Hunter Hayes Imagines

Baby Sadness

You had been overjoyed to find out that you were expecting your first child with Hunter and even though the labor was long it was worth holding little Michael Easton Hayes. He weighed at 7lbs, 1oz and son and father shared the same birthday. Hunter held him almost any moment he had, son latching his fingers around his father's calloused one. "He's amazing, baby. Thank you for him." You smiled from your bed as family members walked in. First it was his parents and yours. They all huddled around Hunter to see Michael and took him when offered by the overjoyed father.

Lynette was the first and grinned at you and Hunter, as Hunter walked back to your side, taking your hand. "He's just a little gem.." she said and Leo smiled nodded. You kissed Hunter's cheek and he smiled at you.

That night is extremely hard on you. You find yourself crying and you can't seem to stop, even the medication they gave you for sleeping isn't working.

"Baby, what's wrong?" Hunter whispers from the chair where he was resting.

"I-I don't know." You continue to cry. "I just feel empty."

Hunter gets up and walks to you, he takes your hand in his and starts brushing the other through your hair. "Hon, very close by is a baby boy. Our boy. He's healthy and already receiving more than enough love and care." Hunter leans down and kisses you gently on the lips, still talking as he does so. "And there's enough love for you too." He pulls away and starts humming a lullaby which will be great practice for the baby. Soon you drift off to sleep, dancing on clouds with Hunter and your son.

You wake up early and you still feel empty. Hunter still asleep in the chair, you try to quiet your sobs. You were happy, it all changed. You bring the hospital blanket up to your mouth and you feel so down with a lack of energy. You want to be happy but you can't. It worries you and you sob harder. You hear Hunter start to stir and you bury your face in the blankets. "Baby?.." You bite your lip and try to stop the tears but they still flow. Hunter stands and removes the blanket from your face, "sweetheart...why are you crying?"

"I don't know..I'm just..sad."

"Do you want to talk about it?" He asks tenderly, moving a piece of hair away from your eyes.

"No, I'm okay, really."

"Don't worry, soon it will be morning and the nurses will bring Michael back and then things will be better." You nod and fall back against the pillow. Something is really wrong but you don't want to worry Hunter. You can get rid of this... Whatever it is. You pull in one steady breath after another and try to make it sound like you are asleep. Your mind seems to pull you down deeper and deeper, before you pass the point of no return the sun comes up. Michael is placed in your arms and your spirits lift the tiniest amount. But you can't seem to find a real smile. What is happening?

A few days into having Michael home, you try to act like a normal mom but you still felt empty and your thoughts became dark. One night you're standing in the kitchen after putting Michael down when you see the knives. You try to object but you felt like something was controlling you. Dark thought after dark thought came as you grabbed a knife but before anything bad happened, Hunter turned you around and the knife dropped to the floor and you gasped. Your mind seems to clear and with the knife on the ground and the tears in Hunter's eyes you start to sob. "Hunter...I can't..I need help.." You sob and he pulls you into his arms, holding you close.

"Shh..everything's gonna be alright, baby.."

The next morning when you wake up the room is empty, Hunter is gone. You walk out into the hall and down to the nursery, still feeling an oppressive and crushed spirit weighing you down. Once you get to the crib you know something is wrong. Michael isn't sleeping or gurgling for you.

"Hunter?" You start to panic immediately.

"(Y/n)?"

"Where's the baby?" You whirl and Hunter comes into view.

"I just sent him off with my parents. Don't worry he's fine."

"Why? And why didn't you tell me?" You start to cry. "Because, we are going to get you help, please go get dressed."

You stand there and stare at him in shock. He approaches you and kisses you lightly on the lips. "Come on baby, we're gonna get you the help you need." You let him lead you to the bedroom where he helps you get ready, each action makes you feel heavier and heavier.

You sit in the waiting room and Hunter squeezes your hand, you look at him with sad eyes. "We'll get you better, okay? We're a family and it's just life throwing us a challenge." The way he said it, you knew he was trying as hard as he can to support you but he didn't know what to do.

You kiss his cheek, "I love you so much."

He smiles softly and kisses your forehead, "I love you so, so, much more, (Y/n)" you smile sadly and you look up when you heard your name being called. You looked at Hunter and he stood, helping you up. "You're not alone, baby. Never think that for a second, okay?"

"Okay.."

Depression is nothing to mess with, make no mistake. 2 months into therapy you start to see some improvement. You avoided Michael for the longest time after the knife incident, you were scared to death that you would end up hurting him. Hunter seemed to understand but he wanted to make sure you were a part of his life. Keeping close to you during the day, letting Michael alone in his pen with you in the kitchen or next to the couch in the living room, even taking naps together. One day Hunter gingerly sits next to you while you are finishing up a journal entry for your next session. He hands you Michael carefully, keeping a hand on his back and looking into your eyes. For the first time in what feels like forever you smiled at him.

He grins and kisses you softly, "Welcome back, baby."

You smile and look at your son who looks up at you with loving eyes. You kiss his nose, "Hey, little man." Hunter wraps his other arm around your waist, pulling you closer. You look up at Hunter and kiss him softly, "Thank you..."

"For what..?"

"Being mine."

He chuckles and kisses your nose, "No..thank you for the both of you being mine. I'd do anything for the both of you in a heartbeat. You're my family..you're my heart." Your heart skips a beat and you lay your head on his shoulder, the both of you looking down at the miracle the both of you made.

"Mommy.."

"..and daddy.."

"..love you very much, Michael."

Michael runs around the yard, hitting everything with a wooden spoon to see if it makes a sound like a drum.
"Hunter, go get your son!" You giggle as you rock baby Jamie in your arms as you watch the sun set.

Hunter rolls his eyes at you playfully before taking off after the 3 year old. You watch the pair and smile, glancing down every so often to make sure Jamie sleeps on. After the hard time you had after Michael was born you were terrified the depression might come back with the coming of a baby, but so far, nothing. And that's how you want to keep it. Hunter comes back, Michael is slung over his shoulders, his arms dangle down as Hunter holds his feet. "Caught him." Hunter grins.

"No! I don't wanna go to bed!" Michael complains as he swings back and forth.

"Fine, you can have a bath first!" Hunter says as he heads for the house.

"No Daddy!"

You stand and follow them in. When Hunter drops Michael on the couch he makes a b-line for the door. But it's too late you've closed it and latched it.

"Come on little man, time to scrub the dirt off of your skin, it'll be a surprise if there's anything left after!" You say soundly as Hunter takes Jamie from you, he kisses you on the cheek as you pass him. "I'll put this one down while you tend to dirt boy here... Then, you're all mine."

You laugh a little. "That'll be the day, that's fine I'm happy like this."

"I'm just happy you're happy." Hunter smiles and leans in to kiss you. A crash sounds upstairs and you sigh and hurry away, hoping it was nothing important that just met its untimely end.