You Are My Sunshine

Chapter Forty-Eight: Ava Sophia Hart

"I can't believe that she is here," Joe whispered staring down at the small bundle in his arms, it was pretty early in the morning and he was still in awe of the fact that little Ava had arrived. 

It had been a surprise to come home from his match to Gabriella waiting for him with the hospital bag ready to go and her mother already dealing with a fussy Elena. 

Their eldest daughter had been far from pleased that her parents had left her behind while they disappeared out the door; she had kicked up quite a bit of fuss while calling for her dada and mama to come back. 

Gabriella nodded her head tiredly as she relaxed in the hospital bed, she was almost surprised that things had happened faster than when Elena had been born. 

Her waters had broken just as they had left the house and Gabriella was relieved that little Ava hadn't arrived when they were in the car on the way to the hospital. 

"She's perfect Gabby," Joe whispered with a coo, he couldn't take his eyes off Ava and he knew that things were certainly going to change when they returned home with her. 

Elena was so used to being the centre of attention that it was going to be strange sharing their attention with Ava; it was going to be interesting when the two siblings met for the first time. 

Catherine and Louise would bring her in a few hours' time when her parents had slept and Gabriella was feeling a little better after giving birth to little Ava. 

They all hoped that things would go well when Elena and Ava met for the very first time, it would be an interesting scene to watch and they all wanted it to go as well as it could.

***

"Mama," Elena cooed happily as she toddled into the hospital room with the help of her grandmother, she stared up at Gabriella wondering why she hadn't been at home to make her breakfast like she normally did. 

Gabriella smiled down at Elena and shifted her hold on the small bundle in her arms, she was a little concerned about how her eldest would react to having a baby sister. 

Catherine handed Elena over to Joe before she excused herself knowing that it was important that Elena got to meet the baby first before the rest of the family descended and fussed over Ava. 

Lifting Elena up, Joe was careful when he settled her onto the hospital bed and made sure to keep a careful hold on the little girl so she couldn't throw herself at her mother. 

"Mama," Elena whined not liking that she couldn't have a cuddle, she pouted at Joe who just smiled down at her and kissed the top of her head. 

Ava made a small noise in Gabriella's arms and Elena stared down at the small moving figure curiously; her head titled as Gabriella carefully moved so that Elena could see Ava. 

"Elena... this is your baby sister, Ava," Joe explained gently allowing his daughter to move closer, he watched her closely not sure how she would react to this. 

Elena was completely silent while she took in the moving doll that was sleeping in her mother's arms, she gently reached forward and touched the baby before smiling to herself. 

"Baba," Elena cooed softly and her parents felt like a weight had been lifted from their shoulders at the fact that Elena wasn't freaking out yet at her baby sister. 

Everything had fallen into place for them and neither of the couple could believe how well things had gone for them; they had come so far in nearly two years and next year would be even bigger for them. 

They had recently moved into Joe's old house for more space, Gabriella's apartment had been a good first home for them but their family was growing and more space was needed. 

Joe looked at his daughters knowing that he would not trade them for the world and he knew that it was all down to Gabriella that his life had changed for the better.

THE END.

###

Author's Note:

This is the end of You Are My Sunshine.

Thanks to everyone that read, commented and subscribed to this story, I couldn't have done it without any of you xxx