Just Smile

CHAPTER FORTY NINE

*YOU GUYS I FUCKING DID IT!
It took me weeks and a whole load of guilt but I've done it! I've written a new chapter for youuuuuu 😭
The amount of relief I have knowing I've broken my writer's block, you guys don't even know 😂😂
I'm so thankful to you all for sticking by me and this story and also for all your kind words, it means the world to me and I genuinely love all of you 💕
Anywho! I hope you guys like this long awaited update! It's a little Deacury and Archie time so I hope it hits ya in the cuteness feels 🥰*

*JOHN'S POV*
*Three Days Later*
"How is it that he's perfectly content sleeping anywhere but in his own bloody bed?" Fred scoffed as he bounced Archie in his arms, the little one dead asleep as the three of us made our way to the car. It had been a week since our son was born and it was both the longest and shortest week of my life! On one hand it felt like time had flown and I couldn't believe he'd already been with us a whole week, but then it also felt like it lasted a lifetime too, what with us still trying to find our feet as new parents. We were learning new things everyday but this week has still been the hardest thing I've ever had to face, and I wasn't going to hide that. Adjusting to having a baby was a lot and it's drained both Fred and I mentally and physically, almost to the brink of exhaustion already. I knew we just had to get used to having Archie here and it would be a while before we found a routine that would work for us but I didn't know how I'd survive another night without sleep!

"I think he just likes to taunt us, the little devil." I joked as I hobbled along in front to open the door for my boyfriend, him gently placing our little man into his carrier in the back seat, trying desperately not to wake him as he did so. We were heading back to the hospital for both Archie's and my own one week check up, Penny wanting to just keep an eye on him (even though he was born perfectly okay) to ensure his heart was still keeping a normal rhythm. She also wanted to check and see how me and my stitches were getting on too, though I'm pretty sure she just wanted to make sure I was going okay mentally, which was sweet of her.

"Devil is right lovely!" Fred scoffed back a laugh as he buckled Archie in, his finger brushing over his forehead ever so lightly as he smiled down proudly at his son. "He may keep us up at night but fuck he's perfect." He sighed, sounding like he was content. It made me proud a little inside to see Freddie so happy with our little one. I liked knowing that I was able to give him something that makes him smile and feel a special type of love. He took to parenting like a duck to water I tell you, knowing exactly how to hold and sooth Archie like he'd been doing it his whole bloody life! I kind of envied that, that it was so easy for him straight out of the gate. I tried my hardest, I truly did, but I could never just pick up on it as well as he did. I held Archie and I tried to sooth him but he always seemed to settle better for Fred. Maybe I wasn't doing things right? Maybe I didn't cuddle him close enough or show him love the way Freddie did? Maybe it was because I'd never wanted kids? Maybe he can pick up on that? Maybe he knows that I was scared of this? "Are you okay John?" Freddie asked, snapping me out of my mind as he now stood in front of me, holding the door open as he sent me a curious look. "What's the matter darling?" He quizzed, quick to pull me close to him as he rested his hands on my waist.

"N-Nothing." I shook my head, plastering on a fake smile as I tried to push away what I was thinking. I loved Archie, surely he knows how much he means to me? He's my baby! I may not be the best at being a dad yet but I'm learning, I'll get there after some practice. "I'm fine." I nodded, my arms settling on his shoulders.

"Are you sure?" Fred asked again, the look on his face giving away that he wasn't believing my bullshit for a second as he raised an eyebrow.

"Of course." I nodded again, really hoping he'd drop his interrogating and leave me be. I didn't need him finding out how I was feeling. I'd get over it, I'd be okay.