The last bit, I hope you enjoyed it.

Chapter 14

After the hospital had seen 4 good feeds from Isabel we were discharged home. I was glad for an escape from all the hustle and bustle of the hospital visits and the well wishers. It had been great to see my family, and Rangers, but now I was ready for Ranger, Isabel and I to have some time together.

Isabel had to be woken every 3 to 4 hours to have a feed until she had regained her birth weight, then she could feed on demand. Whilst I was exclusively breastfeeding that meant poor nights sleep for me. Ranger wouldn't be able to help with night feeds. I was up for it though, she was worth it. She was beautiful. Her skin tone was still paler than I'd expected but I was told it would darken a little more over the next few days. Her little fingers curled round my thumb just melted me. She already had a surprising bush of dark hair. Impossible to tell yet if it would curl or not.

We stopped in briefly on 5 to introduce Isabel and then we pleaded tiredness. It was just shy of 9pm but I was shattered after not sleeping the night before. Ranger put Isabel in her cot next to us while I showered and changed. I deliberately didn't wet my hair so I could just fall into bed. Isabel was stirring a little as I climbed in so I picked her up to nurse her again.

I stared blankly down at her. "Ranger, which side was I on?"

Ranger consulted his app. "left."

I settled her on my right side and started to feed. After 20 minutes she'd fallen asleep so Ranger took her for a wind and a change (Ranger noted dirty nappy on the app) and then I put her back on my left side for another feed. After that Ranger took her again for a wind.

"Sleep Babe. I'll hold her. I'll wake you in 3 hours."

I nodded, slid down into the covers and was out for the count.

Through the night I woke as Isabel stirred next to me. She always stirred just a little under 3 hours so she always woke me before my alarm went off. When it was "morning" I still felt exhausted.

"Grab some more sleep Babe." Ranger whispered with a kiss. "I've got Belle."

You didn't need to tell me twice!

When I next woke I felt better. I went to the toilet and put on a fresh maternity pad which was basically a disposable pillow for your hoohaah. Mine was sore. Labour was hard work all right, and no one told you about the honest after effects. I had already weed myself this morning after I had sneezed in the shower. Motherhood was Glamorous.

I wondered in to the play room and Ranger was sitting on the sofa, singing a Cuban song to Isabel as she rested on his legs. My eyes filled up. Damn these hormones. Yeah labour was hard...but look what I've got. I bit my lip. I'd do it all again.

"Hey you two." I said to my family.

"Good morning Mama," Ranger replied. "We're just chilling here."

"I can see that, look at my gorgeous ones." I made Ranger and I a drink. Wincing a little as I walked. I sat down carefully next to Ranger.

"Labour wasn't that bad." I said finally, looking at Isabel, "It's worth it."

Ranger gave me a kiss. "You want another?"

"Yeah, you?"

"Yeah." Ranger agreed. "A football team maybe."

I laughed. "Maybe." I tucked a curl behind my ear. "So, we got the pregnancy bit nailed. Now we've got the baby. What do we do now?"

Ranger met my eyes, smiling. "We live Querida."

I smiled. "I love you, you always have the best plans."

Ranger kissed my forehead and then he kissed Isabel's. We were going to be awesome parents. It was our time to fly.