309 Henry Comes Home

309 Henry Comes Home (Winona)

I can't believe we're here. Henry's car seat is strapped securely in the back, and Jayden's driving slower than I've ever seen him. The hospital discharged him today-our baby boy.

Finally, after months of fear and sleepless nights, we get to bring him home. I glance back at him, his tiny little body bundled up in warm clothes and woolen hat.

He's still so small, but he looks so much better than the first time I saw him hooked up to a thousand machines. Now he looks like any smaller newborn, but he's already been on the earth almost five months. "How are you doing back there, little man?" I say, though I know he won't respond. I just like talking to him. His eyes are open, drifting slowly around as he takes in the world.

Maybe I should have sat in the back with him. He doesn't cry, but he looks squirmy. I hope I'm up to caring for him. I'm very, very nervous about it,

Jayden glances at me, his hand resting on my knee. "You okay?"

I nód, even though a lump forms in my throat. "Yeah. Just... happy. Scared, but happy. I'm also super- nervous that I won't do this right."

He squeezes my knee, giving a small smile while keeping his attention on the road. "We've got this. The fact that you are nervous means you'll do a perfect job with him."

I take a deep breath and try to believe him. It's been a whirlwind, with all the planning and preparing. I'm grateful we decided to bring on the specialist nanny and the medical team as needed for check ups.

As much as I want to do everything myself, I know Henry needs more than I can give him on my own. But there's still this nagging fear in the back of my mind. What if something happens? What if I miss something crucial? At this moment I really appreciate being privileged enough to afford the type assistance I'll be getting.

Soon, we pull up outside the penthouse complex. And I get Henry out in his carrier. He squints at the sun and I carry him into the foyer to the elevator.

Jayden has his bags and we get in the elevator and head up to the penthouse.

Bobby, Sarah, and Abby have the day off school, and they are there with Anne when the doors slide open. There's a banner on the wall that says "Welcome Home, Henry!" with some kind of kid-drawn doodles all over it. It's perfect. "Can we see him?!" Abby squeals; already reaching for the carrier.

"Hold on," I say with a laugh. "Let's get him to the nursery. Make sure he's warm enough. Then you can chat to him and show him some toys.

Jayden takes the carrier from me with that calm, confident ease he's been perfecting lately, leading the way to the nursery. The kids hover around watching Henry like he's a miracle sent from the heavens, and honestly, he kind of is. Jayden settles him into his cradle and there is a rocking chair beside it for feeding times.

309 Henry Comes HomeTêxt belongs to .

"Careful, guys," Jayden warns as Abby reaches out a hand to touch Henry's hand. "He's still pretty fragile." Abby pulls back her hand, looking at me for reassurance. "Is he okay, Mommy?"

I crouch down beside her, wrapping an arm around her shoulder. "He's okay, sweetheart. He just needs a little extra care right now. But you'll get to hold him soon, I promise."

Abby's face lights up, and she bounces on her heels again. "Yay! I can't wait!"

Sarah stays quiet, standing back a little with that thoughtful expression she always has. I catch her eye and give her a smile, and she nods, like she understands everything without needing to say a word.

Bobby leans over, peering into the cradle. "He's so tiny. Like, way tinier than I thought."

"He'll grow," Jayden says, ruffling Bobby's hair. "Before you know it, he'll be crawling around and getting into all your stuff,"

Bobby grins, but there's a flicker of something behind his smile. Worry, maybe? I make a mental note to check in with him later.

The medical staff have already set up all the equipment he might need. It's overwhelming,

ng, seeing monitors and oxygen tanks, but at the same time, I'm grateful. He's safe here. We're ready.

Anne comes over with the new nanny, Beth. She'll be with us for a few weeks during the day. Both of them quietly checking the setup. They've been incredible, helping set up for this. I couldn't have managed without them. "Why don't we let Henry settle in for a bit?" Anne suggests softly. "He's had a big day."

Jayden nods, his hand still resting on the cradle like he's not ready to let go just yet. I get it. None of us are. But his time will be cut short because of Europe. My heart hurts for him.

"Alright, kids, let's give Henry and Daddy some quiet time," I say, leading the crew out of the nursery, We'll all get a chance to hold him later."

There are a few grumbles, but they follow me out. I close the door softly behind us and take a deep breath. We did it. He's home. Now Jayden can settle him to sleep and enjoy every second he can.

There's a long road ahead, and I'm not naïve enough to think it'll be easy. But right now, at this moment, it feels like everything might just be okay. If I just ignore the fact that Europe is happening soon. Everything will be just fine.