The Dove And The Grenade.

Chapter 33: I'm stuck in the Dark, but you're My Flashlight.

"Are you sure you want me to put her in this?" Matt questioned curiously, holding up the baby pink onesies and matching pink spandex shorts. Eliese looked up from the small duffle bag and gave him a look that said ugh yeah I do. Matt sighed and shook his head, placing the clothes down beside the infant whom was just waking up from her morning nap, but will probably be back asleep soon anyways. Matt changed her diaper, acting like a pro at it, even though it was only his fourth diaper change, ever. He carefully started to dress the small child, he has only ever seen the nurses or Eliese do this so he was a bit nervous about it. But Genevieve didn't scream at him, she only cooed and swung her socked hands around a bit.

"Do you want me to put a cap on her?" He asked mama bear if she wanted baby to wear the cap outside. It was really hot outside and Matt was somewhat clueless as to how to dress a baby for the weather.

"No, it's too hot for her to wear a cap." Eliese has told Matt that he should dress Genevieve the same way he'd dress himself for the weather. It's just common sense. But Eliese was patient with him and helped guide his decisions. After all, she already had a baby and this is his first. She can't expect him to be an expert.

"Awe, look at you, pretty girl." Matt sang to Genevieve with a wide smile, he tugged the little pink shorts up so the hem was resting just above her bellybutton. Genevieve cooed softly again and covered her face with one socked hand. Obviously she already knows who her dad is based on how he talks to her. Eliese listened as Matt cooed at the little girl and grinned proudly. She honestly couldn't be happier to have him as her child's father.

"Are we ready to go?" Matt asked, buckling the infant into the car seat and making sure she was safe and secure in it. Eliese finished packing up Genevieve's belongings and smiled a great big smile. She was happy that after two months in the NICU they were finally able to bring their baby home. Although, Eliese was still wary about taking Genevieve back to the house, she knew it was time for her to stop living with her mom and go home. She still has nightmares about that day. Matt's getting worried about her, everyone is getting worried about her. He's tried to convince Eliese to go see a counsellor but Eliese, being as hard headed as ever, protested against it.

"Yes sir, let's go." Eliese sang happily, slinging the baby bag over her shoulder. Matt carried the car seat with Genevieve, whom was passed out cold, while Eliese had the small pink Disney Princess duffle bag of Genevieve's things. Emily was at home with Matt and Eliese's moms, no kids are allowed in the NICU. Hospital rule.

Eliese and Matt signed the release papers and left the hospital with their baby. They were both very happy about this, they thought they'd never get to bring their daughter home with them. But the day has finally arrived and everyone is eagerly awaiting their formal meeting with Genevieve for the first time.

Even for mid-September California was under an intense heatwave that made it hot and humid; Matt was lucky to be able to park close by so he didn't have to carry Genevieve out in the sun for very long. The two parents just arrived to pick up their daughter so the car was still nice and cool when Matt strapped the child to the base of the car seat then let Eliese in to sit next to her. Genevieve never once even wrinkled her nose. One thing's for sure: she loved to sleep.

Eliese was still in awe about having Genevieve here. She couldn't believe that she was so miserable about this pregnancy in the beginning. She didn't even want Genevieve at the start, but now she can't imagine her life without that curly haired girl. When people would look at Eliese from the outside they'd see a bitter woman who became a mother far too young. But if people look at Eliese from the inside, they'll see she's a heartbroken woman who's been kicked when she was down and left behind by everyone who once told her they love her. She has no choice but to be cold and bitter, because if she's not then she's seen as weak and needy. Eliese is certainly not weak and needy. She was just scared, because everyone who once loved her has left at one point or another, she didn't want to love Matt because he'd realize he could do better and she didn't want to love Genevieve because of all the heartache she had tethered to her. But Eliese has no choice but to love them now, and love is a scary thing as is.