So, obviously, the plan was to have a nice festive themed update - but Tom wanted to be the proud new daddy far too much to let that happen this afternoon; we'll see if it occurs later on tonight, otherwise it'll be a slightly belated boxing day read.
However, proud daddy Tom is an exceptionally cute mental image - albeit brief. So I don't care... though I do hop that you enjoy.
Laura was three days old by the time that Sam had even considered going further than the bottom of the street for fresh air with her. Before her baby had been born, Sam recalled that she'd promised Fletch that she and Tom would bring Laura down into the department to show her off before they took her home. However, as events had panned out Tom had whisked them out of the maternity ward, before either of them felt comfortable to expose Laura to the potential germs the ED could have, and they hadn't. They'd tackled the supermarket with very little fuss, though Sam had only just prevented Tom from buying a cuddly toy dog which was almost double the size of Laura and would probably only serve to terrify her poor baby.
They pondered whether they actually did want to take Laura into the department but when they were sat outside in the car park already, they figured that it really would probably be easier to just go and get the fussing over and done with. Sam took the first step and opened the passenger side door before and going to the back of the car and lifting a slumbering Laura gently out of her car seat. Sam began to walk forwards, only pausing momentarily at the door to the ED reception to wait on Tom, who was by her side with an arm wrapped around her waist in an instant. The automatic doors opened in front of them on their next step, and the bustle of the occupied reception desk, at first glance, was enough to make Sam want to turn round and run back to the safety of the car. However, Tom stepped forwards and pulled Sam with him. They were immediately cornered by Linda, who had plucked Laura from Sam's arms at an alarming speed; Sam turned to Tom, almost in confusion, before they followed Linda hurriedly towards the staff room.
Sam stood in the doorway of staff room as she watched Linda pass her tiny daughter to Zoe. "Congratulations." Sam blinked in confusion, turning from the two women and her baby by the kettle towards the sofa from where Charlie had spoken. He was sat with Tess, sipping tea though the two senior nurses seemed to have been in discussion before the staff room had been requisitioned as a baby showroom. Sam smiled her thanks, and allowed Tom to lead her into the room, just as Linda rushed by them. The flurry of people began upon Linda's return; Noel, only for the briefest of moments, however Fletch and Linda appeared to have taken up permanent residence and Charlie had left telling Tess to stay.
"Noel said there was –" came Jeff's voice from the doorway, Dixie on his heels, however he cut himself off almost once on seeing Laura nestled in Zoe's arms still. "Is this her?" He asked Tom who was stood by the door, as Dixie shook her head seemingly in disbelief at Jeff's question. Sam smiled softly at Dixie who walked towards her, as Tom nodded his head and Jeff stepped towards Zoe, who allowed Laura to be lifted from her arms.
Sam moved herself to sit on the sofa between Tess and Dixie, as she watched Jeff apparently play peek-a-boo with her tiny daughter who would not understand. The moment was ruined, however, by Jeff's radio crackling to life and he glanced at Dixie sadly before handing Laura back to an expectant Zoe. "Congratulations lovey," Dixie stated softly to Sam as she stood up. However Jeff crossed the room and wrapped his arms around her, saying nothing at all, but Sam found that the gesture itself brought tears to her eyes.
Glancing towards the corner of the room Sam noted Tom and Fletch huddled together, both with their phones in their hand, obviously showing each other pictures of their babies. Sam grimaced inwardly at the thought of some of the photographs which Tom had taken; there had been many more than necessary early morning snaps, the occasional middle of the night image captured as Laura drifted back to sleep in Sam's arms after being fed. Sam smiled lightly at the genuine smile which was plastered across Tom's face and the look of complete pride in his eyes as he listened to Fletch's tales of first teeth, words, birthday and Christmas. However she was almost immediately pulled back to the present by Zoe's voice, "Sam, I think she's looking for something to eat." Sam glanced towards Zoe who was making her way towards her with Laura outstretched in her arms. Sam took her daughter, who for the moment appeared to pacifying herself by chewing at her fingers; though Laura stopped and removed her fist from her mouth the moment she was Sam's arms, expectantly.
Sam shifted Laura into her arms somewhat awkwardly, trying to find a way to console the poor baby until she'd got her home. Though, Tess next to her seemed to sense her awkwardness and stood abruptly, after a few moments of playing with Laura's tiny fingers. "We need to get back to work anyway," she said seemingly to all in the room, and the mutters were short-lived as they began traipsing back through the door out into the department.
Tom crossed the room quickly and joined Sam on the sofa; as she tried to fish what she'd need from Laura's baby bag and arrange herself more comfortably on the sofa. "Ok?" He asked simply, and Sam could only nod in reply. She allowed herself to be pulled into Tom's arms as she always was and gazed down at Laura ensuring she was getting enough milk.
So, as ever, thank you for reading.
And if I do not have a festive themed update before the day itself, happy Christmas!
Ax