Only Love Can Hurt Like This

25

Chris' pov

After a slow and careful drive from the hospital we were finally home both Ava and Ellis slept on the way back.

I parked the car in the driveway and called Scott - who was staying at our house to watch Dodger to tell him that we were on the driveway to ensure Dodger had been outside for the bathroom incase he got too excited when we went in.

I wake Ava and help her out the car before getting the suitcase, baby bag and of course Ellis in her carseat. We walk up the path at Ava's pace whilst she grips onto my arm, walking was still really painful for her.

We get to the door and I open it to be met by my family stood with Dodger, they decorated the whole house with balloons and welcome home banners. There was a stack of presents piled high for us.

I press my finger to my lips before anyone could say anything.

"She's asleep"

The all nod as we enter, Ava still gripped onto me.

"We'd like for her big brother to meet her first..." I say as Dodger comes over and sits at my feet.

"Hiya buddy, wanna meet your little sister Ellis?".

Dodge was surprisingly calm, usually after a couple of days he'd be jumping around crazy at our enterance.

I kneel down placing the carseat on the floor and encouraging Dodger to come over which he does, he nuzzles his head into me before realising there was someone in the carseat. Before coming home we let him go in and out of the baby room so he could sniff and get used to a carseat being around.

Dodger sniffs the carseat, he finally realises there's a little bundle of joy under the baby pink blanket that covered Ellis. He licks the blanket then her tiny little fingers.

"Good job Dodge" I pet his head as he wanders to Ava who pets his head.

"Dodge you gotta be careful with mama" I smile at the ball of fluff at Ava's legs.

I turn the carseat around towards my family patiently waiting to meet the new arrival.

"Everyone, meet Ellis Evans". I grin proudly as everyone comes towards us hugging and kissing both me and Ava.

I turn to Ava who's beaming proudly, I wrap my arm around her kissing her head, she wraps her arms around my torso and snuggled into me.

I help Ava onto the couch before changing into a comfy dark blue lounge suit and sitting next to her. I put Ellis in her Snuz Pod next to me, she had a little grey lounge suit on and Elephant slippers.

Thankfully my family brought over homemade meals which we just had to heat up making it much easier for us.

My mum had convinced us that Ellis would be fine for a couple of hours whilst I had a sleep with Ava. I helped lower Ava onto the bed and then swing her legs in before climbing in beside her, I put the pregnancy pillow she had between us so there wasn't any chance of me bumping her in my sleep.

I see Ava's eyes fill with tears and I sit up looking confused.

"Hey, everything alright?" I ask.

"Why did you put the pillow between us? Is something wrong?" She asks tears falling down her face

"Baby, nothing's wrong I just don't want to bump you whilst we're asleep" I say as I wipe away the tears, hormones after pregnancy are crazy.

Ava nods in agreement about keeping the pillow between us but she reaches over for my hand, I lock our fingers together as we fall asleep.