Chapter 84: Hospital Christmas
*Do what you feel in your heart to be right – for you’ll be criticize anyway. – Eleanor Roosevelt*
It quickly became obvious that the hospital president did not know Reese as well as the administrator did. Jon, the president, told him it was a logistical nightmare. Robert, the administrator, asked for an apple pie.
It was an all-volunteer staff from his three restaurants and two of his clubs that prepared the meals. Between them, they made enough food for every hospital staff member to receive a full Christmas dinner. And an apple pie just for Robert.
Reese made sure that all his princesses knew that Helen and her family wanted some time to themselves. Early in the morning, he went to wake up Dean and she wasn’t in her bed. He found the two teens snuggled up together in JD’s bed.
Before Reese, Cheryl and Dean went to join them at the hospital, nis niece crawled into his lap and again he was reminded that she was still a child.
“How are you doing, princess?” he asked as they sat on his couch.
“I miss mom.” She said as tears hit his shirt. “I went to JD last night. I don’t need to see you and Helen getting it on.”
Chuckling, he kissed her head. “I see your language improved.”
“I don’t want to do that again.” She admitted. “I like her.”
“Me too.” He smiled as he rested his chin on her head.
“Whatever.” Dean chuckled. “I think you’re in love.” The last word was drawn out and almost sung.
Panic hit him. Not at being in love. That surprised him. Not being in love, that seemed almost natural. What surprised him was that panic filled him with the fear that she didn’t love him. He wasn’t sure if he could handle his feelings not being reciprocated. And certainly not having her hand his heart back to him.
“I’m pretty sure it’s mutual.” Dean continued unaware of the moment of panic he had just experienced.
“Yeah?” he said holding her close.
“Yeah. You can tell by the way she lights up when she sees you.” Dean said and he could tell that she was drifting off to sleep. “I want that someday.”
“Someday, sweet princess, you’ll have it and more.” He quietly assured her as Cheryl joined them. He knew that she was disappointed that Waylon had not come with her this year. Reese was certain that the present that she would get tomorrow would make up for it.
He smiled as his daughter snuggled into his side and he wrapped his arm around her. “Merry Christmas.”
“Merry Christmas, daddy.” She said softly and he heard the tears in her voice.
“What’s wrong?” he asked hoping that he sounded concerned and not smug.
“I called Waylon again, but I’m still not getting an answer.”
“He may have had to go to a call.”
“Yeah.” She paused in thought for a moment. “Daddy, I got a job offer from the university here to teach and head up a research program.”
“That’s great. I’d love for you to be closer to home.”
“You didn’t have anything to do with it?” she asked him as Dean stirred slightly.
Reese laughed before soothing the teen back to sleep. “I appreciate you thinking that I have that kind of pull. It’s a hell of a confidence booster.”
“Don’t you?”
“No.” He shook his head. “I sponsor a scholarship in your stepdad’s memory. That’s all I’ve done. And that was actually set up for your brothers and neither of them used it.”
“You’re a good guy, daddy. You know that, right?”
“I just want to leave the world a little better than I found it.” He murmured against her hair and pressed a kiss to the top of head.
“Dean is right.” Cheryl said as her eyes drifted close. “Helen loves you.”
A few hours later, when they three of them walked into Jolene’s room, Reese watched as two faces lit up. JD gave a little smile as he pulled Dean into his lap. As soon as she was settled in his arms, he looked content. And when Reese looked at Helen, she looked so relaxed and happy. He intended to make sure she stayed that way.
After kissing Helen hello, he walked over and kissed Jolene’s temple. “How are you feeling, princess?”
“Better.” She smiled up at him.
“Good. I know that you’re going to miss tomorrow’s princess party, but I brought you your present.” Reese handed her a small box.
Jolene looked at it confused before looking back up at him. “I didn’t get you anything. I don’t even really know you.”
“Let me tell you everything you need to know about me.” He smiled at her as he toyed with her now short hair. “I’m a man in love with your mother. That makes you important to me, because you’re important to her. I have way too many damned princesses in my life, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I take care of what’s mine. And that includes you.”
“Besides, shopping for a man whose bank account reads like a phone number is,” Cheryl gave a small grunt and rolled her eyes, “impossible.”
“Allow me to tell you what he likes.” Dean added. “Sweets. Thoughtful debates. To know that *all* of his princesses are safe and taken care of. And your mother.”
“Preferably within arm’s reach.” Bunny added as Ty tightened his arms around her.
“Hey, we Doms like to know where our brats are.” Ty pressed a kiss to her cheek and they both reached out to Jaxon. They all linked fingers with her hand between the two men’s.
“Ignore the peanut gallery.” Reese advised. “Open your present, princess.”
Holding the box in her bad hand, she tore at the paper. With help from her mom, they got the box opened. Inside was a golden necklace with a J topped with a tiara.
Dean and Cheryl both proudly showed their own tiara necklaces.
“We all have one.” Cheryl said as she took the necklace and placed it around the other woman’s neck. “Makes me wonder what he got your mom.”
Jolene looked at Reese who simply shrugged. He glanced over at Helen who was looking at him with giant eyes. Reaching across the bed, he cupped her cheek.
“Never anything you don’t want.” He reminded her. “But if you ever want anything more, just tell me.”
She nodded and he pulled his hand back and produced another box. Walking around the bed, he handed that box to Bunny. He gave a third box to Helen before giving her a light kiss. Jaxon placed the gold necklace around Bunny’s neck. The B had a custom tiara on it with a T and J embedded in the design.
Helen nervously opened the box and found a beautiful gold chain with a gold mermaid tail and a small ring. There was also a small lock and key in small cut outs of the plush black cushion.
“It’s beautiful.” She whispered.
Bunny looked at Ty who nodded, and she got up and walked over to look. “Reese, it’s gorgeous.” She unconsciously touched the silver bracelet that she always wore.
“I wanted to do this in front of our kids.” Reese said softly. “I know you said that you’re not ready for another marriage. But when you’re ready, I’d like to put this on you.”
Helen realized what it was and stood silent for a moment before taking it out and handing it to him.
“Are you sure?” Reese asked.
“I’m having your baby; I don’t think I can be any more certain.” She whispered back.
Grinning, Reese kissed her and accepted the necklace. “Turn around, kitten.” He ordered and she obeyed. He quickly removed the lock and key and then swiftly locked it around her neck.
“I feel like I’m missing something.” JD admitted.
“He just put a collar on your mom.” Ty explained as Bunny moved back to his lap. The three of them linked hands again and for the first time JD noticed that they all wore matching bracelets. “It’s a big commitment in our-“
“Nope!” JD put his fingers in his ears. “I already know too much about your sex lives, I don’t need any more images!”
Dean laughed at him, as Bunny kissed her husband and then their partner. Reese turned Helen around and kissed her deeply.
“Move over, sister.” Cheryl told Jolene. “This love shit seems to be in the fucking air.”
Jolene chuckled as she moved over for the other woman to get in the bed with her.
“You want to watch Ralphie get a Red Rider BB-gun?” Jolene asked.
“Anything other than the sudden make out fest we’re trapped in.” Cheryl grumbled. “I didn’t realize that I was living in the Hallmark Channel.”
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