The wailing cry of a baby echoed off of the walls. The sound, so simple and pure had lost it's beauty. It was now a hammer which pounded the piercing nail further and further into the ears of the two sleep deprived zombies. They lay splayed across each other on the sectional, their eyes bloodshot, wearing clothes stained with the presence of a new child. Their eyes didn't make contact, instead they stared out at nothing hoping that the sound would subside. Their movements were robotic, they were going through the motions with the dwindling energy level. They had been told the stories about newborns, but nothing could've prepared them for the helpless feeling that they felt at the moment.

Amelia peered over at the glowing clock which read 2:45 AM. Her eyelids felt heavy like weights had been tied to them. She placed both feet on the ground, balancing herself before sulking over to her daughter's room. Passing by, her reflection in the hallway mirror was repulsive to her. Her hair was sloppily thrown on top of her head, strands flying in every direction. She had lost track in counting the number of days that she wore the same outfit. It was worn, dried baby fluids covering the shoulders, a stain from cold coffee in the center. Lately, their survival was dependent on drinking cold cups of coffee and pleasing the screaming newborn of the house. As she stepped into the room it seemed different from when they had first decorated and the deprivation had her thoughts wandering about the shade of the walls. "Hey, it's okay Mad..shhh" She attempted, her options were limited considering they had been up all night trying to soothe the newborn. "What is it? What do you want baby, I need you to help me out here because your daddy is starting to worry me. He almost put on my shirt yesterday morning, so come on. Let me help you."

The newborn's eyes wandered wildly, scanning Amelia's features as she fussed within her skin. Their identical orbs met, a strong connection binding them together. Amelia reached out her arms to pick up her swaddled bundle and peered over at the rocking chair that they barely used. She sat, her daughter laying against her, their hearts battling in their chests. She reached out to brush the dark patch of curls that topped the gurgling baby's head. She stared up at her mother with an identical look, the resemblance dominant in their mesmerizing baby blues. Instinctively, Amelia began to hum a soothing lullaby, the vibrations in her throat calming the writhing child in her arms. They rocked slowly in the chair, each of their minds submitting to comfort. Madison laid perfectly in the nook of her mother's arms, her eyes trailing into a peaceful slumber. The morning arose after countless hours of nothing but the slight rocking of a chair and the connection of two heart beats.

Owen too had succumb to a blissful night of sleep. He awoke in an awkward position on the couch, his neck sore from slumber. His fingers trailed along his skin, pressing out the tension. He tip-toed over to his daughter's room, overwhelmed by the silence that filled the air of their home. He stopped in his tracks as his eyes laid sight on a precious moment. His beautiful daughter lay bundled up, her body melting perfectly into his wife's. Their faces were identical, each forming a pout as their minds floated in dreams. Looking to his right, he noticed the camera that they had bought for their project. It was planned to create a collection of memorable moments to cherish them as time passed them by. He reached over carefully, then aimed the lens towards the silhouette of an unforgettable mother-daughter moment.

Amelia's eyes shot open, immediately meeting the figure in front of her. She smiled down at the peaceful bundle on her chest and felt as if she could lay there for eternity. Gently, she transferred the dazed baby to her proper crib, tucking her in with her favorite blanket.

"Let's celebrate that she's actually sleeping... pancakes?" Amelia said, her smirk growing in a playful, mischievous way.

"Sounds like a plan" Owen grinned.

In that moment, as she watched her husband work around the kitchen and thought of the new life they had just welcomed and a smile crept upon her face. In fact, she couldn't stop joy from mounting on her face. Her life was a gift, it had once been a curse, a painful and cruel life based off of fear and hurt and loss. Everything had changed with Owen, he brought her an amazing opportunity to live a fairytale life. Where love at first sight and happily ever afters were attainable. Things had happened in the past, inexplicable, life altering things that broke her down. But the one thing that brought her up was Owen, he had saved her from being defined by her past and for that she was eternally grateful. It was the little things that had completely swept her off her feet like his charm or how he always wanted to help others or the way he was with their daughter. No life is perfect, but this life was amazing with its balance of the good times and the bad.

The two passed the morning devouring pancakes, Amelia's legs draped on Owen's lap. They lay bundled in a blanket, peacefully resting as their home finally quiet. "I'm glad I chose you, I don't know where I'd be without you." She whispered softly, mesmerized by her sleeping husband. In that moment, the silence was shattered once again, but this time, she was glad to hear the amazing gift that she had been granted.

Author's Note: I was inspired to make an epilogue that will cover 17 years of the Hunt family, so here's chapter 1. Enjoy! (please R/R!)