The afton family: new life

Chapter 15: Adjusting to Life with Jullian

The Afton household was slowly beginning to settle into a new routine with Jullian. The days were filled with the usual hustle and bustle, but now there was an added layer of care centered around the newest member of the family. Clara and William found themselves rediscovering the familiar rhythm of parenting a newborn, but this time, it came with the challenge of balancing the needs of their three older children.

Morning came early, as it always does with a newborn. The first rays of sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow over the room. Clara stirred awake to the gentle sounds of Jullian fussing in his crib beside their bed. She opened her eyes, still heavy with sleep, and reached for her son.

"Morning already," she murmured softly, glancing at the clock. It was just after 5 a.m., and she could hear the distant chirping of birds outside.

William was already awake, sitting up beside her. "I'll get his bottle," he offered, his voice low and warm. He knew Clara had been up multiple times during the night and wanted to give her a few extra minutes of rest.

"Thanks," Clara replied with a tired smile, grateful for his help. She picked up Jullian, who immediately calmed in her arms, his tiny face nuzzling against her shoulder.

William returned quickly with the bottle, and Clara fed Jullian, rocking gently in the chair by the window. The morning light painted a picture of serenity as the rest of the house slowly began to wake.

Soon, the familiar sounds of Michael, Chris, and Elizabeth getting ready for school filled the house. Clara could hear Michael knocking on Chris's door, urging him to hurry up, while Elizabeth's voice was a high-pitched chatter, likely talking to her favorite doll.

"Mooom!" Elizabeth called from down the hall. "I can't find my shoes!"

Clara chuckled softly, knowing exactly where Elizabeth's shoes were—probably right where she left them the night before. "Check under your bed, sweetheart," she called back, still focused on feeding Jullian.

Meanwhile, Michael, who had quickly taken on the role of big brother to Jullian, poked his head into his parents' room. "Need any help?" he asked, looking between Clara and the baby.

Clara smiled at her eldest. "You could help by making sure your brother finds his backpack," she suggested.

Michael nodded, turning back down the hallway with a determined look on his face. "Chris! Come on, we're gonna be late!" he shouted.

Breakfast was a whirlwind of cereal, toast, and packing lunches. Clara and William moved in sync, passing each other in the kitchen like a well-rehearsed dance. Jullian watched from his bassinet, his wide eyes taking in the flurry of activity around him.

Once the older kids were off to school, the house finally quieted down. Clara and William shared a brief moment of peace, sitting down at the kitchen table with their coffee.

"I forgot how exhausting this can be," Clara admitted, rubbing her eyes.

William chuckled. "It's like riding a bike, though. We're getting the hang of it again."

Clara nodded, sipping her coffee. "Yeah, we are. And it helps that the kids are older now. They've been so helpful."

Just then, Jullian let out a soft coo, drawing their attention back to him. William smiled, reaching over to gently tickle Jullian's belly. "And this little guy is already fitting right in."

The rest of the day was a balancing act. Between feeding Jullian, changing diapers, and trying to keep up with household chores, Clara and William found themselves constantly on their feet. But there were sweet moments, too—like when Jullian smiled in his sleep, or when he gripped William's finger with his tiny hand, holding on as if he never wanted to let go.

Later that afternoon, Clara took a rare moment to herself. She sat down on the couch with a sigh, holding Jullian close. The baby was wide awake, his big eyes looking up at her with a curious expression.

"Hi, sweet boy," she whispered, brushing a soft kiss against his forehead. "You're already bringing so much joy to this family, you know that?"

As if in response, Jullian let out a happy gurgle, his tiny mouth curling up in what looked like a smile. Clara's heart melted. She knew the days would be long, the nights even longer, but moments like this made it all worth it.

When the older kids returned from school, they eagerly gathered around Jullian, taking turns holding him and making silly faces to see if they could get him to smile again. Elizabeth, especially, was fascinated by her new baby brother, always wanting to be near him.

"He's so cute," she said for the hundredth time, gently stroking Jullian's cheek. "I think he likes me best."

Chris rolled his eyes but smiled. "He likes everyone, Lizzy. He's just a baby."

Michael watched, a thoughtful look on his face. "He's lucky to have us," he said quietly, a hint of pride in his voice.

William nodded, placing a hand on Michael's shoulder. "And we're lucky to have him," he added.

As the evening approached, Clara and William prepared for another night, knowing it would be filled with feedings and diaper changes. But as they looked around at their children—all four of them—they felt a profound sense of gratitude. Their family was growing, their hearts fuller than ever.

That night, after the kids were tucked in, and Jullian was finally asleep in his crib, Clara and William lay down in their bed, exhausted but content.

"Think we'll ever get a full night's sleep again?" William joked, turning to Clara with a tired grin.

Clara laughed softly. "Maybe in a few years," she teased. "But honestly, I wouldn't trade this for anything."

William nodded, reaching over to hold her hand. "Me neither," he agreed. "Not for anything in the world."

And with that, they closed their eyes, ready to face another day as a family of six, knowing that no matter how tired they were, the love they shared was stronger than ever.

4o