Back to You

Ethan

It's been 2 hours since we arrived at the hospital and we still don't have an update on Mia. I'm currently standing outside the NIC Unit in the hospital watching our baby girl sleeping in her little crib with all these cords hooked up to her, still looking absolutely adorable. I may be bias but she is a gorgeous little baby. She opened her eyes before and I saw they are blue, not as light as my own but a darker ocean blue. I had to feed her some formula as she was beginning to fuss and change her nappy. The midwives have been really helpful, considering I have no idea what I'm doing, they have to show me everything. Ella is waiting with me, while the others are in the waiting room.

I have called my mum letting her know that she is now a grandma. She was so excited when I told her that Mia was pregnant, dad only said she will ruin my career. She asked me to send pictures and that she would try to make it here tomorrow to meet the little princess, her words not mine. She always did like Mia and was very supportive when she disappeared and then when I found her again. She kept telling me that everything would work out in the end.

The doctor walks in and both Ella and I turn to them. They guide us into a room just off to the side. "Mia is out of surgery, we managed to stop the bleed with minimal side effects. She is just in recovery and will be brought into her room in the next 30 minutes. I'll be back once she is settled to go over the surgery with her." I finally feel like I can breathe. Mia is going to be okay. Ella comes straight over to me and hugs me as tears flows down her face. I wrap my arms around her as we find comfort in each other knowing Mia is going to be okay. "I'll go let the others know" Ella says as she goes to walk out of the room.

I take a seat in the room and think about our baby girl sleep so peacefully not even realizing all the drama around her. It's not long later that the nurses wheel Mia in. She's awake but looks exhausted, she has been through so much today. I walk over and stand next to her bed, taking her hand in mine. I lean down and brush my lips against hers and I can feel the tears starting to form. Her hand comes and cups my cheek. It is only a quick kiss but I then rest my forehead against hers and whisper "You're okay, you're both okay" as the tears fall from both our eyes.

"Did you mean what you said?" she asks nervously. I have to think for a moment before I reply "Yes" I answer, and she lets out a shaky breath. "I love you too" and she connects our lips back together in a soft and slow kiss.

***

Not long after the doctor comes back into the room and explains what happened with Mia. Her placenta had torn away from the uterus wall causing the excessive bleeding. There was damage to her uterus and he said that it may make it difficult falling pregnant in the future. They are keeping her in hospital for a week to make sure there are not further complications, but all seems to be good for now. All our friends came in and saw Mia quickly before heading out giving us time to ourselves. The doctor also said that Mia can go to the NIC unit to see our baby girl in a wheelchair and the elation on her face is priceless.

The nurse brings in a wheelchair and I help move Mia from her bed and start to push her down the hall towards our little girl. We are allowed to go in as long as we wear a mask and gown. I push Mia over to our little girls' crib and the tears are flowing down her cheeks. "Can I hold her?" Mia asks and the nurse nods and begins to get our little girl out of her crib, being careful of all the things attached to her and places her in Mia's arms.

"Hey little one" she starts talking "You just couldn't wait to met us" she leans down and places a soft kiss on her head.

"She needs a feed if you are up to it?" the nurse asks and Mia nods. "Are you planning on breast feeding or bottle?"

"I'd like to try nursing her if possible" Mia answers and the nurse comes over with a pillow and helps Mia get into a good position. It takes a few tries but she latches on and starts to suck. The look on Mia's face is something I won't ever forget. After her feed, the nurse shows Mia how to burp her and then helps to change her nappy. She talks to Mia about expressing some milk because as she is in the NICU they will be feeding during the night as they can't take the baby into Mia's room with her because she is not strong enough and still needs the support, and Mia can come and feed during the day.

I don't leave the hospital for the next week even though Mia constantly tells me to go and get some rest. I have been sleeping on the couch, which is not at all comfortable, but I don't want to be away from my 2 girls. I want to be there for the feeds, the nappy changes and everything in between plus if there is an issue with either one, I need to be here. Our little girl has grown even in the last week and today is the day that Mia gets to go home, unfortunately our little girl needs to stay for at least another week, but the machines attached to her have been getting less and now she is only on oxygen. Mia hasn't had any more issues but still needs to rest for a few weeks to make sure she heals properly.

Leaving the hospital is bittersweet knowing we will be back there every day until we are able to leave as a family. When we arrive home just before dinner time, all our friends are in the lounge room waiting for us. They haven't been visiting trying to give Mia the time to recover. They all come up to Mia and say hello and we take a seat with them.

"So how is the little princess?" Jake asks, "Actually can you tell us her name?"

I look at Mia as she also looks at me. I give her a small nod to say it's up to her if she wants to tell them. "Isabelle Jayde Tanner and she's doing well, hopefully she'll be able to come home within a week". Everybody loves the name we have chosen. After we catch up on everything going on with all our friends, Mia says she is feeling a little tired and she's just going to have a lay down.

Once she is up the stairs, I turn to all our friends "I need you help". We have nothing for Isabelle and Mia isn't supposed to be on her feet for long periods of time during her recovery therefore can't go shopping. I devise a plan with the girls for them to go to the shop and get everything tomorrow. Once they are there, I will facetime them, so Mia still feels part of this and can choose what she would like. Both Sienna and Raya love to shop so they are both excited. I give them my card and tell them to get everything delivered.

We decide to order some takeout and Mia is still asleep upstairs. As it's getting late, I say good night to everybody and take some of the left-over food upstairs as I know Mia hasn't eaten since lunch and she needs the energy. I take the steps 2 at a time and when I get to the room Mia was staying in the door is open and she isn't there. I check the bathroom and she's not there either, I start to wonder where she is. I walk down towards my room and see that the door is partially open and Mia is cuddled up on my bed still sound asleep. I make my way into my room and close the door behind me. I place the food on the end of the bed and sit down and just look at the beautiful woman laying in my bed.

I gently rub her arm while saying her name quietly trying to gently wake her up. Her eyes start to flutter open "Hey. I brought you something to eat." She sits up against the headboard "Thanks and um.... sorry for coming into your bed. I just didn't want to be in that room. I hope its okay but if not I can go back in there" she rambles on and I gently kiss her to get her to stop talking. "It's fine, I like that you're in my bed" I see a small smile on her lips. I grab the food and offer it to her. After she has eaten, Mia goes to take a shower and I sit on my bed in silence. I keep thinking about everything that has happened over the past few weeks. I am now a dad to a beautiful baby girl. Mia has been the best mum to Isabelle and I can't wait to bring her home and be a family.

I hear the shower stop and not long after Mia opens the door slightly and asks me to go and get her pajamas as she forgot to get them. I don't bother walking to her room and just grab one of my t-shirts and hand it to her "Thanks, but I still need underwear, I'm still bleeding a little" I nod in understanding and go and grab her a pair making my way back to my room. Once she is dressed, she comes back out "Are you sure you don't mind me sleeping here?" she asks again. I don't answer her, I just pull the blankets back and pat the space next to me. She slides into the bed and lays down facing me leaving a gap between us. I wrap my arm around her waist and pull her towards me so she is cuddled up to my side.

I look down towards her but she isn't looking at me. I gently tilt her face so she is looking at me and I lower my lips to hers. The kiss starts out soft and slow but I run my tongue along her lower lip and place my hand at the back of her head. Her hand goes to the back on my neck and she starts playing with my hair as I allow my hand to run up and down the side of her body. Before it gets too heated, I pull away leaving our foreheads resting together. "I love you Mia" and I give her another quick peck. "I love you too".