Mae stuck her head in the door. "Can I come in?"

"Sure." Quinn was sitting up in the chair by the window with Marlee asleep on her lap. Her hand was covering her little girl protectively. "It's nice to have company."

"How are you?" Mae bent down and kissed Quinn's cheek before taking a peek at Marlee.

"I just want to go home."

"Tomorrow yeah?"

"Hopefully." Quinn had stayed an extra few days because her milk was slow coming in and they wanted to see Marlee feeding well before they left because she was so tiny. It wasn't unusual that a C-Section and epidurals delayed milk production slightly. She tried to be grateful that she had a healthy little girl but nothing had gone as she planned and that was a bitter pill to swallow. Addy wanted them to come home, seeing her 'bubba' after school wasn't enough for her and she never wanted to leave.

"That's when the shit really hits the fan."

"I'm looking forward to it."

"It's funny, before they are here you are like, I'm staying right here where I have people to help and at my beck and call for every little freak out and then you have your baby in your arms and you just want to go home and live in this little bubble with your people."

"Even the first time?"

"Yep. I couldn't wait to get Poppy home even though I had no idea what I was doing. I thought I had a clue with Max but he was so different to Poppy it was like being a brand new Mom all over again and we had Poppy who demanded attention too. I wanted to take Max home the day he was born."

"It's weird, like I feel like I am Addy's Mom yet I am completely unprepared for Marlee."

"I was completely unprepared for both of them." Mae laughed. "Lucky you and Alfie are both newbies. George and I learnt together, we fucked it up more than once I can tell you."

It was true and Quinn kept forgetting that. Alfie had no idea about being a parent to a newborn either. His experience was limited to watching Lola and Mae be parents and all he did was cuddle them, play with them and give them back.

"True, he's still ahead of me though."

"Nah, you grew this bundle of adorableness, you've kept her alive for four days now. You are so far ahead of him it's not funny and remember they are hard to break."

"Good to know." Quinn looked down at Marlee. "Thanks to you too, for all your help and love and support."

"Hey. I adore you and Marlee... and well that brother of mine too." Mae reached for Quinn's hand. "It was such a small thing that I could do to help. Whatever gets you and Marlee home where you belong."

Quinn had been devastated when it was suggested to her that Marlee needed more milk than Quinn could give her. She was struggling to feed her in the first few days and Marlee had lost a little more weight than they liked. Her choices were banked milk or formula and Quinn felt like she was failing. On top of the C-section, the difficult pregnancy and her breech presentation it was all eroding her confidence.

Mae had just come in to see them when they had told her about their concerns and Quinn burst into tears. Mae didn't think twice about offering but understood it was a kick in the guts. "Quinn, sweetheart, I know this isn't going how you wanted but if you think it's too weird or too much I won't be offended. I have milk at home, in the freezer. If you want to give Marlee that rather than a strangers milk or formula then I am more than happy to bring it in. Max isn't having all that much anymore."

"I don't want everyone to think I'm a failure."

"You are not a failure. Look at her, she's beautiful and in a couple of days this will be forgotten and Marlee will be home with all of you being loved and adored, and knowing Addy a little smothered."

"Can you not tell anyone?" Mae could see how upset Quinn was, nothing was going right and she could only imagine how that felt. Being a new Mom was overwhelming, you felt like your heart was no longer in your chest and if it wasn't as perfect as you imagined it was hard to see the positives.

"Alfie will want to know and won't care; he just wants you and Marlee to come home." Alfie and Addy had stopped by on the way home last night, he just didn't want to go home to his empty house yet and he told Mae how desperately he wanted both of them home. They had waited so long for Marlee through a challenging pregnancy and it had been a tough few months for all of them. Having Marlee home would help him relax into being a father of a newborn, it didn't quite feel real and he hated walking out of that hospital twice a day without her and Quinn.

"Oh I will tell him; I just don't want everyone to think I can't do this and talking about it."

"You, me and Alfie, that's all. Not even George will know." She could understand how Quinn felt and no matter how many times you told someone that they weren't failing it made no difference. Her baby wasn't growing and Mae remember how obsessed she was with Poppy's weight when she was a newborn. "It's just between us and nobody else needs to know anything other than that beautiful little girl is loved and adored and growing."

Quietly Mae bought in her milk and Marlee guzzled it down and Quinn struggled to convince herself that it didn't mean anything, that she wasn't starving Marlee and that this was a good thing. Nobody knew, not even the midwives, Quinn gave her the bottle of milk when nobody was around and she convinced the nurses to wait another day before they topped her up, Marlee was settled and the next day she'd stop losing weight. She hadn't put anything on but she didn't lose anymore and that kept everyone happy.

Alfie had been a bit shocked when she had tearfully told him what they had done but Marlee's health was all that mattered to him, they needed to come home. He was having a cuddle before he went to work and Quinn came out of the shower and took one look at them together and burst into tears. "Hey, what's wrong?"

"It's nothing." She waved him away but his loving hand squeeze broke her. "I gave her some of Mae's milk."

"What? How?"

"They wanted to give her formula and I didn't want it and Mae was here and said she had milk at home for Max that I could use so I did. I didn't want her to have formula and I didn't want you to think that I failed her and that I am not a good Mom." Alfie jumped up and cuddled them both.

"I don't think you are a failure; I think you are both beyond perfect and you are learning together and whatever we have to do to get you and Marlee out of here I don't care. I want you home with us where we can love and adore you all day, both of you." He kissed Quinn's tear dampened cheeks. "I love you so much."

The next day Quinn's milk came in and she didn't need Mae's help anymore but she was grateful for it and that Mae kept her word. Nobody knew.

Even Alfie didn't talk to Mae about it, he just squeezed her hand a little tighter when he saw her next and she understood. If they wanted to pretend it didn't happen then she was okay with that as long as it helped Marlee and Quinn.

Mae reached into the bag she had bought with her. "I am not sure if you have a family tradition, or want to start one but this is ours. My grandmother, MiMi came home wrapped in this blanket." Mae handed Quinn the soft delicate blanket. "It was knitted by her grandmother, it's close to one hundred years old. My Mom came home in it and so did we and all our babies. We'd really love you to bring Marlee home wrapped in this."

"Oh Mae it's beautiful, it's so precious and delicate. Are you sure?"

"Yes, of course. It's Marlee's turn."

Quinn gently laid it over Marlee. "It's beautiful Mae."

"Just like my little Marlee Moo." Quinn folded the blanket and set it aside before picking up Marlee and handing her to her Aunt for a cuddle. "She's part of this circus, like it or not. You can't escape now."

"Yeah well, I married your whole mob didn't I? I had the chance to get away." Even the days she got overwhelmed by Alfie's family it felt nice to be able to tell them to back off rather than wonder if she'd ever hear from them again. Their support throughout her pregnancy was amazing and Quinn never felt like she couldn't ask for help and they all helped out with Addy when she was made to take it easy. It had also been nice that they were so happy and excited about her wedding. Isla sent them a present and apologised for not making it, she didn't even give a reason why she wasn't coming. She did call when she had Marlee but barely stayed on the phone for five minutes and never asked about Alfie.

Mae didn't stay long and Lola stuck her head in briefly when she was up on the ward like she did whenever she was near maternity, she couldn't walk past the door and not get a sneaky cuddle of her niece. Riley was concerned that his wife was a little too enthusiastic about the new baby. He was waiting for the call up to get on the tools again.

Meg had stayed down in Chicago while Quinn was in hospital to help with Addy and would bring her in after school. Alfie was still at work until Quinn and Marlee came home, she'd need the help then. "How was your day sweetheart?" Addy at least hugged her Mom before she checked on her sister today, which was a nice change.

"Good. We had sports practice and I won the race." It was sports day next Friday and Quinn was really hoping they would be able to go. Alfie would be home so she could leave Marlee with him if need be but they both wanted to go and Addy really wanted them all to come.

"Well that's awesome."

"I was very fast, it's because I am 'raborigine'. I think." Quinn just laughed; Addy had got some bee in her bonnet lately. She had gotten a book from Walter about famous Indigenous athletes and she was obsessed with it, Addy didn't do things by halves. She was all in. Now she was already peering off to the side while she was talking to her Mum. "How's Marlee Moo?"

"She's very good today, she had lots of milk, she's been a bit of a guts."

"So she'll get big and strong and come home?"

"Absolutely. Would you like a cuddle? Marlee has been waiting all day for you."

"Does she miss me?"

"We both do."

What Addy really liked was lying on the bed with Marlee beside her, she would wiggle down so she was facing her and tell her about her day, whether Marlee was awake or not. She was so gentle with her, touching her hands and her feet or stroking her head and talking or singing to her. Today she was telling her about her race and how fast she was and that one day when Marlee was bigger she would teach her how to run really fast too. Although not as fast as her obviously because 'you know, you aren't a raborigine.'

"This is beautiful." Meg picked up the blanket that was on the table.

"It is isn't it. Mae bought it in. Apparently her grandmother came home from hospital in it and her mother and all of them as well, including Alfie. It's a family heirloom."

"What a lovely thing, they must really treasure it."

"Me too?" Addy overheard them talking about it.

"No sweetheart, you were very special and came to us all grown up."

"I was a baby too."

"Yes you were, you were a beautiful baby and your Mum Jedda took good care of you until Daddy came and got you." They always talked to Addy about Jedda and explained to her what it meant. That she had two Mum's, Jedda who gave birth to her and Quinn who was her mum now. She did seem to understand but had asked if she had a 'birth Daddy' too? They explained that Alfie was her 'birth daddy' and her 'daddy now' And that apparently was cool.

"Before she died."

"Yes."

"Did she have a special blanket for me?"

"I am sure she had something special for you." Quinn had no idea; they honestly hadn't thought about it.

"Can we get it for Marlee?"

"We have this blanket that Daddy came home in. It's very special for Daddy and he will be so happy to bring Marlee home in it too." Quinn twirled Addy's ponytail around her hand. "When he gets here we will ask him about what your Mommy did for you."

She didn't know if there was anything but Alfie did have a box of things from when Addy was a baby, he'd packed it up and bought it over with her but they hadn't looked at it since the start of the pregnancy and didn't really think about something like a blanket or clothes to come home in. They didn't know a lot about Jedda's pregnancy, there was barely any record or mention of it and they had never seen a photo of Jedda pregnant. It was another chunk of Addy's life they were missing.

Marlee stretched her little arm out and let out a squawk which Addy loved. "Open your eyes Marlee, I'm here." She cooed at her sister. Addy squealed when Marlee opened her eyes. "Good girl. Hi Marlee Moo. I missed you today."

Marlee was content to wiggle and squirm for a few moments as she woke up properly and then let out a loud wail when she decided it was time to feed. Addy helped her Mom change her diaper and then watched her feed. She was up on her knees beside Quinn. "Drink lots Marlee Moo and then you can come home."

When Alfie arrived after work Meg left them to have dinner and spend some time together as a new family. "Daddy, Marlee Moo had lots to drink today."

"Well that's good to hear." He scooped Addy up and smothered her with kisses. They were making sure that Addy had as much love and attention as Marlee was getting. "Have you had a good day? How was school today?"

"I won a race, it was practice. Are you coming to my race next week?"

"I really hope so. Mum and I really want to come."

"And Marlee?"

"We hope so, remember that she is little though and sometimes we can't take her out especially when it's cold. We have to keep her safe and warm."

"Please Daddy. I want my friends to see Marlee?" Addy was practically begging and bordering on bursting into tears.

"We'll see." He sat Addy up on his lap and just hugged her for a while and she sat back and enjoyed the attention. Alfie was itching to have a cuddle of his Marlee though, he'd seen her briefly that morning on his way to work but she was sleeping at the time. Quinn had sent him a video of her when she was undressed and being weighed which she didn't love…at all. He noticed the blanket on the end of the bed and nodded towards it. "Mae bought it in?"

"She did, it's beautiful." Quinn inclined her head towards Addy. "Addy wants to know if she had something special to come home in that perhaps Marlee might like too?"

"Did I Daddy?"

"I am sure you did; I think it is a very cute tiny little hat. How about when we go home we will find it so that Marlee can wear it?" He recalled that she wore a hat in some photos and while he wasn't sure if she came home from hospital with it he would find it for Addy or they would chose something special just from Addy.

"Can we go find it now?" She was keen to get into it.

"Not yet Darlin', we are going to have some dinner here with Mum and Marlee."

"Marlee can't eat dinner Daddy.." Addy's eye roll was a touch dramatic and made them chuckle. "…she just has Boob juice." He cringed a little, of all the ways they had explained to her about Quinn's breast milk the only words that stuck were Boob Juice thanks to Colton. His family were assholes sometimes.

"I know, but you can have dinner and also I am going to cuddle Marlee. She loves her Daddy cuddles as much as you do."

Alfie was very sweet with her and Quinn loved watching him with his little girl. He had both of them on his lap and Addy was playing with Marlee's hand. She really hoped that Addy and Marlee would have the kind of relationship that Alfie's sisters shared as opposed to the fractured and tenuous one she had with Isla.

Quinn decided that she needed to go for a walk and took Addy with her just to give Alfie a few minutes alone with Marlee. He didn't get much of chance to just sit with Marlee, Addy was always all over him and Marlee and if they had other visitors he didn't get to see her much. He was very patient waiting for his turn.

"Marlee, it's good to see you. I hear you've been a bit of a Djinda today?" he cooed at his sleeping daughter, it still surprised him seeing her tiny hand curled around his finger. "I can't wait to get you and your Mum home."

It was nice to have dinner together and Addy gave Marlee a big cuddle before they left. "I'm so excited Marlee Moo, I'm going to show you all around our house and you can look at Kitty but can't touch her because that's not good for you." Addy chatted away to her sister. "I've told Kitty as well but I think she is a bit silly still, she's just a baby and a cat."

The first thing Addy and Alfie did when they got home was get out her box of baby things. She hunted through the box, tipping everything out until she found something. It was a little black yellow and red knitted hat, the colours of the Indigenous flag. "It's not pretty like Marlee." Addy's bottom lip quivered; she was so disappointed.

"Addy, it's beautiful. You know what those colours mean? That's the colour of your flag and Jedda was so proud of where you came from, I'm proud of who you are and that's why we also made sure Marlee had a name that comes from your language. Walter sends you beautiful things all the time and I think this is a very special thing for Marlee to wear."

"I wanted her to be pretty."

"She is pretty. I love this hat." Alfie found Addy's book and they sat and looked through all the photos of her as a baby and she was wearing that hat when she was a tiny baby and that was good enough for Addy. "Mum will love it too, and she'll love that you wore it when you were a little baby. That will be really special for Marlee and something just for you and her."

"And my brother, when I get another baby." Addy was already planning the next one, Quinn was going to be ecstatic to hear that considering they hadn't even bought Marlee home yet.

"Slow your roll sunshine. Let's get Marlee home first."

"Can I give this to Marlee?"

"Of course you can. We will drop in and see Marlee before we go to school tomorrow."

"I don't want to go to school. I want to bring Marlee home. I told her I will show her around her new house." Addy pouted, it was cute and he tried not to laugh. "Please Alfred, please." The begging was cute, even the way she called him Alfred, he couldn't help but love it.

Alfie wasn't sure. They weren't a hundred percent certain that she would actually come home tomorrow. It was likely but not definite, it would depend if she fed well and had put on weight when they weighed her in the morning . Quinn was begging to come home though and feeding her every time she moved. "We'll see." He wasn't sure who was more desperate, his wife or his daughter.

He took Addy upstairs for a bath. "I'll be a Djinda. I'll help Mum. She needs my help."

"Addy, sweetheart Marlee might not come home tomorrow we will have to see what the Doctor says in the morning."

"But Lola's a Doctor she can let Marlee come home." Alfie loved his chats with Addy, she was curious about everything and loved to talk, her conversations were getting more considered and she thought about things and they always encouraged her to think and tried not to rush and give her answers. Even though sometimes the answers she gave were out of left field.

"Lola is not Marlee's Doctor."

"Why not?"

"Because it's against the rules."

Alfie talked to Quinn once Addy was in bed. "How's Moo?" Her little nickname seemed to have stuck.

"Sleeping right now, she was a bit of a pain at her last feed."

"How come?"

Like Quinn had any idea why Marlee did anything. "I wish I knew. She's a law unto herself. I have no idea what I am doing." He did notice the little quiver in her voice. He'd also learned, through listening to Lola and Mae trying to help Quinn, about some of the horror stories about how they struggled being a new mom. He had no idea that Mae had bleeding and cracked nipples, so much so that her milk was pink and for three days she cried in agony every time Poppy fed. Lola, much to his horror talked about waking up with their bed looking like a crime scene where Sam had slept longer than expected and she had bled everywhere, or when her boobs were so sore and swollen that she actually punched Riley when he rolled over and knocked them in his sleep.

"Hey, your Mom is still here, Addy's asleep you want me to come in?"

"I'm okay. I just really want to come home." Quinn tried not to cry. "I miss you and Addy."

Alfie went in anyway. Quinn was asleep when he arrived and he took a peek at Marlee, who was also sleeping before her woke Quinn up with a soft kiss. "I miss you too." They spent an hour together before Marlee woke and Alfie stayed while she fed and had a cuddle before he went home. Being caught between the two wasn't easy, he just wanted them all under the one roof.

'Marlee Moo is home.' Addy happily squealed into the camera. She had Marlee in her lap and Alfie filmed her excitement to send to his sisters.

They had let Addy stay home from school and she was beside herself when her Dad told her that were going to pick up Mum and Marlee from the hospital. "Really?" she gasped. "Marlee is coming home?"

"Yep and Mum too."

"I'm so happy."

Alfie picked her up and hugged her tightly. "I thought you might be, I can't wait either. I can't wait to see you be a big sister."

"Can we go now?"

"After breakfast." Addy shovelled in her breakfast, did her jobs, which included feeding Kitty and got dressed without having to be nagged and reminded constantly to get a move on.

Addy made sure Marlee's bedroom was ready for her and put a card that she had made on her bed. She also put one on Quinn's side of the bed. Checking that her Dad had Marlee's hat before they left she literally dragged him out of the house.

Quinn was waiting for them; Marlee was already in her car seat with the precious white blanket tucked around her and Quinn's bag was packed. "She's just waiting for her hat." Alfie had talked to Quinn about it last night and how Addy wasn't sure it was pretty enough for her sister. "We can't go home without a hat on. Can you put it on Marlee for me?"

Addy was so gentle, it was a bit crooked and covered Marlee's eyes but she didn't seem to mind, she was sound asleep. They took a photo of Addy perched up next to the car seat grinning madly. It was the 'best day of her life.' Replacing all the other 'best days of her life' she'd had lately.

"Look at my two beautiful girls." Quinn honestly couldn't believe that this was her life, her two beautiful girls and their Daddy. "I'm the luckiest Mum in the world."

"The best Mummy." Addy leant over and whispered to Marlee. "You wait and see Marlee Moo."

They did wonder how long Addy was going to be Quinn's shadow. Whenever she needed help with Marlee Addy was there. She wanted to help change her, would talk to her when she was awake and check on her when she was asleep. Every time Marlee opened her eyes Addy was up in her face.

If she wasn't fussing over Marlee she was fussing over her Mum.

Quinn loved the card on her pillow. 'I'm so happy that you are home. I love you Mum Thank you for being me and Marlee's Mum.'

It was a nice first day at home with just Alfie and his girls and when Addy finally went to bed, after saying goodnight to Marlee three times Quinn loved that Alfie spent time with Marlee. While she showered Alfie sat on the bed with his precious little girl resting on his knees. She was awake and staring at her Dad, listening to his voice as he talked to her softly.

"First day Marlee, how do you think we went? Addy certainly kicked some big sister goals, hey? And you, you just blow me away. I can't believe you are home and I have three of the most gorgeous women on the planet in my house that I get to love." Alfie kissed her little hand as her fingers curled around his thumb.

"You are in for a hell of a ride Moo. No dating, no boys, no bikinis, nothing. I might book you and your sister into a nunnery. Nobody will be good enough for you, I give you fair warning."

Tearing his gaze away from Marlee as Quinn hobbled back out he noticed the look on her face, she was tired. "How'd you go?"

"Slow, sore and leaking."

"Should I ask from where?"

"Pick a hole."

He covered Marlee's ears playfully. "Don't listen Darlin'." He whispered. "Mummy's being gross."

"It's ugly."

"Lucky she's so pretty then." He pointed to the baby.

Quinn lowered herself on the bed carefully. She was still pretty tender along her scar line. "You make pretty babies." She touched Marlee's hand softly.

"I do don't I?"

"Also very up yourself."

"Yep." Alfie lay her down between them so they could both touch her. "Addy was good hey?"

"She is so happy. I hope it lasts."

"I was like that with Bug apparently, I was obsessed with her." Lola and Mae had teased him about that constantly, especially since Quinn had been pregnant and Addy was the ultimate mother hen. She hadn't let up right through the pregnancy and it seemed like she got that from her Daddy.

"You still are."

"Not as obsessed as I am with Addy and Marlee and you."

Quinn could barely keep her eyes open and Alfie let her sleep while he changed Marlee and put her in the cot in their room. She'd be sleeping in here with them for a few months which confused Addy. She had spent a lot of time helping make her nursery 'pretty' and they explained to her how she would sleep in there during the day and had to be close to them at night because that was safest for her.

It was the weekend and Addy loved being at home with Marlee and they didn't plan on leaving the house. She was up early and in their bedroom before dawn. "Is Marlee still here?" She whispered to her Mum.

"She is, she's sleeping so go to the bathroom and then come hop in bed with us."

Addy did as she was told and crawled up into bed between her Mum and Dad, she knew she had to be careful because her Mum had an operation and was still sore. She tried to go back to sleep but just waited to hear Marlee, every time she grunted, which she did quite a bit Addy gasped and asked if she was awake. She had fed two hours ago so would probably be awake shortly but it was nice to cuddle Addy for a while even if she was just waiting for Marlee. Addy asked a million questions, how many times did she wake up, has she done a poo, is she bigger today?

Helping her Dad change Marlee when she woke Addy sat and played with her feet while her Mum fed her and then she got to lie on the bed and talk to her sister. Alfie stayed with them while Quinn had a shower, she hated how disgusting she felt each morning. Her boobs leaked, among other things and everyone had told her to make the most of having Alfie at home to shower and to rest as much as possible. He'd made her have a lie down yesterday afternoon when Marlee was sleeping while he spent some quiet time with Addy.

Now it was a new day and Addy had so much to discuss with her sister. "Did you like sleeping at home?" She was in absolute heaven, this was everything she ever wanted. "I was very excited; I could hardly sleep. I tried to stay awake so when you woke up I could come and see you but you were very quiet and I got very tired. I'm sorry."

Marlee stared at her, waving one arm jerkily in front of her face. "I think today we will have lots of visitors, they all want to see you. I will make sure Sam and Poppy and Billy are careful. Max is still too little to play with you, he can't walk yet. He's like you, just a baby, but he's bigger, oh and a boy. Sam thinks he's going to be just as silly as Billy is. Billy broke Sam's Emu so you will have to look after you Koala. You are too little to do that yet, so I will do it for you, okay?"

Alfie just laughed to himself listening to Addy. "What shall you wear today? You've got to look pretty. I like dresses. What's your favourite colour? I like yellow, I think you should wear pink, people bought you lots of pink things, oh and my hat, you can wear my hat again. That's a raborigine hat, like me. You're not a raborigine like me though, but you are my sister."

Addy was on a roll, they'd swear she'd had an IV of sugar overnight the way she was going on and on. "Oh and kitty, she's a baby too, but a cat baby so she does all sorts of crazy things, she climbs, she runs, she plays with her toys. You can't play with her because she can make you sick or dead and I don't want that." Alfie was a touch concerned about the dead conversation but obviously Addy had been listening to them after all, at times they doubted she heard one damn thing they said with regards to the kitten.

Marlee managed to bring up some milk. "Oh, she spewed." Addy shrieked. "On the bed."

Alfie cleaned it up quickly, assuring Addy that it was okay and Marlee wasn't sick. She'd seen babies bringing up milk, particularly Max who was a bit of a spewer but her sister was a whole new kettle of fish and Addy was a worry wart. She was worried that Marlee would have to go back to hospital.

When Marlee managed to unload completely and had poo up her back and leaking out of the side of her jumpsuit Addy wigged out. "She's got a runny bottom, she's sick. Can you call Lola? She'll fix her, please Alfred. Marlee is sick."

"Marlee is not sick Darlin', it means she getting lots of Mum's juice and growing big and strong. It's perfectly normal, Marlee's fine sweetheart." Alfie tried to get her to calm down. "It's a bit disgusting though isn't it?"

"Yes." He told her to ask Lola and Mae about when Bug pooped in the bath.

Despite that she told Quinn the moment she came out of the shower and eventually they called Lola and asked her to talk Addy off her ledge. She didn't believe that Marlee wasn't sick and didn't need to go back to hospital until Lola told her it was perfectly okay, because Lola's a 'Doctor and knows about babies and stuff.'

Getting her to school on Monday was a feat and a half. There were tears, gut wrenching sobs and Alfie promised to bring her Mum and Marlee with him when he came to pick her up. "Marlee and Mum might stay in the car but they will come. Just today though." He made a deal with her. Addy agreed but was pretty sure by tomorrow she'd be bargaining hard to it to happen again. She was first out the door at the end of the day, which was unlike Addy and she held Marlee's hand all the way home in the car. "Was she good today Mum? Did she drink lots?"

"She was a very good girl today."

"Oh that's good. Did she miss me?"

"We all did sweetheart."

It did get easier as the week went on and she made a beeline for Marlee before her bag hit the ground. As soon as Marlee was awake Addy got a cuddle. Alfie picked her up every day and the first thing she asked was how was Marlee's day and if she did anything new or exciting.

They also made sure they both went to her school sports day. It was a cold windy day but the rain stayed away fortunately and they had told Addy that it depended on the weather, if it was raining they couldn't bring Marlee out because she might get sick.

Marlee was wrapped up warm with Addy's hat on in her pram. Addy jumped up and ran over to see them when she saw them arrive not that she was all that bothered by her parents. She peered in the pram and Marlee was fast asleep. "You came Marlee Moo. Will she be awake for my race?"

"Maybe not, but we are here." Alfie tapped her on the shoulder. "Now Addy sweetheart I think your teacher is calling you. We will stay here and watch okay. Go and be a superstar."

"That's my sister." They heard her yelling at Mr Webster, her teacher. "Marlee came."

He reached for Addy's hand and led her back to her class group, waving at Alfie and Quinn. He was a great teacher and he knew how excited Addy had been about her new sister. It had been her news for three days straight.

Addy didn't win her race, much to her disappointment but the fact that Marlee had woken up and 'seen' her race softened the blow. Alfie and Quinn didn't mind that she didn't win, they weren't those type of parents. Alfie always told her that sometimes things didn't go the way you wanted. Losing was okay as long as you did your best. There would always be someone better, faster, stronger than you.

"I wanted to win for Marlee." Addy burst into tears. It had been a long few weeks for her. The first few nights that Marlee was home they struggled to get Addy to bed at night because she wanted to stay with Marlee. Then she was up early each morning and it took its toll on her by the end of the week.

"Did you try your best?"

"Yes."

"That's good enough for me. That's good enough for Mum and I'm proud of you showing Marlee how important it is to try your hardest."

"Will she be sad?"

"Adelaide, all she cares about right now is getting enough of Mom's milk and sleeping." Marlee was busy guzzling down another feed. "I am so glad she has you for a big sister though. You'll be amazing and right now that's all that matters to me."

"I love her so so much Daddy."

"We know, and she loves you."