Jessy woke suddenly. She knew she had heard something. She wiped the sleep from her eyes, she was in the Hanson family room, sleeping on the couch. She remembered, Mackie being hurt and that she was staying to help out. She made her way to the stairs and listened, there it was again, a cry. Jessy rushed up the staris and stopped at Zoe's door, quiet, so she rushed to the end of the hall. Quietly she opened the door and she heard his cries, "Mackie, sweetheart, what's wrong? Do you hurt again?" Jessy asked as she made her way to him. The minute she touched him, he crawled in her arms and cried. Jessy paced the floor with him, patting his back, telling him it would get better. His cries finally stopped and he was asleep. Jessy sat on the bed and he immediately stirred and whimpered. She rose and paced, patting until he was asleep again. Her mind raced, she couldn't hold him this way all night, he was too heavy for her. Then she thought of the rocking chair. As she made her way to Zoe's room she fretted on his cries waking her and then she'd have two crying. She was drawn to Zac's door. Jessy opened the door quietly, listening to the three of them breathing, sleeping soundly. She made her way to Zac's bed, "Zac, Zac, honey please wake up." nothing, "Honey, Zac, please wake up I need you." she whispered again. "What? Jessy are you okay? What do you need?" Zac said waking. "Honey I need you to get me Zoe's rocker from her room and put it in Mackie's. He's miserable and cries if I sit with him, but he's too heavy for me. I thought the rocker might work is all, please?" Jessy said sitting on the edge of his bed, Mackie immediately stirred and started to cry. Jessy got back up, moaning. "Jessy you're going to hurt yourself bad, here let me help you back to his room." Zac said putting an arm around her and helping her support Mackie's weight. He walked her to Mackie's room. "Jessy I don't care if he cries until I get back, you sit down before you really hurt your back. Hear me." he ordered and took off down the hall. Mackie was starting to wake and Jessy finally gave in and got up one more time as Zac came in the room. "Just can't listen. What am I to do with you?" he complained as he helped her to the chair. "Ahhh" she moaned as she went down. Zac came with a pillow, "Lean forward" he said and when she did, he tucked the pillow in the small of her back. "Thanks, Zac grab his other pillow, fold it, and put it under his butt, in case I fall asleep and I put his weight back down on it. Zac did as she asked, then picked up the quilt and covered them. "Thanks." She said looking at him. "How did you know he needed someone?" Zac asked. "I heard him cry. Didn't you guys?" Jessy said. "Not a peep and Mom told us to listen for him. Must be we aren't special like you. Jessy my little mother." Zac said kissing her forhead and leaving. "Night Zac." Jessy said hurt, he didn't say goodnight or kiss her other than on the forehead. She smiled when he came back with his pillow and blanket, he didn't leave her. "I decided I better sleep here in case you need me again." Zac said. "Thanks again for being there when I needed you." Jessy said. "That's my job. Take care of Jessy, to be there when she needs me." Zac said proudly. "Well you do your job very well." Jessy said reaching her hand out, finding his head and stroking his hair. "I love you." Zac said taking her hand kissing it, and holding it between his two hands. "I love you too." Jessy said sighing and they drifted off to sleep. This time she woke to whispering, she looked over Zac was still asleep holding her hand. She looked the other way but couldn't see because of Mackie's head, "Mom? Dad?" Jessy whispered. "Sorry sweetie, we didn't mean to wake you." Mom said moving to the foot of the bed. "Mackie was crying and somehow I heard him. He's gotten so big I couldn't hold him sitting on the bed, so I woke Zac up. He got me the rocker?" she explained as Daddy walked to Mom's side. "Jessy I don't know what I'd do witthout you? I'm so grateful you came into our lives." Mom said leaning forward and kissing her. "I don't know what I do without you either? I can't bear to think about it." Zac said kissing her hand. "Zac I'm so proud of you for being there for Jessy." Mom said kissing him. "Me to son. You've have grown up so much recently, you're turning into a very fine young man, one I'm proud to say is mine." Dad said. Mackie woke the minute he heard his Dad. "Daddy my butt hurts." Mackie said. "I know son, I'm so sorry you got hurt. Come here and let you Dad hold you." Dad said lifting Mackie from Jessy's lap. Jessy sighed at the relief, "I think I'll go to the bathroom now that I'm free, well sort of. Zac honey I need my hand. Zac." Jessy said. "Oh" it dawned on Zac she was talking to him. Jessy rose, moaning and grabbing her back. "Jessy let me help. How bad is it?" Zac asked leaping from the bed and rushing to her side. He helped her the rest of the way up and guided her towards the door. She moaned as she turned. They made it to the bathroom and Zac waited outside impatiently, "Jessy are you all right? Do you need help?" Zac asked. "Zac I'm a big girl I can go pee pee by myself now." Jessy teased. "Don't make fun of me, I'm worried about you is all?'" Zac complained. "Zac I wasn't making fun of you as much as I was trying to make myself laugh, instead of crying." Jessy explained. "Make fun of me all you want then." Zac said. "You're just to good to me." Jessy said opening the door. "God I must look awful." she added as he stared at her. "No you look beautiful, but I can see the pain in your eyes. What can I do?" Zac asked. "I'd love a back rub?" Jessy said. "Sure, anything you name it." he said helping her back to Mackie's room. "Oh Jessy I feel so bad that you are hurting. Tell you what, what's your most favorite breakfast?" Mom said. "Thats easy, she loves waffles most, then pancakes." Zac asked. "Waffles huh? Haven't made those in quite a while. Maybe that's why I bought those strawberries yesterday." Mom said and Jessy's eyes lit up. "Jack Pot Mom, Strawberry waffles and whipped cream are her all time favorite." Zac said as Jessy nodded her head. "Well I better go see if I can find the waffle iron." Mom said heading out. "Wait we'll help you. We'll do anything, for strawberry waffles, huh Mackie?" Dad said following her and closing the door as he left the room. "Now let's get you down on the bed." Zac said lowering Jessy as she moaned. As she stretched out she moaned again. Zac straddled her sitting on her below her butt. Zac leaned forward starting on her neck and shoulders. His fingers kept getting caught up in the spaghetti straps of her tank top. "Zac just help me take my top off." Jessy said as she felt Zac's hands slide up the sides gather her tank. Jessy pulled her arms through and then lifted her head and Zac laid the tank next to her. Zac worked his way down her back and as he reached the small of her back, he rolled her jammie pants down and started on her lower back "Ow Ow Ouch" Jessy cried. "Jessy should I stop you're crying?" Zac asked. "No don't stop it'll get better as long as you don't stop." Jessy cried. Zac rubbed until his hands ached and Jessy's skin was red. "Better?" he asked leaning to see if she was sleeping. "Lots better. You have great hands." Jessy said as she rolled over and put her arms around Zac's neck and pulled him to her lips. Jessy kissed him passionately, pulling him tighter as his tongue enter her mouth and made it to the back of her mouth then circled her tongue and then to to the back. Zac drew his tongue back and lightly kissed her and lifted his eyes, searching her eyes for a sign of taking things further. Jessy smiled kissing his cheeks, his eyes, his forehead, scooting upwards underneath him. "Jessy I love you." Zac confessed. "I love you to Zac." Jessy said kissing the top of his head. She felt his hot breath on her, making it's way down from her neck over to her right breast. Zac circled her breast with light kisses and as the circles grew smaller his tongue quickly licked her skin and she moaned. His tongue teased her nipple as his right hand found her left breast cupping it and squeezing, then his hand slipped around to her back and drew her to him as he moaned. In the distance they heard "Jessy, Zac" and Zac crawled off of her and headed to the door as Jessy raced to put on her tank top and pull her bottoms back up. Jessy quickly rolled back over and laid on her belly. As Zac opened the door, "What's all the hollering about?" he asked. "Mommy said to tell you breakfast and the first waffle is Jessy's" Mackie said and headed back down the stairs. "Come on Jessy you heard. I better get you down stairs." Zac said. Jessy rose from the bed and headed to Zac, who was staring at her "What?" Jessy asked. "Those things are still at attention." Zac said pointing to her nipples. "Yours would too if I cranked on them." Jessy said swatting him. "Wait I'll be back." Zac said running to his room. Jessy folded her arms tight. Zac returned with a sweatshirt, "Here put your arms in" he ordered and then zipped it up. Zac slipped his legs in his jeans as Jessy unfolded his tee and gathered it up and slipped it over his head. Zac slipped his arms into the sleeves and Jessy pulled the tee down, moving her hands around to his back smoothing out the tee pulling it down past his butt. She carefully slid his jeans up over his tee and fastened the button, then zipped his zipper. "Let's go" Zac said taking her hand and leading her downstairs. "Feeling better?" Mom asked. "Lots, Zac has great hands." Jessy said. "Like his father." Mom said stealing a glance at Dad. "I know I promised you first waffle, but someone threw a tizzy fit and I just couldn't say no, but I'm not naming names." Mom said nodding in Zoe's direction. "Zoe Hanson is that my waffle?" Jessy asked and Zoe looked at the floor, then the ceiling anywhere but at Jessy. Mom fixed the other two waffles and offered one to Zac. "That's okay, I'll wait for the next batch feed Mackie and Dad. "Here Mackie why don't you eat on the end of the table here next to Dad and you can stand up. Okay?" Mom said as Dad hugged him. Soon the rest of the family made it way down stairs and the table filled. "Jessy another one?" Mom asked. "No thanks Mom, one is plenty but Zac is dying for another one. He's had his eye on mine for the past five minutes with more desire in his eyes than when he looks at me." Jessy explained and Mom laughed. "Zac hand me your plate son." and she chuckled fixing him another waffle. "Zac stop grumbling, at least you got another waffle." Jessy teased as she pushed the rest of her waffle onto Zac's plate and got up and put her dishes into the dishwasher. "Mom that is your waffle, take it and go sit down. I think I can do this, I've been watching." Jessy said as she filled it with batter and folded it shut. "Fifteen minutes Mom?" Jessy asked. "Eighteen sweetie but no more or it scorches." Mom said. Jessy grabbed the milk jug and refilled glasses and Zoe's tippy cup. "I sure hope my waffle was good." she teased Zoe and she quickly looked at Daddy. "Don't look at me, that was Jessy's waffle." Daddy said and Zoe looked back at Jessy and lifted her plate "Essy" she said. "Looks very good Zoe, but Jessy is full, you can have it if you like." Jessy said kissing her head, then returning to watch the timer. "Cool it worked. We'll have waffles more often now." Jessy said fixing waffles for Ike, Tay, Zac, and Dad. Jessy loaded the waffle iron one more time and set the timer. She was busy cleaning up, when she noticed Mackie. She turned the timer to Zac "Honey do you think you can finish this batch, I'm going to take care of Mackie." Jessy whispered kissing him and heading to Mackie. She knelt next to him and hugged him, "Hurting again?" Jessy asked him and he nodded yes. "Mackie, come with me." Jessy said taking his hand a leading him to the rocking chair. Jessy sat and Mackie crawled onto her lap and she rocked and rubbed his back until he fell asleep. "Hey I can make waffles too." Zac said. "Waffles on Sundays from now on." Ike declared. The noise of clearing the table and cleaning up , work Mackie. "So you going to try going to church or do you want me stay home with your? Jessy offered as Zac came over. "I'll stay with you too if you want Mackie or I'll help you if you try going to church, it's your call." Zac said. "I go to church." Mackie said. "Good I really wanted to go and pray for your butt." Jessy said. "Oh Jessy God won't bless my butt." Mackie said. "Why not, it's hurting you and he's really good with boo boos." Jessy said. "Daddy will God bless my butt." Mackie asked. "Won't know unless we ask, huh?" Dad answered. "Well let's go get dressed then." Zac said kissing Jessy and picking up Mackie and carrying him upstairs. "You okay Jessy." Daddy asked. "Yeah, I was just awed by how much Zac loves his brothers and sisters." Jessy said. "He's opened up a lot since you've come into his life. It was there before, he was just afraid to let people see that side of him." Daddy said extending a hand and pulling her to her feet. "No moaning, good sign." Daddy said hugging her. "Go get dressed for church young lady." Daddy said as he headed up the stairs. Jessy headed to the laundry room for her clothes, and then to the bathroom for a quick shower. Jessy was cleaned and just finished drying her hair, when she decided it was time to see what Zac had selected her to wear to churched . She unzipped the garmet bag, and her eyes got big, her favorite dress, how did he know. Jessy got dressed and checked her face one last time. She headed back to the living room to see if Mom needed help with the kids, but was surprised to find she was the last one dressed. "You look beautiful. Well worth the wait." Daddy said. "Wow Jessy. You look better than I imagined, you're gorgeous." Zac said kissing her cheek. "Zac how did you know this is my favorite dress." Jessy asked. "I didn't, it was my favorite." Zac said. "Chele and Jen you made it" Jessy said as they walked in the front door. "Hope we're not holding you up. Sorry Daddy. " Chele said. "Perfect timing Chele, don't worry." Daddy said. "Jessy love your dress." Chele said. "Thanks I love my dress on you too, and Jen I love my dress on you three." Jessy laughed. "Found this cool little boutique." Jen laughed. "That's no boutique, that's my closet." Jessy said. "Oops." Jen said. "Let's load up." Daddy said and soon the van was full and Daddy headed downtown and parked in front of a beautiful old church. "You ought to love this church Chele." Jessy teased. As they unloaded from the van the parking lot was a buzz with the news. They were constantly being introduced, new face, after new face, smiling and hugging. The girls managed to back away from the group about five or six feet. "I feel like I'm on display." Chele complained adding "This is Tay's special friend." "Display would be nice, I feel like I'm being judged, pretty, cute, sweet, skinny, ugghh I can't stand it." Jessy complained looking for Zac when she spied Mackie. "Oh No. Excuse me, Daddy do you know where Zac is?" Jessy asked after making her way back to Daddy. "Walker that's so precious, she calls you Daddy already." his friend was saying. "Daddy please come with me, please now?" Jessy pleaded. "Guys excuse me, I'll be right back. Jessy what is it honey? Daddy asked as Jessy pulled his hand making their way through the crowd. "See him Daddy. I can't pick him up, please pick him up for me?" Jessy begged. "Oh son. Mackie you must be hurting?" Daddy said sweeping him into his arms and hugging him. "Mackie I'm so sorry I can't pick you up right now when you needed me, but I got Daddy." Jessy said hugging him. "It's okay Jessy, I still love you." Mackie said. "I love you too Mackie." Daddy made his way back to his friends and shared Mackie's latest adventure to Mackie's horror and embarassment. "Mackie they aren't laughing at you. Think of it this way, now they can all pray for your butt right? The more voices, the better chance we have of God hearing our prayer and making your butt all better right Mackie?" Jessy said rubbing his back and her hand lightly touched his butt. Jessy's eyes got big and as she looked at Mackie his eyes were big. Jessy quickly pulled her hand away and placed on her arm to see if it was hot to the touch. Nothing, felt normal. Jessy was puzzled. "Hey Daddy, I want down. I see Bobby and I want to tell him about my hurt butt." Mackie said racing off to his friend. Jessy was confused and walked towards the church, staring at the stained glass window picture of Christ. "Jessy sweetie come over here please." she heard Mom ask. "Thanks!" she said taking her eyes from the window and turned towards Mom and her group of friends. "This is Jessy, Zac's girlfriend, she also is my helper, I finally gave in got some help. I remember the first day you came to my door, you didn't think you could do this didn't you. I knew right then you were the one, the answer to my prayer. Doesn't she just look like God's answer to my prayer." Mom said. "Essy Essy." Zoe said as she toddled to her with arms open wide. "Zoe Zoe it's me Jessy. Jessy." Jessy said sweep her up in her arms and twirling her. "My Lord, and we thought she would never speak. Listen to her." one of the ladies commented. "Ack Ack" Zoe said. "Do you see Zac, my little big girl." Jessy asked. "Is Zac behind us, Zoe?" Jessy asked and Zoe squealed "Es Ack boo!" "Is Zac going to try and scare me Zoe?" Jessy asked and Zoe hid from Zac. "Hey Jessy, Mom, Ladies. Honey I need to find Zoe too. Dad said it's time to gather, it's about time to go in." Zac said. "Boo" Zoe said and Zac jumped back. "You scared me." Zac said. "Mom will you get the girls and I'll go get Mackie. Miss Jessy, I'd be honored by your company." Zac asked. "How can I say no to an invitation like that. I'd be honored Zac." Jessy answered and she curtsied. "Thanks for saving me. I was down for the count there." Jessy kissed his cheek. "There he is. Mackie." Zac called. "Come on Mackie, Dad wants you." Zac called again. "Joshua Mackenzie Hanson" Jessy said quietly. Mackie stopped and turned towards Jessy. "Yes Jessy." Mackie said. "Did you hear your brother or shoud I repeat what he said?" Jessy asked. "I heard. Bye Bobby. Got to go." Mackie said. "You could introduce me to your friend." Jessy asked. "Bobby this is Jessy. Jessy, Bobby's my friend." Mackie said. "Nice to meet you Bobby. Do you think you could come some afternoon to play?" Jessy asked. "I don't know I'd have to ask Mommy." Bobby said. "Well why don't we do that." Jessy said and she followed Bobby and met his mother, making arrangments for the boys to play. Then rejoining Zac. "That was nice. You making it so Mackie has a friend." Zac said. "Mackie did that, I'm just helping him along. I better go tell Mom what I've done this time." Jessy said and Zac kissed her cheek. "Mom" Jessy said and went to explain. "Come on, let's see that's everyone Zac good job. Let's go on in." Daddy said leading the group into church. He selected a center pew near the back."Zac my Lefty, you can start it off." Dad said. Zac took Jessy's hand and started down the pew. "Mackie are you going to sit with us?" Jessy asked. "Tell you what Mackie. You sit next to Jessy and I'll sit next to you, deal?" Chele asked as Mackie took Jessy's hand. Chele quickly took Mackie's hand then took Taylor's. Then came Jen, Ike, Jessie, Avie, Mom and Dad. Zoe was dancing on Zac's lap and playing with his face. Mackie leaned on Jessy's shoulder, then Chele's shoulder. Laid in Jessy's lap, then Chele's. "Zac there's something to strive for, look at the look on your father's face." Jessy whispered. Zac looked and smiled. He reached his hand on the back of the pew towards Tay's, getting his attention and whispered, "There has to be a song in that look. Look at the expression on Dad's face." Zac said. Tay looked then turned back to Zac smiling, "Such peace, contentment." he said. Tay turned to Ike and got his attention. "Man look at Dad's face, see the peace, contentment. Gotta be a song in that look." Tay said. Ike looked at his Father and turned back to Tay. "I see what you mean." Ike said turning back. Mom noticed he was staring and turned to see what everyone was looking at. She kissed his cheek and cuddled close and Daddy wrapped his arm around her. Then glanced down the pew and the eyes on him, he squeezed her tight, smiling at the sight that warmed his heart, his family, growing in numbers. "Wow I think it's even more intense now than it was before." Jessy said. "Everything is right with the world Jessy, don't you feel it." Zac said putting an arm around Jessy and squeezed her tight. Jessy kissed his cheek and cuddled close. "Now I do Zac."
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