He opened the door for me, I got in and settled into the passenger seat, feeling a mixture of excitement and relief. It had been a long week in the hospital, full of ups and downs, but now we were finally going home, and I couldn't wait to start this new chapter with our son.
David slid into the driver's seat, his eyes meeting mine with a warm, reassuring smile. "Home sweet home," he said softly as he started the car. The engine hummed to life, and I glanced back at Soren, who was peacefully asleep in his car seat.
As we pulled out of the hospital parking lot, I couldn't help but feel emotional. The city passed by in a blur outside the window, but all I could think about was the fact that we were taking our baby boy home for the first time. Our family was complete, and this car ride marked the beginning of our life together outside the hospital walls.
David reached over and took my hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. "This is it, Mary. We're really doing this. We're taking our son home."
I squeezed his hand back, tears of happiness welling up in my eyes.
"I know. It feels so surreal. I can't wait to show him his room and settle into life as a family."
David smiled, his gaze briefly flickering to the rearview mirror to check on Soren. "He's going to love it. We've prepared everything so carefully for him. And I can't wait for him to experience it all."
As we drove through the familiar streets toward our home, the weight of the past week began to lift. The stress, the worry—it all faded away, replaced by a sense of peace and anticipation. Our house was waiting for us, ready to be filled with the sounds of Soren's tiny cries and laughter, and the warmth of our love.
When we finally pulled into the driveway, David turned off the engine and looked at me with a smile. "Welcome home, Mrs. Soon-to-be Smith," he teased gently.
I laughed softly, feeling a flutter of joy in my chest. "Thank you, Mr. Smith."
Once we entered the house we found mom, dad, and Liam who had already prepared a feast for when we got back, the table was filled with so many dishes most of them being my favorite.
David took Soren up to the room while dad dragged me to the dining room and started packing my plate with food, "eat and regain all your energy." He stated.
"Dad, she's not a baby you know, she's a grown woman who just gave birth." Liam said as he took a sit.
"Shut up and eat your food," dad replied.
"Come on dad Liam is right, I can get my own food." I smiled. Dad nervously smiled and took a seat next to me, "I guess I'm to excited that my grandson is finally him."
"Are you going to be acting like this towards me when I give you a grandchild?" Liam asked.
"You won't be the one giving birth so, no." Dad replied.
"Enough you two, don't you have table manners." Mom said as she walked in with another dish David behind her.
"Can we have dinner and enjoy the blessing that god has given to us." She said as she took a seat.
I smiled at the warmth in the room, the kind that could only come from being surrounded by family. The tension of the past few hours was melting away with each passing moment. Dad, despite his teasing, was beaming with pride.
David returned from putting Soren down, his eyes softening as he took in the scene before him. He pulled out a chair beside me, and as he sat down, he took my hand in his, giving it a gentle squeeze.
"I think we're all in need of a meal like this," David said, looking around the table. "It's been a long day, and we have a lot to be thankful for."
Mom nodded, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "We've been blessed," she said softly. "And now, with Soren here, our family is even more complete."
Liam, ever the joker, couldn't help but add, "Yeah, well, just wait until he's running around causing chaos. Then we'll see how blessed you feel."
"Chaos or not, he's already brought so much joy into this house," I replied, feeling a surge of affection for my baby boy.
The conversation flowed easily after that, punctuated by laughter and the clinking of silverware against plates. Dad kept trying to sneak more food onto my plate, and I let him, knowing it was his way of showing he cared.
As we continued to eat, the room filled with stories, jokes, and plans for the future. I couldn't help but feel an overwhelming sense of contentment. This was what family was all about—supporting each other, celebrating the good times, and being there through the tough ones.
Finally, after what felt like hours of eating and talking, we all leaned back in our chairs, fully satisfied. The table was a mess of empty dishes and glasses, but no one seemed to mind.
"Now that's how a family dinner should be," Liam said with a grin, patting his stomach.
—————————
"Come on sweetheart, can you help mommy fold clothes." Steph said as she sat down on Jays room floor with a pile of clothes in front of her.
Jay closed the book he was reading and walked over to his mommy, "can you please put this in the bottom drawer." She told as she gave him a hand full of socks.
As Jay helped her his eyes kept drifting off somewhere, as Steph noticed she stopped looked at him and noticed that he was looking at her stomach.
"What are you looking at Jay?" She asked.
"Mommy, you're getting a little fat you should lose weight." He said looking up at her Innocently.
Steph chuckled covering her mouth, "sweetie that's not a very nice thing to say you know." She said.
"Come here, want to know a little secret?" She asked as she grabbed him and sat him down on her lap. Jay smiled and nodded.
"We'll, don't be surprised. But you're little brothers or sisters are growing inside my belly, that's why mommy's belly is getting big." She revealed.
Jay looked up at her confused still trying to understand what Steph just said, "you're having a baby?" He questioned.
"I'm having two." She smiled.
Jay suddenly looked up at her with two fingers up, Steph smiled and nodded. For a few seconds Jay went quiet until he looked back up at her his eye beaming with joy,
Jay's face lit up as the realization hit him. "I'm going to be a big brother? Twice?" he exclaimed, his voice filled with excitement.
Steph nodded, her eyes twinkling with happiness. "Yes, sweetheart. You're going to have two little siblings to look after."
Jay's smile grew wider as he processed the news. He suddenly jumped up, looking around the room as if searching for something. "I need to get my toys ready! They're going to want to play, right?" he said, already planning how he would share his favorite toys with the new babies.
Steph laughed, touched by his eagerness. "That's very thoughtful of you, Jay. But it'll be a little while before they're ready to play. First, they need to grow a bit more in mommy's belly."
Jay's excitement didn't waver. "That's okay. I'll be ready when they are!" he declared with determination.
Steph pulled him close, hugging him tightly. "I'm so proud of you, Jay. You're going to be the best big brother ever."
Jay hugged her back, his small arms wrapped around her as much as they could. "And you're the best mommy ever," he said softly.
Steph's heart swelled with emotion, and for a moment, she just held him, cherishing this special moment between them.
——————————
That same evening after folding all the clothes she gave Jay a bath got him ready for bed, tucked him in bed and laid with him until he fell asleep.
10 minutes later Jay fell asleep and Steph quietly sneaked out the room quietly and headed straight into her room to also get ready for bed.
20 minutes later after she finished taking a shower she sat at her vanity going through her skin care, as she sat there Moisturizing her skin the room door opened and Felix walked in.
"You're not sleep yet?" He asked as he walked up to her, "Jay just fell asleep, I was about to sleep." She replied.
Felix looked at her his eye filled with love, he gently patted her head and went in for a kiss. "I'm really sorry, David is so busy with Mary and the baby so I have to take over the project we're working on together."
Stephanie smiled as she got up and started taking off his suit, "Being a boss is not easy you know, you've built up a company all by yourself so why are you sorry for wanting to advance your company." She asked sliding off the suit and vest.
"Staying home and taking care of our child doesn't mean I resent you for not being here to help, I'm a mother so it's my responsibility to take care of my kids." She added.
Felix sighed, running a hand through his hair as he watched Stephanie neatly hang up his suit. "I know, Steph. It's just…I worry that I'm not around enough. You're doing so much, and I feel like I'm missing out on these moments with Jay. And now, with the twins on the way…"
Stephanie turned to him, placing her hands on his chest. "You're here when it counts, Felix. Jay knows you love him, and he looks up to you. And as for the twins, we'll figure it out together, just like we always do."
Felix took her hands in his, squeezing them gently. "I just don't want you to feel like you're doing this alone."
"I don't," she reassured him, her voice soft but firm. "We're a team. You're working hard to provide for our family, and I'm taking care of things at home. We balance each other out. And when the twins arrive, we'll make even more adjustments. We've got this."
Felix leaned down, pressing his forehead against hers. "I don't know what I'd do without you, Steph."
She smiled up at him, her eyes filled with love and confidence. "Good thing you don't have to find out."
They stood there for a moment, wrapped up in each other's presence, letting the quiet of the night surround them. Finally, Felix broke the silence. "How's Jay? Did you tell him about the twins?"
Steph chuckled, nodding. "I did. He was so excited. He's already planning on sharing his toys with them."
Felix laughed softly, the tension easing from his shoulders. "That's our boy. Always so thoughtful."
"Just like his dad," Steph added with a playful grin.
TBC