This = Love

Chapter 72

The next morning I was really excited about going to visit Eleanor, it's hard to believe that she's a mum now. When did we get all grown up?

I had already bought loads of stuff for Georgianor during the shopping trips that Eleanor and I had been on, but it felt wrong to go to the hospital without a gift so Danny and I headed out to the shops to find something to take with us.

I decided to buy a cute little dress for Georgianor, all of the other clothes I had bought had been unisex because Eleanor didn't know if she was having a boy or girl. The dress was very frilly and girly and not practical at all but I loved it.

I then went and bought a hamper of pamper products for Eleanor, wanting to encourage her to take some time for herself despite being a new mum. I knew that most people would only buy things for Georgianor so Eleanor would really appreciate this.

"We should get something for George too" Danny said, I guess he really is ready to put everything behind us.

"Like what?" I asked, really having no idea what to buy for a new dad.

"Dunno, but you can't turn up with presents for the girls and leave him out" Danny said as he led me into a coffee shop where we sat down with our drinks.

"If you had just become a dad for the first time, what would you want?" I asked, hoping for some suggestions.

"I would want ....." Danny started thoughtfully "..... To know why you didn't tell me you were pregnant, I should get at least 9 months to prepare" he laughed.

"Danny, you're not helping" I said sternly. The present for George was his idea and now he was being no help whatsoever.

"OK, OK, I'm sorry" Danny said, still chuckling to himself. "What about if we got him a really good camera? He's going to want to take loads of photos so he should get plenty of use out of it" he suggested.

"Really?" I asked, not convinced.

"Well, I'd like that as a gift and unless you have any other suggestions I think we should roll with it or we'll miss visiting"

With no other suggestions we went and bought a camera for George. Danny was very much at home as he tried out the different options before finally deciding which one was best.

We headed back to the car where I quickly wrapped the 3 gifts and wrote their card before driving to the hospital, just in time for visiting starting.

As I parked up at the hospital, I felt really nervous about going in. I sat for a second in the parked car.

"What's up? Danny asked.

"It just feels weird" I said, snapping myself from my thoughts.

"Come on" he said as his hand stroked my thigh. "Past behind us, today is a new start"

I smiled as we got out the car and collected up the gifts.

As we entered the hospital, I went to reception to find out where Eleanor was, Danny disappeared.

By the time the receptionist had finished giving me directions to Eleanor's room, Danny came back carrying a helium balloon that said 'Its a Girl' with a huge grin on his face.

When we walked into Eleanor's room, I wondered why I had been so worried. It was the first time Danny and I had been in the same room as George and Eleanor but there was actually no awkwardness. Danny congratulated George while I hugged Eleanor.

"Congratulations mummy" I laughed as we hugged.

"Look at the colour of you" Eleanor said, referring to my tan. "How was the holiday?"

"Amazing" I replied as Danny came over to hug Eleanor and offer his congratulations.

"Did you not go with Kay?" Eleanor joked as she noticed Danny's skin tone, his 'tan' was more like a darker shade of white.

"Aw, don't pick on him El, he thinks he's black" I laughed.

Georgianor was asleep in her cot as I looked in to see her for the first time.

"She's beautiful, you two must be so proud" I said as I admired her.

"I can't even describe the feeling" George said like the proud father he was.

"Can I wake her up for a cuddle?" I asked with a cheeky smile.

"She'll probably wake up soon anyway Kay" Eleanor said, obviously not wanting me to disturb Georgianor. I wouldn't really wake her up but I can't wait to hold her.

"OK, get the presents opened then" I said sitting down on the edge of Eleanor's bed.

"You didn't need to bring presents you know, you've already bought loads for Georgianor and I'm just happy you both came" Eleanor said.

"No problem, we'll take them back" Danny joked, lifting the presents away.

Eleanor laughed "I'm not saying I don't want them" she said taking the gifts back from Danny.

They were really happy with the gifts we had bought them. George in particular seemed pleased with the camera.

After a while, Georgianor woke up and Eleanor lifted her from her crib and cuddled her for a few minutes while she looked around the room.  El seemed like a natural mother.

"Do you want to hold her?" Eleanor asked me.

"Are you sure?" I asked, not wanting to disturb the mother daughter bonding.

"You've waited long enough" she said as she passed Georgianor into my arms.

"Hey Georgianor" I smiled as she grabbed onto my finger.

"Let's get a photo" George said, lifting his camera and pointing it towards me. I looked up and smiled briefly before my eyes returned to Georgianor.

"Can I get one with you in as well Danny?" George asked and for the first time there was a hint of awkwardness.

"Course" Danny said as he came and wrapped his arm around me while George took the photo.

Georgianor started to cry and after about 30 seconds of rocking her in my arms I gave up and said to her "Do you just want your mummy?" as I handed her back to Eleanor.

She settled again almost as soon as Eleanor took her back.

"You know who your mummy is don't you?" Danny said to Georgianor as she lay in Eleanor's arms.

We spent most of the afternoon in the hospital, just the 5 of us and I realised as we talked that no matter what life throws at you, everything works out in the end.

As we got back in the car to go home, Danny suddenly announced "I think we should try for a baby"