I have posted the last 2 chapters of this story, sorry for the wait, got distracted by work, exams and just life in general.
I had a hard time finishing up the story, I wasn't sure where I was going and how I wanted it to end so we ended up with this, hopefully its ok.
Thanks so much for all the comments and for those who reading don't comment, thank you for taking the time!
They had been in the hospital for two days and they were finally ready to head back home as a family of three. Elizabeth and the baby had gotten the all clear and everyone was happy and healthy.
As they were packing their belongings and strapping the baby into the car seat, Elizabeth was staring at her new creation. Henry interrupted her thoughts when he asked her what was wrong. "Nothing, it's just…", she signed, "did we pick the right name?"
"are you doubting the name we chose?"
"I don't know, well maybe. Henry, her name could determine her future, what if it's not good enough for her" she said, clearly doubting their choice.
"Babe, Stephanie is a great name. It's feminine but strong, just like her mother" he told her with a smile. "It's my favourite name from the list, I think we did good" he told her, "you did good".
"You're sure?" she questioned.
"I'm sure babe" as he gave her a quick peck on the lips. "You ready to go?"
She took a deep breath, "as ready as I'll ever be I guess". She was doubting herself. What if she couldn't care for this baby once they got home? What if she would do something wrong and something happened to her? She's so precious, she doesn't want to hurt her. She was entering panic mode. Henry noticed, he put the baby carrier down and took her in his arms and hugged her tight "babe, don't worry, we're in this together OK? We're both learning." He knew her so well that she didn't have to tell him her doubts, he just knew.
"How do you know everything?" she asked him smartly. "Do you promise that she won't hate me?" knowing that eventually time would come in the teenage years.
"Babe I can't promise that, but I know we'll do the best we can, now let's go, it's not going to get easier the longer we wait" he joked.
They made it home, Henry driving as slow as an old lady on a Sunday afternoon, in fear that something would happen when his baby girl in the car. They eventually made it home and he settled Elizabeth and Stephanie on the couch before he went up to gather a few things. Elizabeth was still exhausted and he figured it would be easier if everything was on the main floor for her, for at least this evening. He grabbed some diapers, some wipes, a few onesies, and some comfy PJs for Elizabeth to get comfortable. He made it back down and Elizabeth was gazing down at the car seat with tears streaming down her face. Henry ran over and took her in his arms, "what's wrong babe? Are you in pain?" She managed to take a breath and spat out a weak "no". It took her a few seconds but she was finally able to tell him what she was thinking, "she's so perfect Henry, and we made her" she eventually told him. Now he understood, it was hormones. "yeah babe, we made her" he whispered in her ear as he held her close, being as supportive as he could. They spent the next few minutes admiring their new miracle before she started squirming and whining. Time for another feeding.
The first few days at home were overwhelming. Stephanie was inconsolable and the new parents didn't know what to do, luckily Henry's parents had stayed in town a couple days and they were able to guide Elizabeth and Henry. It took some time, but they were able to decipher the various cries that Stephanie would emit and could figure out what she needed. They had read that in the books but they didn't believe it until Mary had pointed it out.
Elizabeth was still emotional and every time the baby cried, she cried. She felt she was failing as a mother because she couldn't console her daughter. The feeling of failure, helplessness and guilt plagued her on a daily basis, Henry did his best to encourage her but there was little he could do. What Elizabeth really wanted was her mother. It was great that Mary was there and she was incredibly grateful for everything Mary and Patrick had done in the days after Stephanie's birth but it wasn't the same.
After about a week, they were able to fall in a routine. Henry had taken a few weeks off work, it worked out well that it was end of semester as well and had some down time during his grad studies. He was still working on his research but he could put it on hold for a little while without issue. Elizabeth was finally starting to enjoy her maternity leave, now that she wasn't confined to a bed and she could move around. She was still feeling the discomforts of post-pregnancy on her body but it was getting much better.
Elizabeth and Henry entertained many guests in the weeks following their daughter's birth, Elizabeth's friends and co-workers visited as well as Henry's friends from the university and the Marines. His family had stayed in town for a few days after Stephanie was born and were a great help to the new parents but they had to return home to Pittsburg too quickly for the new parents' liking but they made due.
Stephanie was now 3 weeks old. She was eating like a champ, Henry would often reference her being just like her mother in that area, Elizabeth took offence to his comments but knew he was just joking around. She wasn't sleeping as much as they would have liked but she gave them a few hours of sleep a night When the baby would cry, Elizabeth would hand her over to her father, during her pregnancy, he was the baby whisperer and he was now using those skills regularly to calm down his baby girl.
They continued their routine for the next few weeks, Henry eventually went back to work and Elizabeth was home with the baby on her own. It was another adjustment but she took on the task like a pro. Henry found himself in awe of the mother she had become, he always knew she had a nurturing personality but there was nothing as perfect as seeing the love of his life take care of his preciously perfect baby girl.
While he was at work, Elizabeth missed having her husband and partner in crime by her side, he was always so supportive but when he was home, he was so attentive to her needs, to his daughter's needs and he would do anything that his girls needed from him. Elizabeth couldn't believe that her husband could get any sexier but seeing him be a father to their baby girl was the most amazing and sexy thing in the world. She admired him anytime she could, and he did the same, only having eyes for their new beautiful family.
La fin