'Is Maisie Byrne ready to meet the big world wide world?' whispered her elated father as he carefully placed her in the new car seat and strapped her in, making sure she was securely anchored down for the drive home. Once he had checked, and then double checked, Joseph draped a white shawl over his daughter and stroked her miniature head. Jac stood on the other side of the private hospital room re-packing her night bag and pulling a thin blue cardigan around her.
At the sound of her father's voice Maisie opened her eyes briefly, looked around bemused at the world she found herself in and then quickly closed them again. Her birth had been a little under twenty-four hours ago. Her parents had spent the time quietly getting to know the newest addition to their family. It was clear she was her mother and father's daughter; she had a wisp of auburn hair colouring her head combined with a nose so familiar to Jac's, but she had the shaping of Joseph's face and his piercing eyes which seemed to carry so much emotion.
'And how about Mrs Byrne?' he questioned addressing his wife.
'I'd prefer it if we could just sneak out the back door and miss the waiting crowds in Darwin' she replied heading towards the door. Joseph laughed a little, lifted the car seat up as well as their overnight bag and followed his wife. Only a handful of people knew about the baby's birth, instead all those important to them had been emailed with the instructions to meet up on Darwin.
Exiting out of the lift the married couple walked hand-in-hand to the Nurse's station where a myriad of people had gathered, eager to know what all the cloak and dagger was about. No words were needed though; the presence of such a beautifully tiny child in the carrier was more than enough. Surrounding the new parents were a host of people; notably Michael, Mo, Jonny, Sacha, Elliot, Henrik, Serena, and the list goes on.
Placing the car seat on the floor between them, Joseph began a partially prepared speech he had spent the months before hand rehearsing in his head. Somehow being a happy husband and father had empowered him to be more outright.
'I think it's really rather clear why I-we have summoned you all here. Yesterday afternoon my wonderful wife here gave birth to our daughter; Maisie Sophie Byrne' Joe bent down in front of the carrier and, carefully unstrapping the child first, lifted her into his muscular arms. Maisie stirred at the commotion, waking to be greeted by unfamiliar faces.
'There I was thinking you'd both sneak out the back door and we'd never see you again!' responded Michael in his thick American accent. He headed towards Jac and placed a kiss on her cheek, proud of the life she had just bought into the world. 'Congratulations Naylor' Jac clung onto her friend whom had become her family in the years before hand, without him and several others she knew it wouldn't be possible. 'So come on then Joe, do I get to hold my niece or what?' the American shook the proud father's free hand and then placed his own arms in the correct positioning to receive the child. Immediately his heart melted as the weight of the girl bore down in his arms, with her features striking an uncanny resemblance to her parents.
'Hey Jac, I'm so proud of you' cheered the gleaming Sacha as he encased the skinny woman in his usual bear hug 'I knew you could do it!' Jac stood there for a moment letting the male hug her, and then reciprocated his actions and wrapped her long arms around the oversized male's waist. Elliot watched on, taking the usual jokes about babysitting on the chin. 'I know Daniel and Harry will be beyond pleased to have another play mate' the Doctor mentioned his own son and god-son, knowing how excited both of them had been about the arrival of another young child. 'Actually, while we've got you here, Michael and I were planning on taking the children out to a London Adventure park at the weekend. Y'know it'll give you time alone with Maisie without Harry trying to rugby tackle everyone to the floor'
'You, Sacha Levy and Michael Spence, are possibly the best brothers I could wish for' Jac grinned knowing just how lucky she was. 'But if you dare give him too much chocolate or even bother to return him with an ounce of energy left I'll cut your balls off!'
'And I see no reason why young Harry can't stop at mine overnight. We can have a boy's night!' added Michael gleefully. Harry always got excited at the prospect of spending time with his Uncle's. They both spoilt him ferociously and indulged his every need or want. When with them the boundaries were relaxed a little and fun injected in huge quantities.
Pulling up on their drive, Maisie let out a short cry as the car came to a halt and the rumbling sound of the engine ceased to exist. Joseph turned around in the driver's seat to look at his wife who was seated next to their newborn child in her car seat.
'Enjoy the peace and quiet before H destroys the barricades!' Joe laughed, opened the car door and climbed out before opening the back door and leaning in to undo the seat. The sun beat down on his white coloured shirt, heating his back as he lifted the baby out. Jac climbed out the other side with the bags and went to unlock the front door. The new father was acutely aware that this was the first time their daughter would enter their house; the first time any of the small tasks they would do in the coming hours would occur in her short life.
Jac placed herself down on the sofa, still a little sore from the events of the day before. Joseph put the car seat in front of Jac and then joined his wife. With the help of Harry, Elliot had added a few thoughtful touches to their house; such as a big pink balloon with the words 'It's a girl!' and a banner saying 'Welcome home!'
Leaning forwards the new mum unstrapped her daughter from the carry seat and, supporting her neck and head, lifted the infant out into her arms. Joe sat staring at such a beautiful scene- then he stretched his arm out and stroked Maisie's limited head of hair.
'Welcome home Maisie Byrne' spoke her Dad beaming.