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Thirty Nine

And a life we lived.

The night of our wedding was spent dancing, laughing, and loving.

We smiled until our jaws hurt and hugged until our arms gave out. It was a beautiful and wonderful night.

Sebastian and I went on our honeymoon the next day. We spent a blissful week in Iceland. As much as Sebastian complained about the cold, he didn't seem to mind when I would draw myself into his arms for warmth. I think he secretly wished it would be colder just so I'd never leave his arms. We swam in hot springs while mountains surrounded us and gazed at star filled skies during long nights of enjoying each other.

I often stopped whatever I was doing to stare at my ring on my finger.

Each time I did, I would smile as each little sparkle from it reminded me of all our memories and the life we have shared so far.

By the time we made it home though, our arms were aching to hold Aurelia.

I longed to hear her sweet voice and feel her little arms wrap around me in the tightest hug her little body could manage. I knew Sebastian was desperate to see her.

"It's been exactly 8 days and 4 hours since I've hugged that kid and I don't think I can go much longer." Sebastian said lowly as we drove to my parents' house.

"Good thing we are about to see her." I smiled.

We decided she would stay with my parents while we were away so that she could spend time with her new cousins. There had been at least two Facetime sessions with her each day we were gone and I knew it would never be enough for either of us.

Once we pulled into my parents' driveway, the door to the house was nearly thrown off its hinges and a tiny little brown haired girl ran out onto the porch. My heart nearly jumped from my chest at the sight of her.

I couldn't get my seat belt off fast enough before opening my door and racing for her.

I scooped her up into my arms and held her close as happy tears welled in my eyes.

"Hi baby girl." I breathed. It felt like my lungs had just taken the first breath of air after being underwater for too long.

"Hi mommy." Aurelia whispered into my hair as I felt Sebastian hug us both from behind. I felt Aurelia's little arm move from me and reach for her dad while the other arm stayed latched around my neck. We stood there holding each other for a few minutes before my parents came out to greet us.

After being filled in on the exciting adventures Aurelia had with my family the past week, we were loading the car with her bags when my mom approached me.

"Happy looks good on you." She smiled.

"It feels good." I said, pulling her into a hug.

"You three be careful going home and let me know as soon as you get there." I could hear the tears in her voice but chose not to call her out on it since my own tears were burning the back of my eyes.

"We will. I love you."

"I love you, Madelaine."

Hours passed as we traveled back to New York.

I spent the ride holding onto Sebastian's hand and listening to Aurelia's version of just about every song that played on the radio until she fell asleep a few hours before arriving back at the apartment building. Sebastian carries the sleeping girl all the way up to her room while I stand in the doorway, watching him tuck her in like I've done so often in the past.

I don't think I'll ever be able to break the habit.

It beats every view I had in Iceland.

There aren't enough stars in the sky to compete with what I have right in front of me.