A/N: Before you start reading, I would like you to know that this is a timeline-like one shot (a collection of important memories that lead up to my "Safe" one shot.)
Anne cradles the quiet newborn in her arms, slowly meandering around the new Carlyle home. Anne's bare feet patter on the wooden floor while humming a soft tune to calm the child. The small baby looks up at her mother, inquisitive yet tired. Her crystal blue eyes, which she got from her dad, flutter close and a yawn escapes her tiny lips. Anne smiles down at her child and sits down on the nearby chair. She caresses the infant's hair-covered head, small curls bouncing back into place.
She wouldn't trade anything for these tender moments with her daughter. When Anne and Phillip had discovered that they were expecting, it was one of the happiest moments of their lives. But nothing, not even that moment, could top when Anne first held her baby girl and saw her perfect little face. Phillip was no different, even shedding tears as he held his child. And despite the sleepless nights and difficult days, the two loved Evelyn and that would never change.
Anne's thoughts are interrupted by the front door opening to reveal a very tired looking Phillip. He makes eye contact with her and smiles. After taking off his outdoor attire, he walks over and plants a gentle kiss on Anne's lips. Anne leans forward, resting her forehead on his chest, exhausted as well.
"How is she?" He whispers in her ear, looking down at the baby that is still cradled in her arms.
"She's good. Definitely worn out. Spent most of the day screaming," Anne says with a soft chuckle, her voice rough from the lack of sleep.
"How about you let me take her and put her in the cradle. You need a break, my love." Anne resigns, handing their first-born over to her husband. He disappears into the nursery quietly, leaving Anne in silence.
After a minute, he comes back in and lies down on the couch, gesturing her to join him. She does, pressing her head to his chest, listening to his steady heartbeat. Her arms snake around his waist, pulling him close. He covers himself and his tired wife with the nearby blanket and they fall asleep together, only to be woken up two hours later by the crying child.
~~~~
It has been slightly over a year since the Carlyle family have welcomed their child, Evelyn Dawn Carlyle, and they are happier than ever. Anne and Phillip watched as she grew a head of crazy curls and how her spunky personality started to show. And slowly but surely, her little legs started to take small strides of their own.
"She's so close Anne!" Phillip exclaims, watching his daughter teeter back and forth on her two stubby legs. He holds out his arms and beckons for the child to walk to him. The toddler giggles, her mop of dark brown curls, that are identical to her mother's, swaying with her jaunty movements. "Come on Ev! Come on!"
Evelyn smiles a toothy grin and waddles slowly over to her father, pausing halfway to regain her balance. Phillip wraps her in a large hug and twirls her around happily, her little dress billowing. After he stops spinning, Anne pulls her family into a hug of her own with a wide smile on her face.
"You did it, baby!" Anne exclaims, running a hand through Evelyn's mop of curls. Anne places many kisses on her daughter's cheek, causing her nose to scrunch up just like her mother's does. Evelyn giggles and claps her hands together repetitively. The couple laugh at their daughter as Phillip places her back on the floor to crawl around.
"I love her. She looks just like you," Phillip says, his eyes trailing his daughter affectionately. Anne runs her fingers across his arm, pulling his attention. Shivers run throughout his body, her touch so delicate and soft; some things just never change.
"Except her eyes," Anne says with a smile, her dark brown eyes glittering with delight.
A loud thump echoes throughout the small two-story house, drawing their attention away from one another. The married couple panics and turns frantically around to look at where the noise came from. They finally meet the sight of Evelyn sitting on the ground near the bookshelf, pulling books off of it and then laughing hysterically.
The panic that was present dissipates, and only relief remains. Anne walks over and picks up the laughing toddler, setting her on her hip. Phillip walks over and starts tickling the now squirming child. She laughs even harder, so much so that tears of joy are running down her face. These were the moments that made life worth living.
~~~~
Anne approaches the circus tent, a broad smile on her face. Her daughter, a small five-year-old, sits on her hip, looking around the town. People bustle about, rushing to get to work and to the marketplaces. She bursts into a smile when she sees a horse clattering down the street pulling a carriage.
"Momma, it's a pony," Evelyn says, pointing with her golden-brown finger to the horse. Anne follows her daughter gaze, nodding in agreement.
"It is a pony, yes," Anne replies, a smile gracing her lips. "Are you ready to see your Dad?" she asks her child. Evelyn nods vigorously, wiggling in her mother's arms.
"And Ms. Lettie!" Evelyn exclaims, squealing happily. "I love Ms. Lettie,"
Anne chuckles, recalling when the two first met. Evelyn was still a baby, not old enough to walk. Lettie had asked to hold her and, of course, Anne had let her. The little baby had instantly reached up and grabbed ahold of her beard, being the inquisitive child she was. Everyone laughed, Lettie close to tears from laughing.
The two have become inseparable and whenever Lettie comes over for dinner, Evelyn has begged to play dolls with her. Lettie, being the sweetheart she is, always caves in and goes to play dolls with the excitable toddler.
"Who else will be at the circus, Momma?" Evelyn asks as the large circus tent casts a large shadow atop the mother-daughter duo. "I've never been here before."
"Yes you have, silly," Anne exclaims, touching her daughter's nose in a playful manner. She scrunches it up, a goofy look on her face. Anne laughs, clutching the toddler close with adoration. "You came here with Daddy and I when you were little."
"Then why didn't we come back?" Evelyn asks, inquisitive.
"Because Daddy thought that you might get hurt. So, we decided to wait a while before we let you come to the circus." Anne says, sugarcoating the actual story.
The two got into an intense argument about whether or not Evelyn should be at the circus at such a young age. Phillip said that she should stay at home but that would mean the Anne would have to stay with her, leaving her job at the circus for a few years. Anne despised not being able to practice alongside her husband, friends, and brother. But having a child comes with responsibilities and sacrifices. Anne finally agreed, knowing that keeping her child safe was much more important.
Evelyn stays silent for the rest of the trek to the multicolored tent, a wild array of voice emitting from the tent. She starts to squirm -- Anne doesn't know if it is from excitement or anxiety -- in Anne's arms as they approach the tent.
Anne walks quicker, giddy with excitement. She navigates around the merchandise stands and food stands before stepping inside, the air somewhat cooler than that of outside.
"Welcome to the circus Evelyn."
~~~~
A/N: I'M BACK!!! Sorry for this being kinda late. I finally have had the time to settle down and write. I do hope that you enjoyed this short little timeline-like one shot. I am unsure if this was requested and I apologize, if it was requested, if I didn't include your name and give you credit. Anyways, stay tuned for more requested one shots in the future!