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Armin grumbled loudly as he put on his pants, shirt, waistcoat, and tie.
“Do it more loudly. Wake her up. Not that I've slept for only three hours or anything.” Annie said.
Armin immediately paused and turned to face her. In bed, she was curled up with her body hidden by the covers.
“Sorry.” He spoke softly, aware of the baby who was sleeping in the crib next to their bed. "I'm just annoyed that they called two weeks before my leave ended."
“Better handle the situation now rather than have tons of paperwork waiting for you when you get back.”
"I know." He said as he adjusted his watch. He laid on top of the covers and removed them just to reveal her head. Having a newborn wasn’t easy, and the bags under their eyes were proof of that. “Are you two going to be alright?”
“Don’t worry about me and Abby. We’re going to be fine.”
“It’s your first day alone with her.”
Annie opened one eye.
“I know how to take care of my daughter.”
“Y..Yes. I’m just sad to leave. I will miss my girls.”
Annie let out a sigh.
“Stop talking like you’re a soldier about to be sent to battle. Go! I want to sleep more before she wakes up.”
Armin let out a low chuckle and kissed his wife. Annie, too tired, didn't return it.
“Love you,” He said.
“Love you too.”
Armin quietly climbed out of bed and moved toward the crib. One month old and already so different. She had gained a little weight, and her features were beginning to take shape. She was starting to look more like Armin, the only difference being her eyes.
“Love you, seashell,” he said, patting her belly.
Quietly, Armin leaves the house, and Annie falls asleep again.
Annie slept for three more hours until she heard Abigail start to whimper.
“Armin, it’s your turn.” She said, rubbing her face.
When she didn’t hear anything, she poked the spot where he usually lay down, but when she felt nothing, she opened her eyes. Seeing the empty spot, she suddenly remembered that he had gone to the office.
“Oh.” She remarked as Abigail began to scream loudly.
Annie got up and went to the crib. She took her daughter in her arms and began gently bouncing her. Just as she began to move, Abigail silenced her cries. She gave the young girl a wide-eyed stare. Abigail was awake and alert and didn’t seem like she was crying five seconds ago.
"Did you wake me up because you wanted to be held?" She questioned the child
The infant sucked on her wrist and gurgled.
Annie grinned.
“Little manipulator. Like your father.” Annie said. “You're going to work in politics someday, aren't you?”
Back in bed, she took a seat. To check if her daughter was hungry, she pricked her in the cheek. When the baby started to follow her finger, Annie pulled down her shirt (Armin’s shirt), revealing her breast. She lowered her head to her breast. The infant happily accepted the offer and began sucking.
Annie tilted her head backwards and let out a long sigh, enjoying the feeling of pressure leaving her breast.
These were her favorite moments during the morning with Abigail. Where she would lean against the pillows and breastfeed her child and hum a song with no rhythm. Abigail would grab her finger and Annie would bring it to her mouth and kiss it. Armin was also present in these moments. Laying beside her, looking at them like they were the only human beings in the world, softly caressing Abigail’s cheek and putting his head on Annie’s shoulder.
It’s also in these moments that she wonders about her own mother.
She wonders if her mother ever got a chance to breastfeed her and hug her before they took her away from her forever. She wonders if she hummed a song while feeding her. If she carefully brushed her blond hair and looked at her with so much love and adoration. She wonders if she fought and begged to let her keep Annie. She wonders if she had the chance to name her.
Annie’s heart tightens at the thought of someone forcefully taking Abigail from her. During pregnancy, she had nightmares where numerous hands were trying to take her baby away. Nightmares that would wake her up in a cold sweat and make her clutch her growing belly.
When Abigail finishes, Annie perches her on her shoulder and burps her. Praising her along the way.
“That’s a good girl.”
Another favorite moment during the morning was laying Abigail in the center of the bed. Annie hovered over her and would talk to her daughter in a high-pitched voice. Making noises that she would feel a little embarrassed about being caught doing in front of people besides Armin.
“Hello.” She said, kissing her baby’s forehead.
“Hello,” She said, kissing her cheeks.
Abigail smiled and moved around.
“My baby.” She said, picking up the baby and bringing her to her face, rubbing their noses together. “My baby. My sweet angel.”
Abigail was loving the attention.
Deciding to do a little experiment. Annie put a little distance between them and put on a neutral face.
Abigail stopped making noises and moving when she realized Annie wasn’t doing anything. She looked at Annie with a look that almost made Annie crack up and laugh. Abigail may look like Armin, but she 100% had Annie’s bewildered expression.
Abigail started making protesting sounds when she was no longer receiving attention and was about to start wailing, but Annie quickly started smiling and kissing her cheeks. The baby started laughing, happy to be receiving the attention she had been denied for about 30 seconds.
By lunchtime, Abigail had been fed once more and had one diaper change. Annie at least got to have leftover pie for breakfast.
At 12 o’clock, the telephone rang. Annie didn’t even have to guess who it was before she picked the receiver.
“Arlert Residence.” She answered.
“Hey, How are you two?” Armin said.
"Well, I had my hair being held hostage, but I managed to negotiate with the criminal by trading the hostage for her favourite plushie.”
Armin chuckled.
“How is she?”
Annie looked at the living room. Abigail was lying in her playpen while chewing on her lioness plush.
“Enjoying her reward.”
“How are you?” He asked, and she could hear the worry in his voice.
“A little bit tired.”
“I’ll come home as soon as I finish everything.”
“Stop worrying. It will be fine.”
“Okay. Give her a kiss for me, please.”
“I will.”
“Thank you. I love you.”
“Love you too.”
The fact that Annie was unable to consume sweets was one aspect of pregnancy that she detested vehemently. She was prone to gagging after just one sniff.
Armin adopted her diet of no sweets... When Annie glared at him with hatred in her eyes after he dared to eat a donut in front of her.
She left the house and headed to the bakery not far from her home after fastening Abigail to her chest. She kept her hood up, a force of habit, and went inside a donut shop. She sensed many eyes on her right away. She quickly placed her order and waited as the worker went to the back to collect it.
Annie experienced a wave of anxiety. While attempting to maintain her composure, she placed a hand on Abigail's back. She heard footsteps. She raised her feet and prepared to strike when a quaint older voice intervened.
“What an adorable little thing.” The elderly woman spoke.
Annie turned her head to the side. Next to her was an old lady who looked like she needed one blow to fly away. Irritation hit Annie hard and fast. She was aware that Abigail was a cute infant. It was an occurrence for Armin and Annie when going outside with Abigail. Old ladies would stop and start conversation, with Armin at least. Annie would glare at them, silently demanding for them to go away and leave her baby alone. Armin, on the other hand, would entertain them and gladly answer their questions.
“What’s the little one's name?”
“Abby.” Annie said through gritted teeth.
"Oh, such an adorable name.” The old lady looked at her friend who was at her side, who spawned out of nowhere. “Isn’t she a cutie, Ruth?"
“Oh, such a cutie!” The other old lady agreed.
Thankfully, this one-sided interaction was coming to an end when the employee showed up with her goodies. She grabbed it and quickly ran out of the store.
The sunset was beautiful.
Annie always found it beautiful.
She sat on the lounge chair and watched it while listening to the phonograph. Annie snacked on her donut. Abigail was in her arms, getting her 8th meal of the day.
The day was almost ending, but there was one thing missing.
And the thing missing showed up immediately when Armin showed up.
“I’m home,” He said.
"Welcome back," She muttered, feeling exhausted from a long day, while continuing to gaze out the window.
She heard him enter the living room and halt there. She massaged Abigail's back. The only sounds in the room are the phonograph on low volume and Abigail suckling.
After noticing Armin was quiet, Annie turns to face him. He was leaning against the doorframe and casting a soft gaze their way that she had always cherished and hoped he would continue to do forever.
“What?” She questioned.
"Nothing." He spoke. "I'm just taking in the view,"
Annie grinned and scoffed.
“Come and burp your daughter, and stop staring at me like a creep.” She remarked removing her child from her breast.
Armin walked up to her and gently picked up Abigail and her burping cloth.
“Hello, seashell.” He gave her a tender head kiss and back pat. "Did you enjoy your day with Mommy?"
Armin was embraced by Annie after she stood up from the chair. She kissed his lips as he turned his head.
The day went perfectly.