Almost Perfect

Stacy and Evelyn had been home from the hospital now for almost two months. She couldn’t believe how quickly the time had gone, their little girl was already forming a personality of her own and she was growing before their eyes. She had gained more weight since she was born and she had these adorable chubby cheeks that were rosy just like her mother’s. She had dark brown hair on her head and beautiful blue eyes just like Stacy’s.

The little family loved Adam’s days off because they spent them at home together, Adam never thought he would be such a home body. He loved going out with his friends and taking Stacy to fancy dinners and dates but when Evelyn was born they just couldn’t stand to be away from her.

Stacy was currently packing her bags because Sam’s wedding was this weekend and she had to go a few days early in order to help the bride get things in line. She was really nervous about leaving Evie for the first time, she knew Adam would do a good job with her but it was hard to believe that she wouldn’t see her daughter for the next 3 days. Adam would drive up with the baby on Friday and be there for the groom’s dinner and the wedding on Saturday. He had taken the next few days off of work so that he could stay at home with Evelyn.

“I think I have everything,” Stacy said more to herself than anything. Adam was lying on the bed with Evelyn on his stomach. She was slowly learning how to hold her head up and she was currently doing so, looking at him with wide eyes.

“She’s way too cute. I’m going to have to beat the guys off of her with a stick,” Adam said thoughtfully.

Stacy couldn’t help but laugh, “She is beautiful.” She moved her suitcase off of the bed and took the opportunity to lie next to her boyfriend and look at their daughter. It was moments like these that made it all worth it, the fight they had when she found out she was pregnant, the horribly early labor, and the C-section she had to endure. Their baby was perfect and the couple couldn’t be happier.

“I can’t believe I’m going to leave her for three days!” Stacy commented.

“Everything will be fine, you deserve a break.” Adam kissed the side of her head and then looked back at Evie. “Mommy needs a break right? She has to go back to work before too long so she should just enjoy the time she’s going to get with Auntie Sam.” Sam and her fiancé David had come to visit Evelyn when Stacy had her and they had taken a liking to calling them Auntie and Uncle.

“I’ll make sure there’s enough milk in the freezer for her, you remember how to unthaw it and everything?” Stacy asked.

“Yes dear, I know what I’m doing. I wouldn’t let anything happen to Evelyn so please try not to worry while you’re away alright?” He wanted her to have fun and not think about the baby or worry if he was doing alright with her.

“I’m not worried about you not doing a good job Adam, you’re a wonderful father.” Stacy told him, “I just like to worry.”

“You’ve got to be better at that Stac, you’re going to give yourself a heart attack before you’re 30!” He laughed, “And I kind of like you so I’d like to keep you around awhile.”

The couple laughed and then talked about what would happen the next few days. They made sure Adam knew where to go for the groom’s dinner and then Stacy finished packing up her things before helping Adam put the baby to bed. Adam had arranged for a town car to take Stacy up state to Sam’s so that they could drive home together on Sunday. They had recently purchased a Land Rover so there was a more appropriate family vehicle for them to get a car seat in and out of.

The following days were like a whirlwind. Stacy had gotten to Sam’s and the two of them ran non-stop to get the last minute details figured out and to make sure that Sam’s wedding would be perfect.

“Do you think Adam will propose soon?” Sam asked as they drove to the venue with all the items necessary for her centerpieces. It was the day of the groom’s dinner and they had a lot to do before the rehearsal started at 6. Stacy was anxious to see Adam and Evelyn, she had spoken on the phone with Adam once each day and they texted now and then but Stacy had been so busy that she hadn’t had much time to talk or think about what her boyfriend and daughter were doing.

Stacy was surprised by Sam’s question, “I honestly have no idea, and it hasn’t been anything we’ve talked about.”

“I mean, I would think that’s your next step. You guys clearly love each other and you have a beautiful baby girl together.” Sam smiled, “I can’t wait to see her again.”

“I know, I miss her.” Stacy looked out the window, “I guess I haven’t given marriage much thought, I know I want to marry him. I just think we are getting used to having a child at this point. I’m not sure where Adam is at on marriage, we actually haven’t talked about it before.”

Sam was a little shocked to learn that her best friend had never talked to her boyfriend about marriage, especially since they brought a baby into the world. “I guess I’m just a little surprised by that.”

Stacy shrugged, “We’re happy with where we are at right now so I don’t think there’s any need to rush things.”

Sam nodded, that made sense.

“Besides,” Stacy spoke again, “We need to get through your wedding first before we can focus on mine!”

The two friends laughed together, “I can’t believe it’s tomorrow already! We’ve been engaged for so long!”

“I’m so happy for you Sam,” Stacy smiled at her friend. They shared a moment before they pulled up to the venue and started unloading supplies and setting everything up.

Before long the girls had to get ready because the wedding party would be arriving for rehearsal.

Once they had walked through the ceremony twice and everyone felt comfortable with the routine they headed into a conference room where the staff set up a groom’s dinner for them.

When they walked into the room they found that it already had some tenants. David’s parents were already in there helping get things set up along with a few extended family members as well as Adam and Evelyn.

Adam was sitting at the table where his name card was with Evelyn in his lap, he had her facing him and he was talking with her quietly. He looked up as Stacy entered the room, she was wearing this tight fitting blue dress that accentuated her curves. Luckily she had lost most of the baby weight and she looked almost like she hadn’t had a baby. Adam’s face spread into a grin at the sight of her, he had missed her.

“Look baby, Momma’s here.” He turned Evelyn around and Stacy saw for the first time that she was wearing an adorable black dress with little white polka dots on it. Adam had put white tights on her with black dress shoes and a little black bow in her hair. He was wearing a pair of black dress pants with a simple white dress shirt and a black skinny tie, Adam had matched their outfits because Evelyn was his “date”.

Stacy hurried over to them, the smile never leaving her face, “Hi baby girl!” Stacy picked her up and kissed her face, “I missed you.” She whispered to the infant.

Adam stood up and embraced his girls, “We missed you too,” He said softly before kissing her briefly.

“Hi,” Stacy smiled at him. “How were your few days together?”

“Great, she was a perfect angel.” He smiled down at their daughter and kissed the top of her head. “I’m going to go say hi to Sam.”

Stacy nodded, glad that Adam and her best friend got along.

“Oh my gosh, is this Evelyn?” Stacy turned at the sound of Sandy, Sam’s mom’s voice.

“This is Evelyn,” Stacy was beaming, she couldn’t wait to show off her daughter.

“She’s so cute!” Sandy held her arms out and took Evelyn from Stacy. “Wow, you and that hunk of a boyfriend make beautiful babies, you better have a few more.” Sandy winked and Stacy couldn’t help but laugh.

“I think one is enough for now,” Adam chuckled as he joined the women. He moved next to Stacy, smiling, and put a hand on the small of her back.

“Hi sweetie,” Sandy leaned over and kissed Adam’s cheek. She had met him one other time briefly but that was just how the woman was. She had always been Stacy’s mother away from home.

The three talked for a while before the groom’s dinner got fully under way.

The whole wedding weekend was a blur and before Stacy and Adam knew it, they were driving home with a very sleepy baby in the backseat. Her normal schedule had been ripped apart by the late nights at the wedding festivities and Stacy and Adam were paying for it now. She was very fussy, almost inconsolable.

“Adam can you pull over? I need to get in the backseat with her.” Stacy said, hating that her daughter was so upset.

“Yeah,” Adam seemed irritated but Stacy chose to ignore it.

He pulled the car off to the side of the back road and Stacy got out, quickly making her way into the back seat of the car. Once she was buckled Adam punched it and pulled the car back onto the road, Stacy knew he was hung over because he went overboard at the wedding the night before but she didn’t understand why he was acting so pissy with her.

“Shhhh, Evelyn it’s okay,” Stacy tried to console the two month old. She tried to use her pacifier, she tried to give her a bottle, she tried singing to her, but nothing seemed to work. She was overly tired but she wouldn’t allow herself to fall asleep. “Just close your eyes sweetie let yourself sleep.” Stacy was rubbing her cheek, doing her best to stay calm and quiet the child but nothing was working.

“Can you please get her to shut the hell up?” Adam exclaimed. Stacy jumped because she was so surprised by his outburst.

“Adam!” She exclaimed.

“Sorry, I just have a horrible fucking headache and her crying is not helping.” He didn’t mean to snap on his girlfriend, he was just way too hung-over to deal with this.

“It is not our fault that you drank too much last night. This is her way of communicating with us; we can’t fault her for that.” Stacy told him.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to snap.” He apologized again, glancing over his shoulder at Stacy.

She didn’t respond and they ended up riding the rest of the way in silence. Stacy finally calmed Evelyn down a short time later and she drifted off to sleep.

Once they were home and things were unpacked Stacy had placed the baby in her crib, letting her sleep and then went into their bedroom, collapsing on the bed. It had been an extremely busy 5 days and it had caught up with her.

“I’m sorry for snapping at you in the car, I didn’t mean to.” Adam said softly as he waked into the room.

Stacy looked over at him but didn’t say anything.

“I know I was out of line and being hung-over isn’t an excuse for what I did so I’m sorry.” Adam spoke again. “It won’t happen again.”

“Okay,” Stacy said simply.

“So you forgive me?” He asked as he crawled onto the bed and lay next to her.

“Yeah, I forgive you.” She said quietly.

“I love you,” He told her, leaning over to kiss her.

“I love you too.” She returned the kiss before they both let the exhaustion of the weekend wash over them and they fell asleep.