So according to my little folder I started writing this in December... It's got a Christmas theme I guess...
But I thought we could use some fluff at this moment in time, so I read what notes I had and poof...

Hope you enjoy the fluff fest - Pre-Series - Baby Stevie :)!

The tree was decorated with brightly coloured lights, antique ornaments adorned the branches along with family heirlooms, old and new. Elizabeth had just put the small angel atop the tree when she heard a small cry coming from the nursery.

She carefully stepped off the ladder and packed it up, moving it up against the wall. Their little girl had been fussy for the past few days. Henry had been gone for a week, the NSA having sent him to Israel to help with an investigation. She hadn't wanted him to go, with their daughter only 6 weeks old.. All Elizabeth wanted right now was for her husband to be home, and they could celebrate their first Christmas with their daughter.

After nearly 7 years together, Elizabeth and Henry had finally decided it was time to start trying for a baby. Elizabeth chuckled lightly to herself when she told Henry she thought they should try and he nearly choked on his morning coffee. They had talked about it years before, but with her job in the CIA and him completing his masters and being drafted to help the NSA on a religion based case while also attending divinity school, he didn't think that it would be at that moment in time. But there would never be a perfect moment for them.

She was just ready.

And so was Henry.

Elizabeth picked up her daughter, everyone commented on how the 6 week old looked exactly like her, she couldn't see it though. She could see Henry, although she had inherited the light eyes of the Adams family, her hair was wispy and blonde. Elizabeth smiled as she looked into her little girl's eyes and she hoped and prayed that Henry would be back in time for their first Christmas as a family of three.

As she settled into the rocking chair to put Stephanie to her breast she remembered the conversation about naming their daughter. Not big on the traditional naming your child after a family member, they were always arguing. They had finally decided on Stephanie for a first name, but knowing how much it meant to Henry to have a family name she was named after his mother. Stephanie Mary McCord.

As always, little Stevie, as she was affectionately nicknamed, seemed to sense that her mother was thinking about her father, her little hand waved in the air as she latched on to her breast, her blue eyes open wide. It always amazed her how much thinking of Henry or being around Henry calmed her down. Calmed them both down.

Elizabeth ran her finger down Stevie's cheek as she thought back to when she was pregnant.

The baby would kick her hard, at the time they did not know if the baby was a boy or a girl, but she was due any day and every now and again, the baby would give her a swift kick.

She dropped what she was folding and ran a hand over her swollen abdomen, trying to get the baby to calm down. 'Stop kicking at me little one, I've not done anything to you.' She laughed as she kept her hand moving, rubbing at the spot just below her rib-cage where the baby's foot was poking out against her skin.

"You talking to yourself again?" Henry asked from the doorway, laughing.

Elizabeth turned around and smiled at him. "Ha, ha. No! I'm talking to the baby. I'm trying to convince them to stop kicking me. But it doesn't seem to be listening to mommy. Here's hoping that's not a sign of things to come." She grimaced as another jab came.

Henry walked over to her and wrapped his arms around her waist, resting his hands on hers against her stomach. "He's stubborn, what can I say, just just someone else I know." He raised his brow as she turned slightly to face him.

"It could be a girl, you know. And I saw the brow, just like her mother? Really? I'm not that stubborn. Am I?" She turned around as best she could with a grin on her face, wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him fully, groaning as she pushed against his body, the bump getting in the way, causing her to sigh and tears to form in her eyes.

Henry gently pulled her arms from around his neck and held one at her side, running his other hand over her cheek. "Babe, why the tears?" He asks softly.

"I'm alright," she takes another breath. "I'm just frustrated, cause you are so handsome, and sweet, and amazing and I just want to jump you right now, but the doctor said no. And it's the hormones. I swear, i'm alright."

"Oh, honey. It won't be much longer now, you don't need to get yourself upset about this." Henry chuckled a little.

"And pray tell, when will that be? Once I've changed the diapers, when I've used the boobs to feed it? Once I've done the household chores?" She grumbled, pulling her hand from his.

"Hey, now, stop worrying about when we can be intimate again. You are carrying our child, a feat for which I am very grateful for. You do NOT need to give me anything else." He reached for both her hands and pulled them to his mouth before moving them to his chest.

Elizabeth sighed, "I know," she shrugged. "Thank you."

"What for?"

"Making me feel better. I guess."

Henry frowned at her, looking puzzled. "I don't understand. I say this all the time."

"Well, I don't actually know myself. Today I'm just starting to feel sorry for myself, and for you, ya know. Feeling this huge and all. But you always manage to make me happy, you know that!"

"Well, it's the least I can do. You are my wife. We both got us into this position. And you know I am going to try and keep you as happy as I possibly can until this little one arrives. I told you that when we were married, even before that. I love you. Elizabeth, and our little bean." Henry leaned forward and kissed her gently.

Elizabeth startled, having dozed off in the rocking chair, Stevie asleep against her breast but carefully cradled in her arms. She didn't know what startled her, but she heard a noise coming from the hallway. A door closing, and a thud. Her heart was hammering in her chest when she heard his voice. "Elizabeth?"

She took a breath and stood from the rocker, tightening her hold on Stevie as she made her way to the door just as it opened.

"Hey, there you are." Henry whispered as his eyes lit up.

"I'm not dreaming am I?" Elizabeth asked, still a little hazy from her doze.

"Nope, not dreaming babe." He pressed a kiss against her forehead and moved to take Stevie from her. Elizabeth handed her over and adjusted her nightgown so her boob wasn't just hanging out as she watched him carry their daughter over to her crib, pressing kisses against her forehead before laying her down and tucking the tiny blanket over her legs.

Henry turned and looked at his wife. "I'm definitely real, babe." He chuckled as she rubbed at her eyes. She gave a small yelp as he reached round and lifted her into his arms, carrying her from the nursery to their own bedroom. "It's not like you to fall asleep in the nursery?" He asked as she wrapped her arms around his neck, her head falling against his shoulder.

"She was fussy and she knows when I'm missing you. She's always fussy when I miss you."

"Oh." Henry didn't really know how to respond. "Sorry."

"It's not your fault. I didn't realise you were getting home today. I was literally thinking about you earlier and how I wanted you home for Christmas." She mumbled as he set her down on the bed, covering her with the duvet before heading to the bathroom to clean himself up.

Elizabeth was starting to doze off again when he came back into the room a couple of minutes later, he changed and settled next to her. "Well, we managed to finish the op in record time, according to the guys. So it's done, and I caught the first flight home, debriefed and now I am exactly where I want to be."

Henry scooted closer to her, as she turned and settled into his arms. "I missed you." She sighed as she settled against his chest. "I'm glad it's done though. I don't think I could have managed Christmas without you."

"I missed you too, and I missed Stevie, like nothing you would ever believe." He kissed her gently, "You are exhausted babe, sleep, I'm going to go and watch her for a little while."

Elizabeth sighed, but didn't stop him from moving from their bed. She smiled as she settled deeper under the covers and listened to Henry through the baby monitor on the bedside table. He was such a good father, and the thought of him being home at last lulled her to sleep. She wasn't aware of Henry coming back into the room until the bed dipped, and his arms snaked around her body.

"Mmm... I'm so glad you are home." She sighed sleepily.

"I'm happy too, now go to sleep! I love you." He whispered into her ear as he dropped a kiss behind it and settled.

Elizabeth and Henry slept peacefully for most of the night, their daughter not wanting any attention until almost morning, when her cry woke them from their sleep. Elizabeth started to get up out of bed but Henry stopped her. "I'll get her. You stay here and I'll bring her through." He kissed her gently and headed to the nursery.

"Hey, hey, hey. What's all that crying about sweet girl. You want a daddy cuddle?" Elizabeth smiled as she listened to her husband through the monitor, loving how he talked her through what he was doing. "Let's get this little suit off, and a nice new diaper on, and how about this romper. Yes, I think yellow is your colour little lady. That's it. That's us all done. You ready for mama, now?" His voice faded from the monitor but got louder as Henry stepped back into their bedroom.

Elizabeth smiled as he walked through the doorway, sitting herself up, she adjusted the pillows behind her and Henry handed Stevie over. He got in next to her and they jostled, both chuckling as he sat behind her, and she settled to rest against his chest as Stevie latched on to Elizabeth's breast, her mouth moving quickly, her little fist clenching and unclenching against her.

"It's Christmas tomorrow," Elizabeth whispered quietly so she didn't disturb Stevie.

Henry gave a chuckle, "Yeah, I know."

"I just think that Santa came early for us, this year."

"Oh, yeah. How do you work that one out?" He questioned.

"Well, I've got you. And now we've got this amazing little girl to dote upon. And I love you both, unconditionally."

"Well, I've got you, and our daughter. I cannot argue with you there." He turned her cheek with his finger, kissing her gently as their daughter continued to feed.

FLLUUUUFFFFFFFF

I hope everyone is keeping safe, and staying home as much as they can.
It's going to be a long 11 weeks of isolation for me, so I am hoping to get more written.
But... I'm also homeschooling, so we shall see...
Much love to you all.
Honor x