Everything Changes

When Two People Love Each Other-

*This takes place about 10 months after Baby Mine*

"There is no way our daughter is dressing up as a pumpkin!" I argue, throwing a pillow at Carter.

"But she'd be so cute!"

"And so cliché,' I point out, scooping Melissa up in my arms.

"And you, Mellie, are an original," I coo to her.

"Well what is your great idea?" Carter asks defiantly.

I laugh, and cross the room to place a light kiss on his pouting mouth. "I have something in mind."

"You're not going to tell me?" he asks. "Taylor, we're a team! You have to tell me things."

"Lay off the Doctor Phil," I respond, rolling my eyes.

"Anyways, shouldn't you be worried more about Ezhno's costume?" he asks

I smile at the thought. Our barn has an annual costume contest, and Ezhno and I were asked to host it. With that in mind, I had to come up with a themed costume for the two of us in preparation.

"I'm way ahead of you big boy," I chuckle, laying my now sleeping daughter down into her crib. "I have all of our costumes taken care of- that includes yours. So just relax."

"What? I don't even get to pick my own costume?" he asks in disbelief.

"You knew what you signed up for when you married me," I say quietly, gesturing for him to follow me out of the nursery.

"Well you at least tell me what I'm being?"

"You, my dear husband, are the Grim Reaper," I chuckle, pulling him in for a long, deep kiss as I quietly close Mellie's bedroom door. When I pull away, I smile up at him and say, "And that is all you need to know."

***

I roll out of bed around 8:00 on Halloween, sighing as I pull out of Carter's arms.

Half asleep, he grabs my wrist and mumbles, "Come back to bed."

"I'm gonna go have a cup of coffee before the little monster wakes up," I say lovingly, smiling down at him.

He makes a move to follow me, but I shake my head. "Sleep, Carter. You've been so busy with school lately- just, sleep."

I lean down and place a kiss on his head, and leave the room.

Since he started his third year in vet school, he's been so busy with clinicals and the exceedingly difficult classes he has to take that it's a wonder he ever comes home.

After having Mellissa, I was able to take off about 3 months paid maternity leave, but then I had to go back to work. I'm lucky that my office has a daycare in the same building, so I'm able to visit her throughout the day, but I still hate leaving her there. Every moment I'm able to spend with the little angel is precious.

Just as I'm able to sit down with my cup of coffee, I hear the familiar whimpering coming from Mellie's room. I sigh, set down the caffeinated nectar of the gods, and head towards her room.

As soon as I open the door, she starts babbling to me and I chuckle. She hasn't quite grasped to concept of talking yet, and I doubt she will for a few more months, but she's constantly chattering away like monkey. It can be quite entertaining.

"Did you sleep well?" I ask, lifting her out of her crib. She plays with my sweatshirt and lays her head in my neck.

After changing her clothes (and her diaper) I head back to the living room, turn on Sesame Street, and sit down to drink my coffee.