Nora, who was six weeks old, was snuggling with Olivia, while they waited for Elliot to come home. Elliot and Olivia had both had so much unused vacation and sick time that they'd been able to take extended time off after Nora was born. Elliot had just gone back to work, and both Olivia and Nora missed him. Elliot walked into their bedroom and smiled at the sight of Liv and Nora snuggling.
"Hi Nora, look who's home," he said, lying down on her other side, with his head propped on his elbow. "I missed you, owlet."
Nora looked up at him and smiled.
"Nora, did you just smile for your Daddy?" Liv asked her, delighted. "Your very first smile!"
"Thank you, Nora, that was such a sweet gift," Elliot told her, kissing her nose and forehead. "I missed you all day long."
Olivia beamed at Nora, and Nora smiled again as Liv kissed her toes. "Did you like that, Nora? You're getting so big," she declared.
"What do you want for dinner?" Elliot asked Liv.
"I don't know. It's so nice to just lie here together."
"I don't want dinner yet either," Elliot admitted. "Let's keep snuggling. Look at you, Nora Bernadette," Elliot cooed. "Six weeks old, you're such a big girl." They continued to play with Nora until she started to rub her eyes. "Are you getting sleepy?" Elliot asked her. "Did all those smiles wear you out?"
He brought her Good-Night Moon pajamas and got her ready for bed, then kissed her before Liv started to nurse her.
"I love you, Nora. Good-night," he said. "I'll throw something together for dinner while you nurse," he added to Liv. "Love you, Liv."
"Love you too, El," she said, content to have him home and their family together.