La Fée

“Why isn’t she moving?”

“She’s sleeping babe.”

“Yeah but like… She’s not moving. Maybe we should call someone?”

“Tobin, she’s sleeping. Stop worrying.”

The small smile stretching your lips won’t go away as you watch your wife bended over the little bed, eyes never leaving the tiny body lying there.

“You should get some rest; quite the day you’ve had so far.” You softly offer but she shakes her head.

“I’m fine thanks.” She whispers.

“You know you’re not supposed to be up right?”

“Maybe, but she’s too far away from me. What if something happens to her while I’m lying down?”

You roll your eyes at her definition of “far away” which is 25 inches upmost between her bed and the smaller one.

Tobin’s eyes finally move to look at you when you stand up and go to reach for your daughter.

“What are you doing?” She wonders as you delicately carry the sleeping baby in Tobin’s bed.

“Getting you in bed.” You whisper while lying on the bed with your daughter on your chest.

Tobin immediately joins you, snuggling on your side.

“Can I have her?” She murmurs.

“Of course.”

Mirroring your position, your wife lies on her back and you carefully place the tiny human being in her arms.

“She’s so beautiful.” Your raspy voice hits the base of her neck and the only response you get in a small nod.

You both stare at the sleeping  figure, taking in every detail, breathing in synch with the little lungs.

“She’s perfect.”

Trying to refrain yourself from smiling at her stunned voice would be useless.

“She is.”

“We need to choose her a name though…” Tobin says, frowning down at you and you chuckle.

“We really do. Mark will help us when he gets here I’m sure.”

“It’s the first time we disagree on something and it has to be on the name of our daughter.” Your wife rolls her eyes but you catch the sparks in them at her last words.

“Feels good to say it uh?” You wink before kissing her nose.

“Can you believe it? We have a daughter. How cool?” Her famous grin stretches on her lips, making you smile as well.

“Told you it was a girl.” You joke before lying back down.

“Yeah well I guessed for Mark too, so now we’re even.”

“No, you cheated.”

“What? How could I have possibly cheated?” Tobin chuckles and you’re surprised your daughter doesn’t wake up.

“I know you payed my doctor to tell you.”

“Pff… You’re ridiculous.” Tobin laughs.

“Shh baby, you’re going to wake her up.”

“Nah, look at her. She can sleep through a world war just like her Mama.”

It’s your turn to quietly laugh but this time your daughter shifts a little. You both hold your breaths, watching the tiny fingers reaching up for something.

Without a word Tobin takes your hand and places your finger in the small palm.

The squeeze is light but it brings tears to your eyes.

The kiss on your forehead is light too, but filled with nothing but love and you're suddenly overwhelmed by everything.

“I love you so much.” You murmur, eyes glued on the tiny hand grasping your finger. “Both of you.”

When you look up again at Tobin, her eyes are filled with the same adoration as the first time you confessed your love.

She pressed her forehead on your temple and you hear the smile in her voice when she responds with a small childlike voice.

“I love you too Mommy.”

You let out a laugh, not expecting this answer.

“You’re a dork.”

Just when Tobin places a small kiss on your lips a small knock echoes in the hospital room.

“I’ll get it.” You whisper before getting up, immediately missing the little pressure around your finger.

You open the door to find Tobin’s sisters patiently waiting, Mark in Perry’s arms.

“Hey Al’.” Katie greets you, bringing you into a tight group hug.

“Congrats!” They both exclaims excitedly

“Thanks.” You smile in the embrace.

You quickly let go of her, too eager to have your son back.

“Hi baby. Did you have fun with your aunts?” You take him from Perry and he instantly buries his face into your neck.

“I wanna see her Mommy.” He quietly asks, hands grasping your shirt.

“Of course buddy.” You quickly look at your sisters-in-law and they mention you to go.

“We’ll let you have some family time. Mom and Dad should be here soon, come get us when you want.” Perry softly answers your silent question.

“Ok, thank you. And thanks for looking after him.” You smile at them and they genuinely return the gesture. “Ok baby, ready to meet your sister?” You ask Mark, while opening the door again.

“Ready!”

“You have to be quiet buddy, she’s sleeping.”

“Sowwy.” He puts his hand over his mouth.

“It’s okay. Let’s go see Mama.”

Entering the room you find Tobin sitting on the bed, your daughter lying in her arms.

“Hi Marky. How’s my favorite little man?” She softly asks.

However Mark doesn’t respond, and you quickly look at him while you walk towards the bed.

His mouth is slightly open and his eyes, like his mother’s did previously, won’t leave his sister.

You make eye contact with your wife and both chuckle.

Sitting on the bed with Mark on your lap you study your son's reaction.

He tilts his head on one side, a habit you’ve been used to since you met your wife, and wordlessly watch his sister sleep.

“You’re okay buddy?” Tobin murmurs, breaking the silence.

Mark only nods.

“You’re sure?” You ask, surprised that your usual talkative son can be this quiet.

His sister starts to move at the sound of your voice and Marks looks up at you with scared eyes, putting a finger over his lips.

Realizing what’s going on you chuckle as Tobin frowns in incomprehension.

“Baby when I said you had to be quiet I didn’t mean you couldn’t talk. You’re allowed to talk but not too loud.” You explain before kissing the crown of his head.

“Oh, okay.” He nods, finding his voice again.

“Wanna see something cool?” You wife asks, offering her hand to Mark.

“Yeah.” He nods once again, holding his mother’s hand.

Like she did previously, Tobin places Mark’s finger in his sister’s palm and tiny fingers instantly wrap themselves around it.

Mark eyes grow wide and after a moment of pure astonishment he blissfully looks up at you.

“Cool uh?” You grin.

“She’s holding my hand.” He happily says, looking back and forth between Tobin, his hand and you.

“She already loves you. You’re her big brother.” Tobin winks at your son and he straightens up, proud to have this status.

“I already love you too.” He whispers, leaning in to kiss the forehead of his sister.

When your eyes find Tobin’s you know that her heart swelled too at the sight of your family.

“What’s her name?” Mark asks, breaking your stare.

“Hm… we don’t know yet buddy.” Tobin responds, passing a hand in his hair.

“But we thought you could help us.” You continue. “ Do you have an idea? What names do you like?”

His big blue eyes stare down at his sister again and after a long moment of silence you start to wonder if he heard you.

You’re about to ask again when blue eyes find your same blue ones. You hold your breath at the determined look in them which reminds you of his mother when she’s about to step on the field.

“Tinker Bell.”

You stare at him for a moment before looking at Tobin who looks as confused as you.

“What?”

“We should call her Tinker Bell.” He shrugs, putting his finger into his sister’s hand again.

“Why?” Tobin asks, a smile already on her lips as she looks at Mark’s serious face.

“Because she’s tiny. Just like the faiwy in Peter Pan.” Your son clarifies like it’s the most obvious thing in the world.

You can’t contain your laugh and soon Tobin joins you.

“You’re right bud’ she is tiny, but she’s going to grow you know?” Your wife explains.

“Oh okay…” Mark’s shoulders slump.

“But it’s a great nickname.” You assure him.

“Yeah?” He hopefully asks looking up at you and Tobin.

Your wife nods before ruffling his hair.

“Yeah, I really like it.” She assures with a wink.

Mark offers her a toothy grin before turning his attention back tohis sister, or should you call her ‘Tinker’ now?

You feel your wife grab your hand and when you look at her she’s proudly smilling down at your children.

You could swear on your life that your heart grows twice its size at the sight of your family.

A sigh of contentment escape your lips and you lean in to kiss your wife’s cheek.

“So… We have a fairy in our house now?”