Moments of Love-1-Family Life
Prompt: concept: family isn't a bad word any more and we raise ours together. you have more love than you know what to do with and it doesn't scare you any more.
"Mama!" Zoe and Max's 3 year old daughter, Isabella, Issy or Bella for short, attempted to wake her sleeping mother up.
Zoe had recently given birth to her second child, ten day old Isaac. He was snuggled into his mum, who had one hand safely on her son's back lest he fall.
"Come on, cheeky. Mummy will be awake soon, I promise." Max said, sweeping his daughter into his arms. "I have some pasta and cheese waiting for you in the kitchen, and I'll put Peppa Pig on for you." Max reassured his daughter.
"Okay." Bella rested her head on her dad's shoulder. "I love you, Daddy."
"I love you too, princess." Max chuckled, giving his daughter a kiss on the cheek.
They entered the kitchen, Bella wriggled out of her father's arms and ran to the table, where a plateful of cheese and pasta was waiting for her.
"Not so fast." Max said, putting Bella's apron on her.
"I forgot." Isabella admitted.
"I noticed." He chuckled, placing a cup of milk on the table for her.
Bella sat up at the table, and began to eat.
Meanwhile, Max heated up a bottle of expressed milk for Isaac.
He grabbed a bib from the countertop, picked up the bottle of milk, and made his way into the living room.
Max set the bib and bottle down on the coffee table, and gently picked his son up.
"Shh, it's alright." He soothed as Isaac began to cry. Max put his bib on him, sat down, and began to feed him, careful not to wake Zoe, who was asleep beside him.
Zoe stirred in her sleep, and opened her eyes to the sight of Max feeding their son.
"Hello." She smiled, sitting up and stretching.
"Oh, I didn't mean to wake you." Max apologised.
"It's okay." Zoe smiled, snuggling up to him. "How's our beautiful baby boy?" She cooed, stroking Isaac's cheek.
"He's just fine." Max beamed. "And you?"
"Tired, but very happy." Zoe smiled. "Where's Bella?"
"She's having something to eat in the kitchen, she's absolutely fine."
"Good good." Zoe smiled, giving Max a kiss on the cheek. "I love you."
"I love you too."
It had taken the couple a long time to get to this point in their lives.
Two years after Zoe had left Holby, Max had followed her to America. They had healed, but a terrifying accident just after Zoe had found out that she was pregnant had caused her yet again to leave him-she was convinced that it was for the best.
He'd found her again, eventually, and little Isabella had been born in California. Zoe had grown in confidence, and was finally not scared to be happy anymore. She worked at the local hospital, and a year ago she and Max had started trying for a second child.
To their delight, they had found out that Zoe was pregnant again, with a little boy this time. Isaac had been born a few weeks early, but was thankfully absolutely fine. Unlike his sister, he was born with a head of dark hair, just like Zoe had when she was born.
"Mama!" Bella ran into the living room.
"Hello." Zoe smiled as Bella clambered onto her lap. "How are you?" She asked, kissing her daughter's head.
"I'm okay." Bella replied, snuggling into her mum.
"Good." The elder smiled, holding her daughter close. "I love you, Isabella."
"I love you too Mummy." Bella smiled.
"What about me and Isaac?" Max pouted.
"I love you both very much too." Zoe chuckled, taking Isaac's empty bottle from Max and setting it on the coffee table. "I'll burp him." She offered.
Max handed her a spare muslin and passed Isaac to her.
"Hello sweetheart, come now, don't cry." Zoe soothed as Isaac fussed. "It's okay my darling, you're safe." She continued, rubbing his back. "Now come on, burp for mummy and please don't be sick!"
Max took in the scene with a smile-a few years ago he was unsure that Zoe would even stay by his side, let alone raise a family with him.
Now, they were finally happy together, raising their own family.
A while later...
"We have about two hours before Isaac wakes up again." Zoe said, climbing into bed beside her husband.
"I'll do the next feed, there's some expressed milk in the fridge." Max offered. "You're exhausted."
"I'm okay." Zoe insisted.
"I'm still taking the next feed. You're amazing, Zoe. You carried our two beautiful children, despite everything you've remained strong. I love you, you know." Her husband said, holding her close.
She kissed him. "Thank you, I couldn't have done it without you. I love you too."
With that, the couple fell into a deep, peaceful, sleep.