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Adrien couldn’t tear his eyes away from the small bundle in his arms. Their daughter. Baby Emma. She was real. He was holding her.
He wanted to pinch himself. He couldn’t believe that the wait was over. That Marinette was no longer his adorably pregnant wife, because she had given birth to the most adorable creature in the world.
After four long days away from Marinette and their baby, they were finally coming home. Marinette looked tired but happy to be leaving the hospital. It was a little scary to know that from that day onwards it was just the three of them. They would have to look after a newborn on their own.
Yes, Emma was a perfectly healthy baby. She had been born a day earlier than she was due, with the perfect measurements of 3.500 kg and 50 cm. So they shouldn’t have any problems with her. But she still looked so small and helpless, even when she was sleeping peacefully in her father’s arms.
He was a father! Adrien was the father of this beautiful baby girl. This biggest gift Marinette could have given to him. Which was saying a lot since she was an expert on gifts after all.
“Adrien.”
It was Sabine who called to him, reminding him that they were already home. She reached for Emma and he reluctantly gave her the baby, missing her warmth instantly. But he had to take his shoes off and Sabine only wanted to help him. Not to mention that she was just as happy to meet her granddaughter for the first time. She deserved some time with her.
Once his attention was no longer completely focused on his daughter (he had a daughter!), Adrien’s eyes were instantly drawn to his wife.
Marinette sighed as she slipped off her shoes. The same pair of slip-ons that she had used in the last months of her pregnancy because she didn’t have to bend down to put them on.
Adrien knew how hard the past days had been for her. First the emergency C-section that had left her bedridden. Then the sleepless nights as she tried to recover with a small baby that refused to sleep in her arms. The troubles with getting Emma to latch on. They had talked on the phone and he knew everything.
He saw her look longing at the bathroom and remembered that she hadn’t had time to wash her hair in the hospital. Not to mention that she had been a bit afraid to do so even with a waterproof bandage. He knew instantly what to do. Because she was no longer alone. She had him.
“Tom, can you please tell Sabine that I’m helping Marinette in the bathroom? We’ll be with you in a moment.”
Marinette’s father looked at him with eyes full of gratitude. He knew that Marinette was no longer his little girl. She was a mum now. But he still worried about her. So Adrien could imagine what a relief it was to know that her husband wanted to take care of her.
“Of course, Adrien. Thank you,” he added with a smile, while following Sabine in the nursery. Adrien planned to have the baby's crib in their bedroom as soon as possible, because he was sure that it would be much more convenient for night feedings, but for now, the room was newly decorated and waiting for the baby’s arrival.
“M’lady, come with me,” Adrien gently nudged Marinette in the direction of their bedroom.
“Mm, what?” She asked him, looking a little absent-minded. Of course she was.
“Let’s get you out of these clothes, you need a shower.”
Her eyes lit up when she realised that she had her own bathroom at her disposal.
“Great idea, kitty,” she smiled. He helped her take off the oversize dress she had on, not missing the way she winced as he gently pulled it over her head. She was in pain.
He grabbed a few towels and followed her into the bathroom.
“Wait, are you staying?” She gasped when he closed the door behind him.
“Of course. I want to help you.”
“My parents are in the other room,” she hissed.
“Marinette, they are with our newborn daughter. The living proof that we’ve had sex at least once. They already know that I’ve seen you naked,” he chuckled as he headed to the shower.
“But..”
“I know that you’re in pain. And afraid to hurt yourself. But you also want to be clean.”
She nodded, looking at her feet as she took off her underwear.
“Hey. If you want me to leave, I will,” he said in a low voice. He wanted to help her. But he'd never do anything against her wishes.
“No, Adrien. I’m a little nervous about you seeing me like this. But I want you to stay,” she mumbled, barely looking him in the eye.
Oh no. His lady, the strongest superhero and the most amazing woman he knew, was worried about him seeing her naked after she had given birth. The thought was enough to make his heart ache.
“M’lady, you’re still the most beautiful for me,” he said, gently lifting her chin to make her look at him. He meant it. He’d loved her body when she was pregnant. And he loved it now with all the scars motherhood had left on her. They made her even more amazing in his eyes.
She smiled slowly, her eyes full of love, and then pointed behind him.
“Shower.”
“Oh, right.”
He quickly took off his own clothes and joined her under the water.
“You’re home now and I’ll love it if you let me take care of you,” he said as he slowly wet her hair. She had let it grow a bit too long because of a silly superstition she’d heard about it not being ok to cut one's hair during pregnancy. He totally didn’t believe it but he'd let her do whatever she wanted.
She didn’t say anything in response, but he heard her tired sigh.
It cost him absolutely nothing to help her bend over as he took the bottle of shampoo and put some on her hair and then massaged it into rich foam. Then he used the handheld shower to wash it away and helped her stand straight.
“Ok?” he asked, to make sure she wasn’t hurting. She nodded silently.
He repeated the same procedure with the top of her head until her hair was completely clean.
“There. You’re ready,” he smiled, making Marinette open her eyes. What he hadn’t been prepared for was the tears in them. “Is it the shampoo? Did you get some in your eyes?” He asked frantically.
“N-no,” she sobbed. “You’re just so, so… sweet,” she said, tears now rolling down her already wet cheeks.
“Oh, Marinette.”
Leaving the shower to the side, he pulled her into his arms.
“I’m sorry. It’s the hormones,” she mumbled after a few minutes of him gently rubbing her back. “I’ve been crying a lot. Because I don’t know how to change a nappy. Because Emma doesn’t want to eat. Because my milk is slow to come in. Because Emma is finally eating! Because we’re not yet home. Because we’re home. It’s a never ending crying party,” she laughed as she wiped her eyes.
“It’s normal, I think. You just gave birth to a tiny human! Your body and mind are overwhelmed. Don’t be hard on yourself.”
“I need to be strong. Emma needs me,” she said as he handed her the soap.
“You are strong,” he reminded her. “Crying, feeling overwhelmed and insecure, fear. This doesn’t change the fact that you are strong. But you also have me and I want to do anything to help you. Change diapers, rock Emma to sleep, bathe her, feed her. Anything.”
“I don’t think you have the equipment for the last one, kitty,” she gave him a watery smile.
“We’ll find a way around that,” he promised. “As long as this is what you need, I’ll be there for you.”
“Thank you,” she said softly, pulling him down for a kiss.
As he helped her dry up and afterwards to get dressed, Adrien couldn’t keep the happy smile off his face. Marinette was home. And so was Emma. It wasn’t going to be easy, he knew that, but he also knew that they were going to make it. Because this was what they had been dreaming about. And they had each other.