Top of the World

Forever Changed

"Hey guys," Hunter's voice was gentle as the kids, Sam and Amy wandered into the room,
"come meet the new baby."

Quietly, with wide eyes, Sutton and Easton stood on the bedside. Hunter lifted them up so they could sit beside me. "This is your new baby brother." I said, tears eyed and smiling,
"This is Beckett."

"He's so small," Sutton said whispering, "hi baby."

"Hi baby," Easton echoed his sister, "little baby."

"Yeah, little baby." Hunter snapped a picture of us, "Should I make the announcement Jen?" I looked up, our eyes still watering, and nodded.

It is with an abundance of happiness and joy that Jenna and I welcome Beckett Layne Hayes to the world. We realize we have been rather quiet the past year and this is why. We are overcome with emotion, and both Easton and Sutton are already in love with their new baby brother #familyfirst

Hunter turned back to see Amy rocking Beckett  as the nurses came to help me go to the bathroom. The incisions on my tummy were a bit tender but I was confident in my choice to not have any more children. Amy and Sam took the kids home while Hunter stayed the night with Beckett and I.

"Just to think, last year where we were and how things felt, and now," I looked down to the sleeping baby on my chest, "I'm over the moon. We made damn cute babies."

Hunter kissed my temple, "Thank you for the privilege of being your husband and your baby daddy three times over. I'm so in love with you, and with our children. They're perfect."

I spent two days in the hospital with baby B before heading home. "Mommy! Daddy!" The kids came running over to hug us.

"Hey guys, I missed you," I kissed them both and thanked Amy and Sam for hanging around, "you guys are amazing."

"It's great practice looking after your kids," Amy winked, "don't hesitate to ask if you need anything." She and Sam gave us hugs before heading home.

We got settled and organized as a new family of five. Sutton was extraordinarily helpful, and Easton copied her actions. Both mine and Hunter's phones were ringing off the hook. In the hospital we FaceTimed our parents, my sister and Stephanie. Everyone was over the moon. Our few first nights home were a little rocky as Beckett was up almost every hour between feeding or needing a change, but luckily, Sutton and Easton seemed to sleep through it all.

"Good morning beautiful mama," Hunter kissed my cheek as he rocked the baby, "he's changed but he might be hungry." I sat up and tied my hair up.

"Come here sweetie," I outstretched my arms, "and good morning to you handsome daddy." I puckered my lips for a kiss. He kissed my lips and headed down to get Sutton and Easton back on track for school. Sutton and Easton tip toed into the nursery to say bye before the went to school, "Bye loves, have a good day!" I kissed them and went back to rocking and feeding the baby. "Oh little Beckett, you're loved more than you know. You're a miracle." I sang a few lullaby's for him before putting him down to sleep. I looked around the room, I must have known subconsciously to go with the earthy theme, similar to Easton's room. I looked at the maternity photos we had done, my eyes welled at how happy we looked.
I thought to myself how lucky I was to be living this life, having three healthy children, my husband basically changing all he's ever known and wanted to build a family with me. I looked over to see Beckett sleeping soundly and I tip toed out with the monitor to go to the washroom. As I crossed the hall, I heard the key turn in the door and Hunter quietly walked in. I went down to greet him and handed him the monitor while I went to the bathroom.

"How's he doing?" Hunter asked quietly passing me a mug of coffee.

"Thank you," I kissed his cheek, "he's an angel. So quiet. Not at all like Easton. More like newborn Sutton." Hunter smiled.

"I'm really happy he's here and everything went smoothly. Let me know when you're ready and we can work on our project."

"I'm looking forward to it," I sipped my coffee, "and I'm glad he's here too. I think it's a little bit funny that it took you getting me heated up to induce my labour." I smiled, using my free hand to rub Hunter's shoulder.

"Happy to be of labor inducing service," he chuckled and kissed my cheek. "And, whenever you're ready we can pick up where we left off." He kissed my hand. "How are you feeling?"

"Tired, but good," I raked my hand through his hair, "What's on your agenda today?" Hunter shook his head, saying he took the week off to just be here since we have officially been outnumbered.

"The only thing I want to do, which can be done here are home," he started, "is planning the Still Fallin' shoot." He explained the other four songs would come first and in a story order, Still Fallin would close out the series.

"I love that. I'm so excited." He wrapped me up in a hug and kissed my cheek.

"How about, you shower and I'll go hang upstairs in case he wakes up." I nodded and we walked together hand in hand. I was so lucky to have Hunter home so I could take care of myself.
I showered and dried off, trying not to look too hard at myself in the mirror. "Jenna," I heard Hunter from the other side of the door, "stop." He knew.

"Stop what?" I said with a little bit of sass.

"You know. You don't need to try and fix anything. You just had a baby like five days ago. A baby who almost needed an eviction notice on top of it all." I wrapped my towel around me and opened the door.

"You always know." He kissed my lips. "I'm not being hard on myself. It could be worse, I mean they coulda cut me open." Hunter cringed at the thought. "Right? I'm glad I wasn't cut open and stapled shut!"
As I was drying my hair, Beckett began crying over the monitor, "I got it." Hunter said, leaving the room to tend to the baby. Finished drying my hair and styled it in loose curls. I fished through the closet for a pair of track pants and a tee shirt. I walked over to Beckett's room and heard Hunter talking to him.

"Your mama probably told you already that you're a miracle baby. We are so happy, you're so loved." I watched as Hunter navigated Beckett's tiny body to change his diaper, continuing to say cute things, and I quietly interrupted.

"I wish they could stay this little but sleep for longer than an hour." I chuckled as I gave Beckett my finger to grasp, "You're right, I have told him a number of times that he's a miracle." Hunter finished changing him and we went downstairs.

"Is there anything you want or need to do Jen? We have lots of time til we need to get the kids." The time read noon. I shrugged as I rocked Beckett.

"I can't think of anything right now."

"Well, you look tired, did you want to have a nap? I can cuddle him." He placed his hands on my hips, his eyes were supportive. I nodded admitting I was extremely tired and passed off the baby to have a nap.