Anon on Tumblr prompted: "remember we have to get up early tomorrow."
Mary Margaret collapsed beside David, throwing her hand over her eyes. She felt something under her and frowned. Her hand dug under her back and she pulled out a bear, letting out a small chuckle. Emma must have left that there when she was playing in the room.
David rolled over in bed, throwing his arms around her. Mary Margaret kissed his lips. She gently sighed as she picked fuzz off the bear and thought about how they got to where they were.
They had married just a year after they became an official couple. Kids had been on their mind but they knew it wasn't a question of when, but if they should. Mary Margaret had made it through check ups and her transplant was holding up. A pregnancy could put both her and the baby at risk. So, they looked into other options.
Surrogacy was tempting but they were a teacher and a cop. It wasn't exactly in their price range. So, they turned to adoption. It had been a lot of paperwork, interviews and ups and downs. Once they were approved, they still weren't sure if they'd be picked. They had bought a beautiful four bedroom home, had a nursery set up. David had even talked Mary Margaret into a dog. And yet, Mary Margaret feared rejection. She couldn't help it.
There were some hits and misses. Times they were sure they'd be bringing a baby home only to be told the mom changed her mind or had gone with a different couple. They still held out hope.
And then they got the call. A baby found on the side of the road. Attempts had been made to find her birth parents but they had failed. So, she needed a forever home. The agency asked if Mary Margaret and David were interested. It was an easy yes.
The minute Emma was put in her arms, Mary Margaret knew she was meant to be her daughter. From her big green eyes to her sweet smile, she fell for her. It was a crazy time and only got worse when Emma became active. She was a wild child. As soon as she started walking, running followed. It was a lot to keep up with. They still wouldn't change it. She answered every prayer, had been at the end of every dream.
Then they got another call earlier that year. A baby boy that had been left at a safe haven location was in need of a home. They had talked about adopting again and now that Emma was 3, it felt like the right time. David held her hand as the nurse pushed the plastic bassinet in the room. The 2 week old baby already had a smattering of dark brown hair and was bigger than Emma had been. David held him first, before handing him to Mary Margaret. Just like with Emma, they loved him and knew he was supposed to be her son.
They named him Neal James to go with Emma Ruth, making David's brother and mother incredibly pleased. Emma had loved her brother from the start. She was curious, peering at him at all times. She couldn't wait until he was big enough to play.
Now their youngest was 2 months old and they were still trying to make a routine. Mary Margaret had to return to work, Emma was in nursery school and Neal was in daycare. If it weren't for the color coded schedule in the kitchen next to Emma's sticker chart, Mary Margaret wasn't sure how they'd remember everything.
"Remember," David mumbled. "We have to get up early tomorrow. I set the alarm."
Mary Margaret tossed the bear. "Right," she yawned. "The zoo."
"We could always go later in the day."
"It'll be too crowded. Plus, you know Emmy. She's up with the sun."
David laughed, his eyes closing. "True."
"It'll be Neal's first time. I got him an elephant hat."
"Oh he'll love that."
Mary Margaret rolled her eyes. "Sarcasm noted."
"Well he's 2 months old. I don't think he knows he has a head, much less what we put on it."
"Is that true?"
"Mare, sleep."
Mary Margaret laughed. "I love you."
"I love you, crazy."
The two drifted off to sleep. In another hour, Mary Margaret would wake up with the baby. Emma would crawl in between them after a nightmare. Their bed would become full of stuffed animals and tiny blankets, but that wouldn't matter.
They were a family now. Forever and for always.