The Rookie and Me: Second Chances (COMPLETE)

Christmas

It's been an incredible, exhausting, beautiful month since our Chloe Jane was born. It's been a major adjustment, going from a family of three to a family of four. We've been exhausted beyond belief with taking care of a restless newborn, a wild 5 year old, all during football season. But luckily, we have the best support system around. Connie and Jerry come over twice a week to visit the kids and allow me to go upstairs and get a much needed nap. And they let Cameron stay the night every Friday so he can spend more time with Lucy and Sophia.

Unfortunately, because it's still football season, Tyler has to travel quite a bit for at least another month. His team has had an amazing season, once again, so I have no doubt they'll be going to the playoffs. Whenever Tyler is traveling, Whitney comes over and stays the night to help me out with the kids. It's so different having this kind of support this time around. When I had Cameron, I didn't have any support at all. Whitney had already left for the city, my parents were gone, and Joe wanted nothing to do with him. 

It's been difficult opening up to all of this help because I've been so used to doing it on my own all of these years. It's been a lot easier this time around, which could be because I've already done it before so I'm not as scared as I was when I had Cam, but I'm betting it's mostly because I'm not so alone anymore. 

"Are you okay in here, Ali?" Tyler asks as he walks into the nursery.

I continue rocking Chloe back and forth in the chair, "Oh, yeah. I was just lost in thought."

He sits on the ground next to the rocking chair that I'm sitting in, "What's on your mind?"

I look down at Chloe and gently stroke her dark hair, "Nothing really. I was just thinking about this past month. Everything is so different this time around." 

He rests his chin in his hands and listens intently, "What do you mean?" 

I sigh softly, "I mean from when I had Cameron. It's so different with Chloe. Like, I'm not alone in this. For the first time in my life, I'm not a single mother. My children have a daddy, and an incredible one at that. It's just overwhelming, I guess, trying to get used to the idea."

He smiles and sits up on his knees, scooting closer to me and Chloe, "You never have to worry about being a single mother again. I am not going anywhere. These kids mean the world to me, just as much as you do. Football has always been my life, before you. I lived and breathed for the game. But now, you guys are my life. I live and breathe for you, and Cam, and Chloe."  

I smile and lift one hand to his cheek. I pull him closer to me and kiss his lips. "I love you, daddy. So fucking much."

He flashes a cheesy smile, "I love you, mommy. Forever." 

He takes Chloe from my arms and sits back down next to my feet. "So, are you excited for tomorrow?" 

I take a deep breath, "I'm very excited. Chloe's first Christmas!" 

He smiles and looks down at our baby girl, "God, she is truly the most beautiful girl I have ever seen. Look at this baby. Is she not the most gorgeous girl?" 

I giggle, "She really is. I never imagined having a little girl, but especially one as beautiful as her. I always thought it would just be me and Cameron, forever." 

"You're stuck with us now, baby. Hope you don't mind." He looks up and winks at me.

I shake my head, "I wouldn't have it any other way." 

The next morning, we are woken up by Cameron climbing into bed with us. "It's Christmas! Santa came! Wake up, wake up, wake up!"