The Problem with Dreams

Chapter 82 - Naming over Dinner

"It certainly didn't come easily," Greg agreed.

He reached out his hand and Susan took it, squeezing his slightly. That simply gesture conveyed so much at times it was hard to fathom how it could sometimes. It was a thing of the spirit he supposed instead of the mind.

"How long do you plan to stay tonight?" Greg asked.

"Not long. We'll be back tomorrow. Maybe you could ask Peggy about the children wanting to visit tomorrow. I would be good to know in advance if that would be all right," Susan said.

"A very good idea," Greg told her. He went to have a word with the nursing staff in their office while Susan finished nursing Melody.

"What did they say?" Susan asked when he returned.

"She said they would be allowed for a short visit as long as we both are here. They think Melody is strong enough now, so that is no longer a concern. Their main concern would be exposing the other babies in the room while the children are here. However I spoke to the head nurse about the situation, and she suggested we could make use of the family room they have here. It is designed to allow family members to become better acquainted with the new arrival," Greg said as he repeated the high points of his conversation.

"That sounds perfect. It's exactly what we need. Is there some reason we might not be able to?" Susan asked.

"Mothers who are currently patients take precedence," Greg explained.

Susan frowned. "That doesn't seem quite fair."

"No, it doesn't, but odds are we can fit in our visit around that. Most family visits are limited to approximately thirty minutes at a time," Greg told her. "I thought if we planned the children's visit for around sunset, we could pray with Melody as they would like to do, and we could all go out to dinner afterwards. There is a Mexican restaurant nearby Richard says is good that we haven't tried. And your parents could join us there, of course."

"They'd like that," Susan commented as she burped Melody.

"All finished?" Peggy asked as she returned.

"I think so," Susan said. "Do you have enough milk to keep you over night?"

"We have two or three feedings left, but will fill in with the formula so we should be fine. Go home and rest, Susan. You look tired today," Peggy said.

Susan smiled as she got up after fixing her blouse.

"Thank you, I will. It has been a long day."

c

Greg escorted his wife out to the car and helped her to get in. By the time he walked around to the driver side, she was already asleep. He drove home in silence, thinking the whole way. There were so many things he still wanted to talk about with Susan, but he resolved they could wait for another day. Once they were home, he pulled into the garage and nudged her awake.

"We're here," Greg said softly.

"Hum?" Susan murmured groggily.

"We're home. Come on, Susan. Let's get you into the house, then you can go to bed," Greg promised.

"Okay," Susan answered indistinctly.

Greg put his arm around her waist and guided her to the house, triggered the library door to open and took her inside.

"How did it go?" Mrs. Abernathy asked looking up. She and her husband were waiting for them beside the fire in the fireplace in the library.

Greg put his finger to his lips, then proceeded to guide Susan into their bedroom, and into their closet so she could change.