Faith kept Aurora at the infirmary for three days before declaring it safe for her to go home. Nathan borrowed Lee's car while Elizabeth listened to Faith's instructions for Aurora's care in the days ahead. Though she was healthy, she needed to gain some weight. Faith told Elizabeth to feed her as often as possible. Elizabeth didn't think that would be a problem. Aurora had already displayed a love for eating. Elizabeth's milk had fully come in that morning, and her daughter ate voraciously.
When Nathan arrived to take them home, Elizabeth carried their precious bundle to the car. Once they were safely situated, Nathan drove slowly to their home.
"Lee and Rosemary said they'd bring the kids home at dinnertime," Nathan said. "They wanted us to settle in a bit before Jack and Allie came back. Though apparently those two are very impatient to meet their baby sister."
Elizabeth laughed. "I imagine so. I'm excited for them to meet her." She smiled down at the baby. "You are going to love your brother and sister," she cooed, running a finger over Aurora's cheek.
The baby yawned in response.
Nathan parked the car, then leaned over to look at his daughter. "She's perfect," he said. It had been a constant refrain between them ever since her birth, but it was true. So far, Aurora hardly cried. She only woke up a few times during the night to eat. She was alert and responsive, following her parents with her eyes and gazing at them when they talked to her. Right now, she looked up at Nathan, her wide blue eyes fascinated by her father.
"Hey there, sweet girl," Nathan whispered, touching her tiny fist. Aurora promptly gripped his finger in her hand and stuck it in her mouth.
He laughed. Elizabeth watched her husband, transfixed by how natural he was with the baby. She leaned forward, pressing her lips to his in a long kiss. When she pulled back, Nathan was wearing a smile.
"What was that for?" he asked, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
She cupped his cheek. "That was for making me fall even more in love with you," she said, smiling back at him. "Seeing you with Aurora these past three days has shown me a new side of you. You are a big, strong man, but you display such a tenderness toward our daughter. Seeing you with an infant in your arms is a sight I didn't know I needed in my life."
Nathan's eyes twinkled. "You like that, huh?"
She nodded. "You know what else I like?"
He raised a brow, waiting for her to continue.
"I like that you clearly love Aurora. You act like you're her biological father. You care for her easily and humbly." Tears pricked her eyes. "I'm so blessed to have you, Nathan. So is our little girl."
This time, Nathan leaned forward to kiss her. They sat for a few moments, sharing kisses interspersed with whispered love. Finally, Nathan pressed a final kiss to her lips. "You're a wonderful mother, Elizabeth," he murmured. "I've also fallen more in love with you since Aurora's birth." He smiled. "I can't wait to see what life has in store over the next few months. It will be quite an adventure adjusting to life with a newborn."
He climbed out of the car, then helped Elizabeth out. They walked to the house together. Making their way to the nursery, Elizabeth took in the completed room. She gasped softly. "You finished it!"
Nathan smiled, wrapping an arm around her. "Of course I did. Our baby girl needed a nice room to come home to. Although…" He applied gentle pressure to her back, turning her toward their room. Elizabeth stepped inside. A bassinet was sitting next to her side of the bed, with baby blankets draped on the inside. Nathan leaned closer to her. "I figured it might be nice to have her nearby at night, especially for the first couple of months. It would be rough on you to have to get up and out of bed every time she needs to eat. This way, she will be close at hand. You can easily feed her in bed."
"Oh, Nathan," Elizabeth said, tears filling her eyes. He was so thoughtful. "Thank you."
He kissed her cheek. "Why don't you rest a bit? I'll get dinner ready, and then we'll introduce the children when they get here."
"That sounds wonderful," Elizabeth said. Aurora stirred in her arms, letting out a gusty cry. Elizabeth chuckled. "I think she's hungry again."
Nathan pointed her in the direction of the rocking chair that had recently found a home in their room. "Go on," he said. "I'll see you in a little bit."
She smiled gratefully, making her way to the chair as Nathan left the room. She adjusted the nursing blouse Faith had given her. "Thank goodness for this thing," she murmured as Aurora's cries grew more insistent. "It makes nursing much easier than it would be otherwise." She lifted the baby to her breast. Her daughter immediately latched on and began sucking greedily.
Elizabeth shook her head. "Slow down, little one," she said softly. "The milk isn't going anywhere, I promise."
If possible, it seemed that Aurora's mouth worked harder. Elizabeth laughed softly, leaning her head back against the chair as the baby nursed. Exhaustion crashed over her. She closed her eyes, keeping a firm hold on her daughter.
She had a feeling early bedtimes would be the norm for a while.
Nathan had never seen children so enraptured by a baby before. Allie sat on the settee, Aurora in her arms, simply gazing at her new sister. Jack was kneeling beside them, staring at the baby like she was a novelty.
"Pretty baby," Jack said, smiling with big-brother pride.
Nathan sat beside them, placing a hand on Jack's shoulder. "Very pretty," he agreed. Jack immediately climbed into Nathan's lap, snuggling against him as he continued to survey his sister. He wasn't sure how long they sat there, but eventually Elizabeth came into the room, towel drying her hair. She looked fresh and clean, though a tired look was in her eyes. Nathan wasn't surprised. She had just given birth and was using her body to nurture a tiny human. He had a feeling she would be tired for some time.
He stood, giving her a hug. "Did you have a nice bath?" They had a very large tub in the bathroom, one Elizabeth had made frequent use of in the final month of her pregnancy.
She nodded, smiling at him. "Yes. Thank you for watching the kids."
Allie looked up. "Look, Mom! She's sleeping!"
Elizabeth leaned over the settee, resting her hand on Allie's back. "She'll be doing a lot of that for a while. Babies mostly sleep and eat for the first couple of months."
Nathan looked at the clock. "It's time for bed, Jack," he said, scooping the boy into his arms. "Say goodnight to your mom and sisters."
"Night, A'wee. Night, Awowa. Night, Mama." He planted a kiss on Elizabeth's cheek, then allowed Nathan to carry him to his room. He changed his son into pajamas, then pointed to the bookshelf. "What story do you want to read tonight, Jack?"
The little boy picked a story and then once again climbed onto Nathan's lap. They read together for fifteen minutes. Nathan used different voices for the characters, much to Jack's delight. Once his son's eyes started drooping, Nathan placed the book on the shelf and tucked Jack into bed.
"Goodnight, Jack," Nathan said, placing a kiss on the boy's forehead.
"Night, Daddy," Jack said sleepily.
Nathan quietly shut the door, then made his way back to the living room. Elizabeth was sitting next to Allie, her eyes drooping much like Jack's just had. Nathan came up behind them. "Elizabeth, would you like to go to bed?"
She looked up at him. "It's too early." Her protest sounded weak.
Nathan smiled tenderly. "Sweetheart, you just gave birth. I don't think there's such a thing as too early. Come on." He came around the settee to lift her to her feet. When she was steady, he knelt next to Allie, holding out his arms for the baby. Allie placed her in his arms. Nathan smiled at his eldest child. "Why don't you pick out a game for us to play once I get your mother and sister to bed?" he suggested.
Allie's eyes lit up. "Really?"
He nodded. Allie bounced up, heading for the game cabinet. Nathan guided his wife to their bedroom. She was so tired, she began undressing with him in the room. Nathan made sure to turn his body, keeping his attention on his sleeping daughter. The child began to squirm, her little face screwing up in a cry.
Elizabeth touched his shoulder. He looked back, seeing her dressed in her nightgown. "Get settled," he said softly. "Then I'll give Aurora to you."
She did, not even trying to argue. Nathan placed their baby beside her on the bed. Elizabeth opened a square patch on her nightgown and pulled Aurora close, offering her sustenance. Nathan kissed Elizabeth, then slipped out of the room. When he walked into the living room, he saw Allie had backgammon situated on the table. She smiled broadly when she saw him.
"Are you ready to lose, Dad?" she asked, winking.
Nathan chuckled, sitting across from her at the game table. "Bring it on."
The first two weeks felt very much like a honeymoon period. Everyone was smitten with the new baby. Elizabeth was tired, but she felt able to manage it. By the third week, though, cracks started to show.
Jack began to withdraw from his baby sister as he realized she was there to stay. After being Elizabeth's only baby for so long, he had a hard time adjusting to the fact that he had to share his mother with a little person who demanded much of her attention.
Nathan and Elizabeth both suffered from sleep deprivation. Aurora woke up four or five times a night, fussing and wanting to eat. Elizabeth felt bad that Nathan woke whenever their daughter cried. She tried to feed the baby fast enough to keep her husband from waking, but he was a light sleeper and was instantly alert every time Aurora fussed. Elizabeth found that the lack of sleep was making her snappish, and she also noticed that Nathan was more short-tempered as well.
Allie was in her final days of school. A sub had been called in since Elizabeth was on maternity leave. Nathan was at work, leaving Elizabeth to care for Aurora while Laura entertained Jack. Elizabeth had just gotten the baby to sleep when she heard a cry from the kitchen. Instantly on alert, she hurried to her son to find out what was going on.
Jack was sitting at the table, arms crossed over his chest, angry tears on his cheeks. Laura looked stumped, glancing up as Elizabeth came into the kitchen. "I don't know what happened, Mrs. Grant," she said. "I made him a grilled cheese since it's his favorite, and he pushed it away and started crying."
"Don't want it!" Jack hollered, pounding his fist on the table. "Yucky!"
Elizabeth crouched beside him. "Jack," she said, trying to keep her voice patient. "You love grilled cheese. What's wrong?"
"Don't wike it!" Jack insisted, his tears streaming faster. "Not hungwy!"
"Laura," Elizabeth said, sitting in the chair next to Jack. "Why don't you go home early today? I'll feed Jack and then put him down for his nap."
"Are you sure?" Laura asked, looking hesitant.
Elizabeth nodded. "I'm sure. I think my son might need some time with his mama."
"Alright," Laura agreed. "Thanks, Mrs. Grant." She looked at Jack. "I hope it goes well."
Me too, Elizabeth thought silently. Her son didn't often have tantrums, but when he did they were intense.
When she was alone with Jack, after letting him cry out his anger, she tried talking to him again. "Jack, talk to Mama," she said softly. "What's the matter?"
"I don't wike gwiwed cheese," Jack insisted, glaring at the offending sandwich.
Elizabeth raised her brow. "Do you want a ham sandwich instead?"
Jack shook his head. "Don't want sandwich!" he said stubbornly.
Elizabeth's patience was wearing thin. "Then what do you want?" she asked, unable to keep a slight snap from her tone.
Jack glared at her mutinously, refusing to answer. Elizabeth stood, tired of arguing with her three-year-old. "When you're ready to eat, you can tell me what you want," she said. "I'm going to make some soup for my lunch."
"I want soup!" Jack said loudly.
Elizabeth put a finger to her lips. Using a quiet voice, she responded. "You have to speak softly, sweetie," she said. "Aurora is sleeping. We don't want to wake her up."
The mention of Aurora set Jack off again. He started wailing at the top of his lungs. "Don't want sandwich, and don't want new sister!" he yelled angrily. "Give her back!"
Elizabeth sank into a chair, stunned. She knew her son was struggling with Aurora's presence, but she hadn't realized how much. A surge of anger rose inside of her, and she struggled to push it down. Her son needed her love, not her anger.
She counted to five, breathed out, then rose to take her boy in her arms. She placed him on her lap, running a hand through his downy hair. "Jack," she said slowly. "Aurora is a part of our family now. We can't give her back."
"Why not?" Jack asked, tears streaking his cheeks.
"Because she is ours," Elizabeth said softly. "I carried her in my tummy just like I carried you. When you were born, you became my son. When Aurora was born, she became my daughter. I love her, and I love you. It would make Mama very sad if Aurora wasn't with us."
Jack studied her. "It would?"
Elizabeth nodded. "Very sad, Jack." She leaned forward, lowering her voice. "And you know what?"
"What?" Jack asked, his lower lip wobbling.
She kissed his forehead. "I think you would be sad if Aurora went away too. I think you love your baby sister, but I also think you miss spending time with Mama."
Another tear rolled down Jack's cheek. "You always with the baby," he said, his voice trembling. "Not with me."
Remorse filled Elizabeth. She hadn't been able to give Jack or Allie the attention they deserved. Finding a balance had proven difficult.
"I'm sorry, my sweet boy," she whispered. "It's an adjustment having a new baby in the house. I promise I'll spend more time with you, okay?" She bent to look at him. "Would you like to build with blocks after lunch?"
Jack lit up. "Can we?" he asked, hope bright in his eyes.
Elizabeth felt another wave of guilt. Jack needed her as much as Aurora did. She would have to be more intentional in how she spent time with her children. She knew it wouldn't be easy. She wanted nothing more than to feed him lunch and then take a nap while he did. But something told her it was more important to play with her son.
"Yes, sweetie," she said, kissing him again. "We'll build an entire castle."
Jack smiled, all the anger draining from his little body. He looked at the sandwich on the table. "I think I have the gwiwed cheese," he said, pointing to the plate.
Elizabeth recognized her son's version of a peace offering. She smiled and slid it to him. "There you go."
His smile widened. "Thanks, Mama." He began happily eating his sandwich.
Elizabeth watched her little boy for a few moments. She knew there would still be rough times ahead. Jack was struggling with his place in the family. That wasn't something that would go away overnight. But she knew there were things she could do to help her son find his way.
They were a family, and they would find their way as a family.