Older || Sequel To SOS

Thirty-Nine

"Did our house get bigger while we were gone?" Elodie asks, her left arm sitting gently over Atlas's body in the car seat as Luke pulls into the driveway.

"Sorry, that's my fault, I simply had to build each wall a couple feet taller and wider while I've been here this week." Rebecca smirks as she turns to eye her daughter, teasing her for her question.

"It does feel bigger somehow." Luke answers more kindly as he puts the car in park. "But I think it might just be an illusion due to how small our girl is."

"Ya." Elodie sighs, "I'm nervous to have her home. Grateful she's healthy enough, but nervous she's going to get sick or something."

"She's as tough as they come, El. She'll be just fine. Now, let's get you inside and comfortable." Rebecca offers softly, slipping out of the passenger seat as Luke does the same from the driver's side.

Rebecca helps Elodie out of the car as Luke grabs Atlas's seat and heads inside. Rebecca and Elodie follow more slowly due to the tender pain in El's stomach and especially in her incision. She still isn't convinced three days was long enough and she won't simply split back open now that they took out the staples.

"Oh." Elodie lifts a hand to cover her gasp as she steps into the house. A big pink and white banner hanging over the entryway with balloons. "Welcome home baby Hemmo" written across it in gold lettering.

"Welcome home is right." Luke steps back into view, this time with Atlas snuggled in his arms. "This is our home, baby girl. You get to grow up here, safe, protected, and loved." He coos, kissing her forehead softly.

"It does feel good to have her home, and to be home." Elodie smiles, her emotions bubbling close to the surface.

"It does. Now, what do you want first, pretty girl? Food, a proper shower, a nap?" Luke smiles as he asks.

"A shower, and food. But shower first."

"What do you want to eat, I can order us food and cuddle sweet Atlas while Luke helps you shower." Rebecca speaks up again.

"Chicken tenders." El laughs, "You should know that by now."

"I was just double checking."

"Thanks, Rebecca, for everything you've done for us this week. We're going to miss you when you head back home in a couple days." Luke offers as he slips his sleeping daughter into her arms carefully.

"I've gotta get all the grandma snuggles in with this precious girl before I have to head back to St. Louis. Plus, I'd do anything for my baby girl too." She turns to look at El again, smiling softly.

"Thanks, mom. It means the world to have had you here with us this week." El offers back before accepting Luke's hand and letting him help her up the stairs slowly.

"Wait." Elodie stops as Luke grabs the doorknob to their room, turning instead to the one across the hall, stepping carefully into the nursery and flipping the light on. She can't help the tears that fall as she takes it in, fully put together finally and better than she could have imagined. The soft creamy colored walls and furniture contrasting perfectly with the two quotes she'd found for the canvases over the crib. I love you more than all the stars and follow the moon printer in white on the black canvases with corresponding simple artwork on each.

"For fucks sake." Luke mumbles slightly exasperated, catching Elodie's attention who has to look up at her fiancé and then to where his eyes are focused before realizing what he is scowling at.

A loud laugh escapes her that she can't hold in as she notices the collage hanging over the dresser. "I love Jack." She adds before walking across the space to take in the now seventy or so postcards from around the world, hung on twine by miniature clothespins.