Chapter Eleven

Eva's cries echoed through the house, as Sidney stepped out of the shower. It had been three weeks since Diana had given birth to their second child. Wrapping the towel around his waist, Sid walked down the hall and into the nursery. Diana stood over the crib, reaching in to pick up their daughter.

"Shhh. It's okay little one, mama's here." Diana cooed as she held Eva and placed the bottle in her mouth. Turning she smiled at her husband standing in the doorway.

"How's the little princess this morning?" Sid asked stepping toward his wife, smiling down at his baby girl.

Diana smiled and kissed Sid as she headed to the rocking chair and sat down. "She's doing just fine. Hungry is all."

"Let me go get dressed, I'll change her after she's done eating." Sid bent forward and kissed his wife, then head back into their bedroom. Once he was dressed, he joined the girls back in the nursery. Acelin was also there, sitting on the floor watching his mommy and baby sister.

Sid ruffled his hair, causing Ace to jump up and latch onto his waist. Sid laughed and lifted his son into the air. Ace squealed and laughed. After setting him down again, Sid took Eva from his wife and laid her on the change table.

"Who's got a wet bum? Do you want a diaper change angel?" Sid gooed as he unsnapped the buttons on Eva's sleeper. Eva smiled and cooed up at her daddy. While he changed her, Sidney talked to her and tickled her making her squirm and giggle.

The Crosby's headed into the kitchen, where Diana started breakfast. Ace sat at the table with Sidney, who held his daughter in his arms. Eva giggled as her big brother made silly faces at her, their daddy joining in the fun laughing as his children played. Diana watched out of the corner of her eye, a smile spread on her face.

Today was an off day for Sid, with practice being optional. Sidney had opted to stay home with his family. He tried to take advantage of any days he could spend with his wife and children. Especially since Eva was still a newborn, Sid felt it was so important to spend as much time with her as he could. After all she was daddy's little girl!

"Acelin, please stop playing and eat your breakfast." Diana said calmly, reaching over and wiping Ace's chin with a napkin.

Ace leaned back in his chair and sighed, "Sorry Mama." Eva sucked on her pacifier as Sid held her in one arm and ate with the other.

Just a nice sunny morning and a happy breakfast in the Crosby household. It was how Sid and Diana liked it. These times spent together at the table with each other and their children were precious. Diana almost dreaded the next few days, when Sid would be back to practice and heading off on a road trip.

She hoped things would work out alright, with her being alone with the children for a few days. It was the first road trip that was more then a day or two since Eva was born. Sid had been home most of the time in the last few weeks, and Diana wasn't looking forward to him being gone for that long. As always, she just had to remind herself that it wasn't forever and if she kept busy, Sidney would be home before she knew it.

"What's on your mind love?" Sidney's voice broke into her thoughts and she turned to smile at him.

"Oh nothing important honey. Just thinking." Diana smiled again and stood up to put the dishes in the dishwasher.

Sidney playfully swatted her butt as she walked by, making Ace giggle behind his hand.

"Daddy gave you a spanking Mama!" He said giggling.

His parent's laughed and Sid ruffled his hair. "He sure did Ace."

"So little man, what shall we do today?" Sid asked, shifting Eva to his other arm.

Ace rested his chin on his hands. "Hmm, toy store!!!!" He said eagerly, jumping up from his chair.

Looking over at his wife, Sid raised an eyebrow. Diana laughed and placed the dish towel back on the oven door handle. "Well, I think that's a splendid idea!"

"Toy store it is! Just let me get Eva ready then we'll go. Go get some socks on buddy." Sid stood up and headed to the nursery to get his daughter ready for the outing.

Once the kids were dressed in their coats and Eva was buckled into her car seat, the family got in the Rover and headed off for the toy store. Acelin chattered happily to his baby sister, who in turn cooed and gooed back at him. Sidney reached over and took his wife's hand, squeezing it gently. She smiled and squeezed back. They were still very affectionate, always holding hands and showing their affection all the time. Even after two children and years of struggles, they were still very much in love. Diana felt that their love would only grow stronger as the years went on.

When they arrived at the toy store, Sidney helped Ace out of the Rover and began to set up the stroller for Eva. Diana took Eva out of the Rover and snapped her car seat into the stroller. Then they headed off into the store. Ace immediately ran over to the toy truck section, squealing with excitement.

"Oooo! They have a new one Mama!" He cried, pulling a truck from the shelf.

It was the latest truck in a set that Ace was collecting. He already had the first three and was anxious for this one to be in stores. Diana sighed and shook her head in defeat.

"Ask your daddy little man." She answered, leaning forward to place the pacifier back in Eva's mouth.

Acelin looked up at his daddy, his eyes pleading. "Please Daddy?? I already have the other three!!"

Sidney stayed quiet for a moment, then finally sighed, "Alright buddy, you can get it."

Ace screeched with excitement and clutched the truck under his arm. While he and Sidney continued to look at the toys, Diana slowly wandered over to the baby clothes section. She casually looked through the girl clothes, while Eva slept soundly in the stroller.

After spending an hour in the store, Diana suggested they go out to eat. Ace jumped up and down excitedly.

"Yes Mama!! Can we have chinese food? Can we, can we?" Ace jumped around as Diana place Eva into the Rover.

"I don't see why not, but you better ask daddy if that's alright." Diana lifted Ace up so he could get into his car seat. Then she buckled him in.

Sid got into the driver's seat and turned to look at his son. "So bud, where do you want to go?"

Ace grinned and clapped his hands together. "PF Changs Daddy!!!!" He replied with excitement.

Sid grinned and turned back around, putting his seat belt on as Diana got in and buckled herself.

"P.F. Changs it is!"  Diana and Sid talked while Ace played with his new truck and Eva slept. It was a great day so far and they were happy to spend a family day together.

Dinner was great, their waitress even brought Ace a free bowl of ice cream. She told him it was because he was such a handsome little boy, which made him grin from ear to ear. Eva slept most of the time, except for a half hour in which Diana fed and burped her. After dinner, they headed home to make popcorn and watch movies until it was bedtime for the kids.

Once the kids were in bed asleep, Diana and Sid quietly slipped into their bedroom for some cuddle time and much needed sleep. It had been a great day together as a family. Tomorrow it would be business as usual and Sid would once again be leaving on a road trip. But for that night, Diana had him all to herself.