Breaking The Cycle

Chapter 9

Sarah's POV

*Present Day*

    I wake to the sun shining through the pink curtains of my room and my two wonderful children bouncing on the bed trying to get me up. I sit up quickly grabbing both of them up in a bear hug and then toss them on the bed and begin tickling them. Their squeals of laughter fill the room as they wiggle around trying to get away from me. Eventually I let them go and they take off running from the room, laughing as they good. Just as I am getting up out of bed, Abby comes walking in.

    "Hey lazy, you have a guest, but mom says make it quick since you decided to sleep in and you have a doctor appointment today." she says before walking back out. I grab my phone up to check the time and see I have 4 text messages from Austin. I swipe them off the screen without reading them and notice the clock says it is 11:25 in the morning. Panicked because I slept so late and my appointment is at 1, I forget that Abby said I have company and go wandering out of my room to the kitchen for a cup of coffee before I get ready for the doctor.

    "I didn't think it was possible for you to look even more beautiful than you did last night, but here you are looking like an angel." I hear from the direction of the living room. I jerk my head in towards the voice and see Austin making his way over to me, smiling and looking great in a pair of cargo shorts, with a loose t-shirt, and flip flops on.

    "Oh s**t! How long have you been here?" I asked irritated with his unexpected presence. I quickly try to smooth down my wild hair and then cross my arms over my chest to try and hide the fact that I do not have on a bra.

    "Well good morning to you too grumpy. And I've been here for a couple hours. I text you a few times early this morning to see if you wanted to go to breakfast, but when I didn't hear back, I got worried and decided to come by. Your mom told me you were sleeping and she could wake you, but I told her to let you sleep because you seemed like you needed it. I've just been hanging out with Lizzi and Cameron and chatting with your mom and John and Abby."

    "I'm sorry. I'm just not much of a morning person before my coffee. Please give me 15 minutes. I need coffee, a shower, toothbrush, and clothes. I'll be right back." I say grabbing a cup of coffee and dashing off back to my bedroom. Closing the door behind me, I inhale my coffee and rush to the shower. I get myself cleaned up and my teeth brushed and throw on a pair of shorts and a t-shirt; nothing fancy because all I have going on today is this doctor appointment and then back here to hang out with my family. Checking myself over in the mirror and running the brush through my hair a couple times, I make my way back to the kitchen where Austin is sitting at the table with my mom talking.

    "Feel better angel?" he asks looking up at me walking in.

    "Yes I do, thank you. Sorry for this morning, I really didn't mean to over sleep and ignore your messages or snap at you a minute ago." I say chuckling at the last part.

    "It's okay. You needed your rest and I just wanted to see you again." he replies smirking up at me. "Your mom says you have a doctor appointment in a hour or so and then the Lizzi and Cameron have their's right after you. I offered her to take the three of y'all so she didn't have to miss a whole day at work, but if you would rather she take you I understand."

    "Uhh.. yea I guess that's fine, but only if you really want to. I mean, it's just gonna be a couple boring check-ups, nothing exciting."

    "I know, but I'll get to spend time with you and I really enjoy hanging out with your kids. We've been having a blast all morning." he says smiling as he turns to Lizzi and Cameron playing on the living room, his eyes filled with love for 2 children he barely knows. My heart skips a beat seeing how he looks at them, like a man admiring the greatest gifts in his life. They aren't even he's kids, but if someone from the outside were to look in they would have no clue.

    "Okay then, let me get the kids ready and then we can leave. I'm sure I'm supposed to be there early to fill out paper work." I head off to the bedroom to grab some clean clothes for the kids and slip my sandals on. Going into the living room, I grab up Lizzi and Cameron and get them dressed and then usher them off to the bathroom to brush their teeth and Lizzi to brush her hair as well. When they finish up and I've slipped their shoes on, I turn to my mom and Austin, who are still at the kitchen table.

    "We're ready whenever you are Austin. Mom, are you sure you don't wanna come with us?"

    "Oh no honey, I trust you tell me everything the doctor says, plus I have his personal phone number if I need to call him on you. You guys go have fun and I'll see y'all later. I'm gonna head into the office for a little while, but I'll be home for dinner. Probably just gonna pick up some chicken on the way home. You stay and join us tonight Austin, we'd love to have you." my mom smiles and winks at Austin.

    "Yes ma'am I sure will. I'll take good care of these 3 and we'll see ya tonight." he replies, returning her smile.

    "Alright, let's go y'all, it's getting later by the minute." I say as I usher the kids out the front door out to my car.

    "Hey, I thought I was taking y'all to the doctor, that means we take my truck." Austin whines as he follows us out across the yard.

    Opening the door to the back seat of my car, I lift Cameron in and send Lizzi around to the other side. While buckling Cameron in I look over to Austin standing beside me, "I would be happy to take your truck, but I don't remember seeing car seats in their last night and it's a 30 minute affair to change out vehicles with these things." I laugh shutting the door and going to Lizzi to make sure her seat belt is secured properly.

    "Oh yea. Nope. I ain't got no baby seats in my truck, so your car it is!" he says as he opens the passenger door gesturing me to climb in.

    "Uh.. yea, but no. It's my car, so I drive." I jingle the car keys out in front of him walking off to the driver side and getting in. Starting the car, I wait for him to finally decide he is going to get in and he whines the whole time. Shutting the door as dramatically as possible, he wiggles in the seat like a small child before pulling on his seat belt.

    "You comfy now?" I laugh putting the car in drive and pulling out on the dirt road.

    "I don't know how you can ride in this little bitty car all the time. My legs are cramped, the door is pressing into my side, and it smells like french fries." he crosses his arms over his chest as he continues to pout.

    "I think Bessy is pretty great. She's got me pretty far in life and I would appreciate it if you didn't talk bad about her." I chuckle again at his childish appearance.

    "Who the hell is Bessy?!"

    "My car, DUH. And she is the best car there is, ain't that right Bessy?" I say patting the dash of my car lovingly, making Austin smirk slightly. "I saw that Mr. Don't laugh at the relationship I have with Bessy!" I jab his side softly, getting a small laugh in return. A few minutes later we pull up in front of the doctor office and I put the car in park and climb out going to the back seat to get the kids. Unbuckling Cameron, I watch Austin through the window as he, once again, dramatically climbs out of the car stretching all his limbs and sighing loudly to make sure I hear.

    My appointment goes well and Austin sat out in the waiting room with the kids so I could focus on things with the doctor. He gave me a full work up and everything looks good; he also checked my wrist and ribs that I am pretty sure I broke. He confirmed that they did indeed break, but that my ribs had already healed and my wrist was too far healed to worry about casting. Instead he recommended a brace for me to wear for a couple weeks and then come back and let him do another x-ray. Otherwise, I am completely healthy and have nothing to worry about. It is definitely a relief to get that news since it has been so long since I've seen a doctor. Going out into the waiting room, I sit next to Austin and give him an overview of my appointment and he is happy with the news as well, just not happy I waited so long to see a doctor. I check out with the nurse at the front desk and schedule my next appointment for 2 weeks out and then Austin, the kids, and I walk across the hall to the pediatrician's office. The perks of a small town, I guess. Austin and I sit down in the hard chairs of the waiting room and Lizzi and Cameron run off to play with the few toys they have stuck in the corner of the room while we wait to be called back.

    "Would you like for me to go back there with you? Just to help keep them occupied during the check-up." Austin asks, kind of timidly. "If not, I understand. I'm not trying to force myself in, just wanting to be helpful." he hurries and adds when I don't reply right away.

    "I would love if you came back there with us. I'm pretty sure they will both be getting a few shots today because they are behind on vaccines and Lizzi will be starting school this year and has to be up to date, so having your help will be great." I chuckle quietly at his nervous behavior. Just then, the door opens and a nurse steps out.

    "Lizzi and Cameron Smith?" she calls out. Austin and I stand and get the kids and walk towards the door she is holding open. "Good afternoon kiddos! We are so excited you 2 came to see us! Before we go see my best friend, Dr. Barns, I'm gonna get y'all to do a couple of things for me. Sound good?" she smiles down at LIzzi and Cameron. Both look up at her anxiously and nod there little heads before she turns around and leads them to a scale tucked back in a cubby like opening at the end of the hall we are in. She has Lizzi step on the scale first weighing and measuring her and then has Cameron step on. She jots down their measurements, takes their temperature and then guides the 4 of us to a room. One by one she lifts the kids on the exam table and then turns to me.

    "I see this is their first check-up in a while, so we are going to have you do a quick questionnaire and then read over the pamphlet at the end that just gives you an overview of what vaccines they will each be receiving today. When you finish that, go ahead and sign the very last page giving consent for the vaccines." she hands me a clipboard with a handful of papers and a pen. "I will let you get started on that and the doctor will be in shortly." she smiles and steps out the door closing it behind her. I get right to work on the papers and Austin plays with Lizzi and Cameron keeping them entertained so that I can get this finished. Just as I am signing the final paper, the door opens and in walks Dr. Barns.

    "Hello everyone! It's a great day to be seeing such happy little faces!" he says cheerily as he walks in, shutting the door back behind him. "It's good to see Austin, hope the family is well." he shakes Austin's hand before turning to me. "Sarah Jones, is that you? My you have grown up so much since I last saw you! And these must be your kiddos, because I know for sure Austin doesn't have any." he laughs and shakes my hand.

    "Yes sir, it's me, Sarah and these are my babies, Lizzi and Cameron." I smile back at him and he turns to the kids and begins talking to them. He tells them how he used to be my doctor when I was a little girl and tells them a few funny stories about his dog, just enough to make them comfortable. After he examines them both, he steps to his computer and types some things in and then turns back to Austin and I.

    "I'm gonna send some labs across town to the hospital for Mr. Cameron here, if you could please get them done before the end of the day tomorrow, that way things can be processed over the weekend and we can have results by Monday."

    "Wait, what? Labs for what? What's wrong with him? He's always been so healthy, why does he need labs?" I ask, panicked.

    "It's okay Sarah. I'm just running some routine allergy panels and having him tested for anemia. Nothing bad, I promise, but we do need to know if he is anemic. If I'm not mistaken, you are anemic and should be taking iron for it daily. If Cameron is indeed anemic as well, we will start him on a small iron supplement to help boost his levels and because we will have caught it early, he may out grown the worst of it. Again though, Sarah, nothing bad, just some routine stuff. Now in just a minute the nurse will be back in to administer their vaccines." he smiles and shakes Austin and I's hands, turning to Lizzi and Cameron and telling them goodbye and then heading back out of the room. I take a deep breath and try to relax, feeling Austin's arm around my shoulders, his thumb rubbing circles on my shoulder trying to help clam me. A few minutes later the nurse comes back in and gives Lizzi two shots on her arm and she sits like such a big girl, never crying or anything. Cameron on the other hand has to be held down by both Austin and I while the nurse gives him a shot in each leg. Before she walks out of the room she hands them both a lollipop and a sticker and then turns and leaves. Austin and I stand and grab a kid each and make our way out to the check out desk. I schedule the next check-up for 6 months out and we head back out to my car. I buckle Cameron and Lizzi in and climb into the passenger seat.

    "Oh so now I get to drive?" Austin teases taking the keys from my hand.

    "Would you please take us to the hospital so we can go ahead and get Cameron's tests done?" I ask, clearly distracted by what the doctor said. I know he said just anemia and allergies, but for some reason I feel like there is more to it that he didn't say.

    "Sure angel. I'll take us. Don't worry though, I know that is exactly what you are doing, but he is okay Sarah. Dr. Burns says this is all just routine and he wouldn't lie, you know that." he says trying to reassure me. 

    "I know, but as a momma, I can't help but to worry. These babies are my whole world and it would literally kill me if something happened to them."

    "I understand that, but trust me. He is totally okay and I will never let anything bad happen to them or to you, and that's a promise angel." he smiles over at me, starting the car and pulling out onto the main road. We make our way across town to the hospital in silence, Austin's hand gripping mine tightly the whole way. Pulling up to the hospital, Austin puts the car in park and turns to look at me.

    "Do you want me to go in with you or would it be easier if I stayed out here with Lizzi?" 

    "Probably easier if you wait here with her. I'll take Cameron and we'll be right back. When we finish we can go get ice cream or something."

    "Sounds like a great idea angel. Lizzi and I will be right here when y'all get done." turning to the backseat he looks at Cameron, "You gonna be a big boy for momma? I don't want to hear that you were crazy in there. You're a strong boy and gotta stay brave in there." he reaches back tickling him before turning back to me and giving me a quick kiss on the cheek. "Hurry back to me beautiful." he smiles and I climb out going to the backseat to get Cameron out.

    Thankfully they have us in and out in no time and Cameron did great. Getting back out to the car, I buckle Cameron in and then get into the passenger seat. As I am buckling myself, Austin turns to Cameron and asks him how he did inside.

    "I big boy daddy! I not cry!" he says excitedly to Austin. Suddenly fear washes over his face and he begins apologizing to Austin. "I sowy! I sowy Mr. Ausin!" he cries. "I not mean call you daddy. You Mr. Ausin. I weally sowy!"

    "Hey now little man, it's okay. You can call me whatever you want." Austin looks over at me making sure that is alright for him to say. I nob my head giving him the okay, smiling at how well he is handling this. "And I am so super proud of you Cameron! I knew you could be a big boy in there for momma!" he finishes, reaching back and rubbing Cameron's knee reassuringly. 

    "Momma.. it okay me call Mr. Ausin, daddy? I love him!" Cameron asks me, his sweet voice like music to my ears. It's been over a month since we left Mark and came here and they haven't asked about him once and then here is Austin who has only been in their lives for a week or so and already they love him and trust him.

    "That's fine honey. Austin is a good man to look up to." I smile at Austin who is now driving us down to the ice cream shop with a smile bigger than Texas on his face. I hate admitting this, but I may be falling for him. I know this is the last thing I need right now, but he feels so right; like we were destined to be together. As if he was made special just for me, it just took me a little while to really find him. I lean back in my seat, smiling to myself and thank God for blessing me with all this happiness.