Sitting on her bed, Cristina taps on Mallory's back until her daughter belches. "Good girl!" She cradles her baby in her arms and smiles. "How do you like your first night at home?"
The baby looks up at her and gurgles.
"I'm very happy that you're home. We can take care of you all the time now." She runs a finger through Mallory's copper curls. "I will always prize brains over beauty. That said, you sure are cute."
"Indeed." Owen enters their bedroom, carrying Chloe. Their older daughter is dressed for bed, her black curls damp from her bath.
Chloe looks at Mallory, lying in Cristina's arms. "My mommy."
Cristina and Owen exchange a look. "Oh boy," he exhales.
"This is your baby sister," Cristina informs Chloe.
Owen sits down next to Cristina, and settles Chloe between them. "Remember the books we read about new babies?" Chloe shakes her head, her eyes on Mallory.
"I remember them," Cristina declares. She reaches out and cups Chloe's face. "Would you like to hold your sister?"
Chloe looks uncertain but nods. Cristina carefully places Mallory on Chloe's outstretched legs and arms, while Owen adds pillows for support. "There you go."
Chloe looks down at Mallory. "I holding the baby".
"You are!" Owen pats Chloe's shoulder. "You're doing a great job."
Squirming, Mallory looks up at Chloe. Owen adjusts the pillow to help support Mallory's weight.
Cristina leans over and kisses the top of Chloe's head. "You're our first baby. Forever."
Tentatively, Chloe touches Mallory's hair. "Pwetty."
Cristina glances at Owen. And smirks to see his eyes looking glassy. "I think Daddy likes seeing his two girls together."
"They're beautiful." Owen wipes his eyes. "They're perfect."
"Softie." Cristina pauses before whispering. "What else was in the books?"
He clears his throat. "Mallory, this is your big sister, Chloe. You've seen her before, she visited you in the hospital. Now that you're home, you're going to see her all the time. She's very sweet and she's very smart and she can teach you so many things. You are so lucky that Chloe is your sister."
"Sister," Chloe softly repeats.
Owen pulls out his phone. "We need a photo of this." Cristina and Chloe smile as he takes their picture with Mallory.
"Lemme see," Chloe says.
Owen sits beside her and shows her the photo. She grins.
"I'm putting this on Facebook." Chloe cranes her neck to watch, as Owen uploads the photo on the phone. Immediately, the photo gets a couple of likes.
"Grandma likes the photo and Auntie Meredith likes your photo!"
Mallory suddenly burps, causing Chloe to giggle. "Silly baby."
"Yes she is." Cristina starts to rub Chloe's back. Her own eyes begin to sting, looking at her two little girls together. "It's dusty in here."
"Uh huh." Owen grasps her hand. "Softie."
One more chapter ...