Hello all - here's the next chapter.

(The usual warning - contains swearing.)

Tuesday - 16th October 2014 - Mia 4 days old

Morning

Molly awoke the following morning feeling more than a little sleep-deprived. The previous night having been disturbed by Mia frequently; a seemingly never ending cycle of her waking up, crying, feeding, being winded, falling asleep and being placed back in the cot - with very little sleep for her parents in between rounds. Charles had kept Molly company throughout much of the night, staying awake whilst she fed their daughter and helping out the only way he could - winding Mia and changing her nappy when needed. The pair of them only really getting some decent shut eye when Mia finally settled just before 6.00am.

Molly's eyes were automatically drawn to the cot before turning to Charles' side of the bed, both spaces were empty, the sheets crumpled where they'd been. She rubbed her eyes and sat up before turning back the duvet and swinging her legs out of bed, gingerly placing first one foot on the floor then the other.

"What a night!" she muttered to herself, leaning forward and holding her head in her hands. She massaged her scalp and forehead trying to ease the dull ache caused by the lack of sleep. She stood up yawning and stretched groggily. The movement causing her to wince slightly as it hit her that she ached all over. Shuffling over towards the bedroom door, she grabbed her dressing gown on the way throwing it on over her nightdress. As she blearily made her way downstairs, she hugged her arms across her chest conscious that her breasts were tender and engorged again. Although unaware of the time, judging by the fullness of her breasts, she figured it must be a few hours or so since she'd last fed Mia.

She found Charles, Mia and Sam in the kitchen. Both Charles and Sam were already dressed; Charles in jeans and a checked shirt, Sam in his school uniform. Mia was still in her sleepsuit from the night before being cuddled by her brother Sam, her head resting on his shoulder, as he sat at the kitchen table. He was stifling a yawn whilst patting Mia on the back attempting to wind her. The remains of some expressed breast milk in a bottle stood on the table top in front of him. It was evident that Sam had been bottle feeding Mia. His bowl of coco pops and glass of orange juice remained untouched on the table; Charles being occupied, engaged in conversation with someone on the phone. He smiled warmly at Molly, gesturing for her to sit down and she padded over to Sam, dropping a brief kiss down on the top of his head before taking a seat beside him.

"Thanks Scamp," she murmured, smiling at him, as he proceeded to carefully prop Mia up on his lap, a hand supporting her chin as he'd been shown - taking his big brother responsibilities extremely seriously. Molly stroked Mia's hand gently, before reaching for the mug of tea Charles had just set down in front of her. She glanced over at him, half listening whilst sipping the tea.

"Ok that's great. I'll drop Sam off at the museum then as soon as I can. Thanks again." He ended the call, putting the phone back on its base on the windowsill, before turning his attention to his wife.

"Sam's housemaster..." he explained, "Sam's meant to be on a school trip today and we're er...late. We all overslept."

Molly glanced at the clock, noting that it was already 9.30. She felt a stab of guilt, knowing she'd forgotten all about it and that Sam was meant to be in school at 8.45am. "I'm so sorry Sam. Did Mia's crying wake you up in the night?"

"Yeah but it's ok Molls, she's worth it." Sam beamed at Molly before planting a kiss on Mia's head. Molly's heart soared; Sam's affection reinforcing that he adored his baby sister and that he was already proving to be the caring big brother Molly and Charles had hoped he'd be. Her thoughts returned to the previous evening. They'd picked Sam up after their walk by the river as planned and bought him back to stay over. He'd been attentive and loving to his baby sister cuddling her at every opportunity and quietly singing her nursery rhymes. The latter being when he thought no-one was around. Aged 12, he was on the cusp of puberty. Whilst it meant certain things in his eyes weren't 'cool', he hadn't yet entered the realms of being a moody teenager. It also meant he'd accepted his half-sister with open arms. Molly made a mental note to give him some extra pocket money before he left, knowing that he was saving for yet another nerf gun to add to his collection.

Charles interrupted her musings, addressing his son. "I'll drive you straight to the museum as soon as you've finished breakfast ok Scamp. The coach has already left school. Hopefully you won't miss too much. Just don't tell your mum, otherwise I'll never hear the end of it!"

Sam nodded grinning, his expression though turning to one of mild horror as Mia burped loudly and dribbled regurgitated milk all over his hand. "Er Molls, d'you want to take her now?" He held his sister out at arms' length and Molly took her from him, suppressing a wry smile at Sam's obvious discomfort. His brotherly duties not extending to dealing with possetting siblings it seemed. He wiped his hand on a muslin square then resumed eating his breakfast. Mia snuggled into her mum's arms happily, sleepy and content from the feed, whilst Molly squirmed slightly, conscious that her breasts were throbbing and beginning to ooze milk, an automatic reaction to having her daughter at such close quarters. It wasn't long before her breast pads were saturated.

"You ok?" Charles asked, noting with concern his wife wincing briefly.

"I ...er... can you just hold her a minute?" Molly didn't wait for an answer, passing Mia over to Charles, before disappearing out of the kitchen momentarily. She returned minutes later, having placed a couple of fresh breast pads down her bra. Her arms tentatively crossed her chest trying to ease the discomfort she felt. Sam was finishing his breakfast whilst Charles cuddled Mia. Charles eyed Molly curiously, taking in her flushed appearance.

"I'm fine," Molly responded to his questioning stance, but the slight frown etched on her brow betrayed her and he raised an eyebrow.

"Let's just say the milk bar's open for business, but I don't appear to have a customer," she hissed at him, gesturing to the now sleeping form in his arms.

"Oh shit, sorry. I should have thought. I just didn't want to wake you, you had such a rough night."

"Yeah well we all did it seems, " she shrugged her shoulders, glancing over at Sam. He was supporting his head with one hand, his elbow on the table, and rubbing his eyes with the other. "Looks like someone's gonna be asleep in a minute. You'd better get going."

...

Ten minutes later, Molly stood by the passenger side of Charles' car. The slight chill in the autumnal air causing her to pull the dressing gown tighter around her and she knocked on the window beckoning Sam to open it. He did so and she leaned in planting a quick peck on his cheek, before surreptitiously handing him a tenner. "Have a good day Scamp. See you on Sunday ok."

"Thanks Molls," he grinned at the unexpected gift and pocketed it, before reaching over his shoulder to grab his seat belt, pulling it across him and clicking it into place. Molly glanced over at Charles, relieved that he hadn't clocked the 'donation', knowing that he'd only grumble that she was spoiling Sam.

"How long d'you think you'll be?

"An hour tops, most of the traffic will be gone by now - the benefit of having over-slept," he winked, before proceeding to yawn and turn the ignition on.

"Ok, see you later." She stepped back, allowing Charles to reverse down the driveway, and blew Sam a kiss. As Charles drove off out of sight, she turned around and walked slowly back into the house.

...

As it happened, Charles didn't return home until 11.45am, nearly an hour later than he said he'd be. He found his wife and daughter in the lounge; Molly still in her dressing gown pacing the room; Mia still in her sleepsuit on her back in the Moses basket. Both of them crying.

Molly detected his presence, looking up at him, her tone instantly accusing, "Where the hell have you been?"

He chose to ignore her, striding towards the moses basket instead. As he reached it, he dropped to his knees, immediately lifting his daughter out of it. She was wailing hysterically, her features scrunched up, her face practically purple. He snuggled her in his arms, placing a finger in her mouth which she immediately began to suck on, before stopping and crying again.

Charles finally looked across at his wife, she was pale, her eyes red-rimmed and still pacing, almost trancelike. "Molly, she's hungry. You really need to feed her," he urged as he closed the gap between them, and placed a hand on her shoulder stilling her.

"Don't you think I've bleedin' well tried!" She practically spat at him, her irritation evident.

He didn't retaliate, figuring it was her tiredness talking. His tone softened, reflecting his obvious concern. "What's up? Won't she latch on again?"

"No, she's tried bless her heart," Molly sniffed, her chin trembling, as tears of frustration ran down her face, "but...but my boobs feel like they're gonna explode and to add insult to injury my nipples have cracked!"

Charles automatically grimaced in sympathy. "Did you try expressing some milk off?"

"Yeah, when she was asleep, but it's only made them worse. They're more swollen than ever." She began to sob now, drowning out Mia's cries.

He pulled Molly into his hold, wrapping his arms around them both, kissing the top of her head. "Oh sweetheart, I'm sorry," he murmured into her tangled mane. She relaxed slightly, her sobs subsiding, taking comfort in the fact that at least he was home again with her.

"I'm sorry too, I shouldn't have snapped at you," she conceded eventually, her voice muffled against his chest.

His fingers found her chin and he tilted her head up to look at him, brushing her lips tenderly with his, "It doesn't matter Molls." He began to rock Mia gently in his arms. "I'll try and get her off to sleep for a while. You go and have a warm bath. It might help or failing that we could always revert to plan A."

Molly watched in amazement as Mia's cries began to subside and she began to drift off, lulled into sleep by the soothing rocking of her father's arms.

Charles sat down on the sofa, Mia nestled up against the warmth of his chest. Molly followed his lead, sitting down beside him.

"Look at you. You some kind of baby whisperer?" she smiled, through her tears, and he shrugged his shoulders, grinning back at her.

"I'd like to take the credit but I guess she's exhausted. Did the midwife come this morning?"

"Yes just after you left," she yawned, her head in her hands, unable to elaborate.

"So what did she say?" Charles pressed her for more information.

"Everything's normal...' Her voice sounded slightly vacant and he pressed her again.

"Molly?"

She snapped her head up to look at him, "What?"

"What did the midwife say?"

There was a slight pause as Molly gathered together her thoughts. "We're both doing well apparently. Mia was too sleepy so I didn't try and feed her ..." Her voice drifted off. When she spoke again, she changed the subject. "So what's plan A?" she asked, reaching out to stroke Mia's cheek tenderly. Looking up again at Charles, she caught the glint in his eye.

"Told you yesterday Molls, breast massage, works every time apparently," he smiled, reaching out to cup a breast in his hand.

"No!" She jumped up from the sofa, putting some space between them, surprising them both with the force of her reaction. "Don't touch me. Right now I couldn't bear it if you touched me!" Although she spoke the truth, her words came out far harsher than she'd intended and she inwardly cursed herself as his face fell.

"Molls I'm only trying to help," he said honestly as he ran a hand through his thick hair, proceeding to rub the nape of his neck, the way he always did when he was upset.

"I ...I'm sorry, that came out all wrong. I just..." She pulled her dressing gown around her, folding her arms across her breasts protectively, her actions undermining her words. "I'll go and have that bath then..." She muttered, retreating to the doorway, and he nodded, leaving an uncomfortable silence hanging between them.

...

Molly returned forty minutes later having bathed and dressed, feeling almost human again. She'd lain in the bath for a good twenty minutes, a warm flannel on each breast, and had managed to squeeze some milk from them both. The result being that her breasts were less swollen and tender. Charles was pacing the lounge with Mia. She was now wide awake in his arms and crying, a consequence of him having changed her and her realising that she was still hungry. He glanced over at Molly as she entered the room, instantly apologising. "I'm sorry, she really needs feeding."

"It's ok. Just give me a minute. I'm gonna give these a try," Molly waved a pack of nipple shields in his direction before sitting down on the sofa. She proceeded to undo her blouse and nursing bra, before placing a shield over her nipple.

"Ok hand her over," she plonked the nursing cushion down on her lap and motioned to Charles to hand Mia over. He did as she requested and Molly positioned Mia so that they were chest to chest, Mia's nose opposite her nipple. Molly took a deep breath, bringing Mia onto her nipple, and Mia immediately began to fuss, the soft silicone material of the shield completely alien to her. "Shit! I don't think I can do this." Molly looked up at Charles, who had taken his place beside her on the sofa, her eyes immediately bright with unshed tears.

"Molly, you don't have to. No one's forcing you to do this. It's your choice completely."

"I know but I really want to, it's what's best for her," she looked down at the crying infant in her arms and peeled the nipple shield off, suddenly determined, trying to ignore the pain as Mia clamped onto her nipple and began to guzzle greedily.

"Ok?" Charles asked, his voice a little hesitant.

"Kind of," Molly answered, watering down her response, "It stings a little."

"You might want to try rubbing a little breast milk into your nipples between feeds. It's meant to help heal cracked nipples."

Molly smiled up at him, clearly impressed, "The midwife said the same. So what - you're some kind of breastfeeding guru as well as a baby whisperer now are you? Or did Rebecca go through this too?"

"Nah, Rebecca didn't really breastfeed. She expressed her milk at first, then tried once or twice but gave up saying it was too difficult - what with Sam being premature and everything."

"Oh," Molly murmured quietly, "So how d'you know all this stuff?"

He stood up, his hand resting on top of the sofa, as he leaned in to kiss the top of her head. "It's in all those books you bought Molly. You might want to try reading them again," he winked, backing swiftly away from her, before she could retaliate.

She contented herself with poking her tongue out at him, "Hmm...reading...chance would be a fine thing Charles James!"

He hovered in the doorway, his arms folded, relieved at least that her mood had improved, "So what d'you want for lunch then?"

"Nothing much...a sandwich will do...oh and an apple... and a yoghurt thanks."

He nodded and turned on his heel heading for the kitchen, his mouth breaking out into a broad grin as he heard her cry out somewhat sheepishly.

"Wouldn't say no to a big piece of chocolate cake your mum brought round either."

...

Thirty minutes later.

Charles sat on the sofa besides Molly, holding Mia up against his shoulder as he rubbed her back firmly. She was sleepy and full, having managed to feed from both of her mum's breasts. Molly leaned forward, picking up the apple from the tray of food he'd bought her and took a bite. A thought occurred to her. "You still ain't told me... why you were so long... this morning," she mumbled between bites.

"I nipped into that estate agent, booked a viewing for the weekend," he smiled, breathing in the scent of his daughter as she nestled into the crook of his neck contentedly.

"Oh about that. D'you think now's a good time to even consider moving? I mean we've only just had a baby..." Her voice reflected her sudden anxiety about the whole thing.

"Yes...yes I do actually Molly. I told you yesterday. I want us to have a place we can call our own. Sooner rather than later."

She looked down at the apple in her hand, knowing she was on the verge of tears again. "Well I don't think it's such a good idea right now."

He couldn't help it, sighing slightly, loath to accept her change of heart, given that she'd been bubbling over with enthusiasm the day before. "You seemed dead keen yesterday. Why've you changed your mind?" He probed her gently.

A silent tear rolled down her check, and she wiped it away in frustration, wondering why on earth she was so weepy. She turned away from him slightly, "I ... I just don't think I can cope with it right now." He didn't say anything, quietly contemplating her words. They didn't make sense, the Molly he knew had always coped with whatever life threw at her. Still, he knew better than to challenge her right now, resolving instead to broach the subject again another day. He hugged Mia to him as he watched Molly pick up the tray and take it out to the kitchen.

He placed Mia in the Moses basket sound asleep, drawing the baby blanket up over her body and tucking it in around her, before following Molly out to the kitchen. She was at the kitchen sink beginning to wash up. He took his place behind her, bringing his hands to her upper back, massaging her gently either side of her neck, trying to ease the knots he felt beneath his fingers. He felt her relax slightly and he swept her hair to one side, dropping a light kiss onto her shoulder.

"Molls leave it," he ordered, "Mia's asleep. Let's make the most of it. Come on bed." She stiffened in his hold momentarily before spinning around to face him.

"For fuck's sake Charles give me a bleedin' break will you! I only gave birth four days ago!" She hurled at him, seething openly, unable to think straight and completely misinterpreting what he'd said.

He looked at her, the horror on his face reflecting her own. "Christ Molly I didn't mean that! I ...I just meant we should try and sleep when Mia's sleeps that's all. Give me some bloody credit please!"

He backed away from her heading for the kitchen door, hurt and deeply disappointed that she could believe that of him. Lost in his own thoughts, he was unable to prevent the parting words that rushed from his lips in anger even as he took in her tears, "What the hell is wrong with you today? I'm not your bloody punchbag!"

He paused halfway down the hallway, biting on his lower lip and shaking his head slightly, it suddenly having dawned on him that four days in she must have the baby blues. It would explain the mood swings at least. Aware that she'd followed him and that she needed him now more than ever, he turned around holding his arms out, his anger having dissipated. She threw herself against him. "I'm so sorry...I ...I think it's my hormones, I guess it's the baby blues," she sniffed into his chest, as he enveloped her in his arms and hugged her tightly.

"It's ok, I just figured that one out," He murmured, brushing his lips against her hair. "Come on sweetheart let it all out." She clung on to him, her arms around his waist, as she wept and he whispered soothing and comforting words into her hair. As she grew quieter, his tone became authoritative. "Molly I'm cancelling two section's visit tonight. They can see Mia some other time. Right now you need to rest."

For the second time in as many days she didn't argue. "Yes Boss," she said simply.

A/N Sorry there has been a delay in updating this - due to a house full of illness and the writing wobbles on my part. I have to confess I'm finding it hard to write this - being unsure as to what people really want to read in this kind of story - ie am I being too graphic on the trials and tribulations of babyhood or not enough? I have a few half written chapters and had meant this chapter to include two section's visit but yet again I chickened out. I seem to have a real mental blank when it comes to including them. Hats off to those writers who include the lads seamlessly. Rest assured this story, if I manage to really get going with it, will not be a day by day account. I just feel that the early days of having a baby needed covering in more detail hence this chapter. I hope it came across as realistic. Anyway enough of my waffle, as ever thanks for your reviews on the last chapter and please let me know your thoughts on this one.

Oh and to any mothers to be out there, breastfeeding really does get easier and can be a real joy - honest!