"Hi Mr and Mrs Jordan, please take a seat" The pediatrics doctor gestured towards the chairs before her desk as Nick and Zoe entered the office. Today was their consultation on baby Oscar's progress and to see what their next steps of action were going to be. He was now 35 weeks and had been born almost 10 weeks ago; a very long 10 weeks that Nick and Zoe had sat by his side in neonatal watching him fight for his little life.
After a long 10 minute discussion on Oscar's progress and what treatments he would now be having, Nick and Zoe were more than happy with the care that he was receiving "Well thank you for everything you've done" Zoe smiled, putting her coat back on ready to leave.
"and we are all more than happy with his progress to send him home" The doctor finished, smiling as their faces completely lit up, turning to look at each other in complete shock.
"Really?" Zoe gasped, grabbing hold of Nick's hand for comfort as tears began to form in her eyes. She had waited for this day for over 10 weeks and had never thought the day would finally come.
"Really" The doctor nodded "He can go home today if you are prepared" She added "Although we will still have to have check ups every 2 weeks" She informed them as Nick and Zoe thanked her numerous times before they eventually left her office to go and finally collect their baby.
As soon as they left the consultation room, Nick instantly pulled Zoe into a tight hug as he could see she had been trying to hold it together in there.
"I can't believe this is happening" She sobbed into his chest, so overwhelmed with all the emotions she was feeling right now "Are we really taking him home?" She looked up at Nick.
"We sure are" Nick beamed, kissing her on the forehead, taking her hand into his and leading her down to NICU.
"Come on then little one lets get you home shall we" Zoe softly whispered as she carefully placed Oscar into his car seat after dressing him for the first time. She then adjusted the straps before wrapping a blanket securely over him. They then went to thank all of the staff in neonatal, collecting all of the medication that Oscar still needed before finally heading home.
"Can you believe this?" Zoe whispered to Nick as they drove him, glancing every so often to see her son fast asleep in the back of the car. This honestly was like a dream for her, she had been wishing for this day for so long, it was almost too good to believe.
"Enjoy every minute" Nick smiled as he glanced through his rear view mirror to take a look at Oscar "He will be 8 before you know it" He joked, reaching over and placing his hand on Zoe's lap as they continued their journey.
"Come on then, let's go and see your brother and sisters" Nick spoke softly as he unfastened Oscar from the car, lifting out his car seat as the three of them headed up the driveway to the house.
"Wait here a minute" Zoe ordered, opening the door and heading inside before Nick and the baby.
"Mum" All three children excitedly shouted, jumping up off the sofa and racing into Zoe's arms as she entered the front room. Although Zoe had balanced out spending time with the children and also baby Oscar, they had still rarely seen her as much as they used to in these past few weeks.
"Hello you 3" She smiled, hugging them all tighter. "Right then I've got a big surprise for you all" She beamed, excitedly smiling at her mum who sat on the sofa; instantly knowing from Zoe's expression what this surprise was going to be.
"What is it?" Phoebe excitedly asked, jumping up and down in excitement as she let go of her mum's embrace.
Zoe popped her head out of the doorway, waggling her finger at Nick, indicating for him to come in and join them. He walked into the living carrying Oscar in his carrier seat and stood beside Zoe, holding the carrier so that they could all see what the excitement was about.
"Your baby brother's home" Zoe added, watching their faces light up once again as they proudly raced over to take a look at Oscar.
"Oh Zoe, that's amazing" Marie added, standing up and hugging Zoe tightly "I am so happy for you" She whispered, kissing her on the cheek before she finally let go.
"Thanks mum" Zoe mouthed, before turning her attention back to her children.
"Can I hold him mum?" Maisie pleadingly asked as she cooed over her baby brother.
Zoe smiled "Of course you can" She replied, taking the carrier seat from Nick and carefully lifting Oscar out. Although he was now at a healthy weight, he still seemed tiny and fragile. She gently lifted him over into Maisie's arms where she sat comfortably on the sofa.
Maisie nervously held him as carefully as she could "What if I drop him?" She asked, looking from him to her parents with a worried look on her face.
Nick chuckled "Let's try and not drop him please" He laughed, wrapping his arm around Zoe who had now come to join him by the doorway.
"I love you" She whispered, leaning up to kiss him as they watched all three children proudly fussing over their baby brother.
"I love you too" Nick smiled, kissing her back "I've never been happier" He admitted, pulling her body closer to his side.
Zoe grinned to herself "Who would have thought Nick Jordan could be so emotional" She teased, looking up to him and laughing.
"Oh my god, he's been sick on me" Maisie screamed "Get it off" She cried, totally unimpressed with the baby sick now covering her clothes.
Nick and Zoe both laughed, watching the many expressions she was pulling as she held Oscar out at such a distance "Pass him here" Nick said, taking him from Maisie's arms.
"That is absolutely disgusting" She continued to complain "I want new clothes now" She demanded, running off out of the room to quickly get changed.
"You better get used to that" Zoe called after her, helping Nick to clean up baby Oscar, "I think they've all underestimated how much hard work a baby is" She chuckled.
"I think we have" Nick raised his eyebrows, handing Oscar over to his mother so she could continue cleaning him up "I wouldn't change it for the world though" He winked.