Max stared at the screen in front of him, transfixed on the sleeping form. He would never get enough of her. The way her chest rose and fell with every breath. The small sweet sighs as she dreamt. He couldn't believe she was his.
In the last year, Max had known more happiness than he had ever thought possible. He and Avonlea married in a quiet ceremony with her family at their home. Their honeymoon was spent drawing up plans for renovations then demoing. Max spent every free moment working to combine their apartments to make it their home. He had set up security cameras around the apartment convincing Avonlea that with a baby on the way, they needed a way to monitor any babysitters or nannies if they needed one, when he actually just needed to be able to see Avonlea, watch her, since the remodeling had destroy most of his secret spots. He sealed the rest himself.
Avonlea quit her editing job and enjoyed writing full time. Whenever she couldn't take the noise and mess, she stayed with her parents who were only too happy to have her. It was a strain on his energy and resources, but he finished within half a year.
Their life together had been an adjustment. Getting used to sharing everything with another, to no longer have to sneak and hide, had taken some getting used to. But he still savored the moments when he could listen to her sing in the shower outside the door or watch her dance while she cooked when he came home. He delighted in her changing body. Her belly swelling as their baby grew inside her. A visual representation of their love. He could never bring himself to feel guilty for his actions when he felt a kick whenever he placed his hands over her tummy.
He worried about what type of father he could possibly be. He knew he would do whatever he could to keep Avonlea happy, but he knew nothing about babies. How could he makes sure he didn't turn into his father? Or worse…August.
"Hey. Turn that off and get some sleep, Max. She's fine," his wife's voice grumbled behind him as she spooned up next to him.
Max leaned over and turned the video baby monitor off, the picture of his infant daughter disappearing. He rolled over wrapped his arms around Avonlea. His hand rand up her thigh, pulling her leg over his thigh.
"You're supposed to be getting some sleep," Avonlea said with a sleepy giggle.
His hands dipped between her legs, rubbing her satin panties dampening with every pass of his fingers. He kissed her neck and whispered, "You're going to have to make me." She sighed and rocked her body against his fingers.
The cry of their daughter rang down the hall. "Never fails," Avonlea laughed. Max chuckled and threw the covers off of himself. His feet hit the cold wood floors as he padded his way to the nursery.
"What's the matter with my baby girl?" His voice instantly soothed the teething infant. He picked her up and took her to the changing table. Pulling up her nightgown, he changed and cleaned his daughter while talking to her in a low soothing voice. "There you are pretty girl. That feels better doesn't it?"
He carried the baby to the kitchen and heated up a bottle for her all the while rocking her in the crook of his arm. He loved taking care of her. Knowing that he was a source of comfort for her. He had never slept much before she was born, so letting Avonlea skip a feeding seemed only fair.
He gave his daughter the bottle to nurse from and sought out the comfort of the rocker recliner in her room. He hummed a song and rocked as she drank. Soon the baby's mouth hung open, milk leaking out of the corner of her mouth. He smiled and lifted her to his shoulder, his large hand patting her back until a small burp escaped. "Good night, Sara." He laid her down gently, placing a kiss on her head.
As he entered his bedroom, he saw Avonlea laying on her side, the baby monitor shining on her sleeping face. He knew he wasn't the only one that couldn't get enough of how parenthood had changed their life. She loved watching him with Sara as much as he loved watching her.
They were a perfect match in so many ways.
The End.