He took her and put her in bed, then headed down to get Peter.“I’ll be back to help you.”
“Challenge accepted.”JP gave him a grin.“To see how far I can get before you’re back.”
“Good deal.”He took Peter up, patted his back until he was sound asleep, then went to get JP.
Nap.
He needed a nap.
First he had to do laundry.
JP had made it out of the SUV and up the first couple of stairs.He was clearly tired, too, though, because he was currently just standing there, catching his breath.
“Hey, you.Let’s go.Your lift is here.That means we’re done with the hospital bed, and they can come get it.”
“So I’m going upstairs even just for naps?”JP beamed at him.“I like sleeping with you, Chou.”
He nodded, barely hiding his smile.“It’s time for me to reclaim my dining room, love.”
“Is that the only reason you want me upstairs?”
“Oh totally…” He chuckled softly.“I ache to dust the light fixture.”
“Butthead.”JP was grinning though, wasn’t he?“Help me get up these stairs, Chou.I need to sit and not get up for a while.”
“Of course.”He helped JP get in the chair, strapped him in, and handed him the remote.“I’m going to carry the laundry up behind you.”
“Give me the laundry, Chou.I have a lap.”
“Are you sure?Maybe you should test it first.Just to get used to it.”There already was a walker up at the top of the stairs.
JP just held out his hands.
“You are a stubborn bastard, you know that?”He handed over the wet, chlorine-smelling laundry.“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”JP looked at the remote and pressed a button, jumping when the chair started moving.
It wasn’t fast, but it was quiet and smooth, and it got JP up the stairs.
“What do you think?”
JP’s grin was huge.“It’s great, Chou.”
“Oh, I’m so glad.This will make your days easier.”He took the laundry and tossed it in the washer while JP got to the bedroom.
When he was finished he picked up the kids’s toys, making his way toward the bedroom and JP.
“You need anything, love?”If JP said yes, he was going to cry.
“I do.”
He took a breath and steeled himself.
“Come lie with me, Chou.The kids are asleep, so you can relax for a while.”
“Oh.”He swayed, surprisingly close to falling down.
“I’m not up to hauling myself over there and making you, so you’ll have to bring yourself.Come on, now.”
