NLU

Sixteen.

If you read it, I did put "shit" in there. I thought I'd tell you if you didn't want cussing and you could change it if you want :)

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~ZAYN'S POV

After two days Ava and Ryan were able to go home! Carter was still a bit small to come home with us but we were told he shouldn't be staying too much longer.

"Zayn! Come help me out please."

I turned to her and saw her leaning against the bed trying to slip on her shoes. I brought her a pair of flip flops to slip into and a long dress. I thought it'd be better than something kind of pushing on her stomach.

"Sure." I had Ryan in one arm while easily gliding the shoe on. "You ready to go, babe?"

She sighed looking down at a wiggling and talkative Ryan. "Not really, but I can't do anything about it."

"I know, babe, but the doctor said he's coming home soon. Then the boys could be together." I held her close while rubbing her arm. I grabbed the bag with her stuff and walked her to the NICU so we could see Carter again before we left.

"There he is, Zayn." Ava said adoringly. He was up and awake looking around until he looked toward us. His arms and legs didn't flail around as much as the other babies I've seen in the regular nursery.

"Here again, Mr and Mrs Malik?" We turned and saw a nurse smiling at us. "He's a very good baby here, always adventurous and exploring his incubator."

"Is he doing okay?" I asked her. Ryan began to whimper in my arms and I gently rocked him, leaving Ava and the nurse to talk.

~AVA'S POV

Zayn walked away calming down a fussy Ryan, leaving me and the nurse.

"He's going to be a great father, you know."

I looked over to Zayn. He was making faces at Ryan and fixing his cap, then he rubbed their noses. I smiled and said, "He definitely his. I'm lucky for someone caring like him."

"The doctor gave me an update on Carter." I turned at her with anticipation and she continued. "Because Carter did not get a lot of nourishment in the womb, it looks like his muscles are not fully developed, which is why he doesn't move too much.

So when he goes home with you in three days," she smiled and I gasped and jumped up excitedly, but I stopped so she could continue, "he's going to have a different diet than what you will give Ryan. Since Ryan was the one who took most of the nutrients, we'll have to keep an eye on him as well in case something develops, such as a heart condition. So you'd have to bring them in weekly for a check-up."

I squealed in happiness and Zayn reappeared looking between us. "What happened? What's wrong with Carter?! Av-" I interrupted his panic with a big messy kiss.

"Carter can come home in three days! We'll have to bring them back every week for check-ups but they can come home!"

Zayn covered mine and Ryan's faces with soft kisses as we went home. Ryan kept gurgling on the ride home but fell asleep when we got on our street. Zayn took Ryan's car seat and I opened the front door, only to be scared to death.

"WELCOME HOME, RYAN!" many people yelled as we walked inside.

"SHIT!"

I screamed as the boys, Eleanor, Danielle, Perrie, Lou and Lux, and Zayn's parents surprised us in the living room with a mini party.

"What a bad mother using such language in front of the children!" Louis playfully scolded. "One, you scared the life out of me. Two, it's one child who's asleep." I retorted trying to slow my heart rate down.

Everyone laughed and we celebrated Ryan's homecoming as they all admired him.

Ryan and Carter will be smothered in the love this family has for them.

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So, my little sister (who I always call Small One since she's 7 and not small for her age :P) and I made applesauce from scratch. Cooking, sifting through and strainer thing, and sweetening it! Fun stuff :)

How's the chapter? :D

-abcancino93

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Thinking of ending this around 30-35 chapters..

-Lauren