New Family Member

Part 6 Family of Five

The new family of five sat together, Joe and Taylor savoring each moment they were all happily together. They were familiar with the routine after bringing their boys home years before, this blissful silence wasn't going to last forever and they knew it. They made eye contact with one another and shared a small smile, a hint of laughter in both of their eyes knowing what the other was thinking.
Jackson was already bored of his new sister. She was fun to look at and hold for a little bit, but she didn't do much to hold his attention for very long. He had already crawled away from Taylor and into Joe's lap and was playing with Joe's phone. Because Joe and Taylor rarely allowed either of the boys to play with their phone; it was a rare treat for Jackson. While Joe had a few educational and developmental games ready for him, Jackson was more interested in using the camera to take even more pictures. Joe found it adorable and helpful to get his own snap shots that were frame worthy.
Taylor was still sitting with Hunter, holding him close to her side as she watched Joe teach Jackson a few tricks with the camera. She smiled at the moment father and son shared while she watched close by. She looked back to Hunter who was still holding the baby lovingly and she gently kissed the top of his head.
"Do you want me to take her now Hunter?" Taylor asked him gently, not wanting him to feel responsible for holding her for too long.

Hunter quickly looked back to his mother and shook his head quickly with a big smile. "No, I want to keep holding her...can I?" He asked politely, showing Taylor his best pleading eyes.
Taylor smiled widely and nodded her head as she brushed his hair out of his eyes. "Of course you can, baby. You can hold her whenever you want, for however long you want to." She said to him softly that only made him smile more.
Hunter continued to hold her, softly placing kisses on her head whenever he could and smiling back to his parents. "I already love her," he confessed proudly. "I can't wait to help take care of her at home" he grinned to both his father and mother.
Taylor's heart swelled again. Still exhausted from childbirth and a long 9 months of pregnancy, Taylor's emotions got the best of her again and tears flooded her eyes hearing how much her eldest son felt about his baby sister.
Taylor took in a deep yet shaky breath in as she kissed Hunter's head once more and held him a little tighter. Hunter was taken back and looked up at his mother with confusion before looking to Joe for help. "Mummy? What's wrong, why are you crying?" He asked as Taylor smooshed his small body against hers.
Joe stepped in with a grin to keep Hunter from getting scared. "She's fine mate, Mummy is just happy, those are happy tears. Right Love?" Joe confirmed as he reached Taylor to wipe her tears for her.
Taylor smiled as she wept and nodded her head while trying to compose herself. "Yes sweetheart, Daddy is right. I'm so happy and seeing how good you are with your sister and your brother really makes Mummy so happy." She said kissing his head again but not pulling him too tightly to her side.
Joe grinned, letting Taylor take a moment to breathe and collect herself. He spoke to his sons to give them a little more understanding why their mother was crying when she had explained she was happy.
"Mummy hasn't slept very much in the past few days. Having your sister is very tiring for Mummy, and you know how you get when you're tired?" Joe asked the boys hoping to explain it simply enough for them to understand without offending Taylor. Hunter nodded his head and looked back at Taylor and then the baby as he tried to piece it all together.
Taylor chuckled softly at Joe's explanation and she nodded her head softly. "Yes Daddy is right, just like when you and your brother and now your sister get overtired, we tend to cry a little more over silly things...well that's what is happening to Mummy. Everything is fine, I am just tired and so happy that it's

making me cry over silly things." Taylor said softly and wrapped her arm around Hunter again and rubbed his arm to try and keep him at ease.
Taylor smiled at Joe fondly knowing that together their explanation kept Hunter calm even though he was likely still confused at the complexity of emotions. Joe was admiring how Taylor watched Hunter take care of Eloise so carefully.
They enjoyed a few more blissful minutes together as a family of five before Jackson began to get a little restless. Hunter too was getting a little tired of holding the baby. Taylor offered to take her from him so he didn't feel too pressured. Joe grinned back at Hunter and Taylor, as he was keeping an eye on Jackson who was exploring the rest of the birthing suit. Taylor held the baby in one arm and chatted with Hunter for a little while longer, asking him what he and Jackson did the past few days with both sets of grandparents. Hunter excitedly told her all about how they went Christmas shopping, bought the baby present, and even a surprise especially for her and all the fun things they did with their Uncle Austin. Taylor laughed at the stories Hunter was telling her, knowing very well their boys were well taken care of and spoiled while she and Joe were away.
Joe was tossing Jackson over his shoulder and making him laugh while he joined his family back at Taylor's hospital bed. "Speaking of grandparents and your Uncle Austin, why don't we go get them and introduce them to your sister? What do you boys think? Who wants to go fetch them with me?" Joe questioned as he carefully placed Jackson back on ground as he excitedly volunteered to accompany Joe to grab the rest of the family. "Hunter, you want to join us or would you like to stay here with Mum?" Joe asked before making his way to the door behind Jackson.
Hunter thought about it for a moment before looking back at his mother. "Is it ok if I go too Mummy? I don't want to leave you and my sister all by yourself..." He expressed, slightly torn between staying or going with his father.
"Of course sweetie, me and your sister will be fine. Why don't you go with Daddy that way you can show the rest of the family where to find us." Taylor grinned and helped him off the bed. She squeezed his hand tightly before smiling at him lovingly, he flashed her a smile before joining his father and brother.
Before walking out of the room Joe looked back to Taylor, just making sure Taylor was ok, "you alright for a few moments, Love?"

Taylor smiled and nodded her head happily. "I promise I am. We'll be fine on our own for a few minutes."
Joe grinned, knowing very well Taylor was more than capable of taking care of their daughter, but he still didn't want to leave their side just yet, even if it was only for a moment. "We'll be quick, but can I bring you back anything? Anything at all?" He asked, wanting to make sure she had everything she could need or want at all.
Taylor thought for a moment as she looked down at her sleeping daughter in her arms momentarily before looking back at Joe as she shook her head. "No, there really is nothing I could possibly want right now. But thank you for asking." She said with a big smile on her face.
Joe grinned at her and gave her a wink, "very well, Love. We'll be back shortly."
Taylor smiled, feeling her cheeks blush softly at his words. She sighed contently as she watched her daughter sleep in her arms. Taylor sat admiring her beauty, finally having a moment alone with her since giving birth she ran the back of her finger across the baby's cheek tenderly she softly hummed the same little melody she had reserved just for her. Taylor continued to admire her, taking in all her small features and watched as her eyelids fluttered in her sleep. Taylor was so tired, and while she normally would have taken those few minutes of peace to rest her eyes, she just couldn't tear her eyes off her infant daughter. Her heart was so full of love and gratitude she felt the tears of happiness pool in her eyes. She held her daughter closer to her chest and gave her small head a gentle kiss while she waited for the rest of her family to finally meet their daughter.