: : Summary : : How does life change once Alex is born. This story is a continuation of my Married Life story, and is after they return from Egypt, and what Rick and Evie must face as parents.
The quiet of the night was broken once again by Alex�s loud cries, and once again Rick got up to tend to him. On the ship, he and Evelyn had let him sleep with them, and the new father guessed his son wasn�t happy about sleeping on his own.
�Hey Alex,� Rick said as he leaned over the cradle and lifted his son in his arms. For a moment Alex continued to cry, then once secure against his father�s shoulder, the baby settled.
�Now, I know your not hungry, because you ate ten minutes ago, and you should still be dry,� Rick said as he walked over to their bed. Evie was sitting up, and took him from Rick. That transfer from father to mother agitated Alex, but only for a moment until he was resting against her shoulder.
�Maybe we should just let him sleep with us,� Evie said as she rubbed a hand over his back. Alex was content where he was, and hearing him cry made Evie want to cry. Settling beside her Rick gently pulled them against him.
�Well we could, but there is going to come a time when we want to do certain things, and then what?� he asked, trying to get her to see to their own needs. Having not thought of that Evelyn sighed.
�I hate it when he cries,� she admitted. Rick kissed her cheek.
�I know honey, I do too, but I think the sooner we can teach him he�s all right sleeping in his own bed, the better off we will all be,� he replied. They remained cuddled together for a few more minutes, then Evelyn got up and walked to the end of the bed where Alex�s cradle was and gently placed him on his left side. Alex whimpered at the loss of contact from her warm body, and Evie knelt down rubbing his back.
�Shhh, mummy and daddy are here baby, and we won�t leave you,� she said softly. When he became more restless, Evie placed a hand on his side then gently pushed the bed, causing it to swing gently.
�Hush a bye don�t you cry go to sleep my little baby. When you wake you shall find all the pretty little ponies. Black and white Dapples and Grays all the pretty little ponies,� Evie sang. The song she used was one her father used to sing to her nights when her mother wasn�t there, and the gently swaying motion of is bed, plus her song calmed Alex and soon sleep came. Once sure he would stay asleep at least for a little bit, Evie gently stilled the bed from its swinging motion, then stood, feeling herself gathered into her husbands arms.
�I think he liked that,� Rick whispered in her ear as he kissed her there. Evie sighed and smiled, then turned in his arms.
�We need to sleep. I need to sleep,� she said softly. Without hesitation, Rick lifted her into his arms, and carried her to their bed placing her on the soft mattress, then lay next to her. It didn�t take long for either of them to fall asleep, and at least for a little while all of them slept without a care in the world
~*~*~
Breakfast that morning was quiet. When Jonathan arrived home, he was used to finding both Rick and Evelyn all ready eating morning meal. This particular morning only Nanna was there.
�What happened to everyone?� Jonathan asked as he settled down at the table. Marie came and served him Eggs Bacon and toast as well as a glass of juice, then poured more tea for Nanna.
�I think Alex kept them up last night,� she said having heard his cries more than once. It was when Jonathan had nearly finished his breakfast when Rick and Evelyn arrived with Alex asleep in his mother�s arms. Jonathan noted with relief that his sister looked better, and guessed that had to do with being home.
�Come have a good breakfast, and let me take care of that sweet baby,� Nanna said as she walked over to Evelyn. Willingly, Evie gave him up, knowing he was safe with her, then settled at the table with her husband.
�Well if you will excuse me, I need to get some sleep,� Jonathan said as he got up from the table. Once he was gone, both Rick and Evelyn began to eat and talk about what they wanted to do for the day.
�I want to go in to town and get some new cloths,� Evie announced. Surprised that after one night of sleep back at home, and not a very good one at that, Rick looked at her.
�Rick, don�t look at me as though I were made of glass. I know I�ve been through a great deal, but I�m in between sizes now. Most of what I wore when I was carrying Alex within my belly is to big, and the things I have that I wore before I was carrying him is still to tight.� She said as she took a few drinks of milk.
�So do I get to go with you?� Evie smiled and nodded.
�Nanna, will you keep Alex so he won�t have to go out in the cold?� Evie asked looking over at where she sat talking quietly to him.
�I would love to do that,� she replied. Once they finished their breakfast Evie took Alex into the Parlor and got him to nurse, hoping he would be all right until their return, then once he was finished she and Rick got ready for their trip into town, and left.
~*~*~
Despite the cold January day, the people of London were out in full force. Already in the past thirty minutes, Rick and Evie had been to five different stores, and Rick was amazed that Evie had enough energy to do so much in such little time. Now he sat in a chair outside of a curtained dressing area while she tried on some skirts.
�Well what do you think?� she asked as she stepped out. The skirt she had on was a black lambs wool skirt, with a gold button in front.
�Well that�s good if you want to go to the museum, but well, go try on some other things, and let me see if I can find some things. Evie nodded and left to do that and Rick went to where the cloths were hanging on a rack and began to look. Knowing that he was getting starred at Rick shook his head, wondering how Evie had managed to change him from a rough tough Legionaire to a softy. He did have a purpose in mind which was to get her into some things that didn�t make her look so formal all the time. After looking through three racks of cloths, Rick finally found some things he liked. One was a black dress with straps. The front of it was low cut, and it was simple, but he knew she would look great in it. He picked out a few more dressed in that same sort of style then found her some more casual things, slacks and tops mostly, and went back to her dressing area.
�All right Mrs. O�Connell, prepare to be a changed woman,� Rick said. Evie stuck her head out and looked at all he had, having her doubts but for her husband she would try on anything. The first thing she tried on was the black dress, and when she stepped out Rick had a difficult time not taking her in the middle of the store with people watching.
�I�m not sure Rick,� she said looking in the mirror.
�Evie trust me when I tell you that you look beautiful in that.� Evelyn nodded and went to try on the rest of the cloths. All of it was purchased and once they had done that the two headed for lunch.
~*~*~
While mum and dad were away, Alex had gotten hungry and was now having a major fuss as Nanna tried to appease him. Nanna had tried everything she could think of to get him calm, but she knew he was hungry, and since Evelyn was the only one who could feed him, they were just going to have to wait. Now in his room, Nanna was seated in the rocking chair with him over her lap rubbing his back.
�Shhh, they will be home soon,� Nanna said as she lifted him against her shoulder. His cries subsided, and he was soon asleep, however Nanna stayed where she was knowing that he was likely to wake up if she tried to move him. As she was trying to decide whether or not to try laying him down in his crib Evelyn came in looking radiant, and Nanna was glad for that.
�Jonathan said he was having quite a fuss,� she said looking worried.
�Not to worry a little crying won�t hurt him, and I do believe he is hungry,� Nanna said as she stood. Evie took the burp cloth she had then her baby who was awake instantly.
�Now now, you have to be patient,� Evie said as she unbuttoned her blouse. It took three trys, but she did get him to nurse, and smiled as his eyes opened.
�Did you and Nanna have a good time?� she asked. Alex was focused on filling his tummy and after a few moments his eyes shut. Evie took his tiny hand and kissed him there.
�Mummy and daddy had a good time, but I think we might do well to take you with us the next time, because I missed you,� Evie said. Being so focused on her son, Evie didn�t see Rick watching her from the door not until he walked in.
�How�s our buddy?� Rick asked.
�Hungry, he seems to have an insatiable appetite,� Evelyn said. Rick grinned.
�Or he likes where he is,� He said. Evie reached out and smacked his arm, and Rick gave her a hurt look
�Hey what was that for, its the truth you know. I know I like it there,� he said.
�Honestly Rick, this is very natural and you are making fun of a beautiful process,� she said, though she wasn�t really mad at him.
�Well as long as he shares,� Rick said as he leaned in giving her a kiss.
�So why don�t you show me again how to play chess,� Rick said as he stood.
�If you don�t mind I want to try and take a rest,� she replied. Not minding Rick waited for her and once Alex as fed and burped, they went to their room. After putting him in his bed, Rick settled in bed with Evie and drifted into a light sleep, enjoying being with the woman he loved.