Man Up

By Luvvenia Hawkins

The only thing Jaden knew about a relationship between a man and a woman was, don't get trapped. He couldn't trust himself to be a woman's man. He might be like his father- a deadbeat dad, a man who didn't appreciate a good woman and a man always looking for a better opportunity.

Then he met Mia. He needed her to be just another passing trick along the way. But Mia was more than that. She called him on his silly boy games and demanded him to take responsibility and Man Up. But Jaden lived in the shadow of his father's past. He couldn't be the man she needed and wanted when he wasn't sure who he was or if he could handle the pressure of being a man.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Luvvenia Hawkins
• Release date: Jun 26, 2012
• ISBN: 9781476364414

Luvvenia Hawkins

L. Hawkins is a writer for Jirehis Publications where she authors books under the pen name ALm HLgh. She currently works as an Assignment Manager for a major broadcasting company in the Midwest.Earning a Bachelors in Communications from the University of Illinois, she went on to study for one year at the Graduate level, majoring in Urban and Regional Planning.Before beginning her writing and broadcast career, L. Hawkins worked as a Loan Officer for a financial institution, a teacher in the public sector, and as a marketing research liaison for various companies.

Book preview

Man Up

Love can be a scary thing for a man.

By

Marjai Hlgh & Luvvenia Hawkins

* * * *

PUBLISHED BY:

Jirehis

On Smashwords

Man UP:

Recalibrate My Love Series

Book 4

Copyright © 2010, 2011 & 2012 by Luvvenia Hawkins

Marjaί Hlgh

Dedicated to my mother; a woman who quietly supported me in the background living only as my shadow.

Luvvenia Hawkins

Dedicated to my son, thank you for being the man that your father couldn’t be to you.

A mother and son collaboration

TABLE OF CONTENT

CHAPTER 01

CHAPTER 02

CHAPTER 03

CHAPTER 04

CHAPTER 05

CHAPTER 06

CHAPTER 07

CHAPTER 08

CHAPTER 09

CHAPTER 10

CHAPTER 11

CHAPTER 12

CHAPTER 13

CHAPTER 14

CHAPTER 15

Luvvenia Hawkins Books:

Luvvenia Hawkins online:

Contact Luvvenia Hawkins:

Book 1

Man Up: Don't be a pussy, brave it, be daring.

Man up: tofulfill your responsibilities as a man, despite your insecurities and constant ability to place yourself in embarrassing and un-manly scenarios.

Man Up: strap on a pair, grow some balls; stop being such a complete and utter wuss.

Man Up: Be strong; take control of a (the) situation, rise to the moment.

Man Up: To work through impediments and obstacles without whining.

Man Up: can also mean for an individual to be (not act) mature, to grow up, quit being childish, to change their ways and turn around (do a 180) and to go the correct way from now on, etc.

i

Women’s five biggest dating lies

ii

Lie #1: There are no good men left out there to date

Lie #2: It’s too late for me to find love

Lie #3: I’m too fat/thin/ugly/ (insert other insecurities here) for anyone to love me

Lie #4: I need another person in my life to feel complete

Lie #5: I can change my date into the ideal mate

* * * * * * * *

Prologue

June 12th - County Hospital

7:38 a.m.

Your baby is brow presentation.

Even without Dr. Yung’s explanation Marla Townsend knew what that meant. After all she was a nursing student and currently working on her Bachelors of Science. She had skipped this semester because of her baby’s due date. After having her baby and getting their housing situation straight, she fully planned to return this fall to complete her last year of studies. She blinked and then turned refocusing her attention back onto the doctor.

You’re going to need a C-section. Not to mention most of your amniotic fluid has drained out; the baby’s condition is turning critical. She cringed at Dr. Yung’s words.

"Nooooo… I don’t want a C-section." Marla screamed against the hoarseness of her vocal cords. Her voice was barely audible from all of the overnight hollering, crying and screaming that she had been doing.

She ached all over and because of her condition she had gotten zero sleep. What was her reward for having been kept up all night laboring trying to deliver her baby? She had only dilated a mere six centimeters (cm). The last three days had been an agonizing hell as she struggled attempting to push out her baby boy and now she was exhausted. Tiny sweat beads covered her forehead, her throat was parched and she knew her hair was a mess all over her head. She was wishing right now for a couple shots of painkillers; this was not what she had expected. The nurse had even given her two shots of Pitocin to induce labor; however she still failed to completely dilate the full 10 cm needed to pass the baby through the birthing canal. Left with no other recourse, the doctor ordered a sonogram.

Ms. Townsend do you want your baby to live? He inquired in a no-nonsense manner that bespoke the gravity of the situation. Marla looked around her small room; not one of her family members had come to be with her; especial Jacob Ellis, the father of her child. She wrinkled up her nose slightly as she stared vacantly at nothing in particularly. Her eyes glistened with tears as she was assaulted with flashback memories.

‘Why don’t you get rid of it?’ Jacob’s voice entered her mind. She cringed at his heartless and ill-spoken words from over eight months ago. How could the father of the child respond so coldly and callus to her disclosure about having their baby. It wasn’t like they had just met or were casually dating. They had been in what Marla believed was a monogamous and loving long term relationship over the last two and a half years. She had been dumbfounded by his words.

She figured that he would be a little shocked at the thought of being a first time dad; but nevertheless he would be happy to hear that they were going to have a baby. She never expected him to tell her to get rid of it. His words felt as if he had driven a knife through her heart. How naïve had she been- she pondered as she quietly batted away the tears that wanted to escape her eyes. Thinking about him during this time was not doing her any good, much less the baby. She forced herself to push thoughts of him to the back of her mind.

7:43 a.m.

Ms. Townsend- are you listening? The doctor interrupted her thoughts jarring her back into the present.

Sorry, She quietly apologized. Dr. Yung exhaled impatiently as he looked over her tests results.

I’ll send the nurse in… He informed her. He jotted down some notes on her charts, then looked down checking his watch and released a small sigh as he hastily made his exit.

As she lay there with her mind muddled in deep thought Marla absent-mindedly toyed with some loose threads on the white woven cotton blanket that covered her. Abruptly her mom and Aunt Shirley soon were occupying her thoughts. She hadn’t expected that they would be here either; that was too much to hope for. They had stated their position about her having a child out of wedlock- and it was no secret or surprise that they didn’t approve; not to mention that they approved much less of her baby’s daddy- Jacob Ellis.

Mom deeply entrenched into her Christian beliefs and church had been very disappointed having an unmarried daughter about to give birth to a baby with no daddy. It went against everything that she had attempted to instill in her children. Mom promptly gave her thirty days notice.

"You’ve made your bed now lay in it." Mom demanded with folded arms across her chest just before she walked out of the room. That was a sign that the discussion was over. Marla stood somewhat in shock. She found her mother’s words expected but nevertheless biting and her actions harsh. She only worked part-time at the supermarket making barely just over minimum wage. Where the hell could she live? She did not make enough to afford an apartment and also take care of living expenses. Still Marla held back her tears and as an obedient and dutiful daughter she packed up her few possessions and moved into a small bedroom of the home of an elderly couple that a friend of a friend had helped her find using Craig’s list.

Before Marla could get wound up too deeply into those painful memories her thoughts did another about-face and turned to her father. He was the only one who had expressed genuine joy, happiness and any positivity about being a grandparent. His words had kept her going even making her smile right now during this frightening ordeal.

"That’s my little man there; I’m going to get to know my little grandson," he bragged over the airwaves as they talked endlessly throughout the night about her having a baby boy. She smiled even now as she could picture her father with his chest stuck out boastfully as he shared the good news with his alcoholic buddies on some nameless street corner in Memphis TN.

Marla had wanted to invite him to come and stay with her when it was close to her delivery date. She wanted daddy to be by her side supporting her for the birth of his first grandchild, but she only had the one small room that she rented and could not afford anything bigger as she was saving for maybe a small house to buy one day soon. She really wished that her dad was by her side right now. She needed someone to hold her hand and tell her that everything was going to be okay. She needed someone to tell her that this wasn’t the worst thing that could happen. But it couldn’t be helped; her father was nine-hundred miles away. Marla just had to roll with the punches.

"If I had known you were pregnant there would be no baby…" Suddenly the acid words of Aunt Shirley sliced through her mind; killing her happy thoughts about her father. Her thoughts were jumping all over the place. She knew it was hormonal mixed with her labor, the stress and now the emergency C-section that was being scheduled. It was a wonder that she was still able to form coherent sentences. She closed her eyes at those painful words as tears began slipping out from under them. Yes that was why she had hid her pregnancy. She knew that even though she was 22 years old, her aunt still exercised a great deal of authority and influence in her life. She knew that had Aunt Shirley told her to get rid of her baby; she knew that she would have been too weak to stand up to her aunt. She knew that she wouldn’t have stood a chance and that the baby she had dearly wanted would have been but a painful and sad memory of her young life. Therefore she kept her pregnancy a secret until the very end. She would give calling Jacob one more try.

7:57 a.m.

Hello? His voice sounded gruff and void of any emotions.

I’m here… I mean at the hospital. Marla informed him without his asking.

Oh… Hmm… I told you I had plans today. Jacob said as he was pulling up his black sock on his foot and holding the telephone between his head and his shoulder. He looked up at the clock-radio by his bed.

Damn, it’s getting late… He swore under his breath as he balanced his foot over his knee tying up his black and white wing-tip leather shoes.

The doctor said I’m going to need a c-section. She continued pressing on hoping that she would hear a little concern in his voice. She knew to hope for excitement was too much to hope for.

Today is not a good day… He said unsympathetically and arrogantly rising up off of the bed and adjusting his cummerbund around his waist. Walking over to the full-length mirror, he stood before it turning this way and that to take a glance of how he looked. It was getting late and he needed to leave fifteen minutes ago.

Hmm, maybe tomorrow but no promises… The phone went dead as Jacob hung up the receiver. Practicing his smile and stance he threw on his jacket. It was the final touch to his ensemble. He looked at the clock once more and then began feeling around checking his pockets looking for something.

Where did I put that? He mumbled nervously to himself. Panic rose in his facial expression at his not finding what he was looking for. Abruptly he felt a small lump in his upper inner jacket pocket. A sigh of relief flashed over his face as he exhaled heavily.

"Whew, that was close…" He said softly as he pulled out the small velvet black ring box. Opening it up his smile broadened across his face. The ring was safe and sound.

8:11 a.m.

Ms. Townsend, we need your signature here. The nurse had quietly entered the room while Marla was on the phone. She offered Marla a chaste smile as she broke eye contact with her. It seemed as if the middle-aged woman understood what was going on. Marla raised a hand to her face and swiped at the fallen tears and took a few quick sniffles as mucous had begun running from her nasal passage.

Gimme… She said softly reaching for the clipboard with the pen. Marla looked at the consent forms. With a trembling hand she took her time writing her signature and the date on each one of them. The tears continued rolling down her cheeks while with a shaking hand she signed her name. Before long she was transferred to a gurney and found herself being wheeled down the corridor to the surgical elevator. She closed her eyes and quietly prayed.

10:16 a.m.

Marla woke up in a haze feeling groggy from the anesthesia. She could barely make out the nurse assistant as she busied about taking Marla’s vitals and recording them to her chart.

My baby… she whispered in a raucous voice getting the assistant’s attention. The assistant was checking her IV bag. She looked over at Marla and offered her a smile.

Ah you’re finally awake… You want to see your baby, eh? She asked with a slight smile as she wrote something down on her chart. Marla nodded her head.

Give me a minute. I’ll bring him in from the nursery. She informed Marla as she wrapped up her paperwork and returned everything to its proper place.

Soon the assistant arrived back pushing a small clear glass crib on rollers into Marla’s room and next to her bedside. She then uncovered the baby’s tiny wrist and checked the ID tags and then did the same to Marla. Seeing that everything matched she smiled.

Okay mother, meet your son for the first time… Do you feel strong enough to hold him? Marla nodded and then the nurse assistant cautiously passed her the baby. Marla looked down into his eyes and never had she seen a more beautiful sight. The tears that she had been holding back finally found the escape that they had been searching for and they gently cascaded down her face. They were tears of happiness; she had birthed a beautiful and healthy baby boy.

10: 26 a.m.

Jacob Ellis and Louise Meriwether made their way out of the court building holding hands and smiling. They walked down the steps to the main landing of the outside courtyard with each of them holding a hand of Louise’s two little ones, Markus her eldest son four-year old and her two-year old baby girl Dinah who were walking between them. Louise in her free hand carried a wedding bouquet made up of Baby’s Breath Clouds, Palette Passion Roses sprinkled with some Purple Posies. The flowers’ vibrant colors sparkled in the sunshine and blended well with her soft beige lacy beaded gown that she wore for the auspicious day. Jacob was dressed in a black and white tuxedo with tails and the two looked as if they belonged on a family wedding cake with the children wedged in-between.

I’m hungry… Markus exclaimed looking upward first at his mommy and then at his new daddy.

Don’t worry little man; we’re going over to I-Hop to have a breakfast party. Jacob beamed back at his stepson.

Party? Party? Birthday… presents… The child excitedly babbled. For him at his tender age of four, party always meant birthday with lots of presents. Without hesitation, Jacob leaned his five-foot nine inch frame down and scooped the little boy up in his hands. He planted a loving kiss on his small brown cheek as he pulled the boy up and allowed him to sit on top of his forearm.

Not exactly a birthday… I’m your daddy now. He explained patiently and with ease.

Will there be cake, was all that Markus wanted to know.

Hmm, maybe not cake but how about pancakes with lots of maple syrup.

Jacob, you’re spoiling them rotten. Louise reprimanded while smiling lovingly at her new husband.

Don’t worry; I’ll buy you pancakes too. He joked with his wife and then gave her a playful wink causing her dimpled cheeks to flame red. Abruptly the two-year old Dinah began pulling on the leg of Jacob’s pants. He looked down and was greeted with an angelic smile and open arms indicating that she too wanted to be picked up and carried.

Up… Up… She pleaded impatiently. Jacob smiling down at his step-daughter then shifted the weight of Markus a little to make sure he was securely locked into his arm.

Hold on tight, he admonished the little boy. Markus tightened his grip around Jacob’s neck. Jacob bent down and with his other free arm scooping up Dinah he carried both of his two stepchildren back to their van. His new bride paused to take an appreciative and loving look at the sight.

C’mon baby, the kids are hungry. He turned around stopping for his wife to catch up. Carefully she lifted up her gown to prevent herself from tripping and then quickened her pace. Once she reached them, she locked an arm around his waist and leaned her head against his strong shoulder. The happy family continued onward reaching the van and then loaded up.

That’s right Markus; family- we’re a family now. Jacob explained as he started up the van and then the van slowly made its way out of the parking lot and onto the main road.

11:51 p.m.

It was night time, and they allowed the baby to sleep in his crib in the room with his mom. Marla felt stronger now and got up testing the strength of her legs. After seeing that she had enough strength in them to support her weight and to walk, she then went over to her son’s crib. Peering down into his lovable face she smiled as she gently traced the outline of it as a fallen teardrop splashed against his soft brown colored cheek. She then picked up her son and walked over to the window in the room. It was almost midnight and she wanted to bless him properly for his first full day into the new world. She was happy that the maternity ward was located on the twelfth floor of the building. It gave an awesome view of the city but she had been fortunate that her window also gave a breathtaking view of the sky.

She looked through the clear window and saw the full moon as bright and as big as ever staring back down at her surrounded by radiant flawless stars and she suddenly felt anything was possible. She took her son and held him up high and over her head as she had seen on the epic saga Roots when she was a child. Then she began mouthing the words that Kunta Kinte had espoused at the joyous birth of his son: "‘behold the only thing greater than yourself.’iii Heavenly Father Jehovah, I give you Jayden Eric Townsend your faithful servant. Bless be your name, amen."

* * * * * * * *

Chapter 1

December 6th Age – 6 Months

Marla entered her tiny studio apartment carrying a heavy and sleepy Jayden.

"Whe-whe-whe…" He cried in protest of being awaken in the late hours and carted out into the coldness of the December wintery air.

I know baby… Mommy knows… She comforted him by snuggling him tightly in her bosom as she closed the door locking it behind her. She looked at the clock above that hung over her sofa that also doubled as their fold away bed. She was holding off buying any furnishing; as she was still hoping that the bank would approve her for an FHA loan to buy a 3-bedroom ranch house. She desperately wanted to give her son at least a stable home environment even if she couldn’t provide him with a father.

C’mon little man, let’s get you washed and into bed. She explained to the cranky sleepy baby.

"Whe-whe-whe-…" He continued wailing in protest of her keeping him up way past his bedtime.

Jayden, I know that you’re sleepy sweetheart; but I’ve got to give you your bath now. She explained as she yawned from her own weariness of having gone to school all day and then having to work a full-nine hour shift at the supermarket. She wanted to give him his bath tonight, that way she could give him a quick wash up in the morning with a fresh diaper change. If she did that, then she wouldn’t have to wake up an extra two hours getting him ready. She could get herself up, showered, dressed and study for those two hours and then take him over to the babysitter’s house at seven in the morning and be at the County Hospital for her required practicum clinical. After she finished this semester she would only have one more semester left before graduating with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She could then quit her supermarket job and begin to make decent money as a Registered Nurse. She ran water in the small tub in their bathroom as she undressed a still whining and cranky baby.

Oooh… Momma know… Momma know… I’m sleepy too… She yawned as the sleep was beginning to come down on her even harder. Every-now-and-then her head would bob downward unexpectedly due to her tiredness.

Hush little baby don’t say a word… She began softly singing the lullaby attempting to not only calm him down but also to stay awake herself.

"Aaaaah… a singing bird…" She yawned again in-between the lyrics of the song.

"Whe-whe-whe…" He continued crying as she kneeled down setting him into the soapy warm water.

Jayden… Shush… Shush… baby… It’s alright… Soon baby soon… She spoke softly to him again attempting to keep her own nerves from being racked from his discomfort and her tiredness. As she held him up in the tub, she took the wet wash cloth and lathered it up with the baby shampoo and gently rubbed it at the crown of his head working backwards. It wasn’t long before his dark curls were frothy with shampoo. He splashed his arms wildly and began kicking his legs crazily as he grew sleepier. He twisted and stretched his small body out into a full-body fit flailing backwards and splashing his mom.

Jayden! Jayden! Marla found herself raising her voice as her own irritation grew. Okay, okay… baby… Just a minute… She said to him but Jayden was throwing a tantrum. Before she knew it, some of the soapy shampoo froth had begun to run down his forehead and trickling over his eyelids.

Oh poor baby… poor baby… She cooed as she took her wash cloth and dipped it into the water, wringing it a bit to remove the excess water and then dabbing away at the soap on his face and eyes. The more she gently wiped at his face, the calmer he became. Soon he was lying slightly relaxed in her hands and she could bath him now with ease. She shook her head attempting to shake some of her tiredness off as she was now washing his arms, chest and back.

Ooooh… wake up- wake up Marla… She mumbled to herself as she found herself yawning again and again. It wasn’t long before her head began bobbing downward involuntarily as sleep began to consume her weary body. Abruptly she jerked upward; waking herself.

Woo… She said shaking her head and fighting against the sleep. She began to wash away the soap from his chest and back.

"Ooh- Aaah…" She yawned as her eyes involuntarily slipped closed and the circular motion she was making on his back came to a slow and eventual stop as she began to snooze.

Just five minutes… I’ll close my eyes for only five minutes. She mumbled to herself as her head nudged forward and lolloping to the side she was asleep in the stillness of the room. Jayden too had drifted off to sleep in the relaxing warm water. As they both slept, his tiny body made slippery in the soapy waters quietly slipped from her relaxed hands and slowly into and finally under the waters. As he lay quietly breathing, soft clear air bubbles began bubbling upwards from his nostrils as they too were submerged under the water.

Ugh-Ugh-ugh… He coughed and sputtered a little at attempting to catch his breath. Then he twisted a little to his right and then a little to his left before finally settling in the tub by turning completely onto his stomach and curling up.

Blip-blip-blip-blip; the soft air bubbles went as they escaped from his nasal passage that was slightly emerged under the water again. The two-mother and son were now sleeping peacefully together.

Marla abruptly opened her eyes startled that she had drifted off into a sound sleep. She then slightly shook her head attempting to remember where she was and what she had been doing before.

"Aaaaaah" she gasped in fright at finding Jayden asleep and lying submerged under the waters. Sleepily she blinked and then blinked again attempting to get her bearings. Something wasn’t right but she couldn’t quite figure it out in her present mental state. Then suddenly

Time stopped and Marla was stuck in the moment. Jayden’s lips were blue and his tiny body was limp, lifeless and without breath.

"JAYDEN!" She screamed in horror as what had happened slowly dawned on her. Jayden had slipped down out of her relaxed grip and was now limply lying in the water.

"JAYDEN! JAYDEN! Baby… baby… wake up… Wake up Jayden… Jayden… Jayden…" Frantically she screamed attempting to wake him up by shaking and tapping at his face.

"Ah…" She gasped being suddenly hit with an onslaught of helplessness. Marla suddenly became half crazed and hysterical at the idea that her son could be dead.

"Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo! God Noooooooooooooooo…no… no… no… Jayden… Jayden… Oh God NO!" She screamed scooping him up and carrying him to the kitchen laying him upon the table. She immediately began CPR on her son after placing the 911 call.

Waiting for the paramedics to arrive she began breathing into his lungs and making gentle pressure taps upon his chest attempting to jumpstart his heart and breathe new life into his lifeless body. She covered his mouth and nose with her mouth and blew two big but short puffs of air into him watching for his chest to rise.

One… two… three… She then began the chest compression doing the count-off. She rotated between the breath of life and chest compression as she silently prayed.

"OH God! OH please oh please God help me now…" She heard herself repeating through a tear-streak face as she continued the CPR.

"Oh God! Help me, please oh God… Oh God…" she cried out as she literally was turned into a basket case trying to revive her son. She took a deep breath and then covered his mouth and nose again. His chest slight rose, but still he was not breathing on his own.

Where oh where is that ambulance, She mused aloud as panic was settling into her bones.

One… two… three… She repeated as she was one molecule away from having a holy-ghost breakdown if God didn’t do something quick. BOOM-BOOM!

Finally, Marla breathed a sigh of relief at hearing the paramedics banging on her apartment door. As quickly as she could, she gathered her son into her arms and ran to the door.

After they arrived and took over Marla then allowed herself to fall apart. She sat off to the side in a small tearful heap watching as the paramedics anxiously worked to save her son. How would she forgive herself for killing her son?

"No he can’t die," she whispered under her breath as she dropped down on her knees in a prayer’s kneel.

"Oh God please save my baby. Oh God please don’t take my baby… I’m sorry God… I’m sorry… God… Oh God please hear my voice… Oh God, no… Please God it was me. It was my entire fault… Take me…" She prayed unaware that her voice had risen.

Mother calm down… Please, otherwise we’ll have to remove you. One of the paramedics warned her.

I know it’s hard ma’am… We’re doing the best we can… He comforted her.

Save my baby… Okay? Promise me you’ll save my baby… She pleaded as she held onto the young man’s jacket desperately. Her eyes were swollen with fat tears that chased after each other running down her face competing with the mucous and salvia that dripped from her nose and mouth. Her hair looked like a hot-matted mess from the innumerable times of her wracking her fingers through it and pulling it by the roots in her desperation.

Oh God, don’t take my baby away from me please. She tearfully moaned in the background as the paramedic held her back as she watched the other two medics administering oxygen to her son.

Mother, we’re going to need you to calm down. The paramedic told her. Marla knew he was right. Nodding her head that she understood, she took some deep breaths and wiped at the snot and tears that were running down her face. Involuntarily her shaking hand covered her trembling lips as she attempted to silence her sobs.

How long was he under? He finally asked.

I-I- I’m not sure… I fell asleep… She felt herself tearing up at that admission. If Jayden didn’t make it; it would be her fault. She couldn’t live if something happened to him, but if something happened to him and it was her fault- she felt that she would have to kill herself. She knew that she could never forgive herself for being selfish for wanting a few minutes of sleep.

Mom, we need you here… The Paramedic said as he could see that he was losing her again.

We’ve got a pulse… The other Paramedic abruptly announced. Soon his words were followed by the soft coughs of Jayden as he gasped for air. Marla was quickly on her knees and by her son’s side in tears. She reached for him but the other Medic held her back so that she wouldn’t interrupt his treatment.

Okay let’s get him transported to the hospital for some tests and observation. They explained as they prepared to transport.

Thank you Jesus… She whispered with a shaky voice as she climbed into the back of the ambulance with her son and they rode off to the hospital.

* * * * * * *

Congratulations, Jacob Ellis you are now the proud father of Markus James and Dinah Lynn Ellis. The Judge was the first to congratulate him on finalizing the adoption of his two stepchildren.

Congratulations father, Louise smiled at her husband while placing a soft peck on his cheek. It’s official; we’re now one big happy family. She beamed as they walked out of the courthouse and to their van. Abruptly the cell phone rang.

Hello… Marla said. Hearing her voice Jacob quickly hung the phone up.

Who is it honey? Louise asked. Jacob’s grimaced before clearing his throat.

Ahem… It’s nobody… C’mon honey, let’s pick up the kids and celebrate. He responded quickly dismissing the call. He turned his cell phone off and slipped it back into his pocket.

* * * * * * *

Whew, I’m beat… Louise complained as she carried a sleeping Dinah over her shoulders.

Yup I think you overdid it on the jungle gym with the kids… Jacob teased her as he followed behind carrying a sleepy Markus in his arms. The little boy snuggled up tightly in his arms and under the crook of his neck.

Ha, you should talk Mr. Swimming champ in the pool of balls. She teased back as they made their way into the condo with the tired children.

Ah man I think I threw out my shoulder on that backstroke motion. He said grimacing a bit as he favored his sore left shoulder.

Ah, poor baby… She consoled him walking upstairs to the children’s room and then said, I think they had more fun than they ever had.

Markus and I are going to take a bath. Jacob informed her as he detoured in the opposite direction heading for the bathroom. He just had an accident all over me. He informed her as he recognized that his son had peed on him.

* * * * * * *

Seriously do you have to record now? Jacob asked Louise as she held the cam-cord video recording their first father and son bath together.

Oh honey, memories… We’ve got to record the memories… She explained to him as he gently took the washcloth and washed Markus back.

Ah crap… Jacob suddenly moaned at the slightly sleeping child.

What? Louise asked as she continued taping the event.

He just farted in my face. He explained as he began making waving motions with his hands.

"Bhahahahahahahahahahahahaaaa…" Louise laughed uncontrollably at the sudden turn of events.

Not funny… Jacob pouted even though he too was laughing as his little son continued to pass gas in the water.

Oh-oh, I think he’s about to have a bowel movement. Louise suggested causing Jacob to give a questioning look.

Think so? He asked, however before she had a chance to reply; Jacob yelped: Oh for crying out loud here it comes too… Abruptly small baby feces began popping out of the baby’s bottom into the tub of water and onto Jacob’s naked leg. That proved to be Louise’s undoing as she began doubling over in laughter at the comical situation.

Don’t stand there laughing… Get one of Dinah’s diapers. He ordered helplessly stuck in the tub of water with Markus pooping all over him and inside the tub. Louise stood there holding her side as she roared with laughter.

"Bhahhahahahahahahahahahaaaaa….. Hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha…. Bhahahahahahahahahaa…" She laughed and laughed and then started gasping for air in-between the laughter.

Louise! Help me! He demanded while laughing himself at the situation. Louise was now kneeling down on the floor laughing so hard that she had to put down the camera. She laid it down on the lid of the toilet seat that was down.

"Hahahahahahahahahahaha…. Bhahahahahahahahahaaa….. Hahahahahahahahaaaa…" Louise howled over and over unable to stop the sudden burst of giggles that had overtaken her.

Louise! Louise! Ew this is gross… He called out while holding the baby up in the air and away from him. Little baby turds continued popping out as Jacob’s frown grew long and Louise continued trying to gain her composure.

I’m sorry…I’m sorry… I’m sorry. She apologized over and over still unable to get control of herself. Jacob holding the baby