Week One
Day 1
As beautiful as my little girl is she sure has a set of lungs on her. I barely got in the front door of the apartment before she went off. Luckily Esme was inside waiting for us.
"Oh Edward!" My Mother had the widest grin on her face as she rushed towards us. Alexa was still wailing and I was already feeling like I was about to have a nervous breakdown, and it was only day one of her being home. Heck, it was only minute one. I can't even imagine how it's going to go from here. "Let me see my Grandbaby." I sat the carrier down so Esme could pick her up. I really hoped she knew what to do to get Alexa to stop crying.
Bella would know what to do.
I felt sick just thinking about her. I wasn't supposed to be doing this alone, I was supposed to be by Bella's side as she gave birth to our baby, I was supposed to watch her nurture and care for our child. Instead, here I am the father of another woman's baby. Don't get me wrong I do love Alexa, but I can't help but wish she were Bella's too.
Alexa had finally quieted down after Esme fed her a bottle. I should have known that's what she wanted. Could I really do this single father thing? Was I really cut out for this?
"She looks so much like you, Edward." Esme cooed. I just gave her a smile as I let my head rest in my hands. This was going to be a long day.
Day 2
My day started at two am. Esme was sleeping when Alexa woke up, so I decided to handle her on my own. I still couldn't believe such a loud shrill scream could come from such a tiny thing. I picked her up gently and rest her on my shoulder. I tried to repeat some of the things I had seen Esme do with her earlier but it seemed that nothing I did helped.
"Please stop crying for Daddy." I pleaded with her. Of course that didn't work and she just kept going. I was so tired and we'd been going at this for the past two hours while Esme slept.
Finally around four thirty Esme came and took Alexa. It seemed that Alexa only liked my Mother, because as soon as Esme cuddled her she stopped crying.
"Baby's can smell fear, Edward." Esme whispered to me. "You just need to relax with her. You aren't going to break her."
I was so thankful that Esme was awake now. She danced around the room singing to Alexa.
"I'm going to be a terrible father." I didn't mean to say it out loud.
"Oh, hush. You're going to do just fine." She didn't stop her singing and dancing. "Now, if you don't mind leaving us alone. I would like to spend some time with my granddaughter."
I went back to bed not meaning to sleep longer then a couple of hours. When awoke it was already noon. I jumped out of bed and rushed towards the living room to find Alexa in her swing fast asleep and Esme watching some soap opera. Esme just looked back at me and smiled before turning her attention back to the TV. I walked over and sat next to her.
"I can't thank you enough for this, Mom." I sighed.
"Being that little girl's grandmother is thanks enough."
Day 3
The third day Alexa was home was easier then the two days before. I was able to relax a little while holding her but not as much as I should have been. At least I was able to quiet her down so Esme could sleep. After all I would have to do this alone after she left.
"You were hungry, huh?" I didn't feel the least bit silly talking to her as she sucked down her bottle. Her eyes were opened wide watching me.
Day 4
Esme decided she had some shopping to do which left me completely alone with Alexa for the first time since she's been born. I was even more relaxed now with Alexa. She was warming up to me completely.
"Alright let's see here." I was trying to dress Alexa but it seemed that she didn't want to cooperate since she was so squirmy.
It took half an hour just to get that tiny girl dressed. It was almost six and I knew Esme wouldn't home for another hour or so. I decided to bathe my daughter and get her in bed.
"Edward." I hadn't realized that I had fallen asleep until Esme was waking me up. I realized Alexa and I hadn't even made it from the couch. She was curled up on my chest and hadn't moved an inch. "See, you're going to do just fine."
Day 5
This being a Daddy stuff isn't too hard, even though I knew it'd be much easier if Alexa had a mother. At least we had Esme for the time being.
Day 6
Today just wasn't Alexa's day. Even Esme couldn't quiet her down. I was mentioning taking her to the hospital when Esme brought her to the sink and gave her a nice warm bath. That seemed to soothe her.
I could tell Esme was beat afterwards so I told her to go to bed. I could handle this. It wasn't so difficult anymore. I wasn't so nervous that I'd hurt her.
I walked into Alexa's room and sat down in the rocking chair that Esme had bought for the room. I started rocking my little girl as I imagined what her life was going to be like as she grew. I couldn't believe she was only eight days old. I wondered how I had spent my life without her before now.
She was perfect and innocent. My angel, my life.
Day 7
I can do this. One week down and only a million others to go.