You Fill My Heart

Brand New Day

"What do you think?" Maxine inquired, looking between Blake and Ally nervously.

Since choking on the breathing tube Christmas Eve night, the baby had started to show steady improvements. She was moved to a high dependency care status Christmas morning. On December 31st, Maxine and Ally aided in an attempt to feed her a bottle of Amy's breast milk without the help of the feeding tube - it failed- and she was placed back on it.

As the New Year rang in, she seemed to be gradually getting better. On the 4th, they experienced a minor setback - panic ensued once the baby started spiking a high fever and a small amount of fluid made it's way into her lungs. After the immediate response, they were able to stabilize her.

On the 7th, she was moved to a special/transitional care status. The doctors examined her less frequently and the nurses took primary control. On the 8th, a second attempt at feeding her without the aid of a tube, was a partial success, but still not enough to fully remove it.

The 12th was an exciting day; Amy and Ricky watched as their daughter had her weigh in - 4 lbs 11 oz, and a third attempt at feeding was a complete success. The tube and blood oxygen machine were removed.

The 27th was her second weigh in. Dr. Travis was surprised to see how much progress the infant had made since last time; weighing in at 4 lbs 15 oz.

Today, was February 1st.

Dr. Travis closed his eyes, drumming his index finger to his lips in intense thought. Running a hand through his hair, he looked down on her, smiling as she squirmed and cooed on the table, "Okay"

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"It's getting late, I should probably get him home" He mumbled, removing his arms from around her waist before rolling over onto his back.

She sighed at the loss of contact, rolling over on her side to face him, "Can't you just stay here for a few more hours?"

"No, hours turns to the next day, you know that" Pushing her bottom lip out, she pouted. "Don't act like that" He smirked, "I'm sorry I have class in the morning" pecking his lips to hers. Her hand lingered on his arm, "What?"

"Come lay with me" She pleaded, tugging on his arm, "please"

"Fine. 5 minutes, then I really have to go" She giggled at the power she had over him as he climbed back into the bed; nuzzling his nose into her neck.

After the New Year had came in and break was over, Ricky had to go back to his daily routine of taking John to the nursery, going to school and working. Every night after he got cleaned up from work, he'd take John up to the hospital until it was his bedtime.

Amy remained there, being examined every 10 days for any signs of depression or complications involving the extensive work the doctors did after she gave birth. So far so good.

"Whatcha thinkin about?" Ricky asked, pecking the bottom of her jaw

"Nothing"

"No really, what's on your mind"

"I just can't believe he's going to three in 5 days..." Amy exhaled, looking at her son who was curled into a ball on the chair next to them, fast asleep. She brushed a tear from her eye, "And I'm not going to be there to celebrate"

"He'll understand" He squeezed, pecking her cheek, "I'll bring him by after I get off work, it'll be okay"

"I just don't want him to think I'm neglecting him..."

"Hey, he knows that's not true" he moved a piece of hair out of her face, "John knows you have to be here for the baby-" There was a knock at the door, "Come in!"