Like a Damaged Nerve

Once Jonny got a text from Patrick, telling us that he had Katie and they were on their way over, I quickly changed and smeared some makeup across my face. When I came out, I let out a heavy sigh and placed a K-cup into the Keurig, letting it brew a cup of tea. While steam began to come out of it, a pair of arms came around me. Quickly recognizing who it was, I sighed once more and relaxed against his chest.

“I’ll admit that this is one of the times that I don’t fully understand you,” he said with a bit of playfulness in his tone.

“What do you mean?” I turned around to face him.

“Your sister’s coming and you seem really on edge,” he explained.

“I’m glad she’s coming home…” I began.

“But…” he started up for me.

“I know… things are going to be rough and she’s not going to want much help because that’s the kind of person she is. And she’s going to…” I was rambling on, but Jonathan leaned forward until his lips meshed with mine. After a few moments, he brought our kiss to an end, but placed his forehead to mine. Our noses were barely brushing against each others and a desire to bite at his bottom lip came over me…

“She’ll be fine,” he spoke, breaking my focus.

I pressed my lips tightly together so that I couldn’t go into a rant again. Instead, I nodded my head, telling him I agreed with what he had said. His arms stayed around me until there was a heavy knock at the door. Little Aubrey’s squeals came from the other room where Jonny had left her, mostly likely in her playpen.

“She’s here,” he sent me a smile as he let his arm unwrap around me so that his long fingers could lace with mine.

Keeping his hands tightly cupped with mine, he went into the living room and scooped Aubrey up in his arms. He pressed a kiss to the top of her head before I followed him to the door. This nervousness came over me as his free hand reached out for the door. Once he had opened it and revealed the couple behind it, I couldn’t breathe.

My sister… was standing right in front of me. I never though I would experience this again. Everything that happened next was just a whirl of excitement and happiness… and a whole lot of crying.

Jonny had to be the one to introduce Aubrey. I couldn’t think. But Katie’s smile as she held that little girl in her arms just warmed my heart so much. Patrick guided her over to the couch and the two of them got lost in making the baby giggle any way they could.

“She’s so big,” Katie beamed as her eyes stayed fixed on the baby.

“Time for another,” Jonny muttered.

“Yes! I’ll be here for the pregnancy this time!” Katie’s whole face lit up.

“I need to get back to work for a little bit first,” I told her.

“You haven’t been back to work yet anyway. Just pop out another kid,” Patrick bluntly added.

“Because it’s just that easy…” I rolled my eyes.

“You were a happy pregnant lady,” he kept going.

“I’m not denying that!”

“Is she pregnant now? Is this what this is?” Patrick kept teasing. So that I wouldn’t say anything, I rolled my eyes once more and fell deeper into the couch with Jonny.

Thankfully, this was my only moment of annoyance throughout the night. I offered to make dinner for everyone and Katie agreed to stay for that. It just felt nice to everyone together again. I wasn’t going to let any comments from Patrick ruin how happy I was that my sister was finally home.