It didn't take long for Joan to wake again, merely a few hours after she'd settled down in Matthew's arms. She gurgled a little and he softly bounced her a bit - hoping to not wake Alice unless it was absolutely necessary.
"Hey there, little miss," Matthew whispered as he gently kissed his daughter's head (his daughter, his). "You took your time coming into the world, didn't you?"
"She's a Harvey and a Lawson," Alice slurred beside him, her voice rough from earlier and with sleep. "She wasn't coming out until the moment she was ready."
Matthew laughed softly. The baby in his arms wiggled and fussed at the sound of her parents talking.
"I think she wants something, Alice."
"So it begins," she sighed and pulled herself up into a sitting position. Matthew handed her the baby and let Alice lean up against him as she fed their daughter.
"She really is beautiful, Alice," Matthew pressed a kiss to the top of Alice's head. "We did a good job."
"We did, didn't we?" Alice stroked the baby's head as she fed.
"How are you feeling?"
"Elated… tired… bloody sore."
He chuckled and kissed her head again, "I'm sure the soreness will wear off in a few days."
"I hope so, everything aches… I can see now why I'm restricted to the bed. Have you called your mum and Vera yet?"
"No," he shook his head, "I've been too busy watching our little one."
Alice smiled and let out a little hum, "I can't blame you."
"How about I go see the progress on dinner, and then call Vera while I'm out there. Want me to call Peg and Frank?"
"Please. They'll want to know how big she is, tell them seven pounds and three ounces."
"With a good, strong grip," Matthew smiled as Joan gripped his finger tight and he dipped down to kiss her little hand.
"And a healthy set of lungs, you should have heard her when she first arrived."
"Just like her mum, then," he laughed when Alice glared at him. "Alright, alright, she takes after her old man in that regard."
"Hopefully she doesn't yell as often as you do," she teased. "Could you hand me a cloth? I think she's almost done."
"Of course, sweetheart," Matthew got up and pulled a cloth from the cabinet - handing it over with a soft kiss. "Need anything else before I pop out?"
Alice shook her head and laid Joan against her shoulder as she burped her, "No, I think I'll be fine for a little bit."
"Alright, I'll be right back."
Pressing a kiss to Joan's head and then another to Alice's lips with a murmured I love you, Matthew left their bedroom and headed towards the low voices in the kitchen.
"Ah, Matthew, everything alright?" Lucien asked as he spotted him.
"Yeah, they're both awake and Joan's had another feeding. I came to check on dinner and to make a few phone calls."
"It's just about ready, Matthew," Jean answered. "I'll get this lot sorted and make up a tray for you and Alice, you go ahead to the surgery and make your calls, it should be done by then."
"Thank you, Jean."
"Of course!"
Matthew limped towards the study and heard someone else follow him, a soft hand at his elbow and a quiet "Uncle Matthew" told him it was Rose. Turning to see his niece, he smiled.
"Hey," she smiled back. "I didn't get to say this earlier, but congratulations, Uncle Matthew."
"Thank you, Rose, and thank you for staying with Alice throughout it all."
"Where else would I be?"
He laughed, "I just never thought you'd stay through childbirth."
"She's family and she was terrified… I wanted to help."
Matthew leaned forward and kissed her forehead before pulling her into a tight hug, "Thank you, Rose, thank you."
Rose hugged him back just as tight, "You're very welcome, Uncle Matthew. Think Aunt Alice might be okay with a visit now that things have calmed down some?"
"I think she'd like that. I'm gonna go call your mum and Alice's sister with the news. Did someone call Jack at City South?"
"Jean did before she started dinner - Superintendent Robinson is ecstatic about Joan."
"Good," Matthew smiled. "Alice plans on him being Joan's Pop, since her own father's a complete arse."
His niece laughed, "Joan's not going to want for anything."
That thought warmed him, "No, she won't. Go see Alice and then you go and get some rest after dinner, you look tired."
"Rude," Rose gasped and swatted at his elbow as he laughed. "Tell Mum and Nan I say hello."
"I will, now go."
He watched his niece walk down the hallway towards his bedroom with a smile before he entered the study to make a few important phone calls - he had a feeling that 7 Mycroft Avenue was about to be full to bursting this Christmas.
"Knock knock," Rose's cheery voice made Alice look up with a grin. "May I come in?"
"Of course, Rose," Alice patted the spot next to her in bed. "I'd have thought you'd gone home already."
"And miss out on Jean's cooking? Never."
Alice laughed as Rose sat on the bed next to her - leaning her chin on Alice's shoulder as they both looked down at Joan.
"She's cute, Aunt Alice, she's even got the patented Lawson Frown already."
"You cheeky girl," Alice giggled. The baby wriggled around - kicking off the blanket over her legs. "Oh, alright, Joan, no blanket."
"Must be too hot for her," Rose let the baby grip her finger, "look at those blonde curls!"
"I'm wondering if it'll stay light or not."
"Mum said I was blonde for a few months before I went red."
"She's got Matthew's eyes, I hope they stay."
"Paired with the frown, Joan might be a mini redheaded version of Uncle Matthew."
Alice laughed again and leaned her head against Rose's, "I'm going to miss you when you move to Melbourne, Rose."
Rose kissed her cheek, "I'll miss you too, Aunt Alice, but luckily you've got me until the new year."
"Good. Rose… I really am sorry for snapping at you earlier, that was no way to speak to you."
"Water under the bridge, I know you didn't mean it. Pain makes us all go a little crazy sometimes."
"Thank you for being here, for staying even though you didn't have to."
"You're family, Aunt Alice," Rose kissed her cheek again, "and I was excited to meet my new little cousin, so of course I had to stay. Do you think I could sneak a few photos of her in a couple of days? I know Nan would like to have some."
Alice nodded and smiled, "That would be fine, she might even open her eyes for you. Do you want to hold her?"
"What if I drop her?"
"You won't and if you do, we're on a bed and it won't be that far of a drop anyways." Her niece laughed as Alice eased the baby into her arms, "There you go, make sure to support her head, that's it."
"She really is very cute," Rose smiled and she jiggled Joan a little in her arms. "Uncle Matthew gone soft yet with her?"
"He's always been soft, around you, around me, Joan's just making it public."
"I am not," Matthew protested as he appeared in the doorway. Both Alice and Rose laughed as his frown deepened. "Alice, take that back."
"No," she grinned and beckoned him closer.
"Yeah, Uncle Matthew, you've always been a big softy."
"Towards you, maybe," he grumbled as he leaned over to kiss Alice. "Mum and Vera are very happy to hear about the little miss, Alice. Peg and Frank send their congratulations, Jack's ecstatic according to Rose, and everyone's probably going to stop by for Christmas."
"Bloody hell, it's going to be busy."
"Aunt Alice," Rose gasped and she covered her cousin's ears as Matthew chuckled. "Language."
"Oh, she can't understand me yet, Rose, it's fine."
"We might have to set up a swear jar, Rose," Matthew teased and Alice huffed. He kissed her again, "For both of us, sweetheart… and maybe Uncle Lucien."
At that, Alice threw her head back and laughed.
Rose held Joan until Jean called out that dinner was ready. Handing her back to Alice, Rose kissed her aunt and uncle on their cheeks with a promise to stop by before Christmas. She smiled over her shoulder at them and nearly ran into Jean carrying a tray for Alice and Matthew.
"Easy there!" Jean smiled and Rose kissed her on the cheek as well. "Dinner's on the table, Rose, and you're welcome to stay in one of the guest rooms if you're especially tired, otherwise Lucien can take you home after dinner."
"Thank you, Jean."
Jean set the tray down at the end of the bed, "Enjoy your nap, Alice?"
"I did, Jean," Alice smiled even as Joan started to fuss. "Though I'm still tired."
"You will be for awhile until that little one of yours sleeps longer. Want me to take her so you can eat?"
"Thank you," Alice let Jean take her daughter - who continued to cry in her godmother's arms.
"It's alright, Miss Joan," Jean soothed and she checked the baby's nappy. "Ah, that's what's bothering you… Joan needs a changing."
"Should I do it?"
"No, no, you finish eating, Alice. You'll do this plenty of times; you've got to eat well for Joan."
Alice smiled as Matthew pulled the tray towards them; she leaned up against his shoulder as he cut up the chicken and veg for her - Jean's faint humming and Matthew's familiar warmth lulling Alice back into a half-sleep haze.
"Falling asleep on me, sweetheart?" Matthew kissed her head.
"I gave birth to your child today - I'm tired."
She felt him shake slightly with laughter and he handed her a fork, "Eat, sweetheart, and then you and Joan can sleep some more."
"Okay," Alice slowly ate her dinner - polishing it off with the glass of water Matthew handed her. Jean settled Joan down in the bassinet and moved it closer to the bed.
"Persistent little thing, isn't she?" Jean grinned when the baby kicked off her blanket again.
"She's a Harvey and a Lawson," Matthew teased and Alice giggled.
"Might be too hot for her, Jean," Alice yawned as she leaned further against Matthew and closed her eyes. "It is summer."
"True," Jean folded the blanket at Joan's feet. "I just don't want her to get too cold during the night, but I suppose she'll be waking you often. Wake me if you need help with anything, alright?"
"We will, Jean," Matthew answered as she took the tray away. "Thank you and good night."
"You're welcome and good night."
Alice made a noise of protest when her husband shifted away from her; he chuckled softly and kissed her forehead, "Easy, sweetheart, I'm just changing out of my uniform. I'll be right back."
She pouted even as she settled down on their bed - pulling the sheet up to her waist (it really was hot, she couldn't blame her daughter for kicking off the blanket) as she heard Matthew shuffle around the bedroom. He limped from their wardrobe to the bassinet and Alice cracked her eyes open in time to see him lean down and kiss their daughter's head, his hand resting on her belly - dwarfing the baby's torso. She'd always admired the strength of his hands throughout their relationship and marriage, his gentleness with her bled into how he was with Joan and Alice's heart swelled.
"I love you," Alice whispered - smiling when he looked up.
Matthew smiled back, "I love you too, Alice."
He settled under the sheet next to her (Joan's bassinet on her side for easier access in the night) and pulled her close. Alice shifted until she had her head on his chest - one arm thrown across his waist and one of her legs crossing his; she felt him wrap his arms around her and kiss the top of her head.
"Are you happy?" Alice asked.
Matthew kissed the top of her head again, "Very."
"You're happy we had a girl and not a boy?"
"Of course," he kissed her forehead. "Alice, all I wanted was a healthy kid to arrive, and we've got that in Joan. I love her so much already that I don't even have the words for it… we're not going to turn into your parents."
"Good," she traced idle designs on his bare chest as he held her closer. "I still can't believe it… that she's here, that you can hold her and everyone can see her, now she's going to grow and be her own person… It's beautiful and terrifying at the same time."
He huffed a silent laugh and kissed her forehead again, "It is, but we're in this together."
Pulling herself up level with him, Alice leaned down and kissed him, "Together."
Matthew kissed her back, his hands cupping her face as she kissed him again and again - her kisses growing softer as she grew more tired and he finally rolled them to the side and kissed her forehead.
"Sleep, sweetheart, we've got a greedy little girl who'll wake up in a few hours wanting to eat."
"Our daughter isn't greedy," she protested even as she tucked her head under his chin. "This is nice."
"It is," he kissed the top of her head and slid an arm around her waist. "Sleep, Alice. I love you."
And she did.
Matthew woke to a bright and sunny Christmas Eve; he frowned and rubbed at his eyes before he opened them. The curtains in their bedroom were drawn back - letting in all the light that he normally didn't like, but thankfully he was on holiday and wasn't out at odd hours with his work.
Having a newborn daughter, however, who woke often in the night made him feel like he'd been at work for two days straight.
Biting back a groan, Matthew looked to his left and saw Alice's back as she lay on her side; she wasn't sleeping - he could tell by her breathing and the soft giggle she let out every now and then. Shifting behind her, he smoothed a hand up her arm and kissed her shoulder.
"Morning," Alice whispered - her voice rough from lack of sleep.
"Morning," he kissed her shoulder again. "Did you get some sleep?"
"A little, but I just… I couldn't put her back," she looked over her shoulder at him and Matthew smiled when he saw little Joan wriggling on the bed in front of his wife. "I can't stop watching her."
"She's certainly active," he chuckled when their daughter kicked her feet against Alice's hand.
Alice tickled the bottom of Joan's feet and giggled when the baby fussed, "Alright, alright, my girl, I'll stop."
"She knows what she wants, just like her mum."
"You silly man," she giggled as he kissed her shoulder and wrapped an arm around her waist. "I still can't believe we made this, this tiny little human being."
"That we did, and I recall us having quite a bit of fun doing it too."
Alice laughed softly and he grinned against her skin, "That fun will have to wait awhile, I hope you know that."
"I'm too bloody tired to even try, sweetheart," he kissed her shoulder again. "But Joan's an absolute marvel, and so are you."
Her hand came up to cup his cheek as he hooked his chin over her shoulder while they watched their little girl move around on her cotton blanket. She hummed and let Joan grasp onto her finger.
"Penny for your thoughts, sweetheart?"
"Next one we're adopting."
That startled a laugh from him and Matthew flopped back on the bed. Alice shifted next to him and he looked up to see her lying on her back with Joan curled up on her chest.
"So you want another one even though we've only had Joan a few days?"
She shrugged, "Not right away, but… both you and I grew up with siblings and it might be nice for Joan."
"Let's see how we do with this little one," Matthew laid a hand on Joan's back and rubbed his thumb up and down as Alice kissed her head. "And then yes, we'll adopt if we decide on a sibling for her. I suppose I'll have to nip into the chemist more often once you're cleared."
"I might go see Mac, see what can be done on my end. As much as I love Lucien, I'm not having that particular conversation with him - I get enough teasing as is."
"Deal," he leaned up and kissed her.
"But, for now, let's enjoy all the trials and tribulations this mite is already putting us through," Alice gently handed his daughter over before she sat up far enough to feed her as Joan began to fuss.
"I haven't been this sleep deprived since the academy," he remarked as he handed Joan back.
"Medical school for me," Alice laughed. "I'm starting to go loopy."
"Everything's funny, yeah. Thank goodness we've got the Blakes helping us out."
"God, I couldn't imagine us doing this on our own… and I'm glad we've postponed looking for that house."
He chuckled, "Me too, sweetheart, me too. Want me to take her for a bit? I can burp her and change her if you want to catch a few more hours of sleep before everyone starts arriving."
"Thank you, dearest," she kissed him as he sat up and took a freshly fed Joan. "I think I hear Jean in the kitchen."
"Good, I'll take Joan to see her godmother and give you some quiet. Do you want the curtains drawn or closed?"
"They're fine how they are."
He walked over to the changing cabinet and took out a burping cloth to throw over his shoulder. Joan didn't put up too much trouble as he patted any trapped wind out of her - though she did wriggle a little more as he changed her nappy.
"You silly little girl," he whispered (Alice had drifted off fairly quick once he'd gotten up from the bed) and tucked her against his shoulder as he headed out of the bedroom towards the kitchen. "Let's go see Auntie Jean and give your mum a break."
She'd just finished buttoning her dress when someone knocked softly on the door.
"Come in!" Alice called out as she burped Joan.
Jack peered around the door with a smile - his eyes practically glittering behind his spectacles, "Thought I might find you here."
"As if they'd let me go anywhere else."
He laughed softly and walked closer to her and Joan, "This is her, then? Little Miss Joan?''
"This is her," she nodded and let Jack sit next to her on the edge of the bed. "Little Miss Fashionably Late Like Her Nana Phryne."
That made Jack laugh harder, "She was running on her own schedule, Alice, and maybe she wanted a bit of drama on her birthday."
"Maybe," Alice shrugged. "She's certainly been a calm baby so far - other than a few stubborn moments with her blanket and being swaddled."
"I don't blame her, it's summer."
Alice smiled down at her daughter - who gurgled happily in her arms. "Matthew says she knows what she wants; it'll be interesting to see if that trait stays as she grows."
Jack lightly tickled Joan's stomach and chuckled when she kicked out at his hand, "She's beautiful, Alice."
"Thank you, Jack."
He leaned over and kissed Alice's cheek, "I'm happy for you, and I'm happy that you're both healthy; Joan's really remarkable."
"Thank you," she whispered as Jack kissed her temple. "Do you… do you want to hold her?"
"You're sure?"
"You're going to be her grandpa, you might as well get used to it," Alice teased lightly.
She got a crooked smile in return and he gently bumped shoulders with her. "I'd be honored then, to hold her and to be her grandpa."
"Phryne wants to be 'Nana Phryne', and Matthew's mum is probably going to be 'Nan', do you want to go by a particular name?"
"Grandpa Jack is fine, Alice."
"Good," she nodded and eased Joan into Jack's arms - smiling when her daughter wriggled around like she usually did.
"Hello there," Jack grinned down at the baby - his grin growing wider when Joan reached up towards him. "I think she likes my voice."
"I've noticed she likes the rougher and deeper voices, I think she likes the vibrations."
"She knows what she likes," Jack teased. "Hello there, Joan, I'm your Grandpa Jack."
Joan gurgled in reply and Jack leaned down to kiss the soft blonde curls on the top of her head. He bounced her lightly - smiling when her little hands beat against his chin and neck.
"She likes you, I think," Alice leaned against his shoulder.
"I like her too," he chuckled. "She's going to be the star of the gathering, are you ready?"
"I'm still bloody tired, but it'll be good to get out of this room for a bit."
"I can imagine," Jack smiled and handed Joan back over. "Are you allowed to walk or…?"
"Lucien mentioned a wheelchair, but please let me walk out to the parlor, Jack."
He laughed lightly and stood from the bed, "Lean on me and we'll make our way out there."
Securing Joan in one arm, Alice took Jack's offered hand; he slipped an arm around her back as she stood. She had to lean against him a little more than she usually did, but his arm was steady around her waist and it felt good to stand after a few straight days stuck in bed.
Jack accompanied her into the parlor and eased her down onto the couch as Joan dozed in her arms. Pressing a kiss to her forehead, he smiled, "Comfortable?"
"Very, thank you, Jack."
"Let me know if it all gets to be a bit too much, hm?"
"I will," Alice smiled and leaned back on the couch as the front door opened and the first wave of visitors arrived.
True to Jack's prediction, Joan was the center of attention at the Blake House Christmas Eve gathering - passed from person to person and cooed over by everyone from Mrs. Collins to even Sergeant Hobart (who'd cracked a smile over the image of his boss cradling the tiny infant on the couch next to Alice).
The Lawsons were showered in gifts for their little girl: Elizabeth had finished the quilt (bringing Alice nearly to tears at the amount of work her mother-in-law had put into it), baby clothes and bedding from most everyone else, Jean gave her another knitted baby blanket in a soft green (Joan's initials newly stitched in one corner), but Alice's favorite gift was from Rose.
"For you and Uncle Matthew," Rose handed over a fairly big box as Matthew took Joan off Alice's hands so she could open the gift.
Sending a curious look at her niece, Alice pulled the ribbon off the box before she lifted the top. Pushing aside the tissue paper, she gasped when she saw the lovely photo album inside the box - as well as a few framed photos from their wedding and little Joan.
"Oh, Rose…" she reached out to hold Rose's hand. "Rose, this is beautiful."
"The framed photos are for you and Uncle Matthew at work or here at home, and I wanted to give you your wedding photos before I left for Melbourne."
Alice lifted the album out and opened it; inside, Rose had collected photos of her and Matthew when they were younger (Matthew's photos dating back farther than Alice's, which was no surprise to her), traveling through their young adulthood (police academy and medical school), into adulthood (promotions and acclaims), intimate portraits taken by Rose as they all grew closer together in Ballarat, the Blake wedding, Alice and Matthew's own wedding, Alice at the Begonia Festival and her family, and the album ended with photos of Joan that Rose had taken a few days before.
Alice particularly liked the photo of their wedding where Rose had teased them to kiss for the camera, while Matthew liked the candid portrait of Alice enjoying the sun at the Begonia Festival while she was pregnant. Both of them slowly turned the pages in quiet awe at the thoughtfulness and love behind this gift.
"Thank you," Matthew smiled at his niece and she leaned over to kiss his cheek. "Seriously, thank you, Rose. We'll cherish this for years to come."
"I left space so you can add to it as Joan gets older, but this way you can show her where she comes from."
"We definitely will show her this, thank you."
Rose smiled and kissed his cheek again before Alice pulled her in for a slightly tearful hug and a thick "thank you" from her aunt. She gently wiped away Alice's tears and helped her put the album and framed photos back in the box so Jean could take it to their bedroom along with the other gifts. Taking Joan back from Matthew, Alice leaned against his side - his arm wrapped around her shoulders and he kissed the side of her head - as their friends and family surrounded them in the parlor.
"Happy, sweetheart?" He asked softly.
"Very," she smiled and leaned further against him.
"Getting tired?"
"A little, but I don't want to go until I have to, it's been really nice to get out of bed."
Matthew chuckled and kissed her head again, "Just let me know when it gets too much, alright?"
"I will," Alice kissed him, "but I'm fine. Joan's even being perfect with all the attention."
"Are you?"
She giggled, "Not really, but it's our friends and family so I'm okay with it. I am not looking forward to strangers approaching me when I'm out in public."
"Just give them one of your glares, sweetheart, and they'll run for the hills."
"You silly man," she laughed as he leaned in to kiss her.
"Merry Christmas, Mrs. Lawson."
"Merry Christmas, Mr. Harvey."