Safety Net

31

Jo was home alone with Hazel. Alex was needed at work. Ollie, his sister and their mother were still in rough shape. Paige was put into a medically induced coma, so that left the children with no one but nurses and doctors. Alex wanted to be with his girlfriend and daughter, however his heart was too big to allow him to do so. Ollie was all alone.

Jo was holding a screaming Hazel. She wasn't ready to be alone with her. Don't get me wrong, she loved her with her entire being. She never thought she could love anyone that much until her little girl was born, however handling a newborn all by yourself was tough. Seeing as Alex worked in peds, he was much better than her at this. She debated calling Mer or Arizona to come over to help her, but it was late and she didn't want to bother them.

She was insanely sore, everywhere. It hurt to take a step. She tried to keep her wincing to a minimum as she walked Hazel around the loft. She sat down on the couch. She took off her shirt and unclipped her bra. Hazel latched on almost immediately. She was getting good really good at this, and she was quite hungry. Her parents liked to say she was a genius baby.

She let out a sigh of relief when she stopped crying. She leaned into the cushions. She looked down at Hazel, who was looking back at her. Her blue eyes still amazed her. Jo didn't know anyone on her side of the family, obviously, so she assumed the blue came from there. Hazel laid her hand on Jos breast "You've got the most teeny tiny hands I've ever seen, you know that, Hazel basil?" She grinned. They already had so many nicknames for their daughter and she was only four days old. There was Haze, Hazy, Hazel Basil, Berry, Bunny, Sweeatpea, Princess. The list never ended. Everyday they would refer to her as something different.

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At the hospital, Alex was sitting in Ollie's room playing legos with him. A part of him felt guilty for not being with his own child, but he knew he could go home and cuddle her after work. "You have a baby sister now." He pushed a block onto another. He was building a house, however the six year olds was much better than Alex's.

"I know." He pulled the pants off his lego man "Ive had one for a way too long time. She's been in my mommas tummy."

"That's true." He couldn't help but chuckle. The boy was very smart, even so, he was sometimes lacking grammar. "But she's out now. You can meet her if you'd like." He offered, getting nod in return. The doctors had spoke to Oliver about his mom. He didn't quite understand it, though.

Alex brought him a wheelchair, then he took him to see his baby sister. The boy placed his hand on the plastic right when he saw her "She's so tiny. What are these wires?"

"They help her." He replied simply.

He nodded. "My sister has a name, you know. Me and momma picked it."

"Oh, really? What is it?"

"Chloe Noelle." He said proudly. "Noelle is Mommas middle name or something" He shrugged.

"That's super cool. It fits her well."

They continued to talk for another hour before Alex took him back to his room. He left work. He couldn't handle being away from his baby for so long yet. He walked in to see them both asleep in bed. Hazel was on her mothers chest. Alex cracked a grin. He couldn't imagine life without his girls. He couldn't believe he almost lost them, too.

He took his shoes and coat off. He walked by the bed and picked Hazel up. He kissed her nose "Goodnight, basil." He laid her down in her bassinet. He climbed in next to Jo. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her closer. "Mm.. Alex?" She mumbled.

"Sh.. go back to sleep." He whispered and caressed her hair "I love you so much." He said once she fell back asleep.

Honestly didn't know what to do for this chapter ahah. i've been stuck for a looong while but hopefully i'm back!