Strength Of The World

A few days later, Peyton and the baby were released from the hospital with a clean bill of health. She and Zack were looking forward to sleeping in their own bed, and a nice hot shower. When they pulled into the driveway, Peyton smiled softly. Their family and friends were all there, waiting to welcome them home. “You think they’ll hold the baby so we can go sleep?” Zack joked, causing Peyton to laugh quietly. Since Lincoln had been born, the new parents hadn’t got much sleep. He was waking up every two hours to nurse, and Zack said that he couldn’t sleep alone on the little cot the hospital gave him. They had tried to both sleep in Peyton’s hospital bed, but that didn’t work out so well for them either. “We’ll just kick everyone out later and go take a nap with the baby.” She told her fiancée, smiling down at the baby. “I still can’t believe he’s ours.” “I know. He’s perfect. You ready to go inside Mama?” Zack asked, getting out of the drivers side of the car. He walked around and helped her out of the seat, since she was still pretty sore, grabbed Lincoln out of his car seat and handed him to Peyton, who had his blanket ready to wrap him up and laid him on her chest. Zack grabbed the bags out of the trunk and they headed in the house together. “Come on baby, let’s go see the crazies.” She whispered to their son.

When they walked in the front door there were balloons everywhere. A banner that read ‘Welcome home baby V” hung across the mantle in the living room, and there were vases of white and blue hydrangeas everywhere. “Guys this is beautiful. You didn’t have to do all this.” Peyton told the women, who were all gathered around her to see the baby. “Oh hush Pey. We wanted to. Give Maria and I our grandson and you go sit with your friends.” Becky Smith told her, reaching out for the baby. Peyton relented and passed him over to her mom, who immediately walked toward Zack’s mom with a smile on her face. Peyton slowly walked over to the couch and gently sat down beside Zack, who had been talking to Matt and Johnny. “How you feeling, Peanut?” Matt asked her with a smile. “Exhausted, but good. I don’t sleep well in hospitals.” She chuckled softly, “It’s good to be home.” “Hell yeah it is. I missed our bed.” Zack said, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. She leaned into his side as they talked with their friends, Peyton telling the girls about Lincoln’s eating and sleeping habits and how everything else is going, and Zack telling the guys about the baby’s gnarly poops. “I’m telling you dude, it was everywhere. I almost tbought it was in his hair.” He said with a laugh. “Zee it was not that bad.” Peyton laughed, “You’re just being dramatic because he peed on you.” Their group broke out into laughter, recalling the first time Zack had changed the baby’s diaper. They were all visiting at the hospital when the baby needed a diaper change, so Zack volunteered to do it. He took the soiled diaper off and was opening the clean one to put on the baby, when Lincoln started peeing, A lot. He peed on Zack, himself, and the bassinet. Peyton was trying to get out of the bed to help him, but it was actually Johnny who came to the rescue. He put a baby wipe over the baby, while laughing hysterically, and helped Zack clean the baby and the bassinet up once he got the diaper on. “I don’t think I’ll ever forget the look of panic on Zack’s face.” Lacey laughed. Just then, Zack’s phone buzzed, indicating he had a new text message. “It’s Brian again,” he laughed, “They want their daily picture of Linc.” Peyton smiled and shook her head as Zack got up to take a picture of the baby, who looked extremely adorable in his black onesie with a white skull on the front, and white joggers with black skulls all over it that Brian had bought for him. “Either he or Michelle have texted us every day since they have been gone, checking in on us and asking for a picture of the baby. I think they’re obsessed.” She said with a laugh. “I miss Brian. It’s been quiet without him.” “He’ll be back before you know it, being dramatic and shit.” Johnny said with a laugh.

About an hour later, Peyton excused herself upstairs so she could feed the baby, and she could hear everyone telling Zack they would see him soon. A few minutes later, he walked through the bedroom door with a sigh. He looked completely exhausted, his hair was disheveled and his eyes had dark circles under them. “Everyone went home except mom. Once he’s done eating she told me to bring him to her so we can take a nap.” He told her, green eyes focused on the nursing newborn in her arms. “You good baby? Need anything?” She smiled and shook her head. “I’m good. Come snuggle with me.” Zack smiled and walked over to his side of the bed, sliding in and wrapping his arm around Peyton’s waist, helping her lay back so she wouldn’t disrupt the baby. She sighed softly and closed her eyes, enjoying the warmth of her fiancée. “I love you.” She whispered. Zack smiled and kissed the side of her head, “I love you too babe.” Once the baby was finished eating, Peyton burped him and Zack took him down to Maria, who was preparing dinner for the new parents. Once he was back in the bed, Peyton laid her head on his chest and they were both asleep almost instantly.

Notes