Cal gazed at his baby girl. After a week and half in the hospital, Sophie was doing incredibly well. Her vitals were stable, she was eating like a champ, and she was able to breathe well and sleep well. Well, as well as any infant slept. Dr. Jackson and Dr. Samuel went over the discharge instructions one more time for Cal and Gillian before taking Sophie home.
"Okay, so you're next post-op appointment is in three weeks. Make sure you keeping the dressing dry but it should be ready to come off in a week. The Seri Strips will falls off on their own. And just be on the lookout for blueish skin color, loss of appetite, different sleep patterns, or the like. But other than that, Sophie is healthy enough to go home. Adam is signing her discharge papers now," said Dr. Samuel.
"Thank you Dr. Samuel," said Gillian cradling Sophie in her arms. After a long week and a half, she couldn't wait to get her little girl home, safe and sound. Emily would be home for thanksgiving and then winter break in another couple of weeks so she would finally be able to meet her half-sister face to face. Cal was in no doubt that Emily would be spoiling the baby. Cal got the car from the parking garage and Gillian put Sophie in her car seat and got in the back seat with her. Cal drove as Gillian tried to calm a fussy Sophie, "It's okay baby girl I know it's sore."
When Cal pulled into the driveway, he went to unlock the door that way Gillian could bring Sophie inside. Cal came back out with Gillian and they both crossed the threshold of the doorway with their newest addition, "Welcome home Sophie Madison Lightman," Gillian cooed at her daughter.
Cal took his daughter into his arms and started giving her a tour of the house, much to Gillian's amusement, "Okay love this is the living room. And over there is the kitchen, not that your food comes from the kitchen."
"Cal," Gillian scolded lightly.
"What it doesn't?" he asked not so innocently.
"Can we at least take her upstairs now?" asked Gillian embarrassed.
Cal smirked and then looked at Sophie, "Come on pumpkin." Gillian shook her head and followed her husband and daughter upstairs, "This is the bathroom, not that you need that either for another couple of years. This is Mummy and Daddy's room. This is your big sister Emily's room, though she's away at college in California right now. You'll meet her in a couple weeks," continued Cal walking into the nursery, "And this is your room pumpkin."
Gillian walked into the nursery and came up behind Cal. She wrapped her arms around him and watched their daughter sleep in his arms, "She's so excited she can barely contain herself," she chuckled.
Cal nodded and kissed Gillian, "Should I just put her in her crib now?"
"Probably," said Gillian. Cal put Sophie in her crib and turned on the mobile. The couple turned off the light so Sophie could sleep and they could hopefully enjoy some alone time.
They laid down in their bed and call asked Gillian, "How are you feeling love? We've been so preoccupied with Sophie."
Gillian sighed, "I've been okay. A little sore. Exhausted. And breastfeeding isn't exactly pleasant at first but it's getting better."
Cal kissed the top of Gillian's head and said, "Well at least you're recovering steadily."
Gillian looked up at Cal and said, "Can I ask you a question?"
"Go on," Cal nodded.
"Do you think I'll ever be a size two again?" asked Gillian looking down at her abdomen. Granted, she had loved her pregnant body and breastfeeding and time were helping but she still looked about six months pregnant.
"Love, you just grew a human being inside of you. Nothing is more beautiful than that. Whether it was a 3% chance or a 100% chance, you can never deny it's a miracle," said Cal.
"Awe, now I'm going to cry," said Gillian kissing him before crying came from over the baby monitor. The couple pulled apart and glanced over to where the noise was coming from, though they both knew exactly where it was coming.
"Do you want me to get her love?" asked Cal.
Gillian sighed and said, "No I think she needs to be fed." She got up and walked into the nursery where Sophie was screaming at the top of her lungs. At least Gillian knew Sophie's lungs were functioning properly, "It's okay baby girl Mommy's here," she said unbuttoning her blouse and settling Sophie into her arms. Even though it would be a life of doctors and surgeries for Sophie with her heart condition and even though life wasn't always going to be easy, whenever Gillian laid eyes on her little miracle, all of her worries faded. Cal, Emily, and Sophie were all that mattered in her life and she loved every minute of it.