Older || Sequel To SOS

Thirty-Eight

"Okay, gotta get up now." Elodie mumbles to herself, carefully standing herself up out of the bed slowly.

"Hey, do you want help?" Luke jumps up from the couch, hurrying to her side.

"I need to be able to do it on my own, and everything I've read says the sooner I try to move the better my recovery will be." Elodie waves him off, taking a deep breath as she stands herself up to full height. "I got this."

"I'm so proud of you, pretty girl." Luke chuckles, kissing her forehead quickly before stepping out of her way so she can move to the bathroom.

Taking a seat on the edge of the bed, Luke chuckles as a text comes through on his phone from Ashton. The text says that he and Brooke will bring them food and they can kick them out at any point, including immediately so long as they accept the food. He glances up as he hits send on a thank you text, a knock coming at the door before a nurse from the NICU pokes her head in.

"Is everything okay with Atlas?" Luke asks, standing immediately, his heart jumping to his throat.

"She's perfect." The nurse smiles, pushing the door open fully, surprising Luke as she pushes a small bassinet into the room, Atlas swaddled in a blanket laying inside. "And she's graduated from her need for the NICU. She's still small, she's still going to need to be on oxygen for a bit longer, but she's on track, and she's healthy, and ready to be with mom and dad."

"This is the best news, thank you so much." Luke grins, reaching into the bassinet to rest his hand on Atlas's body as it is placed next to the bed.

"As long as she keeps doing as well as she is she'll be able to go home with you guys when Elodie is released in the next couple days." The nurse nods, "And she is probably going to need to be fed soon."

"I was wrong, that is the best news." Luke chuckles, scooping Atlas up into his arms and snuggling her close to his chest.

"We are all impressed with her progress. Enjoy having her closer today."

"We will, thanks." Luke offers, waving the nurse out of the room as she goes, turning his attention back to Atlas as the door closes. "My strong and beautiful baby girl, daddy is so proud of you Atlas Blu." He mumbles, kissing her forehead softly, smiling into her hat as he hears the toilet flush in the bathroom. "Ready to surprise mummy?" He chuckles, shifting her down to lay across his arm, smiling down at her as she scrunches her nose and makes a small squeaking noise.

"You know, stealing our baby from the NICU isn't a good idea." Elodie chuckles as she steps out of the bathroom, her eyes welling with tears as she does though.

"We have the strongest girl here, and she has graduated from the NICU and gets to stay with us here now." Luke smiles up at her, motioning her over with a nod of his head.

"Tough like her daddy." El smiles, sitting carefully besides Luke, her hand lifting to brush over Atlas's head softly.

"No, her strength is all from her mum. How could she not be strong with you as her mummy? You're the strongest person I know." Luke shifts slightly, putting Altas into Elodie's arms.

"We wouldn't be here without you and your strength, Lu. There's no way." Elodie sighs, cuddling Altas into herself and leaning into Luke's arm.

"This moment right here makes it all worth it. Every scare, every pain, every tear. I've got everything I need in my arms right now." Luke mumbles as he secures his arms tightly around Elodie and Atlas, pressing firm kisses to Elodie's forehead as he lets the moment sink in. A gentle silence enveloping the small family for a full minute before a soft noise emits from Atlas, and then a full cry, her face squishing into the cutest yet most heartbreaking look.