all credits to @/thugpugs4lrh on tumblr!!
Summary: In which bringing your and Chris's first baby home from the hospital results in a core memory<3
Pairing: Chris x feminine reader
Warnings: Pregnancy, mentions of a difficult labor and its effects (not graphic!), young parents
Word Count: 974
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Chris gently lifted the enormous, pink carseat out of the back of the car, hoisting it onto his arm. He was beyond exhausted from the past three days. Granted, all he had ever wanted in life was to be a father, especially when you would be the mother. And so, he picked up the car seat with renewed energy, coming around the side of the car and opening up your door.
"You good, ma?" he asked you, protective instincts kicking in as he watched you struggle to unbuckle your seat and step out of the car.
"I just had a baby, dumbass. My hips are killing me and I'm wearing a diaper. What do you think the answer is?"
Between a long labor, the hustle and bustle of the hospital, and the typical aches and pains that came post-birth, you were a bit snappy after the events of the past three days. Nevertheless though, you planted a kiss on Chris's cheek, eliciting a grin from your husband.
"Glad to see the pregnancy didn't take that fiery attitude I love so much." Chris smiled, wrapping his arm around you to support you as you slowly walked with one hand and carrying the carseat that held your sleeping daughter in the other.
You two slowly began the trek up your front steps, with Chris supporting you the whole way. But before you could open the front door, it was flung open for you, revealing Nick and Matt. They stepped out quickly, eager to get a glimpse of their new niece. They exchanged squeals over how cute your baby girl was until Chris finally shoved them off, protective over his little family.
"Can we get inside first?" he asked, rolling his eyes then smiling at you affectionately.
The brothers allowed you to step inside the house, where both your and Chris's parents were waiting, slightly more polite than his brothers. You quickly sat down on the couch with the help of your husband, winded from the short walk up the driveway. Chris quickly placed your daughter in your arms and sat beside you with a proud smile as everyone else gathered around on your large couch and on the rug.
"So, have you two decided on a name?" Your mother asked excitedly, her eyes shining with joy.
"We have," You and Chris looked at each other and smiled as your daughter yawned in your arms, smacking her little lips. "Charlotte Marie Sturniolo." You said in unison.
Just as you spoke, Charlotte opened her eyes and yawned, letting out a tiny coo. Luckily, your families had been very respectful of your and Chris's boundaries about holding her, especially since flu season was currently rampant. That didn't deter anyone from letting out noises of affection at their new daughter, niece, and granddaughter, though. In your comical families, however, cute moments didn't last long, which led to Nick piping up.
"Can you say Lady Gaga?" he asked. "La-dy Ga-ga."
Chris rolled his eyes, playfully kicking his brother, which received a giggle from you. "She's a newborn."
"I'm raising her to have culture." Nick shrugged, flipping his hair across his forehead.
As everyone continued to talk, your husband noted how you (and Charlotte) had become more quiet, snuggling into his side. He knew the whole birthing process had been extremely difficult on you, and selfishly, he really wanted some alone time with his little family.
"Should we go upstairs?" he asked you, whispering in your ear and brushing a strand of hair away from your cheek.
You nodded softly, already on the verge of falling asleep as you felt your infant daughter snuggle into you. "Yes please." You whispered back.
"Well, we would love to keep chatting, but duty calls," Chris helped you stand up, adjusting Charlotte so she could still cuddle onto your chest. "My girls need me."
By the time you two had made it upstairs, you were exhausted, but could still hear the talking of your family below, murmuring softly about what great parents you two already were. Granted, it had only been a few days, but in your opinion, you both already were. Despite being on the younger side, you and Chris both loved your daughter with your whole heart, and that was what you wanted the most.
"Thanks for what you did back there," You yawned as Chris tucked you into bed after placing Charlotte, who was fast asleep, in her crib. "I'm really tired."
"I could tell," Your husband bustled around the room, straightening things up to lessen the load on your plate. "You're so strong, baby."
You were almost asleep, but you could sense that Chris had stopped moving, which with your husband, meant he was up to something. "Chris? Baby, what are you doing?"
You peeked open your eyes, only for your heart to practically burst. Chris had taken his shirt off and removed your daughter's onesie, allowing her to cuddle skin-to-skin on his chest. He smiled over at you as she yawned, fisting his skin.
"Look!" he whisper-shouted with the biggest smile on his face. "We're cuddling!"
You smiled, enjoying the scene before you. "She looks so cozy."
Chris began to sway and dance softly, singing 'My Girl' by The Temptations quietly. "My baby girl. God, I love you so much. You and your mommy are my rock, honey."
You could hear the happy tears in your husband's voice as he sang to Charlotte, and that was the moment you knew that you had made the right choice for the father of your children. Chris had been nothing but supportive throughout your whole pregnancy and labor, and it was clear he was carrying that energy into fatherhood as well. You took a mental snapshot, filing away this moment for later because you knew this would always be one you came back to.
