Safety Net

35

A week later, Alex woke up with Hazel at seven am. He prepared a bottle for her. He sat on the couch while she ate, and while Jo slept. This was their morning routine, and he loved it. Jo was always up with her at night, so this made up for that. She got to sleep in for another half hour while Hazel had her first bottle of the day. Once Alex started work again it would surely change. However, for the next two days he could count on this routine.

Perfectly on schedule, Jo woke up half an hour later. She got out of bed and grabbed yogurt cup and spoon. She joined Alex on the couch, who was making faces at their baby. "Good morning." She said. Their mornings were always so peaceful. That is until Hazel fully woke up. After that it was go, go, go. She was either crying, or wanting something. They loved her more than anything in this world, however she did come with the price of their alone time. They hardly minded, though.

"Good morning. Hazel doesn't like my faces, or jokes. But she is a great listener. Maybe she will be a shrink." He joked. Jo peeled the top of her yogurt off as she listened to him talk. They were secretly hoping she would be a surgeon like them; they would never admit it, or pressure her into it. It was just a fun thought to think about.

"She has her one month check up today." She said. She shoved a spoonful of yogurt in her mouth. They tried to schedule the appointment a week ago- Arizona was booked. They finally found a day she could come. The one month appointment also meant shots. She was not looking forward to those.

"We should get ready then." Alex laid Hazel on his chest. He put his hand on Jo's arm, sliding it down to interlace their fingers. He watched as Jo put her empty yogurt cup on the table. He saw it tip over due to the weight of the metal spoon.

"Mhm." She nodded and leaned her head on Alex's shoulder. She melted into his side and placed her hand on Hazels back. Her eyes slipped shut without her telling them to, but it wasn't like she tried to stop them anyway. "Ten minutes." She mumbled. And so they sat there for ten more minutes, nearly falling asleep on each other. Hazel was passed out on Alex.

"C'mon, we're going to be late." Alex stood up. He would've loved to spend his day like that, too. However they had places to be and things to do. He walked over to the change table and laid Hazel on it. He undid all the snaps on her sleeper and took it off. He put his hand over her belly while he opened a drawer to grab a new one. He pulled out new sleeper with a cherry print. He changed her diaper before putting her into the sleeper. He picked her back up and slipped her pacifier into her mouth. He laid her down in her bassinet while he changed.

Once they were all ready, Jo laid Hazel in her seat. She buckled her up and laid a blanket over her, tucking her in. She stuck her stuffed hippo in the seat next to her. Alex picked her seat up and they headed outside. They got in the car and drove to the hospital. They waited in the waiting room for thirty minutes before Arizona called them into an exam room.

"Sorry for the wait. I don't know what it is, but I've been so busy lately." She said as she pulled out her equipment and Jo took Hazel out of her seat. She laid her down on the table, which to no surprise of her parents, didn't wake her up. Hazel loved her sleep.

"No worries." Jo spoke. She kept her hand over Hazel as Arizona checked her ears. Hazel woke up when she tried to check her throat and hips. She whined, scrunching up her face as she tried to spit out the tongue depressor.

      "Obviously very response." She chuckled. Jo took her clothes off and Arizona laid her on the scale. Hazel bursted into tears. "Aw, I know, sweetheart. You're almost done." She said in her baby voice. "Alright, seven pounds, four ounces. She a tiny little girl. You shouldn't worry, though. It's a healthy weight for her, just as long as she's eating."

      They discussed her eating and sleeping schedule for a couple minutes before it was time for the dreaded shots. Jo made Alex hold Hazels arms. She couldn't do it.

"Alright, princess. I'll be as quick as I can." She said as she pulled the top off of the needle and stuck it into her thigh. Hazel bursted into tears, breaking Jo's heart. Jo stroked Hazels hair and quickly planted a kiss on her forehead before Arizona stuck the next needle in her other leg. She covered them both with flowery bandaids. "Cuddle your momma now."

Jo picked her up and held her to her chest. She rubbed her bare back and gently rocked her. She didn't realize it, but her eyes were filled with tears. After calming Hazel down, Jo dressed her again. She laid her in her seat, laid the blanket over her, and tucked her hippo beside her.

Her parents cuddled her all night. They said it was her reward, however it would've happened regardless of the shots.