The Change

-Jen's POV-

"Will you marry me?"

The words still echoed in my head as I stared at Brian wide eyed. A beautiful diamond ring was staring back at me and Brian was anxiously waiting for an answer. I couldn't even find my voice because I was in so much shock so I just nodded hoping he'd understand my answer.

"Is that a yes?" He asked with a chuckle. I just nodded again and watched as he slid the ring carefully onto my finger. It wasn't easy with Ava in my arms but he managed to do it before kissing me.

"I love you so much."

"I love you too." It was barely above a whisper but he heard me and smiled.

"I still want to hear you say yes."

"Yes."

Brian kissed me again before placing a soft kiss on Ava's forehead. He had barely left my side and I could tell he was tired.

"Why don't you go get some sleep?" I suggested shortly after he yawned.

He shook his head. "I don't want to miss anything."

I giggled. "Nothing is going to happen Bri."

"I don't know that. She might make some kind of cooing noise or something."

"I assure you that the only things she's going to do are eat, sleep, and shit."

He made a face. "It's another Pinkly."

"Yeah except that one wears diapers."

Brian eventually left to go get some sleep so while he was gone I had a few visitors. The door opened and I smiled when Hannah and Tyler ran in followed by my dad. The twins climbed on top of chairs to get a better look at my daughter while my dad came around to the other side of the bed and kissed the top of my head.

Hannah instantly fell in love with Ava but Tyler didn't seem to want anything to do with her. He was upset that she wasn't a boy. They were staying with Matt and Val for a few days so Brian and I could get adjusted to our little girl.

"She's beautiful Princess."

I looked up at my dad and saw tears in my eyes as he stared at Ava. I imagined this was how he would have been had he known about me so I was glad to see him this way with my baby.

"Thank you Daddy."

They stayed with me for a while before the rest of the guys wanted to come in and see her. Jimmy was the first one in and had a little present in his hands for her. It was a duck stuffed animal that he had seen in the hospital gift shop.

"Aww Jimmy I'm sure she'll love it. Thank you."

He smiled brightly before begging me to hold Ava. I'd never seen Jimmy hold a baby before so I was a little nervous but he was a natural and she seemed to be comfortable with him already. Everyone took turns holding her and when she was in Johnny's arms she opened her eyes and just stared at him.

"Why is she looking at me like that?" Johnny asked.

Zacky looked down at Ava before laughing at Johnny's scared face. "I think she likes you dude."

"Oh no." Jimmy rushed over to Johnny and looked down at Ava. "My sweet little niece you can't like Johnny. I won't allow it and neither would Brian.. I mean your Daddy."

I giggled watching them before finally getting my daughter back into my arms. They eventually left before Brian's family came in. McKenna told me that Brian never made it home and had fallen asleep on one of the chairs in the waiting room. I could just picture him with half of his body hanging off of the chair while he slept.

Before I knew it I was alone in my room with Ava. It was the first time since she was born that I had any alone time with her. She was wrapped up in the light pink blanket we had bought for her and she was staring up at me. I couldn't get over how beautiful she was and how I had a hand in creating this beautiful life.

"I love you Ava." I kissed her forehead softly and smiled as she yawned. This time tomorrow we'd be at home and finally be the family we had always wanted.



I couldn't help but smile as Brian gently placed Ava into her car seat. I had just finished getting dressed after having received my discharge papers. Ava and I were free to go home.

Brian and I had a little arguement over what we would dress Ava to come home in. In the end I won but I promised him that he could pick out her next outfit and dress her himself. I was a little nervous as to what he'd pick. Knowing him it would be a band onesie or something with skulls or monsters. Not that I had anything against them because I didn't. I just wanted all of her outfits to be cute for a while.

"If she gets any prettier we're going to be in trouble." Brian said as he watched her sleep in her car seat.

"Why's that?" I asked placing the last of my things into Brian's dufflebag. He had let me use it for the hospital trip.

"Well look at her babe. She's only a day old and completely gorgeous. If this continues I'm never going to let her out of the house."

I giggled and wrapped my arms around his waist. "Overprotective dad already."

"Damn right I am." He kissed my forehead before going to get the nurse that would be helping me out to the car.

Brian carried Ava's car seat and the dufflebag while Nurse Julie pushed the wheelchair I was told I had to sit in. Once Ava's car seat was securely in the car Brian helped me inside. I sat in the back with Ava and just watch her sleep as Brian drove us home. He didn't drive too fast and was careful that not to hit any bumps that might be in the road.

Once we got home I got out of the car with Brian's help before he got Ava. He placed her into my arms and went to go open the door. Walking inside I was immediately hit with the smells of food. Someone was in my kitchen.

"Look baby."

I followed Brian's gaze and smiled at the huge 'Welcome Home Ava' banner that was placed over the fireplace. Pink and purple balloons were scattered throughout the house along with some that said 'It's A Girl'.

Ava eventually woke up where we gave her a tour of the house. We knew she would never remember where anything was but we wanted her to be familiar with her surroundings. We just wanted our little girl to be comfortable. Brian still hadn't changed a diaper but before long we noticed she had a poopy diaper.

"You ready Dad?" I grinned at him.

"I guess."

We headed into the nursery where I gently laid Ava down on the changing table. Brian seemed a bit nervous so we took it slow and I successfully taught him how to change a diaper.

"That wasn't so bad." He said after throwing the dirty diaper away.

"Just wait until she starts moving around more. You'll have to make sure she doesn't stick her feet in it."

"I can't wait." He said sarcastically. I giggled and watched as he carefully picked her up. He was so good with her just like I knew he would be.

We headed down to the kitchen where I saw a casserole dish set in the middle of the table. It was surrounded by a bowl of salad and bread along with 2 plates, forks, and glasses.

"Lacey and Gena were cooking everything when I left to come get you. They wanted it to be a surprise."

I smiled. "That was so sweet. I'll have to call them later and thank them."

"Oh I'm sure they'll be over later to see Ava." Brian set her one of her bouncy chairs before we sat down at the table and enjoyed our first meal as a family.