Three Cheers

My mom had held Thora and immediately fell in love with her just like Busy and we had done. She had looked her over intently; Thora has brown eyes, her hair is a golden brown color, and she had light colored freckles on her cheeks and heart shaped lips. My mom said she was going to gorgeous when she got older.

"Where did you come up with Thora?" Elsa asked as she looked over the baby.

I looked at Busy, who opened her mouth and took in a deep breath, "I pick it! I like Thor!" she said excitedly, "Daddy say her name is Ah-Tim too."

"Autumn Thora," I told them, "She and Gerard picked the names."

"She's got a good name." my mom added, "How did you get a baby so fast?"

"The mother wanted her baby to have a home quickly, and Gerard had been adamant about us wanting a baby fairly quickly. Plus, it's right before Christmas, so they didn't want the baby to wait."

"Are you still going to reopen your store?" 

"I think so." I replied, "But not for awhile. Maybe when I get used to having the baby."

"We'll take care of you guys," my mom said handing the baby off to Elsa; Busy scurried over to sit and look at the baby with her, "You still have your trust fund money?"

I shook my head with a laugh, "Yes mom. I still have a lot of that money."

My mom gawked at me, "Well, shoot, October. Use it! It's yours."

"I am. I will, we're doing fine right now, mom."

"I'm just making sure."

Before I could answer, Gerard called out to us, "We got the crib set!"

We all got up, Elsa handed me Thora and followed Busy towards her bedroom where we had put her crib. Busy insisted she and Thora share a room; it's certainly big enough for the both of them. Busy ran into the room, looking over the crib, with us behind her, "Is big!"

Gerard and my dad had set the room up; putting the changing table, dresser, clothes and toys in there. They put the crib together; it was painted a deep purple with little white dots. Gerard had painted her name over the headboard; "Man," I said in shock, "This is amazing, Gee."

"It only took a minute." he said happily, "Your dad did most of the work."

"You guys did a good job," I gave my dad a side hug, "Thank you."

"Anything for my new grand baby." I was able to hand Thora off to my dad, "Ain't she a cutie."

I looked the crib over, "It's big."

"Yeah, she and Busy can sleep in there," Elsa joked.

"Can I?" Busy asked cheekily.

I shrugged, "If you fit, B."

"I will! Watch!"


The first two days with Thora went by smoothly; she is an amazingly quiet baby. She isn't fussy unless she needs to be changed or she's hungry. Busy just loves feeding her and holding her; more so than doing anything else.

She and Thora both get up at the same time, so it was deal with that routine; we get up in the morning and I feed them both until Gerard gets up. Busy spends the morning watching cartoons on the couch with Thora and Happy; or when Thora is taking a nap, she runs around with Happy.

Gerard handled the small change easily; he had said that it didn't even feel like we had a baby. Thora was so quiet and relaxed, he couldn't believe it. I didn't either, because Busy was so fussy and loud and active as a baby, even as she gets older, she's even more active.

On Christmas Eve, Gerard and I bundled the girls up and went out to the back porch to look for Santa Claus and his reindeer. Gerard had the bells hidden a top the roof with a long string to pull to get Busy riled up. This'll be the first year she would probably remember; last year she was only a year old and couldn't really talk or know what Christmas was.

Gerard had her in his lap, "You hear anything yet, B?" he asked as we all looked up at the cold, quiet darken sky.

"No." Busy said sadly, "He not comin'?"

"He'll be here soon." I said to her, "He just needs to know if you're asleep."

"I can't sleep!" she exclaimed, "Will he not give me presents if I awake?"

"He will, you just can't see him." Gerard explained.

That's when I signaled him to pull the string. Busy gasped when the faint chimes sang in the air; "Oh my Gosh! Mama, you hear?"

"I don't think so." I played while cradling Thora.

"Daddy?" Busy looked at him.

Gerard pulled the string again, "Oh, I hear him!"

"I needs to sleep!" she said frantically, "I has to sleep, mama! Me and baby Thora!"

I smiled, "Okay, let's go. Wave to Santa, I think he may be able to see you."

"Hi Santa! I go sleep now! Me and Thora." Busy ran to the sliding door and opened it, beckoning us in, "C'mon!"

Gerard and I laughed as we went in; he closed the door and led the way to their room. Busy jumped into her bed, Gerard and I went over; "Say goodnight to Thora." I said to her.

Busy kissed Thora's head, "Night-night, Thora. Stay sleepy for Santa."

I smiled, "Goodnight, baby."

"Night mama."

I went and put Thora into her crib; she stirred a bit, but didn't wake. I turned on the baby monitor and waited for Gerard to finish tucking in Busy before we left the room. Busy shut her eyes and wrapped her arms around the monkey Frank had bought her; Gerard flipped on her Wonder Woman night light and followed me.

We closed the door a bit, leaving it open for them; the red light from the night light lit up the hall. Gerard went into our room, waiting a bit for Busy to fall asleep fully before we brought out all her gifts. He had gotten the cookies from the counter and we shared them.

"I got her a lot of shit," Gerard said, "She and the baby. It's mostly for her birthday, since I ain't gonna be here." he said regrettably.

"It'll be okay, Gee." I said softly as I bit my Christmas tree cookie.

"You say that, but I don't feel okay." he grumbled, "I'm finally her daddy, and I can't even be here for her birthday."

"She'll have more birthdays, don't worry." I scooted closer to him, "You'll be home again, and she'll be happy just to have you with her."

"I know you're right, but it still fuckin' sucks."

I kissed his temple, "It does, but you just need to look forward to the days you get to be with her, Gee."

He nodded, "I am."

I hugged him, "It'll get better."

He kissed my cheek, "Thanks."