The Secret Of Us

sixteen

After a few more weeks, Travis and I seemed to find our footing as parents. It wasn't easy since we were scrutinized at every opportunity, but we learnt to manage it. Clover was only seen when we wanted her to be, and the support was incredible.

Our family and friends were so incredibly supportive. They gave Clover such a happy, loving environment to grow up in, and she was around so many people a lot of the time that absolutely adored her. She was such a happy baby, which was so incredible to see. Travis and I had each other's backs the whole time, and we made sure all of us were taken care of.

When Clover was seven weeks old, we took her into the doctor's for her first vaccinations and so I could get checked on how I was healing. It wasn't something I'd been looking forwards to since no baby would be happy with needles, but we knew we had to do it. And I, for one, was a little too enthusiastic to see if I was cleared for physical activity. Travis was too. Whenever Clover was asleep, we only had time for each other, and it was hard not to let things go further than soft, roaming hands and a heated make out session.

"Okay baby girl, look at you!" Travis said, and I looked over from where I was folding some of her clothes to see him picking Clover up off her changing table.

"Aw, that's adorable." I giggled as I looked at my daughter in her pale green dress.

"How about we take her to the park afterwards or something, just so she doesn't stay upset all day from having a shot." Travis suggested.

"Yeah, that sounds good." I nodded, putting the last baby clothes away. "You ready to go?"

I was nervous as hell when we got to the doctors. Not for me, but for Clover. She was a sensitive baby, and no mother wanted to see her baby in pain. But it was only for a second, and then she'd be okay. I was just overthinking it.

"Okay, how's my favorite little patient?" Kaya - Clover's doctor - cooed over our daughter as we brought her in, and I smiled, instantly feeling at ease in her presence.

"She's a happy little ball of sunshine." I said as I kissed my daughter's soft, downy hair.

"Good, why don't we get this over with so we don't worry her." Kaya suggested. "Just take a seat with her, nice and comfortable."

I exchanged a look with Travis, and he nodded for me to go ahead. I sat down in the chair with Clover in my lap, bouncing my knees very gently up and down as Kaya got the needle ready. Travis placed a hand on my shoulder as I bit my lip nervously, rubbing Clover's arms. She was still learning to hold her head up properly so she rested it back against my torso, blinking curiously as she looked around. I kissed her head, anxious.

"It's okay Bug, it only takes a second." Travis told me, rubbing my shoulder.

"You're making it seem like I'm the one getting this shot, not her." I mumbled, and he chuckled, dropping a kiss onto my head.

"Okay, nice and easy." Kaya brought the needle over, and I nodded, holding Clover a little tighter so she'd stay still. "Just keep her from moving, it'll only take a few seconds."

I held my daughter still, averting my eyes a little. Clover's little whimper filled the room and I closed my eyes, pressing my lips to her hair and lingering there. Tears filled my eyes in response to the feeling of her trying to pull away in my arms, but I had to hold her still. It killed me to hear her in pain, but a few seconds later I heard Kaya move away and opened my eyes. Clover was fussing in my lap, but it was done.

"Good job baby girl." Travis stroked Clover's hair, smiling fondly down at me. She wailed louder.

"Oh honey, honey I know." I pulled her close to my chest and rocked her. "You did so well baby girl. I'm so proud of you."