Growing with J.A.C.I.E. (All Time Low Fanfiction | Jack Barakat)

Chapter 23

I couldn't keep track of days and nights anymore. Everything felt like such a blur. It was a relentless cycle of feedings, diaper changes, and fleeting moments of sleep. The exhaustion hung heavy on my shoulders. Every two hours, day and night, Eliza demanded my attention for feedings, leaving me with little time for anything else.

One morning, I was sitting at the table with a bowl of cereal, staring ahead and barely able to eat anything. Being a new mother was gruelling. Not only did I put my body through one of the worst things I could possibly do to it, but I also couldn't give it its much needed rest. Recovery was going to be a very, very long road.

My dad gently approached me and stood beside me to suggest the most foreign thing.

"How about we go for a little walk, Jacie?" he suggested, his voice gentle and caring.

"Outside?" I looked up at him with tired eyes and uncertainty. "I don't know... I'm barely able to comfortably move around as is."

He nodded understandingly. "I get it, Sweetheart, but sometimes a bit of fresh air can work wonders. It's just a short walk, nothing strenuous. We'll take it slow."

Jack, who had been quietly observing, took note of the conversation.

"Is it safe to take Eliza out so soon?" he asked, his protective instincts kicking in.

My dad reassured him, "A short walk is perfectly fine, and it could be good for all of you. Just bundle her up well, and we'll stay close to home."

Despite the reassurances, Jack remained hesitant. I could see the worry in his eyes, mirroring my own apprehension. Eliza was only a week old, and the idea of venturing outside with a fragile newborn seemed intimidating. There was such a big dangerous world outside our front door.

But then Jack's eyes fell on me. He stared at me for a second longer that he probably intended to, and relented. We got Eliza ready by bundling her up in many warm layers, protecting her both from the relatively cold air and the sun. It was the first time we had to set up her stroller with her in it. But the way she laid there between all her blankets with her face scrunched up was a sight I'd never forget.

The world seemed so familiar yet so strange when we first stepped out. The sunlight hit my face, and the gentle breeze carried a sense of freedom. Maybe being stuck inside for a week had made me a little stir crazy. Either way, the New York air seemed fresh compared to the air inside the apartment.

"See, not so bad, right?" my dad encouraged as we took our first steps onto the street, Jack pushing the stroller.

I nodded, taking tentative steps forward. I hooked my arm around Jack's for some extra support and kept an eye on Eliza. We strolled along the streets around our block, Jack maintaining a careful pace so I could keep up. Eliza slept peacefully in her stroller. The rhythmic movement seemed to lull her into a deep slumber, not minding the outside elements at all.

"How are you feeling, Jace?" Jack asked, his gaze shifting between me and the stroller.

"The fresh air's nice," I gave him a small smile.

He gave me a smile back, understanding my apprehension, and gestured towards Eliza, "she seems to be enjoying it, doesn't she?"

"Yeah," I replied, my gaze fixed on our daughter.

The streets were relatively quiet, making our walk in New York City more relaxing than it usually would. Despite the late-mid March chill in the air, the sun bathed everything in a soft glow in a way the lights in the apartment just couldn't.

As we continued our short walk, I felt a sense of peacefulness returning. The rhythm of the stroller wheels against the pavement created a soothing beat. With each step, I felt a bit of the weight lifting off my shoulders.

Despite my slow steps, we appeared back at our apartment complex's front door in no time. I was relieved that I didn't have to walk much further, but also so glad that I'd been outside for a bit. We went back inside despite spending more time preparing to bring Eliza outside than actually walking.

The warmth of our cosy apartment welcomed us back, contrasting with the cool air outside. My dad held the door open for us, and Jack carefully guided the stroller back into the familiar territory of our living room.

"That wasn't too bad, was it?" my dad remarked, closing the door behind us.

I shook my head, feeling a bit more alive than I had in days. "No, it was actually nice."

I sank into the couch, feeling a mix of relief and accomplishment. Jack took on the responsibility of taking Eliza out of the stroller with my dad's help. We'd all accomplished something that day. Who knew how long it would be until I left the house if it weren't for my dad urging us to go outside.

Eliza let out some annoyed noises before breaking out into tears and Jack took her to the nursery. I could only assume for a diaper change. In the meantime, I heard a phone buzzing loudly on the coffee table in front of me. I frowned before letting out a chuckle. It seemed like I wasn't the only one who was a little overwhelmed. Jack had left his phone there, forgetting all about it when we went out.

I grabbed the device from the table, seeing that Rian was requesting a video call. Since it was just Rian, I decided to answer.

"Oh, hey, Jacie!" His face appeared on the screen, surprised to see that I was the one on the other side.

"Hey," I smiled back. "Jack's just gone to change Eliza's diaper. I'm sure he'll be back in a bit."

Rian grinned, his eyes filled with excitement. "So, how's life with the little one?"

I let out a tired chuckle. "It's, uh, definitely an adventure. I've never been so sleep-deprived in my life."

He laughed in response. "That's the parent initiation, I suppose. You guys are doing great, though. Jack's been occasionally sending us updates."

"Really? I hope he hasn't been spamming you. It's all we've been busy with."

"No," he kept grinning as he shook his head. "We all get super excited whenever he sends a picture."

I noticed Jack returning to the living room, Eliza now in a clean diaper and a fresh onesie. Although Rian mentioned photos, I was pretty certain he hadn't seen Eliza and Jack together yet. I quickly reversed the camera

"There he is," I beamed affectionately.

"Look at him being a dad," Rian's laughter came through the speaker.

Jack approached, confusion flashing across his face when he noticed the voice coming from his phone in my hands.

"It's Rian," I informed him.

He nodded in response and took a seat next to me. "Hey, Rian."

"Hey, hey," Rian returned.

I kept the video call on the rear camera and showed off Eliza. Jack was repositioning her slightly to make it easier to cradle her as he sat. In the process, Eliza happened to clutch onto his finger.

"Look at her!" Rian gushed as he continued to look down at his phone.

I couldn't help but make a joke, "already got you wrapped around her finger."

"Oh, you know she does," Jack agreed, gently stroking Eliza's hand with his thumb.

"I can't wait to get to see her in real life," Rian told us.

"All in good time," Jack chuckled and leaned over as I switched back to the front facing camera. "Anyway, why'd you call?"

"Just wanted to chat," Rian shrugged as he brought a straw to his lips and drank an unspecified drink. "I can call later if now's not a good time."

Jack looked at me as if asking for permission. He didn't need to ask, though, we were both responsible for our time. There was just one issue, Jack couldn't hold the phone with Eliza in his arms, and I couldn't take Eliza from him with the phone in my hands.

"Hang on, Ri," I said and put the phone down on the coffee table.

With my hands free, we carefully transferred Eliza over to my arms. Once I was sure she was fully supported, I got up from the couch and Jack picked the phone up again to continue his chat. I walked up to my dad, leaving the two men to talk about whatever they wanted.