Chapter Text
Autumn Grace Fisher was born on a sunny afternoon on September eighth
The hours after Autumn was born felt like a dream.
Belly lay in the hospital bed, exhausted, her body sore from one of the most challenging things she had ever done.
Autumn who had graced the world with her presence just a few hours ago, was splayed out across belly’s chest, eyes closed sleeping peacefully.
Conrad sat beside the hospital bed not being able to take his eyes off of either of them. His wife, his daughter the two people he loved most in the world.
“I can’t believe i did that.” Belly said hoarsely
He stood walking towards them with carefulness he reached down to grab the sleeping newborn. Placing her in a cradle position.
“I can,” you did amazing, you are amazing.”
Autumn slightly stirred in his hands.
“She doesn’t even feel real,” I- I just love her so much already.”
“She has your eyes,” and hair color, She looks exactly like you.”
“Yeah well she has your nose.”
“You got me there.”
A sniffle.
Conrad looks up
He sees Belly’s face frowning, tears threatening to fall down her face.
“Hey, what’s wrong are you hurt, do you want me to get the nurse.”
“No, no, don’t,” It’s just.. im just really happy Conrad. “I’m just scared.” Her voice barely above a whisper.
Conrad placed a quick kiss on Autumn’s tiny forehead, walking over to the other side of the hospital bed, placing her down in the clear plastic bassinet.
“I can’t believe it either.”
He carefully climbed onto the edge of the hospital bed beside her.
“Belly, do you remember when you told me that you were pregnant—that we were going to be parents.”
“Mhm.”
“I was so terrified that I wouldn’t be a great dad, I didn’t know what to do. But belly I still don’t, and we are going to make mistakes, we are going to mess up with her sometimes, but that’s just apart of being a parent. We will figure this out together.”
She nodded. “Ok. Im kind of tired.”
Conrad slightly leaned over and pressed a kiss on Belly's cheek, then climbed out of the bed.
“Get some rest, we have a big day tomorrow. I think I’ll stay up, you know just to keep an eye on her.”
“What? No, you haven’t slept for hours.” I’ll do it.”
“Belly, I’m fine you pushed our baby out, get some rest I’ll be ok.”
“Are you sure?”
“Belly.”
“Ok. Hey, Conrad.”
“Hm?”
“I love you.”
“I love you.”
It was around 11 a.m. The next day when Conrad woke up to a call from no other than Taylor Jewel. Conrad didn’t plan to fall asleep. One moment he was staring at his precious little family the next.. well he was awoken by a phone call from Taylor.
Steven and Taylor were on their way from California to meet Autumn. Jeremiah and his lovely girlfriend Denise wouldn’t be able to make it since Jeremiah had just opened his own restaurant, but they promised to visit as soon as possible.
Conrad quietly stepped out of the hospital room into the busy hallway.
“Hello”
“Hiiiiii conrad I was just calling to tell you that our flight just landed. Is she up for visitors? I know she had a hard day yesterday.”
“Uhh she’s asleep right now I-“
“It’s ok! Just let us know when she’s ready.”
“Ok I’ll talk to her.”
“Ok perfect!” Congrats again, I can’t wait to meet her.”
“Thank you Taylor, really, see you guys soon, bye.”
“Bye.”
Conrad walked back into the room, he saw that belly was still fast asleep and decided that he would let her sleep in a little while longer
He stood beside the bassinet and looked down at his precious daughter.
Conrad gently brushed a finger against Autumn's cheek.
His voice was barely above a whisper.
"Hi, Autumn."
She stirred slightly her face scrunching up.
A smile appeared on Conrad's face.
"I've been waiting a really long time to meet you."
Conrad leaned in a little closer.
"I promise I'll always take care of you."
His eyes softened.
"And your mom."
Autumn made a tiny sleepy noise.
Conrad laughed quietly.
"That's okay. You don't have to answer."
"She's listening."
Conrad turned around to find Belly sitting up a bright smile on her face.
“You’re awake.” He swallowed hard. “You were awake the whole time?”
She nodded
His ears turned bright red
“You weren’t supposed to hear that.”
“I promise I'll always take care of you and your mom."
She repeated slow tears filling her eyes
“Are you going to cry again?” He teased
“Hey!” She giggled “I can cry as many times as I want, I just pushed a tiny human out of me.”
He put his hands up in defense
“Im sorry, you are right.”
“Taylor called, her and Steven’s flight landed, I told her you were sleeping, I didn’t know if you were up for visitors or not.”
“How thoughtful.” Tell them to get their asses over here right now
“Ok, ok!” “I’m on it.” He laughed
“I cannot wait for them to see her.” “Taylor probably already bought her 10 different outfits, all in pink.”
“Um try 50”
They burst out into uncontrollable laughter
A loud cry interrupts their laughter
“Oh I’m so sorry baby did we wake you?” “Can you hand her to me, She’s probably hungry.”
In lighting speed, Conrad swooped her in to his arms and handed her to Belly.
“Probably.” Still laughing.
They laughed and talked while Belly fed Autumn
When a sudden ding came from Conrad’s phone
“Is that Taylor?”
“Yeah.” “Her and Steven are on the way here.”
A knock at the door both belly and conrad turned towards the left side of the room.
“Come in!”
A nurse quietly entered the room.
"How's our newest patient?"
"Perfect," Conrad answered immediately.
The nurse laughed.
"I wasn't asking you, Dad."
Belly grinned.
“Right, sorry.”
“I just came to take her to run some test if that’s okay.”
“Yeah that’s fine.”
“Ok! we will be back.”
The door shut
“I feel gross ,I need a shower.”
“Ok, we’ll just wait for the nurse to come back.”
“No, it’s OK.” I can do it myself.”
“Belly.”
“Conrad seriously I’m fine.” “I can do it myself.”
“At least let me help you. That way there’s still someone who knows what they’re doing.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Belly”
“It’s a shower, not a surgery Conrad.”
“That’s no-“
“I am perfectly capable of showering by myself.”
“Belly you just gave birth less than 24 hours ago, plus you needed stitches.” I know you are capable of showering by yourself, but I’m not gonna let you, let me help.”
Belly let out a sharp sigh “Fine.”
“Conrad seriously I can shower by myself.”
“Isabel.”
He turned the shower on turning it slightly to the left so that the water was not too hot but just enough.
Belly stood there for a moment, her arms at her side.
“Do you need help?”
Conrad walked over to her, just about to help her take off her hospital gown when she swatted his hand away.
“I’m fine.” I got it, you can go now.” Slightly lowering her head.
“Belly I’m not going anywhere.”
When she looked up there was tears streaming down her face.
“Baby, what’s wrong?” He gently cupped her face. “Tell me what’s going on.”
Her bottom lip wobbling.
“I don’t think you’ll like how I look.”
“What?”
“What if- if you see me and think I’m disgusting and you don’t want me anymore.”
“Bel-“
“I gained a lot of weight Conrad and- and i have stretch marks and my boobs are leaking and- and what if-“
“Belly, you just did one of the most amazing things anyone could ever do,” you carried a human inside of you for 9 whole months,” you gave birth to our daughter, you did something that I could never do, and that makes me love you so much more. I didn’t even think it was possible. You are so beautiful nothing will ever change that.”
“But-“
“Nothing.” He placed a chaste kiss to her lips. “Now, let’s get you showered and changed before they get here.”
“Im sorry.”
“Belly you have nothing to be sorry for.”
“Okay.”
A few minutes later they settled back into the quiet hospital room. The nurse brought Autumn back about 20 minutes later not that they were counting or anything.(they definitely were)
“Are they still on their way.”
He chuckled. “Yes Mrs impatient, three minutes away you know the airport is 30 minutes away.”
“Can you blame me? I haven’t seen Taylor in months.”
“Just taylor?”
“And Steven” she rolled her eyes. “Whatever.”
“We should change her! Conrad can you get her hospital bag.”
“Yes ma’am”
Conrad walked over to the couch turned pull out bed and reached for Autumn’s baby blue bag handing it to Belly.
“Okay what are the options?
Well, I’m glad you asked! She said unzipping the bag pulling out two outfits.
One a cream romper with frills on the bottom, and pink flowers spread out on the stomach area with a matching bow.
The other one a onesie, fully pink with small white flowers across it and a matching bow.
“Which one?” She chirped
“Hmm tough choice.”
“ There’s not a wrong answer.”
“Ok well now I know there definitely is.”
“There’s not! I swear.” She laughed.
“The one flowers on it.”
“Conrad, they both have flowers on them.”
“Ok then the romper.”
“Good answer.”
“But I thought there wasn’t a wrong answer.”
“I lied.”
They laughed
A barely there knock interrupted them
Belly gasped, perking up a little bit more.
“Come in!”