𝓛𝓮𝓸𝓷 𝓚𝓮𝓷𝓷𝓮𝓭𝔂| ɪᴍᴀɢɪɴᴇꜱ ʙᴏᴏᴋ 4

My Little Haven

Leon's POV:

I watch as my wife rushes around, grabbing her purse and jacket before checking her hair and makeup in the mirror. I huff a laugh as I step behind her, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder as I lean down to kiss the side of her pretty head. "You look fine. I know you're nervous about seeing your friends after so long, but I promise everything's gonna be alright. Besides, you deserve this day out."

Y/N huffs, glancing over her shoulder at me as her lips twitch. Even after five years of marriage it still makes my heart race. "I know, I know," she sighs, eyes moving to the across the room to where our baby daughter is happily rolling on her stomach, "I just...are you sure I should leave her? What if she needs me? Do you remember what time she has her bottle? And where her favourite blanket is? What about-"

I shake my head ruefully, pressing a finger to my wife's lips as her brows knit together in worry. "Stop stressing Mrs Kennedy, I've got this. You do realise I live here too with our daughter?" I chuckle. Y/N's shoulders slump as she nods and takes a deep breath, her phone vibrates in her pocket, it's no doubt her friends asking why she's taking so long.

"I know, I'm sorry. Right, if I'm going to go I've got to make it quick otherwise I'll never leave." She mumbles, spinning around to peck my lips. She hurries over to our daughter, scooping her up as she babbles and dribbles. Y/N kisses her head, telling her how much she loves her and to not forget about her mom before passing the warm bundle of joy to me. I hold her close, waving as Y/N leaves, her eyes shine as she takes one last look at us.

All of a sudden the house feels different, as if both D/N and I know something- or someone- important is missing. I take a deep breath, mentally reassuring myself that I really do have this all under control. My wife deserves a fun day out after everything she's done for us, and honestly a day with just me and my baby sounds fun when I know my wife is having a good time too. I look down at my daughters wide blue eyes, noticing how her lip wobbles. I swallow, smiling for her sake.

"Alright kiddo, it's just you and me, a whole house to ourselves. Let's not have too much fun and get carried away, okay?" I tease, bringing a finger up to boop her nose. D/N gurgles and giggles, followed by the smell of something not so cute. I wince, pulling a face as she laughs harder. "Saved that just for me, huh?"

Her little hands wave about as she babbles and says whatever is on her mind. I nod and talk back as if understanding her, then take her to the changing table. It's not a pretty sight, but over the last few months I've mastered the process. I'm about to put on fresh clothes until I remember she's supposed to be bathed later. I glance at the bathroom, shrugging to myself as I carry her in and start filling the bath with water warm enough for her. I put in some bubbles and her toys as she kicks her little feet in excitement.

"Ba ba ba!" She tries to say. I nod, grinning as I praise her and carefully set her in the water. I kneel down, keeping my hands outstretched to protect her as she splashes and giggles at the plastic toys. She picks some up, waving around a crab and a fish before making them fly in front of my face. I watch, unable to let my smile drop from the pure joy I get from seeing her happy. At one point I begin to pick up the toys and play with her, making the sea creatures talk with funny voices. Her giggles are infectious.

I'm careful to clean her after we'd played enough, I hold a hand over her eyes as I pour the water and wash her hair. I rise it off as she wiggles, then when she's clean I scoop her out. That part she doesn't like. She begins to hiccup, followed by a wail.

"I know, but if you stay in any longer you'll start shrinking instead of growing. Daddy needs you to get bigger not smaller, sweetheart." I coo, wrapping her in a towel as I dry her off. Tears fall down her face, breaking my heart as I kiss her head and rock her gently. Once dry I put her in some fresh clothes and a new diaper. "That's better!" I cheer, holding her up as she yawns and settles again. I swiftly check my watch, seeing it's almost time for her nap, no wonder she's grouchy.

I look around the house, unsure of what to do now. It's too early to put her down for a nap, but if we start anything we'll miss naptime. I purse my lips together until a fun idea comes to mind. With D/N in my arms I begin to walk around the house, showing her things she's probably never seen before. Her curious eyes widen as I carry her from room to room, pointing out the top of the fridge and in the cupboards.

"This is the kitchen, where mommy and I make all the food. This is where we sit, when you're older you'll be sat here with us, isn't that cool?" I ask, noticing how she kind of dips her head in a nod. I blink at her, wondering if that's a milestone her mom should know about. Next I take her to my office, showing her some files as I sit down. D/N grabs all the pens, so I set down some paper and let her scribble away for all of the ten seconds she wants to.

"Yeah, I find paperwork boring too." I mumble, noticing it's now time for her nap. D/N's eyes begin to droop already as I pick her up and carry her to the living room, I'd usually put her down for a nap but since we're alone I'd rather hold her close. I settle on the sofa, holding her on my chest as the rise and fall puts her to sleep. I pick a movie and put it on as I kiss the top of her head and wish her a sweet dreams. Every so often she'll stir in my arms, only to move her lips and stay sleeping. I watch her more than I watch the movie, the moment of peace and gratefulness washes over me.

Breaking the silence my phone buzzes. I'm careful to pick it up as D/N softly snores on me. It's my wife calling, and I'm honestly proud of her for not doing so earlier.

"Hey, how's everything going?" She asks, a hint of worry in her tone.

"Hey, everything's good here," I reply softly, "little Kennedy's sleeping right now, and we're just chilling out. How are you, having a good time?"

"Yeah, it's actually been pretty fun. I just wanted to check in, I should be home soon." She tells me. We speak for a little while longer until the baby begins to stir. We say our goodbyes just as D/N wakes up and begins to cry. It's feeding time. I coo at her, comforting her as I stand and head to the kitchen, but the second I try to make a bottle my mind blanks. The baby screams, little chest hiccuping as I rock her and pat her diaper.

"Shit. Oh sorry!" I curse then apologise, "Right, bottle, warm water and formula." I mumble, going through the steps. My wife always makes it look so easy. I soon remember the actions as I make the bottle with a screaming baby in my arms, then without delaying anymore I check it on the back of my hand before beginning to feed her.

Her mouth latches onto the bottle as I wipe her tears and smooth a finger over her reddened cheeks. She's fine now she's feeding, and I relax once more. Her little fingers grip the bottle as I raise her up and stand in the living room, watching her as she watches me.

"You have no idea how much I love you," I whisper, pressing a kiss to her forehead. Just as she gets halfway through the front door opens and my wife appears, smiling as she carries numerous bags in.

"Where's my two favourite people?" She excitedly asks as I smile and meet her for a lingering kiss. She then kisses the baby's forehead before talking to me about her day and showing me all the things she bought. However slowly she inches closer and closer to D/N, hands reaching out as the baby babbles and reaches back.

I chuckle, passing her D/N and the bottle. Instantly both seem to connect once more, with Y/N entering mother mode once more, her face softens as she holds the bottle with three fingers, a complete natural. I smile, then D/N lets out a big burp, making us both laugh at her.

"I'm glad you had a good time," I say softly. "We did too."

Y/N nods, letting me pull her in for a hug as our baby coos and gurgles again. I close my eyes, savouring the feeling of my wife and baby close to me. This is my little haven, and I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world.