Complicated (Alex Gaskarth)

Keep Holding On

3 months into the arrival of their daughter, Elizabeth and Alex face the hard truths of parenthood.

Inspired by this pic. Credit to owner.

The saying was right.

Whatever's meant to be does work out perfectly.

Because this moment, this moment, right here, ismy destiny.

One in which my husband, seated at the piano in his home studio with his fingers splayed across the keys, stares at me in pure happiness, while I admire the giggling 3-month-old Naomi Belle in her baby bouncer.

Which, all in all, is a moment that just solidifies my current sentiment.

With Alex by my side, I'd go to the ends of the world for the bundle of joy that became a part of me for nine months.

I'd fight for her.

Defend her.

Encourage her in everything.

Be the typical Italian mama that my instincts tell me to be.

Which, in this moment, are telling me that judging by her squinting watery eyes and whimpers, something is about to be released into that diaper.

Something toxic.

Something that really makes you wonder how the combination of breast milk and formula can equate to that.

Something that, based on the horrible stench that just swarmed my nose, and is now making my eyes water, is indicative of one thing.

It happened.

Oh, it happened.

And it is definitely a two-person cleanup job.

Heck, even Alex, the first-time father who is sometimes clueless as to how to take care of a child (as I was with Ellie) is aware of it.

Hence why he fully turns his body towards me, his tone and eyes fully determined, from the numerous times we've been caught in this situation.

That's parenthood for us, I guess. Not that we're not enjoying every minute of it.

"I'll take her. You go in the kitchen and prepare the changing station."

Nodding and sighing in determination of my own, I proceeded to head up the 15 or steps to the kitchen, from where we're in the basement, but not before a hand grips my arm, where I'm suddenly face to face with Alex, who, as his usual demeanor, is smirking.

"We'll make it through this, Elizabeth. I promise."

"It's not brain surgery, Lex!" I exclaim, "We're just changing a diaper."

In return, he offers me a signature smile, the same one that stole my heart from day one.

"Speaking of changing" he slyly lets on, "Would you change anything about our story, Liz?"

Offering a sly smile of my own, I stand on my tiptoes to whisper huskily in his ear.

"Not for one moment, Alexander. But hurry, before Torpedo Naomi escalates."

As if hearing her name, she suddenly wails from her seat, the fat tears streaming down her fair skin, tugging at my heartstrings.

And, apparently, at Alex's patience, as well.

"Keep holding on, Nao. Because you're stuck with us forever."