She had wrapped herself around my heart and was there to stay. Just like my Angel.
They both belonged to me, making my heart whole again.
It was a laughable thought…hard to imagine. Everything felt surreal. Like a dream.
But then I would wake up beside Ayla, her body wrapped around mine like a vise. She would open her eyes, regarding me with such a loving look. From a distance, Maila would either be crying or cooing.
And I would remember that none of this was a dream.
I found my Angel…and she gave me a princess.
I snapped out of my thoughts when I felt Maila’s leg kicking impatiently against my chest. She was lying down, moving agitatedly.
“You are an impatient one,” I said as I removed her onesie.
I reached over the changing table and grabbed a diaper. Taking a deep breath, I set to do the impossible task.
“Okay. Let’s do this, Princess.”
With that, I quickly removed the diaper and cleaned Maila. While counting the seconds in my head, I slapped a clean diaper on her and fixed it properly.
Thirty seconds!
And she didn’t pee on me. Fuck yeah.
Last time, Viktor wasn’t so lucky.
But seriously, who the fuck plays with a naked baby?
I laughed silently to myself. His horrified screams still rang through my ears.
Moral of that day? Never play with naked baby. Or better yet, never take too long to change their diapers. You would get peed on.
After dressing Maila up again, I had her cradled in the crook of my arm. She settled against my chest, and I thought she sighed.
Her eyes closed instinctively, causing me to smile. I had Ayla’s love, but a few weeks ago I realized that I also had my daughter’s love.
I settled on the rocking chair and watched my princess sleeping. Her small body went limp in my arms as I rocked us back and forth.
My eyes grew heavier as sleep started to take over. I rested my neck against the back of the chair, closing my eyes in the process.
My last thought was how lucky I was. I remembered my days before Ayla…and then after meeting her. How much I have changed, but also how much I was still the same.
My Angel might have made me more human, but she also accepted the monster’s side. She loved me despite of everything.
She gave me a family, a princess I could love and dote upon. Ayla has completed this broken family. She made me a better man. For her and our princess.
My lips twitched in a smile as I brought Maila closer to my chest.
With my daughter sleeping safely in my arms, I also fell asleep.
***
Ayla
I woke up to an empty bed. Surprised, I sat up quickly. My eyes adjusted to the morning light with great effort as I blinked away the sleepiness.
Getting off the bed, I made my way to the crib to find it empty too. I remembered Alessio waking up to take care of Maila. Did they not come back to bed?
I shrugged my robe on while walking into the bathroom. I quickly brushed my teeth and washed my face. After tying my hair in a fast messy bun, I made my way to Maila’s nursery, the room next door.
The door was already open. When I peeked inside, the first thing I saw was Alessio’s back.
He was bent over the changing table and murmuring soft words to our daughter. I smiled at the sight. He really was a doting father.
Leaning against the door, I admired my husband as he showered our baby with love. Alessio picked her up, and I saw her head over his shoulders. She had a small pink flowered headband on.
Alessio turned, and I noticed that Maila was wearing a pinkish dress. It appeared that her father already had her dressed this morning.
“Good morning,” I said, walking into the nursery.
Alessio shifted around, facing me as he bounced Princess in his arms.
“Morning,” he replied, his voice deep. “I thought I’d dress her up before you woke up.”
Smiling, I walked forward. “I can see that.”
When I placed my arms out, Alessio gave Maila to me. I brought her closer to my chest and bent my head down, smelling her sweet baby scent.
“I should feed her before bringing her downstairs,” I said, turning my head to Alessio. I moved closer to him and hooked an arm around his neck.
Our daughter was cradled between our bodies as I placed a sweet kiss on his lips. He smirked before taking my lips in a more demanding kiss, obviously not caring that Maila was plastered between us.
When she cooed, I pulled away, feeling breathless as I stared at Alessio. He winked before placing a kiss on my forehead and pulling us to the rocking chair.
I settled on his lap, holding Maila to my chest. After Alessio had untied my robe, I brought Princess closer to my breast. She latched on immediately and took her fill. My head rested on Alessio’s shoulder as Maila fed.