Chapter two.
John couldn't even find the words for the emotions that he felt as he stared down into the absolutely perfect face of his brand new daughter.
From her tiny little toes to her rounded cheeks, she was absolutely flawless.
Isabella eyes were closed, her long eyelashes resting against her cheeks as she slept in his arms.
John never wanted to leave this moment.
He tore his eyes from her to gaze at marlena who was smiling as they bonded.
John hadn't thought marlena
could possibly look more beautiful, but looking her now, he saw this new beauty in her.
You are so incredibly beautiful, john told his wife.
I look awful, marlena laughed as she gestured down her body.
The pain had set in and she felt like a mess.
She'd pulled her hair back in a messy ponytail and she wasn't wearing a shred of makeup.
Her stomach was covered in stretch marks and she knew that parts of her might never be the same but every bit of the pain and the havoc on her body was worth it.
Isabella definitely has your nose and face shape
John told his wife as he leaned over and kissed her.
He hadn't thought he could possibly love her any more but after seeing her give birth to her daughter, he found himself loving her even more.
"Ha, well I sure hope she grows out of that!, marlena joked as she realized john was right.
She'd been staring at Isabella for hours now and all she could see was john's.
Isabella's eyes were brilliant blue like john's.
Well, I hope she always looks as beautiful as you!.
Why don't you try to get some sleep, john said to his wife.
John knew that their quiet nights at home were about to end.
Sure, marlena told to her husband.
John sat down in the uncomfortable reclining chair with Isabella.
It wasn't long before john was also drifting off. It was only about an hour before Isabella stirred in his arms and started to cry.
"I'll take her, marlena said to her husband.
Marlena adjusted her gown and shifted so she was in a better position to feed Isabella.
They were going to try breastfeeding and the first latching had gone well.
"I love her so much, marlena said as Isabella started nursing.
It was a little uncomfortable but it felt natural.
This felt like one of those perfect scenes that only happened in the movies.
It felt like every worry and stress in the world had faded away.
I can't believe she's here, marlena told her husband.
"You did so amazing, john told his and you are going to be an amazing mother, john told his wife.
"Thank you and you're going to be an amazing father, marlena told her husband.
Marlena smiled at the words mother and father.
She couldn't believe that they applied to her and john.
Slowly, Isabella stopped nursing and fell asleep.
Marlena smiled as she shifted Isabella so that she was more comfortably cradled in her arms.
There was a quiet knock at the door and the face of abe popped in.
"Hey!, Abe said as he had a huge grin as he walked in the hospital room.
Lexie, hope, bo, kayla and steve followed behind him.
Everyone's eyes lit up as they caught sight of Isabella.
Oh my God, john, marlena she's beautiful!, Abe said to his friends.
"Want to hold her?, marlena asked her friend?.
Yes, abe said as he grabbing some hand sanitizer before reaching out and taking Isabella.
Isabella didn't stir as abe felt his heart melting as he looked in her face. She was the perfect match of marlena and john.
Abe carefully transferring over to bo, felt his heart melting as he looked at Isabella.
You just wait little girl, Your Uncle bo is going to spoil you absolutely rotten,
bo told the baby Isabella as he stroked her cheek with one finger.
He couldn't believe how tiny she was.
"After a few minutes, hope reached over and bo let hope hold Isabella.
little bit after they had all gotten a turn to hold Isabella before they said their goodbyes, knowing that marlena had to be exhausted.
Two days later.
"I can't believe that this is happening!.
Marlena's voice was full of anxiety as she watched john carefully buckle Isabella into the car seat that he had gotten from the car.
John had spent days researching the best and safest car seats on the internet before ordering this one.
He double checked the straps before standing up and nodding that he was satisfied Isabella was securely inside.
"You guys ready?, Hadley's peppy voice came from the door frame.
She had a wheelchair in front of her and marlena gingerly lowered herself into the wheelchair as they took one last look around the room to make sure they weren't leaving anything behind.
John covered Isabella's car seat with a blanket as they made their way out of the hospital.
Hadley hugged them all before wishing them the best and walking back inside.
John helped marlena get in the car before he getting Isabella locked in place and jiggling it to make sure it was properly secured.
John gets in the the car and he drive home.
During the slow car ride, the ease of the vehicle sent marlena dozing in and out of sleep.
Her daughter's head was tilted to the side, pacifier in mouth and she slept comfortably.
She's too calm and quiet, john said to his wife.
her chest is rising and falling normally, marlena told her husband.
They finally arrived home.
John helped marlena out from the car and then he gets Isabella from her car seat.
He holding the sleeping infant against his chest, while using his freehand to unstrap the car seat from the base.
John the ever dotting father, holds sleeping baby in one arm and the car seat in the other.
Marlena grabs the diaper bag, takes a hold of the keys from her husband.
She locks the car door and unlocks the entrance to their house.
Marlena lets her husband enter first, and she sees her awakened baby's head lying on john's shoulder.
Isabella's eyes are taking in the world around her, starting with her mother's face.
Through her tiredness, marlena manages to make a silly face as she scoops the baby from her husband.
Isabella eyes are taking in everything that's in her immediate proximity, including her dad as he sets the car seat down.
her distant vision hasn't yet set in.
John and marlena want to the their bedroom with Isabella.
Marlena lays her daughter in her bassinet.
John and marlena smiled at their daughter before they want to their bed to take a nap.
