he smiles pulling away from her “Better?”
“Much better, even if it was in front of the neighbors”
“I don’t care about the neighbors, I feel like every time I touch you your dad gives me the death stare, he’s probably pissed I’ve knocked you up 4 times”
“Oh God now you sound like we live in the boondocks and are some hillbillies that are probably related somehow. And remember, this was our parents idea my dad can deal especially since he loves all 3 of our children and will love number 4 too”
“Is number four a girl or boy?”
“Wouldn’t you like to know”
“Yeah I would”
“Too bad you will find out when she or he is born” Nate pouted and Carrie shook her head “The fact that all 3 of those girls inherited that pout has made me tolerant to it, let’s go eat”
Nate’s growling stomach answered for him and they made their way into the house
After dinner was done and everyone left Carrie and Nate sat on the couch with the girls watching some cartoon while all 3 of them dozed off
“I think we can safely put everyone to bed, including us”
“I agree. Abby honey come on go to bed, you too Maddie” Nate says rousing the girls from their half asleep state
“Night daddy” they each say in turn giving him a hug and a kiss on the cheek “Night mom” they say repeating the same step before heading up the stairs
“I’ll take her” Nate says picking the half asleep Emerson up off Carrie’s lap “Come on sweetie”
He gets no more than 3 steps out of the living room when Emerson lets out a piercing scream “Mommy!” she cries and Carrie turns the corner from the kitchen where she was filling her sippy cup
“What baby”
“Mommy” she cries reaching her hands out to Carrie
“Go with daddy Emmy”
“No! Mommy!” Nate turns handing Emerson off to Carrie and her hysterical crying calms right down, and Nate frowns
“It’s been a long day Nate” Carrie tries and Nate shakes his head kissing her temple
“No that’s not it, it happens every time. I’ll be up in a minute I’m going to do the dishes real quick”
“They can wait until the morning Nate”
“No I’d rather do them now” Carrie looks at her husband with sad eyes as Emerson’s crying fully stops
“I’m sorry Nate”
“It’s not your fault our daughter hates me” Carrie opens her mouth to say something and Nate raises an eye brow leaning closer to Emerson “Goodnight Emmy” he says trying to kiss her cheek and she turns from him
“No kisses” she whines and Nate looks at her with a ‘told you so’ sad look
Carrie makes her way up the stairs with Emerson putting her in her bed and giving her the sippy cup in her hand “Night Emmy” she says kissing her temple with no fight as she falls asleep almost instantly “Oh Emerson, stop breaking daddy’s heart” she whispers pulling the blankets up and walking out of the room.
She walks down the hall opening Abby’s door to see her fast asleep, then opening Maddie’s door to see Nate tucking her in and she smiles, before quietly making her way to their room and changing into pajama’s. Nate comes in a minute later and changes into pajamas before climbing into bed
“Finally” Carrie says snuggling closer to Nate’s side “I sleep so much better next to you”
“At least someone likes me”
“Nate, Abby and Maddie adore you and so does Emmy, she’s just not used to you being home, give her some time usually you were at practice when she got up or at a game when she went to bed. She’s only 2 Nate she doesn’t remember you like the older 2 do”
“it just hurts that she does that”
“Oh trust me I know, when Abby was 4 she would cry herself to sleep every night that you weren’t there to put her to bed, that year was hell, but she got through it”
“You never told me that”
“What were you going to do? Retire right then and there?”
“Yes”
“That would have been stupid Nate, it’s a phase every kid goes through then Maddie went through a phase of eating colored pencils, I wish I could say she chewed up the ends that would be normal, no she ate them like she was part dog! I swear she pooped funny colors for 3 months. Abby is a daddy’s girl Maddie has my dad wrapped around her finger, your dad too, Emmy is a mommy’s girl it happens Nate. Please don’t take it so hard handsome”
“You make it sound so easy, this is why I love you” he says kissing her lightly
“I love you too Nate, goodnight”
“Goodnight” he says quietly already starting to doze off
It was 7am, Carrie was already on her back porch of her new Buffalo home cup of coffee in hand. It had been 6 years since they lived in Buffalo and Carrie was glad to be home again. She took a slow sip of her coffee, today Nate would come home hockey season ending for him and ending his career while she was happy her husband would get to see her 4 kids everyday she was nervous he would miss hockey.
She let a hand drop to her stomach as she felt a gentle kick “Don’t you start that again” she laughed she was 4 months pregnant with baby number 4, the first 3 being girls. Abigale Elizabeth was born a week after their second anniversary, Madison Nicole was born 3 years later in late September, and Emerson Ashly would be turning 3 in a week, never in her life could Carrie have imagined having soon to be 4 children with Nate Gerbe, but here they were and with that thought she smiled
“Mommy” Carrie heard behind her turning to see Emerson standing in the doorway of the sliding door
“Yes baby?”
“I hungry”
“Ok sweetie, let’s make some breakfast” Carrie walks in the house picking up Emerson and putting her into her booster seat at the table “Maddie, Abby, get up for breakfast!” she yelled up the stairs and a few minutes later 12 year old Abby and 9 year old Maddie fumbled down the stairs
“Mom, its summer” Abby groaned sitting at the table Carrie had to resist the urge to laugh at her daughters dark brown hair she got from Nate and curls she got from Carrie sticking up in multiple directions
“I know that Abby, but you guys are going to grandma’s today so I can go to the doctor. But first you guys need to clean your rooms, we’ve only been here a month and your rooms are disgusting is that the first thing you want daddy to see?”
“Daddy?!” All 3 girls chorused in excitement
“Yeah he’s coming home today, so who wants what for breakfast so rooms can get cleaned?”
“Cereal” Abby says getting up and reaching for the bowl and box herself
“You’re easy, as always” Carrie says “Maddie?”
“Oatmeal!” Maddie says happily and Carrie shakes her head
“My strange baby, only 9 year old I know that loves oatmeal” she reaches into the cupboard smiling at her daughter who’s eyes were a perfect green match for her own “Ok, Emmy what do you want sweetheart?”
“Pancakes!”
“How about some fruit” Carrie says matching her enthusiasm turning to Abby pouring milk on her cereal “All that girl wants is pancakes” she whispers and Abby laughs
“Ok mommy” Emerson says and Carrie moves to the fridge cutting up fruit and tossing it into a Dora bowl.
“Ok Abby you’re good, Maddie here is your apple cinnamon oatmeal and Emmy fruit” Carrie sets the bowls down in front of the girls and turns, putting 2 pieces of toast into the toaster and cutting up fruit for herself
After breakfast Abigale and Madison hurried through cleaning their rooms while Carrie tidied Emerson’s when they were all dressed they headed out the door to Carrie’s parents in the falls and a few minutes later she was on her way to the doctors
With Nate
Nate boarded the plane quietly he was ready to go home, he missed Carrie and the girls and was ready to spend all his time with his family. It was hard for him to believe how fast the last 12 years had gone by since Abby was born now he was a retired 38 year old hockey player. Sitting in his seat he recalled the conversation he and Carrie had the night before
“So what time do you leave tomorrow?”
“I have to be at the airport at 8 if there’s no delay I’ll be on the plane and in the air shortly after 10”
“Will you be home by dinner?”
“I should be, what are you making good”
“I was thinking we could go out” Nate can almost hear the laughter through the phone
“If I never eat fast food or restaurant food again it will be too soon! I should have never let you leave me, I’m a slob and I don’t eat good things without you”
“Ok, ok fine I’ll cook how about some nice steak, corn on the cob and potatoes?”
“This is why I need you, if you knew what I’ve been eating for the last month you’d kill me”
“I’m sure the fast food would do it for me”
“Carrie, what if I have nothing in common with the girls?” he asks all of a sudden the seriousness in his voice making even him nervous
“Nate you act like you never saw them at all”
“We’ve never really spent long periods of time together Carrie I’ve always been doing hockey”
“Stop it Nate, the universe revolves around you in our girls’ eyes. Maddie came into our room the other night just to get one of your t-shirts because she missed you” Nate smiled and then heard a small voice in the background sound teary eyed
“Sounds like you are needed, I’ll see you tomorrow baby, I love you”
“Love you too, see you when you get home handsome”
Sitting on the plane now Nate ran a nervous hand through his hair, they had 3 girls now and another baby on the way and even though Carrie told him everything would be fine he was still a nervous wreck on how him, constantly being home would go over with his daughters. Once the plane was up in the air he fell asleep waking up only when the pilot’s voice boomed over the speakers telling them they were landing in Buffalo International airport. He looked at his watch it was after 3 finally he was home. He headed out towards the baggage claim and grabbed his suitcase and hockey bag off the conveyer belt and headed out to find his father-in-laws truck
With Carrie
She got home with the girls a little after noon the doctor had told her the sex of Gerbe number 4 and while she was excited she intended to keep it a secret from Nate.
“Ok girls, you all had lunch at grandma’s so I don’t have to feed you but I need you guys to do me a favor” The girls looked at her waiting for what they had to do “Abby, will you vacuum the living room and dust the tables and Maddie will you straighten up the shoes in the front hall and sweep the kitchen I need to take Emmy upstairs for her N-A-P T-I-M-E, and then I will come down here and start marinating the steak and you girls can go outside”
“Ok” they chorused and Carrie made her way up the stairs with Emerson while Abigale and Madison started their chores. She was down the stairs only a few minutes later
“Grandma and Grandpa must’ve tired Emmy out she fell asleep on the way up the stairs” She says as she heads towards the kitchen
“Mom, there’s a moving truck next door!” Maddie says sliding into the kitchen on her socks
“Are there any kids?” Abby asks entering the room
“I dunno I just saw the truck!”
“Well lets go say hi” Carrie says picking up the baby monitor off the counter and making her way towards the front door.
The 3 of them stepped out onto the porch watching as two race car beds got carried into the house.
“Looks like we’re gonna have some little boys as neighbors, hold on a second I know that blonde hair” Carrie takes a step off the porch before yelling “Tyler Ennis, after all these years you still haven’t cut that mop of hair”
“Carrie, it’s my signature look ok, hold it Carrie?!” he turns to face her “Wow I haven’t seen you in a while, how have you been?”
“Good and you?”
“Not bad, where’s Nate?”
“He’ll be home later, we came back before hockey ended. I seen some race car beds go by, you talked Lacey into 2 kids huh?”
“Well, 3… actually 4”
“Wow”
“Yeah I see Abby is all grown up… that is Abby right?”
“Yeah that’s Abby and next to her is Madison Nicole, upstairs asleep is Emerson Ashly and then there’s a to be determined due in 5 months”
“Congratulations, we have 3 boys Jason Andrew who just turned 6, and then twins Michael James, and Ryan Alexander, who are 2. And I can’t forget, we too have a to be determined due in 5 months, Lacey knows if we are having a girl or boy, she won’t tell me”
“Sounds like the same thing I am about to do to Nate”
“You girls are evil”
“Tyler?!” Lacey says walking out the door her 3 boys following her like ducklings in a row
“He’s over here Lace”
“Oh ok… oh my God Carrie?! How did I not know you were going to be my neighbor?” She says walking the few steps between the two houses
“I guess cause we never talked about moving back extensively”
“Probably not, Tyler have you found Michael and Ryan’s mattresses yet? They are so tired and I have no where to put them down for their nap”
“Sorry babe Carrie distracted me”
“Lacey you can put them down on my couch I have another baby monitor up in my room”
“Thank you, nothing is worse than 2 whinny boys. Who are these two”
“That would be Abby”
“Holy crap she got big”
“She’s 12, and next to her, well more of hiding behind her is Maddie, and sound asleep upstairs is Emerson”
“Well I’m sure Tyler has told you all about these 3, but just to clear it up Michael is in green, and Ryan is in blue” Carrie nodded and walked in the house with Lacey looking for the other baby monitor while Lacey laid the two boys down on the couch
“Since you guys are unpacking still why you don’t eat here tonight? My parents are coming over and so is my sister and brother in law so there is already more than enough food and if your boys don’t like steak corn on the cob and mashed potatoes that’s no problem I’m also making hot dogs and mac and cheese because Emerson doesn’t like steak and Maddie is some strange child from another planet that does not like mashed potatoes”
“As long as you have ketchup my boys will eat hot dogs and macaroni and cheese all day”
“Sounds like a plan. Nate is supposed to get home at about 3, so I figure like 4-4:30 for dinner cause if I know my husband he fell asleep on the plane and will refuse to eat until he gets home so he can eat dinner and will be ready to eat my couch”
“Preferably not the one with my kids on it”
“Well if Abby, Maddie and Jason want there’s a swing set in my back yard they can go play, beyond the swing set though buddy I’m sorry it’s all girl stuff that’s all I got”
“It’s ok Mrs. Gerbe” he says and joins the girls running out the back door
“You have the politest 6 year old I have ever met! Want some coffee?”
“He’s so freaking cute sometimes I can’t believe he’s mine, and of course I want coffee”
Lacey and Carrie sat in her kitchen catching up while the movers half unpacked her house, by 2:30 all 6 kids were running around the house when Carrie’s sister and brother-in-law pulled up with her mom. Carrie lit the grill putting the steaks on one side and the hot dogs on the other. Lacey helped get the corn and potatoes ready while Carrie’s mom made salad. The house was full of laughter and chaos. It wasn’t long before Carrie heard a scream from the living room
“Madison Nicole!”
“Its Papa’s truck! Daddy’s home!”
“Ok, that’s a totally acceptable reason to scream”
The front door swung open slowly and Nate had to drop his suit case and hockey bag to catch Abby and Maddie
“Hi girls” he says with a laugh hugging them tightly “Where’s your sister?”
“She’s playing with Mrs. Ennis’s boys” Abby says
“Ennis? No way”
“Hey, gerbs!” Tyler says turning the corner
“Enzo dude, I didn’t know you were moving back to Buffalo”
“Yeah, we’re your neighbors, just moved in today”
“Hi daddy” a small voice says interrupting his conversation
“Hey there cutie” Nate says bending down to pick up Emerson “I missed you sweet pea” trying to kiss her on the cheek
“Daddy, I go play” she says trying to wiggle out of his arms
“Well ok then” he says putting her down gently and watching as her tiny bare feet make their way quickly across the hardwood “I have been shot down by my own daughter”
“With a face like that I can understand why” Tyler says earning an eye roll from Nate
“Ya know I happen to like that face very much” Carrie says “Where’s my dad”
“Shutting off his gps… or right there” Nate says as his father-in-law enters the door
“Hi dad”
“Hi honey”
“Thanks for picking him up”
“No problem, is coffee made?”
“Of course” her dad nods and both he and Tyler make their way towards the kitchen
“Now I believe you were talking about how much you liked my face” Nate says with a sly smile
“Really I was? I don’t remember saying a word must’ve been someone else” He wraps his arms around her waist putting his forehead to hers “I’ve missed you handsome”
“I’ve missed you too, but I have one other person to say hi to before you” Carrie looked at him confused until he lightly rubbed her belly “Hi little one, daddy’s missed you too” She smiled as he kissed her belly and she felt a light kick “Ok now its mommy’s turn” he kisses her softly only once and she pouts “You’re the one with a house full of company, I am not going to kiss you the way I want to in front of your parents”
“Nate, we’ve been married for going on 14 years now, I think they can handle us kissing. And besides we’ve been in different states for a month don’t you dare hold out on a good kiss now mister”
“Woman, the things you make me do” he sighs dramatically
“I certainly did not make you give birth to 3 children and carry a forth. Kiss me the right way” she looks around for any kids before adding “damn it”
“So demanding at the ripe old age of 33”
“Mom?”
“Go ask grandma or aunt Ana”
“Ok”
“You aren’t going to give up are you?” Nate says with a smile as she shakes her head. He pulls her out on the porch closing the door, he kisses her gently again this time pulling her closer and deepening the kiss, he smiles pulling away from her “Better?”
“Much better, even if it was in front of the neighbors”
“I don’t care about the neighbors, I feel like every time I touch you your dad gives me the death stare, he’s probably pissed I’ve knocked you up 4 times”
“Oh God now you sound like we live in the boondocks and are some hillbillies that are probably related somehow. And remember, this was our parents idea my dad can deal especially since he loves all 3 of our children and will love number 4 too”
“Is number four a girl or boy?”
“Wouldn’t you like to know”
“Yeah I would”
“Too bad you will find out when she or he is born” Nate pouted and Carrie shook her head “The fact that all 3 of those girls inherited that pout has made me tolerant to it, let’s go eat”
Nate’s growling stomach answered for him and they made their way into the house
After dinner was done and everyone left Carrie and Nate sat on the couch with the girls watching some cartoon while all 3 of them dozed off
“I think we can safely put everyone to bed, including us”
“I agree. Abby honey come on go to bed, you too Maddie” Nate says rousing the girls from their half asleep state
“Night daddy” they each say in turn giving him a hug and a kiss on the cheek “Night mom” they say repeating the same step before heading up the stairs
“I’ll take her” Nate says picking the half asleep Emerson up off Carrie’s lap “Come on sweetie”
He gets no more than 3 steps out of the living room when Emerson lets out a piercing scream “Mommy!” she cries and Carrie turns the corner from the kitchen where she was filling her sippy cup
“What baby”
“Mommy” she cries reaching her hands out to Carrie
“Go with daddy Emmy”
“No! Mommy!” Nate turns handing Emerson off to Carrie and her hysterical crying calms right down, and Nate frowns
“It’s been a long day Nate” Carrie tries and Nate shakes his head kissing her temple
“No that’s not it, it happens every time. I’ll be up in a minute I’m going to do the dishes real quick”
“They can wait until the morning Nate”
“No I’d rather do them now” Carrie looks at her husband with sad eyes as Emerson’s crying fully stops
“I’m sorry Nate”
“It’s not your fault our daughter hates me” Carrie opens her mouth to say something and Nate raises an eye brow leaning closer to Emerson “Goodnight Emmy” he says trying to kiss her cheek and she turns from him
“No kisses” she whines and Nate looks at her with a ‘told you so’ sad look
Carrie makes her way up the stairs with Emerson putting her in her bed and giving her the sippy cup in her hand “Night Emmy” she says kissing her temple with no fight as she falls asleep almost instantly “Oh Emerson, stop breaking daddy’s heart” she whispers pulling the blankets up and walking out of the room.
She walks down the hall opening Abby’s door to see her fast asleep, then opening Maddie’s door to see Nate tucking her in and she smiles, before quietly making her way to their room and changing into pajama’s. Nate comes in a minute later and changes into pajamas before climbing into bed
“Finally” Carrie says snuggling closer to Nate’s side “I sleep so much better next to you”
“At least someone likes me”
“Nate, Abby and Maddie adore you and so does Emmy, she’s just not used to you being home, give her some time usually you were at practice when she got up or at a game when she went to bed. She’s only 2 Nate she doesn’t remember you like the older 2 do”
“it just hurts that she does that”
“Oh trust me I know, when Abby was 4 she would cry herself to sleep every night that you weren’t there to put her to bed, that year was hell, but she got through it”
“You never told me that”
“What were you going to do? Retire right then and there?”
“Yes”
“That would have been stupid Nate, it’s a phase every kid goes through then Maddie went through a phase of eating colored pencils, I wish I could say she chewed up the ends that would be normal, no she ate them like she was part dog! I swear she pooped funny colors for 3 months. Abby is a daddy’s girl Maddie has my dad wrapped around her finger, your dad too, Emmy is a mommy’s girl it happens Nate. Please don’t take it so hard handsome”
“You make it sound so easy, this is why I love you” he says kissing her lightly
“I love you too Nate, goodnight”
“Goodnight” he says quietly already starting to doze off