Adam finished putting the chicken away when the kids came running into the garage. They held Bob under attack with a barrage of water and hysterical laughter.
“You little twerps are in trouble now.” Bob opened the cooler and filled both his hands with ice chasing after them as they ran out of the garage.
“Hey!” Joey shouted as one of the kids squirted him when they ran past him. “You want to mess with me and Bob?” He set the two watermelons on the table, grabbed some more ice cubes and joined Bob to bombard the kids.
“I swear those two are worse than the kids!” Angie laughed as she came in carrying a cake.
“That looks good.” Amy admired the cake decorated as an American flag.
Adam brought his dad out in his wheelchair so he could share the day with all the neighbors and relatives that stopped in to see them. The afternoon was full of fun and activities for young and old. Adam watched while he grilled the chicken and hamburgers as Amy organized the games which included a three legged race, an egg toss and a watermelon eating contest.
Adam announced dinner was ready by ringing the bell which stood by the milk shed. “Come and get it.” A crowd of people headed towards the garage not needing a second invitation.
“Before we start eating, my dad asked me to say a few words for him.” Adam spoke as he read the words his father written. “This is a great holiday and it honors our nation. Independence Day. The 4th of July. Our nation declared its independence in order for our families to live free-not just for one generation but for future generations. Let’s not forget what Old Glory stands for. Enjoy you freedom but never forget how hard it was to earn. Now dig in and enjoy your food!”
Every one applauded the words shared by Mr. LaPointe as Adam wheeled his dad over to be the first in line at the buffet table. When he finished helping his dad Adam sat next to Amy on the front porch while they ate their dinners.
“Everybody is having such a good time.” Amy wiped some barbeque sauce off his cheek. “I am so happy your dad is able to share the holiday with all his family and friends.”
“I know babe.” His chin quivered as he continued. “I will never take anyone for granted ever again.”
“Awww….honey.” Amy wiped the tear that rolled down his cheek. “I love you.”
“I love you too babe. Now let’s do the piñata!” Adam changed the subject and jumped off the porch handing her his dirty plate. He reached for the stick decorated with streamers he had hidden up in the rafter earlier. “Who is the youngest?” Adam hollered getting everyone’s attention.
Tonya coaxed little Tanisa to come forward and Adam placed the blindfold on her. He spun her around three times as he lowered the piñata down to her level.
“Where is it?” She giggled as she missed.
“Next?” Adam asked helping each and every child to make sure they all got their chance to bust it open. Little Bobby came up last swinging with all his might to hit it. He cracked the piñata open on the second attempt. All the kids ran to get handfuls of candy and trinkets.
“Good job, Bobby.” Adam ruffled his hair.
“I slap shot it, just like Bob told me too.” Bobby grinned up at him.
“Since you are the oldest, do you want to help me start the bon fire?” Adam rested his hand on his shoulder.
“Yeah!” Bobby ran along to keep up with Adam’s long strides.
Adam threw another log on the fire as everyone gathered around the bon fire. The children were roasting hot dogs and s’mores while the adults kicked back and enjoyed a few beers. It was a nice way to relax after a long fun-filled day. Adam walked behind Amy and wrapped his arms around her and the baby. He kissed the top of her head as they watched Angie and Crystal helping the kids with sparklers. Off in a distance bursts of colorful fireworks could be seen periodically for miles around.
“You still can make me see fireworks.” Adam whispered in her ear. He caressed her protruding belly. “Did you just feel that?”
“I sure did.” She leaned back against his chest sharing this special moment between them as the baby kicked again. “I think the baby is saying it wants its freedom.”
“This is awesome.” Adam beamed down at her. “My first tangible interaction with our baby.”
Adam didn’t know how long they stood there, off to the side, sharing the secret of their little one introducing itself to its daddy. He couldn’t have chosen a better time or place to feel the wondrous sensation of being a father.
***
“This is even better than the zoo trip,” shouted Bobby as he saw Bob score a goal for the Motor City Blades.
“I liked the zoo!” Tanisa defended the animals she adored.
“You know what I think?” Amy asked Tanisa. “I think I liked both trips.”
“Me too.” Tonya smiled up at Amy looking adorable in her knitted purple, owl hat that her grandmother made. “I think we better remember to thank Mr. Prusinski too.”
Amy glanced back and saw Adam, Angie and Crystal carrying a variety of food and drinks from the concession stand. She smiled to herself thinking about the plans her brother cooked up for tonight. Only Adam and she knew about the surprise and she couldn’t wait for the moment to arrive.
“Yeah!” Billy gave Adam a high five as the 2nd period ended with the Blades taking the lead from the Blackhawks 4-3. “Bob taught us what a hat trick is. Did you ever do a hat trick?”
“Yes, I scored my first one in junior hockey.” Adam answered as he took a bite of his hot dog. “You like playing hockey?”
“Yeah, I love it.” Billy looked at Adam with a gleam he recognized only too well. “Someday I’d like to play pro.”
“Anything is possible if you set your mind to it.” Adam crumpled up the hot dog wrapper. “We have a pond in the back on our land. In the winter when it freezes I’ll have you come over and we can play some hockey.”
“Cool.” Billy pointed to the center faceoff circle where Bob stood hunched over his stick. “The third period is starting.”
Amy watched the game in between taking kids to the bathroom and cleaning up a few spills. She loved spending time with them and was able to help out a lot more now that she was not working at the grocery store. It not only was a blessing in disguise for the kids when she got laid off, but it was just as rewarding for her.
Their section cheered as Joey spotted an opening in the defense and moved down the ice advancing the puck and ultimately scoring the final goal of the game. “We won!!”
Bobby watched as the teams exited the ice. “Can we go now to see Bob and Joey?”
“Let’s wait a few minutes.” Adam said as he glanced at Amy. “I think they have a special announcement to make.”
The team’s public address announcer spoke to the crowd. “This is a special message for Miss Angela Nicole Deville from one of our own Motor City Blades, right winger, Mr. Joey Makowski.”
“Oh, my god,” Angie exclaimed. “What is he doing now?”
The music of Lady by Styx soared to the rafters of the stadium. Joey came out still in his hockey uniform holding a stack of white poster board signs. He skated over to her and pointed at Angie holding the first sign up. It read, “Angie”. Joey tossed the card on the ice as he proceeded through the rest. “I. Love. You. You’re. My. Angel. Will. You. Marry. Me?”
Angie’s hand trembled as she wiped the tears from her cheeks. Adam helped her walked through the aisle, down the stairs and opened the door escorting her out on the ice to Joey.
Joey got down on one knee and opened the box of the engagement ring he had bought over a year ago. “Angie, I love you with all my heart and soul. Will you marry me?”
“Yes,” Angie nodded her head as she held out her hand that was visible shaking.
Joey slipped the ring on her finger, stood up and lifted her in his arms, kissing her deeply while the crowd cheered them on. He skated around with her until the song ended and they slipped out through the other exit to be alone.
“Eww.” B
obby uncovered his eyes. “Are they done kissing?”
“I don’t think so.” Adam chuckled as he caught Amy’s eyes.
“Now we can go.” Amy gathered up all the empty containers as she took a head count.
Adam was waiting with the boys by the time Amy came out of the restroom with the girls. She noticed the boys and him were deep in conversation as they walked up to them. Adam was going to make a great father. He knew how to have fun with the kids but could also keep them in line. Only a few more months and they would have a family of their own.
Amy thought about all the new and exciting changes in the upcoming year. She was thrilled that her brother and Angie found love and happiness with each other. She not only found a friend in Angie but now they would be sister-in laws.
***
“Morning babe.” Adam sat up in bed and slipped his jeans on. He stood up and zipped them as he reached for a flannel shirt out of the closet. “How are you feeling?”
“I didn’t sleep much last night.” Amy rolled over and sat up slowly. “My back is killing me.”
“You take it easy today. I’ll get done as soon as I can.” Adam crawled back onto the bed and rubbed her shoulders and back. “Remind me to call the Grifka boys when I get back. I need to hire them to help me load the bales of hay.”
“I can call them this morning for you.” Amy turned around and stared into his gray eyes loving these early morning chats and how sexy he looked.
“Sure that would be great.” Adam hugged her before standing up and slipping his shirt on. “I should be home by lunch time.” He gave her a kiss. “Why don’t you go back to bed babe?”
“I think I just might.” Amy lay back down and pulled the covers up to her chin.
“No, invitation?” Adam teased as he sat down beside her. “You must not be feeling well. Are you sure you’re going to be okay?”
“Yeah, I’ll be fine.” Amy ran her hands through his curly hair. “I’ll make you a hot roast beef sandwich for lunch.”
Adam ran down the stairs, thinking about the lunch Amy promised him. He sauntered through the living room and went into the kitchen grabbing his camouflage cap and placed it on his head.
The familiar sound of the door slammed behind him as he jogged over toward the tool shed. He climbed up on the John Deere tractor his father used to drive and started it up.
Adam proceeded down the washboard road bouncing in rhythm with the tractor. This was the third and final cut of the season. He spotted the herd of deer over in the bean field scavenging through the remains that were missed on the last picking. He felt the dampness in the cool October air.
Adam absorbed the warmth of the red and orange hues of the sunrise this morning. He understood now the pride his father felt for this land. It wasn’t a concept his dad could ever teach him. It was a lesson Adam learned on his own from his recent time spent working on the farm. He could honestly say he was proud to follow in his fathers’ footsteps.
Adam’s tractor hummed as he plowed through the hay fields filling the air with the sweet smell of the newly mown hay. He watched the news last night and there was no chance of rain in the forecast for the remainder of the week. Adam knew this was important in order to bale the hay once it was dried.
Adam finished up for the day and was rolling down the road anxious to get home to Amy when he saw his sister, Laurel running down the road towards him.
“Adam, come quick,” Laurel shouted over the engine. “Amy is in labor.”
Adam waited until Laurel hopped up on the tractor before rushing back to the house. He pulled the tractor in the tool shed running into the house as fast as he could.
“Amy, is it time?” Adam rushed over to where she sat on the couch.
“I think so.” Amy grabbed his hand just before another contraction started.
“Her contractions are about 5 minutes apart.” Adam’s mother looked at the clock in the kitchen. “She’s been having them for about an hour and a half now. I think you better get her suitcase.”
Adam took three stairs at a time as he went up to their bedroom and came back down just as quickly. “What was I supposed to get?”
“The suitcase!” Amy shouted as her contraction just ended.
Mrs. LaPointe took the suitcase from Adam when he finally came back downstairs with it. She followed as Adam helped Amy hobble out to the truck and lifted her up inside. He took the suitcase from his mom and tossed it in the back seat.
“I’ll call you later.” Adam shouted out to his mom and Laurel as he peeled out of the driveway speeding the rest of the way to the hospital.
Chapter 20
“Oh my, a little, baby boy.” Amy cried as she held her newborn son. “Look at him Adam. He has your dark black hair.”
“Hi there little guy.” Adam touched his tiny fingers and toes.” He kissed Amy’s damp forehead. “I love you babe. Our son is beautiful.”
“Do you want to hold him?” Amy gently handed him over to Adam. “Here’s your daddy.”
“Amy, he is so tiny.” Adam awkwardly held him in his arms. He gave his son a soft kiss on the forehead. “Welcome to our world. I’ve been waiting to hold you for a long time.”
Amy watched Adam as he cried tears of joy for this little miracle through misty eyes of her own. She had been in labor for twelve hours and Adam stayed by her side the entire time.
“Well daddy, I think you need to give your son a name.” Amy reached for him as Adam carefully handed him back to her.
“I think we should name him after both our dads.”
“Alex Joseph LaPointe.” Amy smiled down at her bundle of joy. “I like that. You have some big shoes to fill little guy.”
Amy and Adam spent the morning basking in the joy of the birth of their son. Amy fed Alex and swaddled him snuggly in a receiving blanket gently patting his back until he burped. She cradled Alex in her arms until Adam laid him in his bassinet to sleep.
“How are you doing babe?” Adam caressed her arm with his hand. “You sure have a high tolerance for pain.”
“It was all worth it,” Amy admitted. “You better call your mom and dad. Could you call my mom too?”
“Sure.” Adam picked up the phone and dialed Amy’s mom first. “Here, Amy. You give her the news.”
“Hi mom.” Amy gazed over at Alex as she spoke. “You have a healthy grandson. He was born at 12:21 this morning. He weighs 8lbs. 7oz. and is 21 inches long.”
“Congratulations honey. How are you and the baby doing?” Her mother asked. “Can I talk to Adam?”
“We’re both doing fine. Yes, hold on a minute.” Amy handed Adam the phone.
“Thank you. Alex Joseph LaPointe.” Adam said proudly as he looked at the hospital guest book. “Visiting hours is from 4-8 tonight. We’ll see you then.”
Adam hung up the phone and dialed his parent’s home. “Hi mom. Guess what? You and dad have a beautiful grandson named Alex Joseph. He has my hair and Amy’s beautiful face,” Adam winked at Amy as he spoke. “I can pick you up around three o’clock. I’ll see you then.”
Amy and Adam spent the rest of the afternoon learning how to care for Alex. Amy fed him every couple hours and Adam mastered changing diapers. They shared a complimentary dinner while little Alex slept soundly.
“I’m going to go get my mom and dad now,” said Adam. “I’m so excited for them to see Alex. Wow. We really have a son!”
“I know, isn’t it unbelievable?” Amy kissed Adam when he leaned over. “We have this little baby that is depending on us.”
“Thank you, Amy for giving me a healthy, beautiful son.” Adam hugged her before he stood up. “Do you need anything before I go?”
“No, I think I’ll rest until he wakes up again.” Amy glanced over at Alex sleeping like an angel. “Hurry back.”
“You know it.” He crouched over the bassinet and gave Alex a kiss. “I love you little guy.”
Amy stared at the doorway daydreaming after Adam left. What a wonderful man she had fa
llen in love with and what a wonderful life they created together with their love.
***
“Say hello to Grandpere,” said Adam as he slide his chair next to his father’s wheelchair. “Isn’t he precious?”
“God has blessed us.” His father forced the words out slowly.
“He’s a little angel from heaven.” Mrs. LaPointe stood behind them and peered at the baby.
“Here is your Grandmere Anne.” Adam stood and handed Alex to his mom.
“He must be dreaming. He is smiling.” Grandmere Anne motioned at the box wrapped in little boy blue wrapping paper. “You can open the gift, Amy.”
Adam handed the gift to Amy and sat down next to her on the bed. She unwrapped the package and held up a crocheted afghan which displayed a giraffe, a monkey and a lion on it.
“It is adorable. Thank you.” Amy gushed. “Look Adam, a lion.”
“I told you it’s our destiny.” Adam chuckled as he kissed his mom on the cheek. “It’s a perfect gift for Alex.”
“Well, hello everybody!” Mrs. Makowski greeted them as she walked into the room carrying a bag with an “It’s a Boy” balloon tied on it. “Where is that little baby?”
“Here’s your grandson.” Mrs. LaPointe shared him with her as they both cooed over him.
“He’s is the prettiest baby I ever seen.” Mrs. Makowski handed Amy the bag and cradled Alex in her arms. “You’re a big fella, aren’t you?”
“Here Adam.” Amy passed the gift to him. “You can open this one.”
Adam untied the balloon and knotted it on Alex’s bassinet. He took the tissue out and peeked inside.
“Wow.” He lifted out the items as he held them up for all to see. “Plenty of sheets, t-shirts, sleepers, diapers, bibs, blankets. What’s this?”
“Bumper pads,” said Amy. “They go around the crib.”
“How about this?” Adam held up another item he had no clue on what it was.
“That’s a mobile. Look it has little giraffes, zebras, elephants and wait…” Her eyes smiled at Adam.
Wings of Love Page 19
