But Baby 2 (Brad Simpson Fanfic)

Chapter 25

Zoe's POV
"Hey there little one" Brad whisper, scooping Jo out of the small plastic cot beside my bed, cradling her close, "when can you leave Zo?"
"Im not sure" I say, my hands picking at the hospital gown.
"You are coming home right? Back to our home?"
I raise my gaze to him, my mouth trying to form words "I guess I don't have a choice, I'll stay for a few nights, then i'll find a place near by"
"No, no Zoe, you can stay at our house, i'll sleep on the sofa, I'll help with the baby. I don't want to leave you alone, Ellie and Thomas wouldn't want to have to spread their time between us"
I sigh, internally arguing with myself "Bradley, look, I can't ruin the relationship you have now. I'll make sure we both get an equal amount of time with them"
He sits down on the edge of the bed, placing the baby in my arms, "Zoe, Daisy won't mind if you come and stay at my house, you are the mother of my children, you need to be safe- and you need a safe environment to bring up our babies. I couldn't care less what she says, Ellie, Thomas and Jo are my priority, and you come along with them" I can feel his eyes on me, as I play with the small wrinkled fingers of the baby who graced our lives yesterday. I know it'd be wrong to not go back, but the idea of pitching back up home made me feel sick. "Zoe, I'm going to stay here until you're packed and ready to come back home with me, I don't care how long it takes or if I have to carry you back there myself, I won't leave without you" and with that, he stands up, gives me one last glance and leaves me alone with my thoughts.

/

"Mum, I can feel you judging can you please stop it?" I groan, watching as my Mum clutches Jo in her arms, while her eyes slowly wash over my flat.
"This honestly isn't the right place for a baby to come home to, Zoe, she is a few days old!" She grimaces, her nose wrinkling.
"I'm not staying here long anyway, I'm going back to Birmingham with Brad soon, I just need to hand in my notice and that"
"Well, I think you and the kids should move in with me"
I sigh, she wasn't helping my decision in any way, shape or form. "No, I'm staying at Brad's with Brad, end of Mum"
Gently she pulls me down onto the sofa, handing Jo back over to me. "Zoe, I think its best if you move in with me, you and Brad, well you're not in a relationship and it might confuse the children"
"It might confuse them if we suddenly move in with you" I retort, rocking my arms back and forth, soothing the baby. "If it doesn't work- staying at Brad's, then I'll move back in with you, deal?" She hums in response, leaning over to take another eyeful of Jo, a smile spreading across her face,
"You stay here,I'll start packing some of your stuff away" she breaks the silence, standing up and heading towards the bedroom. I mentally roll my eyes, relaxing against the cushions, my eyes not leaving the dewy eyes of the newborn in my arms.

/

My hand shakes, as i raise it against the wood. My arm flinches forward, knocking against the front door a few times. Jo stays tucked into a blanket, safely clutched against my chest. I try to calm my shaky breathing as I hear the click of the lock and the door swing open.
"Zoe" Brad chuckles, running a hand through his hair. I smile at him, as he takes Jo into his arms, placing a small kiss on her forehead. I open my mouth, about to speak, when I see Ellie peep her head around the living room door, shortly followed by a small gasp as she runs towards me. I crouch down, enveloping her in my arms. "Mummy you're home", she whispers into my ear, as I run a hand down her hair, holding her close to me. "Hey baby", i hold back the tears as I stand up and take a hold of her hand. She pulls me forward and into the living room, an episode of numberjacks flashing on the screen of the Tv. Then my eyes found Thomas, he was sat on the floor clutching a small blanket. He was giggling at the Tv, bouncing up and down. I let go of Ellie's hand, scooping Thomas up and holding him close. His small giggles stopped for a moment, then restarted, as he kicked his legs around. I nestle my nose into his hair, soothingly rubbing his back.
"Mummy, Mummy I missed you", A small hand on my leg draws me away from Thomas, as Ellie looks up at me.
"I missed you too Ell, Come sit down" i say, patting the edge of the sofa as I place Thomas down onto it. She clambers up, her legs dangling off the edge, her hands resting on her knees. "Me and Daddy have someone for you to meet" i smile, crouching down infront of them, as Brad appears next to them. "This is Jo, She's your little sister" i smile, as Brad places her on Ellie's lap, wrapping her arms around the blanket. Thomas doesn't pay much attention, as he tries to slide back onto my lap, I allow him, balancing him on my knee. I kiss his cheek, watching Ellie hold Jo, as she glances between the baby and me. "Do we have to keep her Mummy?" I smile at her question, as Brad takes Jo back into his arms.
"Yes baby, we do, but its ok, i'm going to be here, and you'll still get as many cuddles"
"But I don't have to share teddies?" She asks, tilting her head and pushing her hair away from her face. I shake my head, as a smile etches over her face "Good"
"How about me and you go give her a bath, do you want to do that Ellie?" Brad asks, resting a hand on her back, gently leading her off the sofa, and watching as she skips out the room.
"You know where everything is Zoe, feel free to have some food or anything" i nod, allowing myself to sit fully on the floor. He leaves, cooing at the baby in his arms, as I let go of Thomas, who instantly regains his spot on the floor watching Tv.

This was family life, but it didn't feel like my family.
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Theres a lot of little time skips in this but its chill
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