Never Grow Up (A Sequel)

Christmas

After a whirlwind Christmas Day, the house was finally quiet.

An NFL game against the Packers, all their family over for Christmas dinner, and five over-excited and sugar filled children meant that the day had been busy, loud - fun, yes - but crazy. And now, with some quiet descending over them, he's finally able to take his wife into his arms and hold her tight, kiss her temple and breathe her in.

'I'm so proud of you, baby', he murmurs into her ear, smiling when he feels her shake her head against him.

'What are you talking about, Trav. I'm proud of you. Well done on the win, honey', she whispers back, leaning her head up to kiss his lips.

'You know what I'm talking about, Tay', he replies, intertwining their fingers in her lap. 'It's hard, the first Christmas after you lose someone. But you made the day so special for the kids, and our family, and I'm proud of you for that. Your dad would be so proud of you for that, too, you know. He just loved you so much'.

He hears her sniffle, wipe at her eyes, but when she leans back to look up at him, she's smiling. 'Thanks, Trav. Today was the first day, really, that I thought I'll be okay. With everyone around us, the kids being happy. Even though I wish with everything that he was here with us, sitting at the table and laughing at the kids, I know he wouldn't want me to wallow. Or to make the kids unhappy. So I know with you and our little family we'll all be okay'.

'I'm so glad, Tay. I'm so glad you feel like that now, baby. I love you so much, I just want to help you, you know? Anything you need, I'm here. I love you baby girl'.

She doesn't respond, simply turns in his arms so that she's straddling him, kissing him deeply - not to take it any further, but to try to convey her thankfulness for him, her love, how much he means to her. She leans her forehead against his, stroking his ever-growing beard, before smiling. 'Let's go to bed, Trav. You know we'll be awake with the baby in a couple of hours anyway'.

He nods, making her laugh as he scoops her up into his arms, and they make their way upstairs and get ready for bed, finding each other under the covers again, Taylor's back against Travis' front. Charlotte is snoozing away in her bassinet, and sleep quickly takes over them both.

Taylor wakes with a start around 6am, a little cry whimpering from Charlotte, and she looks at the clock in surprise at the time. 'Oh sweetheart', she whispers, picking the baby up before she can really start to cry, and immediately latching her on to feed. 'You made it all through the night, huh? Was that your Christmas present to mommy and daddy?', she murmurs, stroking Charlotte's cheek as she eats, smiling as the baby reaches up to grasp Taylor's finger in her fist.

Travis wakes when Taylor's finished feeding her and is changing her diaper on the bed, Charlotte happy and giggling now she's eaten and had a full nights sleep. 'Hey, baby girl, I'm not still dreaming am I? Did you sleep all night?', he coos down at her, her little gummy smile growing ever wider, and a laugh breaking out. He lifts her when Taylor snaps the last button on her onesie into place, gently kissing her cheek.

'She did. Our very own Christmas present!', Taylor tells him, leaning forward to wrap an arm around Travis' shoulder, making faces at Charlotte as Travis holds her in his lap.

'Hmm, good morning baby', he hums, turning around to peck Taylor's lips, whispering 'I love you' against her mouth.

'Love you too, sweetie', she replies, leaning her head against his as they both turn back around to smile at Charlotte, who was watching their interaction, her eyes following the sound of her parents' voices.

'You got her? I'll go start on some pancakes. The rest will be up soon, you can be sure', Taylor asks Travis, who nods, kissing her once more before she steps out of bed and pulls on one of his hoodies, making her way downstairs to make breakfast for them and for their guests.