Chapter Text
Opening the car door Claire was hit with a blast of freezing, cold air. Immediately the little body in the car seat next to her began to wine before breaking out into full-blown cries.
“ I know baby, the cold really sucks, doesn’t it? But it’s ok because we’ll be inside soon where it’s all warm and cozy.” Claire cooed softly.
“Is she ok?” Leon was around the car in an instant, ready to help wherever he could.
“Ya, she’s just cold. Better get her inside quickly.”
The two adults looked down into the car seat at the tear-stained face of their daughter. Little Isabell Rose Kennedy was born just a little over twenty-four hours ago on a cold winter day. Claire had hoped for a reprieve in the weather before she gave birth but alas, D.C snow will do what it does: never end.
Claire would be lying if she said she hadn’t been dreaming of the moment she was able to bring her baby home since she found out she was pregnant. She is, however, sad that her baby girl is so uncomfortable entering the place where she should feel the opposite. She could tell just by the look on Leon’s face that he felt the same.
Upon entering the house and reaching the living room Leon immediately picked up Izzy, blankets and all, bringing her to his chest where she could hopefully find some comfort in his body heat. After a few moments, the baby began to quiet.
“That’s a lot better isn’t it, Princess?”
“Princess?” Claire laughed a little at the nickname Leon had bestowed upon their daughter.
“Ya well, if you’re my Angel, then she’s my little Princess.”
Claire laughed again.
“ You got a problem with that?” he teased back.
“No,” Claire shook her head, staring lovingly at the image of her husband cradling their newborn baby,
“I just think it’s so sweet seeing big, tough Agent Kennedy wrapped around his little Princess’s finger.”
Leon gave her a look,
“I am not wrapped around her finger.” Leon looked like he was about to continue his defense when the baby let out a noise of discontent. Immediately the man turned all of his attention to the baby girl, adjusting her blankets until she settled down again.
“ Definitely not wrapped around her finger,” Claire added sarcastically.
“So what if I am.” Leon gave her a once over,
“You should be resting, not standing in the middle of the room. Sit down please, I’ll take care of everything.”
“Leon, I’m fine -”
“Claire. Please just let me take care of you, please.” The look he gave her was just so full of love and concern, she didn’t bother fighting.
She simply sat on the couch, propping herself up on pillows. When she was settled she reached her hands out to take the baby. Leon passed her on without protest.
“Can you pass me a pacifier and then get me some water please?”
“Of course, Angel.”
Claire smiled at the nickname. Leon did as asked, grabbing a pacifier out of the hospital bag and moving towards the kitchen after passing it off. As much as Claire liked to press her independence, she had to admit, it felt nice to let Leon take care of her every now and again. And, she had to admit that since she had sat down the soreness seemed to have set into her muscles and she began to deeply appreciate her husband’s insistence on her resting.
These soft moments, just the two of them with their daughter - no thoughts of work or bioterrorism anywhere near their minds - we’re what she learned to live for. Even in the darkest of moments just being with her small family, this space she and Leon were able to carve out in a world filled with fear and unknowns, seemed to make everything feel ok. In these moments, all of their struggles and sacrifices are worth it for the little baby girl sleeping quietly in her arms.