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bruthaewwwww · 2 months ago

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Alina! oh brother

Three months later, the house was filled with a buzz of anticipation and change. Azzi was five months pregnant, her growing belly a constant reminder of the new life they were about to welcome into their family. Paige could feel it—how the changes in Azzi’s body, the flurry of preparations for the baby, and the adjustments to their daily routine were shifting the energy in their home.

But there was something else, something Paige had noticed more in the last few weeks, that made her worry—Alina. Their usually cheerful, outgoing little girl had started to act out in small but noticeable ways. She was more clingy, more defiant, and, most telling of all, she was becoming quieter. It was as though she was trying to grab their attention in all the wrong ways, desperate to reclaim the space she once had in the middle of their world. Paige noticed it most when Alina acted out at the dinner table, not wanting to finish her food, or when she refused to go to bed on time, despite knowing the routine well.

Azzi, though glowing with her pregnancy, seemed to notice the distance growing between her and Alina too. She would try to include their daughter in conversations, asking her how her day was or if she wanted to help decorate the baby’s room, but Alina’s responses were short, distant.

It all came to a head one afternoon, three months into Azzi’s pregnancy, when Alina’s behavior became too much to ignore.

It was a Saturday, and Paige had just come home from practice. She expected a warm greeting from her daughter, maybe a hug or a question about how practice went, but instead, Alina was sitting on the couch, her arms crossed tightly over her chest, her face set in a frown.

“Hey, sweetie,” Paige said, walking over to her with a smile. “How was your day? What did you do while I was at practice?”

Alina didn’t look up. She didn’t even acknowledge Paige’s presence for a moment. Finally, after a long silence, she muttered, “Nothing.”

Paige’s smile faltered, and she crouched down in front of her daughter, placing a hand gently on her knee. “Hey, I can tell something’s bothering you. Do you want to talk about it?”

Alina’s eyes met hers, but there was no warmth in them, only a mix of frustration and something Paige couldn’t quite put her finger on. “You’re always busy with the baby now. And mommy’s always talking about the baby, and everything is about the baby. Nobody has time for me anymore.”

Paige’s heart sank. She had been so focused on keeping everything together, on preparing for the baby, and on making sure Alina was adjusting to the changes, that she hadn’t realized how much her little girl was hurting.

“Alina, that’s not true,” Paige said softly, her voice full of empathy. “We will always have time for you. You’re still our little girl. But I know things feel different, and I’m sorry if it feels like you’re not getting enough attention. It’s just that there’s a lot to do with the baby coming. But that doesn’t mean you’re any less important.”

Alina scowled, her lips trembling. “But I want things to be the way they were before. When it was just us. You and me and mommy.”

Paige sat down beside her, her heart breaking as she tried to think of the right words. “I know, baby. I miss those times too. And I promise we’re going to have special time just for you. But the baby is coming soon, and things are going to change. It’s normal to feel a little upset about that, but you’re still the most important thing to us.”

Alina’s shoulders shook, and suddenly, she burst into tears, her small body trembling. “I don’t want a baby! I don’t want everything to change! It was perfect before, Mama. Why do we need another baby?”

Paige wrapped her arms around Alina, pulling her close, feeling the weight of her daughter’s distress. “I know it’s scary. I know it feels like everything is changing too fast. But you’re going to be an amazing big sister, and you won’t have to share my love with the baby. There’s so much love to go around. Nothing will change that. Mommy and I love you so much.”

But Alina didn’t seem to hear her. She pushed away from Paige, wiping her tears angrily. “You’re lying,” she said, her voice shaky with frustration. “The baby’s going to take all your love, and I’ll be forgotten.”

Paige’s breath caught in her chest as she stood up, trying to steady herself. This wasn’t something she could fix with just words, but she wasn’t going to give up on her daughter.

“Sweetheart,” she said gently, “you are never going to be forgotten. You’ll always be my first little girl. And I need you to know something important.” She crouched down to Alina’s eye level. “There is no such thing as too much love. The love I have for you doesn’t go away just because there’s a new baby. It grows bigger. We are growing our family, and with that, our hearts grow bigger too. You will always have your special place with me, Alina.”

Alina was quiet for a long time, and Paige let her process. Then, in a voice barely above a whisper, Alina said, “But what if the baby doesn’t like me? What if it doesn’t want me around?”

Paige’s heart ached, and she reached for Alina’s hand, squeezing it gently. “The baby is going to love you so much. And you’re going to be the best big sister. You’ll be the one to show the baby all the cool things you know, like how to play basketball, or how to color in the lines. You’ll be their hero, Alina.”

Alina wiped her eyes, still sniffling, but Paige could see the tiniest flicker of hope in her eyes. “I will?”

“You will,” Paige confirmed, her voice steady and full of conviction. “And I’ll be right there with you every step of the way. We’re going to do this together. You and me and mommy—and the baby. We’re a team.”

Alina finally nodded, a small, hesitant smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. “Okay, Mama. I’ll try.”

Paige smiled, brushing a tear from her daughter’s cheek. “That’s all I ask, sweetie.”

Just then, Azzi walked into the room, her hand resting lightly on her belly. She must have heard the conversation from the doorway, and she smiled warmly at both of them.

“Everything okay in here?” Azzi asked gently.

Alina looked up at her mom and then at Paige, still with the faintest trace of sadness on her face. But she nodded. “Yeah, I think so. I just... I don’t know if I’m ready for the baby yet.”

Azzi crouched down beside Alina and took her small hands in her own. “You don’t have to be ready all at once, sweetie. You can take it one step at a time, and we’ll be here with you through every part of it. Together.”

Alina looked up at Azzi, her eyes still uncertain but filled with the warmth of being surrounded by love. “Okay, Mommy,” she whispered. “I’ll try to be the best big sister.”

Azzi kissed the top of her head. “I know you will.”

As the three of them stood there in the quiet of the living room, Paige felt the tension from the conversation begin to melt away. The road ahead might be filled with challenges, but they would face them as a family—together. And no matter what, she knew their love for Alina would never waver.

The next morning, Azzi and Alina decided to tackle the baby’s room. Paige was out for her morning practice, and Azzi thought it was the perfect time for some one-on-one bonding with Alina. She knew her daughter was still processing the idea of becoming a big sister, and this was a great opportunity to make her feel involved in the preparations.

Azzi had spent the last few days gathering the supplies—crib, changing table, soft blankets, and colorful baby toys—and now it was time to bring everything together. She set up the room with care, but today, Alina was going to help. Azzi wanted her to feel like she was a vital part of this new chapter in their lives.

The baby’s room was small but bright. The walls were painted a soft, pale yellow, with white furniture that had a rustic charm. A soft rug covered the floor, and a window allowed sunlight to spill in. There was a small crib in the corner, still empty, and a dresser that needed to be stocked with baby clothes.

“Okay, sweet girl,” Azzi said, kneeling down to Alina’s level as she set a stack of folded baby clothes on the bed. “We’re going to make this room so special for the baby. Are you ready to help?”

Alina stood in the doorway, looking at the room with wide eyes. Her hand rested on her stuffed bunny, and she bit her lip, still a little uncertain. “I don’t know, Mommy. What if the baby doesn’t like the room? What if it doesn’t like me?”

Azzi smiled softly, walking over to her daughter. She kneeled in front of her and gently lifted Alina’s chin so their eyes met. “I promise, sweetie, the baby is going to love this room. And it’s going to love you too. You’re going to be the best big sister ever, and you know what? The baby is going to look up to you so much. You’re going to show them everything.”

Alina seemed to soften a little at the reassurance, though her brow still furrowed slightly. “But… what if it needs something, and I don’t know how to help? What if I don’t know what to do?”

Azzi took a deep breath, giving Alina a comforting smile. “It’s okay not to know everything right away. You’ll learn with time. And if you ever feel unsure, you can always come to me or mama. We’re a team, remember?”

Alina’s eyes brightened at that. “A team,” she repeated, and Azzi could see the wheels turning in her mind. She liked that idea. Being part of the team, being helpful.

“That’s right,” Azzi said, ruffling Alina’s curls. “And today, you’re going to help me set up the room. Let’s start with the crib. What color do you think we should make the blanket? We have lots of choices.”

Alina immediately perked up. “Blue!” she said with a grin, pointing toward a basket of soft blue fabrics on the other side of the room. “Blue is my favorite color. I think the baby would like it too!”

Azzi laughed and nodded. “I think blue is a great choice. Let’s make sure it’s nice and cozy for the little one.” She stood and grabbed the soft blue blanket. “Can you help me spread this out on the crib?”

Alina eagerly jumped into action, taking one end of the blanket and helping Azzi lay it flat in the crib. “There! It looks so nice now!” she exclaimed, stepping back to admire their work. “The baby will be so comfy.”

Azzi nodded with a proud smile. “You did an awesome job, sweetie. It’s perfect. Now, let’s fill up the dresser with some clothes. Can you help me fold these little onesies?” She handed Alina a small stack of baby clothes, each one smaller than the last. “These are for when the baby gets a little bigger.”

Alina took the clothes carefully, holding them up to examine the tiny prints. “Look, Mommy! This one has little giraffes on it!” she said, her voice full of wonder. “I bet the baby will look so cute in it.”

Azzi smiled, her heart swelling with love for her daughter. “I think the baby will look adorable in everything. And you can help pick out the clothes when it’s time for the baby to wear them. What do you think?”

Alina’s face lit up with excitement. “Really? I get to pick? I’ll pick the best ones!”

Azzi chuckled. “Of course, you will. You have great taste.”

They worked together, organizing clothes and arranging baby toys on the shelves. As they moved through the room, Alina’s earlier doubts seemed to fade away. The baby’s room was beginning to take shape, and with each step, Alina’s confidence grew. She was no longer just watching from the sidelines; she was actively involved, making decisions, and contributing to the preparation.

After a while, they finished setting up the crib and dresser. Azzi stepped back and admired their work. “It looks amazing, Alina. You did such a great job.”

Alina beamed, proud of herself. “It looks so nice! I can’t wait for the baby to come home and sleep in here.”

Azzi’s heart swelled as she crouched down to hug her daughter. “I can’t wait either. You’re going to be such an important part of the baby’s life. I’m so proud of you.”

Alina squeezed her back tightly, her small arms wrapping around Azzi’s neck. “I’ll always help the baby, Mommy. I’ll be the best big sister ever.”

Azzi pulled back and looked at her daughter with a soft smile. “I know you will. And remember, we’re a team. You’ll never have to do this alone.”

Just then, Paige entered the room, fresh from her practice. She smiled when she saw the two of them standing in the baby’s room, their hands full with tiny baby clothes.

“Looks like you two have been busy,” Paige said with a warm laugh, walking over to them. She bent down to kiss Azzi on the cheek and then Alina on the forehead. “This room is looking amazing. You guys did a great job.”

Azzi grinned. “It was a team effort. Alina was the real mastermind behind all of it.” She looked at Alina, who had a proud smile on her face.

“You helped a lot too, Mommy!” Alina said, beaming up at her parents.

Paige crouched down to Alina’s level and took her hands. “I’m so proud of you, sweetheart. You’re going to be the best big sister. Look at this room—it’s perfect for our little one.”

Alina’s eyes sparkled. “You think so?”

“I know so,” Paige said, her voice full of warmth. “And you know what? You’re going to have your own special time with the baby too. We’ll make sure you have plenty of moments to bond.”

Azzi wrapped an arm around Paige’s waist. “We’ll all do this together. And it starts with days like today—getting ready for the baby as a family.”

The three of them stood in the baby’s room for a moment, the peacefulness of the space settling around them. Azzi’s hand rested lightly on her belly, and Alina leaned against her, her eyes already focused on the new life they were preparing to welcome. There was still a lot to figure out, but in that moment, they knew they were ready—together.

A month later, the excitement around the baby’s arrival was palpable. The baby’s room had been carefully arranged, and the family was more prepared than ever for the new addition to their lives. Paige had just finished a long practice, and Azzi and Alina had been looking forward to this day for weeks.

It was a quiet Sunday afternoon, and instead of a large gender reveal party like many expectant parents might have, Azzi and Paige had decided to keep things intimate and personal. Just the three of them—Alina included—would be the first to find out the baby’s gender in a special, private moment. Azzi had set everything up in the living room, and Paige was just about to walk through the door when she saw the setup—a small white box, tied with a blue ribbon, sat on the coffee table.

Alina was already bouncing with excitement on the couch, her eyes wide, her hands clutching her stuffed bunny. “Mama , Mommy! Is it time? Are we going to find out if it’s a girl or a boy?”

Paige smiled, the anticipation building up inside her. “Yes, sweetie, it’s time. Are you ready to find out if you’re going to have a little sister or a little brother?”

Azzi, glowing as always, sat beside Alina, one hand resting on her belly as she smiled at the sight of her family. “We thought we’d make this special. Just the three of us, sharing this moment together.”

Alina looked between her two moms, her small hands clasped together in excitement. “I really hope it’s a boy!” she said, practically bouncing in her seat. “Then we can play basketball together. I can teach him how to shoot!”

Azzi chuckled softly, rubbing her belly. “You might be right, sweetie. But remember, the baby might be just as interested in other things. Maybe you’ll both be playing dress-up, or the baby will be into drawing instead of basketball.”

Paige smiled at Azzi, walking over and sitting next to Alina. She reached out to hold her daughter’s hand. “We’ll love the baby no matter what they like. But if you want to teach your brother how to shoot, I think that’s a great plan.”

Azzi picked up the small box from the coffee table, the blue ribbon shimmering in the soft light of the room. “You ready to do the honors, Alina?” she asked, her voice full of warmth.

Alina nodded eagerly. “I’m ready!” She grabbed the ribbon and, with a little help from Azzi, untied it carefully. As soon as the ribbon was gone, she lifted the lid off the box, her eyes shining with anticipation.

Inside the box, nestled in soft tissue paper, was a tiny blue onesie with a small basketball embroidered on the front. Alina’s eyes went wide, and her mouth dropped open in pure excitement.

“It’s a boy! It’s a boy!” Alina screamed, jumping up from the couch. Her arms shot up into the air, as though celebrating her victory. “I knew it! I knew it would be a boy! I’m going to be the best big sister!”

Azzi laughed, reaching over to pull Alina into a hug. “You sure are, baby. And you’re going to make the best team together.”

Paige wrapped her arms around both of them, smiling at the joy and excitement radiating from her daughter. She leaned in to kiss Alina’s cheek. “Looks like you’re going to have a little brother to teach basketball to, huh?”

Alina grinned, nodding enthusiastically. “I’m going to show him how to dunk when he gets big enough!” She giggled, clearly thrilled at the thought of her new role as a big sister.

Azzi’s heart swelled as she watched her family. This was the moment that everything had been building up to—the realization that in just a few months, they would be a family of four. A little boy to complete their circle. She was excited, but also a little nervous. There was still so much to prepare, so much to adjust to. But with Paige by her side, and Alina ready to step into her role as the best big sister, Azzi knew they were ready for whatever came next.

“I’m so happy,” Azzi said softly, looking at Paige. “We’re going to have a little boy. I can’t believe it.”

Paige smiled, brushing a lock of hair from Azzi’s face. “I know. A little boy. Can you imagine?”

Azzi laughed, her hand resting gently on her belly. “I can’t wait to meet him. And I can’t wait for Alina to meet him.”

Alina bounced over to her moms, beaming. “We need to get him a basketball right now! And a jersey! I’m going to teach him everything!”

Paige laughed, shaking her head in mock seriousness. “I’m pretty sure we have time for all of that, sweetie. But I love that you’re already thinking about it.”

Alina’s eyes were filled with excitement, and Paige couldn’t help but feel a pang of gratitude for the beautiful family they had. She reached for Azzi’s hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. “We’re really doing this, aren’t we?” she asked, her voice soft with emotion.

Azzi squeezed Paige’s hand back. “Yeah, we are. And we’re going to do it together. We’ve got this.”

Alina climbed up into Azzi’s lap, hugging her tightly. “I can’t wait to meet my baby brother,” she whispered, her voice full of warmth and love.

Paige watched the two of them, her heart full of emotion. They had a long road ahead, filled with more changes and new experiences. But in this moment, surrounded by love and excitement, she knew they were ready for whatever was to come. Their little family was about to grow, and they would face the future together, one step at a time.

—

The night of the big game had finally arrived, and the excitement was electric in the arena. Paige’s heart raced in anticipation as she prepared for what could be a game-changing victory for her team. The playoffs were on the line, and everything hinged on this one game. But deep down, her thoughts kept drifting to Azzi, who was now officially five days overdue. The clock was ticking, and Azzi had insisted she was fine. But Paige couldn’t help but feel the weight of the moment. Every time she glanced at her phone, she found herself checking for new messages from Azzi, each time hoping for a text that said she was still doing fine.

The game started with a fast pace, and Paige got into her rhythm quickly, the adrenaline of competition pushing the nerves aside. Yet, a part of her remained distracted, constantly wondering if tonight would be the night. She couldn’t shake the thought of missing the birth of their baby. The first quarter passed, then the second, and with each minute that ticked by, her anxiety grew.

During halftime, Paige quickly called Azzi. The sound of her wife’s voice calmed her nerves for a moment.

“Hey, babe, how are you doing?” Paige asked, her voice filled with concern.

Azzi chuckled softly on the other end. “Paige, I’m fine. I’m just hanging out with Alina. No contractions yet. Everything is still good. Go back out there and focus on the game, alright?”

Paige hesitated, biting her lip. “I just keep thinking about you. I want to be there with you.”

“I know, I know. But I’ve got this,” Azzi reassured her, sounding more upbeat than Paige expected. “You’ve got a job to do, too. I’m sure everything will be fine. We’ll call you if anything changes.”

Paige tried to push aside her worries, but it wasn’t easy. As the third quarter progressed, her thoughts constantly returned to Azzi. The energy in the arena was high, and Paige’s game was off. Missed shots, bad passes—she wasn’t playing at her usual level. But the clock was ticking, and the game was too close for her to leave.

With just a minute left in the final quarter, the buzzer sounded, signaling the end of the game. Paige’s team had won, but it didn’t feel like a victory at all. All she could think about was getting to Azzi.

“Good game, Paige. You were off, but you pulled through,” one of her teammates said as they patted her on the back, unaware of the storm that was brewing inside Paige.

“Thanks,” Paige muttered, but she barely heard the praise. Her mind was already on Azzi. As soon as she could, she rushed off the court, threw on her jacket, and ran for the car, her heart hammering in her chest.

The drive to the hospital felt endless, each red light and slow car testing her patience and heightening her anxiety. She kept texting Azzi, but the responses were slow to come. The further she drove, the more her mind spiraled. What if I’m too late? What if I miss it?

When Paige finally arrived at the hospital, she was out of the car in a flash. The doors swung open, and she raced inside, not even pausing to check in at the front desk. She spotted a nurse coming out of a room and stopped her breathlessly.

“Where’s Azzi Bueckers? I’m her wife, Paige.”

“Room 312,” the nurse replied with a calm smile, clearly used to the rush of frantic family members. “She’s in labor, but everything’s going smoothly.”

Paige nodded and hurried toward the room, her legs feeling like lead with every step. When she arrived, she took a deep breath before knocking softly on the door and then entering.

Azzi was in bed, looking exhausted but radiantly happy, with a warm smile spreading across her face as soon as she saw Paige. “You made it,” she whispered, relief flooding her features.

“I’m so sorry,” Paige said, her voice thick with emotion as she rushed to Azzi’s side. “I should’ve been here earlier.”

Azzi reached for her hand, squeezing it gently. “You’re here now. That’s all that matters.”

Paige kissed her forehead, feeling the weight of the moment settle in. She was here. Finally. They were about to meet their baby. Azzi was still glowing, despite the exhaustion, and she looked even more beautiful than Paige remembered.

“Is everything okay?” Paige asked, brushing a stray lock of hair from Azzi’s face.

Azzi nodded, her breath coming a little faster now. “Everything’s fine, I’m just...ready.”

The room seemed to hum with anticipation as the nurses bustled around, preparing everything for the final moments of labor. Azzi gripped Paige’s hand tightly as the contractions came harder and closer together.

“I can’t believe this is happening,” Paige murmured, her thumb tracing circles over Azzi’s hand.

Azzi let out a soft laugh, her face showing the mixture of exhaustion and excitement. “I know. But I’m so ready to meet him.”

With one final deep breath, Azzi pushed, and the baby entered the world with a soft cry that echoed in the room. Paige felt a surge of emotion like she had never experienced before. She looked down at Azzi, whose face was filled with awe and relief.

“It's a boy,” the nurse announced, placing the tiny baby on Azzi’s chest. The little boy was covered in soft, peachy skin, his blonde hair just beginning to show and his bright blue eyes already wide open, taking in the world around him.

Azzi’s eyes filled with tears as she looked at their son, her hand gently cradling his tiny body. “He’s perfect,” she whispered, her voice thick with emotion.

Paige leaned down to kiss Azzi’s forehead again, her eyes never leaving the baby. “He is,” Paige said softly, her voice cracking slightly.

The door opened, and Alina stood there, her big brown eyes wide with curiosity and excitement. She was holding her stuffed bunny, but it seemed forgotten now as she looked at the baby in Azzi’s arms. “Mommy... is that my baby brother?”

Azzi smiled at her, her heart swelling with love. “Yes, sweetie. This is your baby brother.”

Alina’s face lit up with pure joy, and she rushed over to the bed, climbing up beside Azzi. “Can I hold him?”

Paige gently scooted closer to her daughter and wrapped an arm around her. “We can all hold him together,” she said, her heart full. She reached down to help Alina, lifting her gently so she could sit beside Azzi and their new son.

Alina’s small arms reached out eagerly to hold the tiny baby. She looked up at Azzi with wide, wonder-filled eyes. “What’s his name?”

Azzi smiled at Paige, a quiet, knowing look passing between them. “His name is Parker James Bueckers,” Azzi said softly, her voice full of love and pride.

Alina’s face lit up even more as she gazed down at Parker, her fingers gently touching his tiny hand. “Parker,” she whispered, her voice full of wonder. “I’m going to take care of you, little Parker.”

Paige looked at Azzi, her heart swelling. They had made it. Their family was whole. Their little boy was here, and Alina was already stepping into her role as the best big sister.

“Parker James Bueckers,” Paige repeated, her voice soft with love. “Welcome to the world, baby.”

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