Upstead comfort fics

Baby Comes Home

(I got a request for Jay either taking care of Hailey while pregnant or after having a baby. So I'm making this a follow up to First Born where Jay takes care of Hailey after they bring Oakley home. Also, if y'all want to see more of Oakley, send in requests but give an age range please! I'd love to write more of her)
——
Oakley had been born on January 9, 2024. Hailey and Jay brought her home January 11, and they'd been home for three days.

Hailey was sore and absolutely exhausted. The day Oakley was born, she barely slept and had yet to sleep more than 4 hours a night since. Her emotions were all over the place, she was anxious about something happening to Oakley, she was frustrated she literally had to wear a diaper because of the bleeding after giving birth, and she was still trying to get the hang of breast feeding and pumping, which she found uncomfortable, and she was glad they were alternating between breast milk and formula.

Oakley really wasn't a super difficult baby so far, but she seemed to currently be nocturnal and slept maybe 3-4 hours at night without being held, but the other hours Hailey and Jay had to take turns holding her and rocking or she would cry. She slept most of the day just fine without being held and loved her swing, but not at night. Jay was a super star with their blue eyed baby girl, and it made Hailey so happy. Jay thought the same about his wife, but she was close to her breaking point and he knew if she didn't get a decent night's sleep, they'd be screwed.

The unit, Platt, Vanessa, and Will were taking turns bringing them meals and groceries. They'd also spend some time holding Oakley and feeding her so Hailey and Jay could get a couple minutes to themselves, which they mostly used to shower and change clothes.

Hailey woke up on January 14 and was already overwhelmed and still cramping. It was barely sunlight and tears filled her eyes. She loved Oakley and being a mom, but she was desperate for sleep and for the cramping to stop. She knew discomfort was normal right after birth, but that didn't make it any easier.

Jay was in the kitchen with Oakley, warming a bottle, when Hailey came out of their room and headed straight for the medicine cabinet to get ibuprofen. He frowned and kissed her head.

"What's hurtin, Hails?" He asked as Hailey smiled down at Oakley and stroked her cheek.

"Cramping," she yawned then lifted Oakley from his arms and held the small baby to her chest, breathing in that new baby smell.

"I'm sorry, babe. Do you want the heating pad?" He asked.

"Not right now, I just want to hold Oaks," she smiled in appreciation and went over to the rocking chair.

She was so overwhelmed and exhausted and aching, but holding Oakley made all that go away. She LOVED snuggling her baby girl so much and it calmed her down most of the time.

"Do you want to feed her? Her bottle is done. Or I can feed her so you can lay down for a few minutes," Jay asked, walking over with the bottle and a burp cloth.

"Um, can you feed her, I need to eat something," she yawned.

"Of course," Jay took Oakley from Hailey as she started to fuss, but stopped as soon as her bottle was in her mouth.

The little girl had a good appetite and they were guessing she had already gained 8 ounces. She'd been 6 pounds, 5 ounces at birth.

Hailey made herself a bowl of cereal and went to the couch so she could eat. Jay watched her and saw how completely exhausted his girl was. "Hailey, are you okay?" He asked gently.

"I'm fine," she rushed out but he could see her lip starting to tremble.

"Hails," he stood with Oakley and moved to sit by Hailey on the couch. Hailey shook her head.