A/N: Thank you so much for all your kind words! I'm glad so many of you came over and want to read about this little family. In honor of Christmas and that AMAZING two hours we just got I decided to do a little five days of Christmas. Please enjoy!
She couldn't remember the last time she had been this excited about Christmas. The past few years something had happened causing her to loose the spirit of the holiday. Not like anyone could blame her, it was hard to stay cheerful right after the man who raised you passed away or when your mother was sick and dying or your sister didn't exist or just being trapped in a dark bunker.
This year was different though, this year she got to celebrate the holiday with her daughter for the first time. Sure the baby wasn't even a month old had no clue what was going on, but that didn't make her less excited. She knew he felt the same way too. It had been even longer since he had a good Christmas, which made it even more important to make this one perfect.
Their boss had gotten them a fake tree the year before along with ornaments and lights. If she had things her way it would have been up the day after Thanksgiving, but Rittenhouse had other plans calling the men away. She felt that she had waited long enough though and as soon as December 1st rolled around and no sirens blared she forced everyone into the living space ready to decorate.
The new mother got them all into the holiday spirit with music and coffee while they put together the tree. Of course the baby was in her arms the entire time wearing an adorable baby's first Christmas outfit and with a little red bow in her black curls. This little girl spent more time in the arms of an adult than down.
Everyone was in love with the infant and wanted to hold or cuddle her. The new parents were on slightly worried about how spoiled their daughter was, but not enough to stop anything. The baby was a bright spot in all of their lives and who was she to deny them something pure to help forget the evil they encountered.
"What do you think Lydia?" She whispered into the baby's ear holding her up to see all the commotion.
"I don't think she has a clue what is going on." The father laughed.
"Doesn't mean she can't enjoy the pretty lights." She responded back.
She positioned herself on the couch to oversee the decorating while making sure her daughter had a good view too.
"Are you going to help us out, after all you were the one who was gung-ho about getting everything up." Her friend commented when he noticed her sitting.
"Maybe in a moment." She explained and tried to adjust herself on the couch to find a comfortable position.
"Are you okay?" The other man asked worriedly pausing what he was doing.
"Yeah I'm fine, just normal aches." She reassured.
Ever since the birth he had been extra attentive to her. Any little discomfort or need she had he was there to help her. And that didn't even begin to touch upon all that he was doing for their daughter. She was eternally thankful for his doting especially during the first few days post birth and late at night when it was hard for her to get out of bed.
She knew he was also trying to make up for all those hours he missed with their baby. She knew it wasn't easy for him to leave the two of them behind, she could see the pain in his eyes every time he got on that lifeboat. She hated having to watch him go too and clung to their daughter until he was safely back. Only then would he willingly let go of the baby knowing he needed her more.
She couldn't imagine what it was like to have to leave their daughter behind, it was sometimes hard for her to leave her in a separate room. She was already dreading the day that her maternity leave ended and would have to get back in that machine. She knew it was still months away, but that thought was always in the back of her mind.
"Are you sure because I can…" he continued to check.
"Yes I'm sure. I just need a moment to sit and then I'll be ready to get this place looking like Santa's workshop." She smiled trying to convey to him that she wasn't lying.
"And how are you going to do that a baby in your arms?" Their friend asked butting into the conversation.
She shrugged her shoulders, "I'll figure it out. It's amazing the things you can suddenly do with a baby in your arms."
"Especially you." The father teased.
If she didn't have a baby in her arms she would have smacked him, "hey I'm not clumsy all the time."
The two men in the room shared a look and both had to bite their lips from laughing.
"Do you see how mean they are to me Lydia." She whispered into the baby's ear, "I'm gonna need you to always be in on my side. I need someone to help me get back at Daddy and Uncle Rufus."
"Don't listen to her Lydia, Mommy knows how to defend herself on her own just fine."
His eyes met her's and twinkled with such delight that she couldn't stay mad at him for long.
"I found another box of decoration." Their other friend said coming into the room with a big brown box in hand.
She plopped it done on the table a little too hard causing the baby to let out a small cry.
"I'm so sorry Lydie!" Their friend cooed quickly coming over the apologize to the baby.
The mother bounced her gently in her arms until the infant settled back down.
"How is it possible for her to continue to be cute even when she's crying?" The other woman asked as she ran a finger down the soft cheek.
"Cute until it's the middle of the night and all you want to do is sleep, but she decides it's a good time to test out her vocal cords." The new father commented as he went back to decorating the tree.
"Yeah those constant early wake up calls aren't so cute." She agreed.
"Nor are those disgusting diapers." He added on with a shudder.
"You know you two are amazing at selling parenthood." Their guy friend joked.
"Thankfully with the bad and gross we get to look at something really cute all day." She smiled looking down at the baby in her arms.
The infant squirmed a bit and gave her mother a smile. She was already their pride and joy, which was still crazy to her. She hadn't even been in this earth for a full month and she had them wrapped around her tiny finger. She wouldn't have it any other way.
Not able to resist it anymore she brought the baby up to her lips and gave her a kiss on the head. It was insane how much she loved this little girl.
"So where do you want all that stuff?" Their friend asked pointing to the new box.
She shrugged her shoulders, "doesn't matter, anywhere that you think looks good."
"You're enjoying this aren't you." The father asked coming over to the couch.
"Just a little." She smiled back.
As much as she would love to get in on the decorating it was a lot more enjoyable and relaxing watching all her friends do it. Plus with a brand new baby in her arm how could she not? Motherhood was slowly teaching her to sit back and relax when she needed to and let others finish the work that she was unable to.
The baby didn't seem to have the same sentiment as her mother though and her cries started to grow louder.
"It's okay baby." She cooed trying to get her to calm back down.
"I think she's jealous that she has to watch all the fun and doesn't get to take part on it." He said and signaled that he wanted the infant. "Come here bug." He lifted his daughter into his arms and carried her closer to the tree.
"Is that it? Were you jealous?" He laughed as the cries instantly stopped. "Don't worry you can help out now. We'll let Mommy rest and you can help Daddy turn this ugly bunker into a Christmas wonderland."
She leaned forward and rested her head in her hands, a large smile on her face. Seeing him hold their daughter still made her heart flutter.
Her friends, now turned family, went about decorating their living space making the bleak area sparkle with lights and glitter. After she lost her sister she never thought she would have a reason to smile on Christmas. But in this moment with her new family and baby she knew that she would never have to worry about having a lonely holiday season again.