Can't Fall in Love Without You (Christian Yelich)

51

Elizabeth knew that this day was always going to be hard. She knew that she was going to wake up in the middle of the night and hold him while he sobbed every year. She also knew that Ivy didn't quite know what today meant, just that it was her birthday.

So Elizabeth put her mind to making sure that both of them had the best day possible. Which is why, when Reilly fussed for his 5am feeding, Elizabeth got out of bed. She started cooking and baking like crazy, making sure Christian had a small pan of chicken tetrazzini and that there was enough chili and cake to go around twice.

She was tired, of course, but she needed to make sure that Christian was comfortable. She could rest later.

"Alright, Ry. Mama put the cake in, she made the frosting, what is she missing?" she hummed, kissing the sleeping newborn's hair. He was 3 weeks old and completely perfect... She couldn't believe that she created something so perfect. "She should post your arrival to the world?" she smiled and grabbed Christian's phone. She knew that he was tired and probably didn't want to think about the trivial things.

So she unlocked his phone and went into his Instagram drafts, smiling brightly when she saw Reilly's newborn photos and their engagement photos along with the sweet message he'd written.

On my baby girl's second birthday, I am so happy to announce the birth of our beautiful son. Reilly Matthew Yelich joined the team the morning after we brought the title back to Milwaukee. Mom and baby are both doing wonderfully. 10.28.21. To my dearest Ellie, I can't wait to be your husband. You're everything I could've wanted. I love you.

She pressed post and was about to exit the app when she saw his direct messages. Woman after woman. Model after model.

Babe. Drop her for me. Waist size wasn't what they were talking about when they said you deserve a 10.

Chris, she looks so floppy and she can't even give you anything for like 2 months. I'm sure she knows you have needs.

Elizabeth put the phone down and went back to the kitchen, furiously scrubbing dishes. She knew she didn't look like Christian's usual, but he loved her... She just needed to get to the gym.

***

Christian saw that she posted the pictures and smiled softly at the positive comments. She was likely in Reilly's nursery, not wanting to wake him.

"Ellie?" he frowned when she wasn't in there. He was worried. His beautiful fiance gave birth only 3 weeks ago, she needed to be resting.

"Elizabeth, sit down," he snapped, seeing her working in the kitchen. The house was decorated perfectly for Ivy's party, and he could now smell the mix of cleaning products and food. She was going to overdo it and end up hurting herself.

"I'm fine, Chris," she said softly. She was sore and tired, but nothing she was doing was too strenuous.

"You're not. You just had a baby. You need to be resting," he sighed, pissed that she wasn't thinking about herself. "Ivy will be fine. You need to worry about our baby. Let me worry about mine," he snapped... and regretted it immediately.

He saw Elizabeth's eyes fill with hurt. He saw the anger.

"Ellie," he whispered and went to grab her free hand. He deserved how she snatched it back.

"Ivy is my baby, too." She bit her tongue from saying something cruel, choosing to go back into the kitchen, her hands starting to shake. She was pissed. She took care of Ivy. She loved Ivy. She knew Christian was hurting, but she couldn't help feeling like chopped liver after that.

She was slightly calmer after another hour of working, but seeing Christian lingering on the picture of Sloane ignited more insecurity. Even right after giving birth, Sloane looked better than she ever did. She still looked 5 months pregnant. She was still puffy. She wasn't beautiful.

"Ellie, baby..." Christian whispered and got up to wrap his arms around Elizabeh.

"I need to go to the gym. I can't look like this at the party..." she whispered and laid Reilly in the swing.

"You look beautiful, Ellie. Our daughter doesn't care... she cares more that her mama is okay. I'm sorry, Elizabeth. What I said wasn't right and it was unfair. You've been the best mom Ivy could've asked for. But I need you to rest, okay? I need you to sit, please." Elizabeth could see the regret in his eyes, along with the burning worry.

"I'll sit... but only for a few minutes. Then I have to get back to work. It has to be perfect," she whispered, tears in her eyes. She felt like a child. Her hormones were wild and she was trying to think past it, but holding her fiance as he cried for his wife hurt. She knew she was being irrational.

"It already is. Tell me what to do," he said softly and gently wiped her eyes. "I'll do the rest of it, but I need you to rest."

"Chris, I love you. But you can't cook," she said softly, sitting on the couch and wincing a bit, still quite sore.

"Then I'll have Lindy and Travis come early and help," he said softly and got out his phone to call them.

He had to make sure that his Ellie was okay. They all needed her.

***

By 2, the house was ready and people were starting to show up. Ellie had taken a shower and did everything she could to look presentable. Leggings and a t-shirt were the only outfit that fit her without being painful, so she picked a nicer shirt and cute booties to try to fake it. She tried to put concealer on, but her under-eye circles were insane and still showed through. And her hair. It looked like she was going for the electrocuted look. She ended up just throwing it in a bun, getting frustrated by trying to curl it.

"Ellie... Baby you look amazing," Christian smiled softly and kissed her jaw. "Mister Reilly needs his mama. You ready?"

"Yeah... yeah I guess," she said quietly and picked up the teensy tiny newborn, going back out to the party and feeling like everyone's eyes were on her.

"You look amazing," Lindy grinned and gave her a hug. "He's beautiful, Liz. So beautiful."

Elizabeth beamed, gently handing him over to Lindy. "He really is. He looks just like his dad," she whispered.

"Mama!" Ivy grinned and ran over to her. Elizabeth knew that she shouldn't be lifting Ivy, but she was her mama, so she did anyway.

"Happy birthday, beautiful girl! I see daddy found the pretty dress we picked out, huh? Are you so excited?" Elizabeth grinned, kissing her cheek.

"So 'cited!! Mama make pink cake!" the girl grinned, clinging to Elizabeth.

Yes, Elizabeth was tired. But that beautiful smile was so worth it.

***

"Hey. You doing okay?" Travis asked Christian softly, seeing the concern on his face as he held Elizabeth. The poor new mom had fallen asleep not even five minutes after Ivy finished opening presents and transitioned to playing with them.

"I'm... worried. She's pushing herself too far, Travis. She just had a baby, and she's talking about going back to the gym... She got this whole party set up this morning. She needs to rest and recover, but she wants to get back to taking control right away. I'm so scared..." he whispered and adjusted the blanket over his bride-to-be.

"I think you're right to be concerned, but I think you need to be careful. She's used to being able to do it all... Maybe talk to her about why you're concerned. Because it isn't due to you not thinking she can. Just be open. She loves you... She'll listen."

Christian nodded and kissed Elizabeth's temple, so in love with her and so scared.

He couldn't lose her, too.