One year later...
I stared down at this adorable little girl in my arms. It's hard to believe that Olivia Grace has been with us for just over four months. The answer to the question that Ethan had posed just over a year ago had been answered in my mind. Yes, I could love a baby that wasn't mine biologically with all my heart.
I shook my head at the craziness the last year had been. We'd learned shortly after returning from our short getaway that Ethan was the father of the Charlotte's baby. After a surprisingly civil discussion we decided it was best if we took care of the baby and I legally adopted it. Michael while a good guy wasn't as sure about raising another man's child as I was accepting of raising Ethan's child, even if I wasn't the mother. I think that was the deciding factor for Charlotte. She knew that I understood feeling unwanted by a parent and I was very forceful in my view that the child needed love no matter what.
So we'd fooled everyone into thinking that we were both expecting babies and in the end, theirs didn't make it while ours did. Only a few people knew the truth, and that is mainly the medical staff. I'd quit my job so it was easier to fake in that regard as well. While it was a hard choice to make, I knew that having the time with Ethan without having to deal with two work schedules before Olivia joined us would be worth it. We were able to go on an extended honeymoon.
When Charlotte went into labor we went in the same day, luckily her pregnancy went a few days over the due date so it just seemed like I had a baby a few weeks early while she had hers late. The acting like she'd lost her baby was the hardest part. I know Charlotte mourned giving her baby away, so it wasn't just acting on her part. However, it's worked out for the best as none of our parents knew that we were faking it and so they treat Olivia as my daughter, which is what we all wanted. Especially knowing my step-mother, she would not have been willing to go along with it.
Charlotte has become a close friend in the past year and while I know she struggles not being Olivia's legal mother, she's great at playing the doting aunt. No one says anything as they're afraid of setting off her grief. While she struggles she has confided in me that she knows this was the best choice for everyone. She has grown into a better person and we're more like sisters than I could ever have expected.
"Daddy will be home soon." I told Olivia as she finished eating and I started burping her. Days were long while caring for an infant, but I found I loved it. Of course it was definitely easier with a part time nanny that helped in the mornings so if Olivia had a bad night I could get a few hours of sleep. I found that being chronically deprived of sleep was not good for me and Ethan had been supportive of my mental health by hiring the nanny. Of course he had a part time nanny growing up whereas I had not so the thought had never really occurred to me. I was against it at first until he told me that it didn't make me a bad mother, but would probably help me enjoy being a mom more. He was right, it's almost aggravating how often he is right about what I need. Mom had offered to help but she was enjoying her free time and I didn't want to burden her, she did come spend time with her granddaughter a few days a week and we enjoyed the time together.
I had just finished burping Olivia when I heard the door open. I got up and walked into the front of the apartment to find Ethan just taking off his shoes. He was in his suit and looking as handsome as ever. My heartbeat quickened as it did every time he came home from work. I suppose I should be glad that our love was as strong as ever and the attraction even stronger.
"How are the two most beautiful girls in the world?" He asked when he saw us. When we met he gave me a quick kiss on the lips and Olivia on the head. "Let me wash up and then I'm claiming my baby snuggle time."
Thirty minutes later he came in wearing only a pair of shorts and took the baby from me. I love this routine, not only because I could see my handsome husband shirtless but because he loves his daughter so much and the skin to skin contact is good for her. Soon she would outgrow this stage and it made me sad, I know it made Ethan sad to think about it as well even though he never mentioned it.
I handed Olivia over and rubbed my hand across Ethan's chest. He drew me close and kissed me passionately before taking Olivia to his favorite chair. He started talking to her and telling her about his day. I smiled as I watched the interaction, honestly there was nothing sexier than a man who wasn't afraid to be a good dad. My heart melted every day I saw his interactions with her. It was hard to tear my eyes away from them, but it was my turn to shower and I was going to take advantage of it since I'm sure I smelled like rotten milk again. No matter how hard I tried she'd always get some of her food on me.
When I came out after my shower, Ethan was changing Olivia's nappy. I loved that he didn't shy away from any area of parenthood. Of course we both tried to get the other to change the messy ones, but we both changed them.
"I'm going to need to shower again, it went everywhere." Ethan half-jokingly grumbled.
"Better you than me." I laughed. "Do you need help?"
"I'm almost done now, but if you could give her a quick bath while I clean myself off that would probably be good."
"I'll go get her bath ready while you finish up, just bring her in before you go shower."
Even though being a Mom was the hardest thing I've done, it is amazing. I wouldn't trade being Olivia's Mom for anything. Of course we'd like to add another child to our family, but we decided to wait until Olivia is a year old to start trying. While life isn't perfect we're a year into our happily ever after and I can't help but continue to wonder how ours will continue to play out.