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June 5th
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Carol and Doug were snuggled up on the couch together, watching a movie in their living room. Carol slid out of Doug's arms and stood. She stretched luxuriously.
"I'm going to get us something more to drink." She said, showing him her empty glass. He nodded and smiled warmly up at her.
"Alright." He said.
"Iced tea again?" She asked, picking up his cup. He nodded.
"Yeah. Thanks Care." He said as she walked to the kitchen. She nodded and smiled warmly as she opened the fridge. She filled their drinks and turned, looking into the living room. Doug was gone. She moved into the living room and saw that it was empty, for sure. She smiled and placed their drinks on the coffee table where they had been before.
She crept up the stairs and down the hall before she came to a stop in front of the nursery. She looked in and saw Doug holding Joanna. She shook her head and smiled.
"You woke her up." She said, coming up behind him and leaning her chin on his shoulder as they looked down at their daughter.
"She was already awake." Doug said.
"Liar. You just can't keep your hands off of her." Carol said. He grinned and turned his hand, looking at her.
"You're right. I can't." He said and chuckled. She wrapped her arms gently around his waist.
"She's got your eyes." She said.
"Yeah, but she looks like you." Doug said. They had gone over this many times already since two weeks ago when Joanna had been born. Carol smiled and unhooked herself from Doug. She picked up a soft baby blanket and smiled at him.
"Hand her over." Carol said. He shook his head.
"Nope." He said, cradling his daughter tighter against his chest. Carol rolled her eyes.
"Fine. I get her halfway through the movie." She said, heading out of the room.
"Deal." He said and smiled at her as he followed her into the living room.
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Doug opened the front door of the house, slipping inside. He slipped out of his shoes and shrugged out of his coat. He put them in the appropriate places, leaving his keys in his coat pocket. He walked a bit further into the house and saw Carol lying on the couch in the living room. He smiled and made his way toward her.
Carol was sleeping and cradling a sleeping Joanna to her chest. The blankets were pulled up to her chest, covering the baby's body except for her tiny head. Doug crouched down beside the couch and smiled softly at his two girls. Carol was exhausted, he knew. He wished he didn't have to work, but since she was on her maternity leave, he had to work.
Doug reached down and slipped Joanna out of Carol's arms. Carol stirred but didn't wake. Doug stood, cradling Joanna against him, her tiny head resting on his shoulder. He rubbed her back gently as he made his way quietly up the steps. He walked into the nursery and stood, staring down at her for a few brief moments before he placed her into her crib, covering her gently with the soft pink blanket. He turned and made his way back down the stairs and into the living room.
He bent down over Carol and scooped her up into his arms. She sighed and turned her head into his chest and murmured something he couldn't understand. He smiled and walked back to their bedroom, laying her on the bed. He somehow managed to get the covers out from under her and back on top of her without her waking. He stripped down to his boxers and slid under the covers.
Doug reached out, pulling her gently against him. She turned in her sleep, snuggling against his chest and letting out a soft sigh. He smiled, kissed her forehead, and closed his eyes to sleep.
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"All done?" Doug asked as Carol came down the stairs, holding Joanna to her chest. Carol nodded. She had just finished feeding Joanna.
"Yep. I changed her too." Carol said. He nodded and patted his lap.
"C'mere." He said. She smiled and walked to him. She sat carefully in his lap, making sure she had Joanna secure to her. Doug wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her back against him. She settled in, leaning on him. "She's a pretty little girl." Doug murmured, smiling slightly. Carol grinned. "Just like her Mama." Doug finished. Carol turned her head and kisses him softly before turning back to look at her daughter.
"She's smiling!" Carol gasped slightly. Doug chuckled. At three weeks old, this was Joanna's first smile.
"Go Jo! Go Jo!" Doug chanted softly, touching a tip of Joanna's silky black hair. Carol bent down, kissing Joanna's cheek.
"That's my girl." She murmured and Doug chuckled. His heart nearly burst with love for his small family. He never wanted to be anywhere else, but here.
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