A Bond Never Broken

Chapter 30

Luke's House

September 26th, 2015

It had been two month since Caroline and I were bombarded with new parent duties and since Brooke had passed on. Caroline had attended Brooke's funeral alone, I was left with Ava at the hospital. She hadn't broken down except once. She was staying strong for Ava, knowing she couldn't be emotional and stress but still be the best mother she could. I had told her over and over that I'd stay with the baby for a few days while she went home and relaxed. But what did she do? Deny the offer. God, I loved her and loved how she was a hell of a great mother, but she needed to take a break at some point.

We had to stay way longer than you normally would after birth. Today was the actual day we get to take Ava home... at two months old. They had done lots of different tests and gone through step by step how to take care of Ava. For example, what formula to feed her since Caroline couldn't breastfeed. After these long two months, we're glad to be going home.

Caroline and I went shopping last month for Ava's nursery, a list in hand of everything we'd need. Caroline loves Pinterest which is where she got the idea for Ava's room. She had fallen in love the instant she saw it. We had a team of workers redo a spare room close to our's, but Caroline had gone back in after they were finished and added the finishing touches.

Bo and Til had gone back to school in August along with Tate joining them. Tate was excited he got to ride the bus with his big brother for the first time. This year he had started kindergarten and Bo was going into second grade.

I pulled the drive to the house and parked. I turned and smiled at Caroline.

"Baby's first homecoming." I said.

Caroline turned and looked at Ava who was sound asleep in her car seat in the back.

"These past few months have been a roller coaster for us. It's crazy to think that we're her parents." Caroline looked at me again. "Like, Luke, we're parents to a little girl now."

I smiled and leaned over the center console, placing a kiss on her cheek. "Hard to believe, I know. It's going to be very different for me. I've never been a parent to a baby."

Caroline grasped my hand and looked up into my eyes. "You're going to be a great father to her. You're already proved that to me these past two months."

I just smiled. "Well, let's get her in the house."

Caroline nodded her at me and laughed. "That would be a good idea. We've been sitting in your driveway for a good ten minutes."

I just smiled in return, realizing for the millionth time that she was a blessing to me and how thankful I was to have her back in my life. And to think that we're expanding our family, mesmerizing.

I hopped down from the truck and shut my door before opening Ava's. I grinned when I noticed her wide awake, gurgling something. I held my hand out to her and melted as she wrapped her tiny fingers around my own.

I cooed. "You're just a Daddy's little girl, aren't you?"

I felt Caroline place her hand on my arm as she walked up and stood beside me. I looked down at her and expressed my happiness through a smile.

She leaned up and kissed my cheek. "I could watch you be a father all day and never get bored. You're amazing Luke, and I mean it."

I nodded my head and glanced at Ava again. "I wouldn't trade being a father and hus- boyfriend for anything."

I grimaced at my slip up, praying to God Caroline hadn't noticed it. I don't know what made me slip up. I hadn't done that in months. But, luck was with me, and Caroline kept talking. If she noticed my mistake, she didn't show any signs of it, that's for sure.