#gently

Love is what we strive and suffer for. We cry from joy and from heartache.

Your beautiful three-month-old daughter, Amelia, whom you raise and care for 24/7 with your wife.

The pregnancy and time after have been going well.

Those tiny fists of your daughter tapping against your chest.

The way Billie watches during feedings, her eyes soft as you cradle that fragile little body to your chest like it’s the source of life.

How you two decide who will get up tonight to soothe the tiny creature in the bassinet who refuses to sleep.

Or when you visit baby stores, ready to spend all your money on animal-themed onesies. It all started with a gray bunny outfit with pink ears. Billie gently placed them on either side of your baby's little head, trying to hold it up straight for the sweetest photo that would soon be sent to the family chat.

This has been the most incredible time of your lives.

Tonight was no exception. Billie had just finished a creative whirlwind and came home when it was too dark to see anything outside without the porch light. The soft yellow glow filled your home.

Your strong but tender hands were holding a little piece of life. Swaying gently, you tried to lull your daughter to sleep, whispering a lullaby. You were wearing a silky white nightgown, and her tiny body was curled into your chest.

With every passing minute, her mouth opened wider in sleepy yawns, and her eyes grew heavier. Her tiny legs stopped kicking and rested softly together. Her little fingers held on to your skin, and her tummy rose and fell like a small balloon.

The creak of the door didn’t even startle you. You instantly knew who it was. Familiar hands rested on your arms, thumbs gently stroking your skin. Soft lips kissed just beneath your ear like they were whispering, "I’m here. Always. No matter what."

You turned slightly, just enough to meet the eyes of your soulmate. You smiled at each other, your eyes glowing, and your fingers itched to reach out and touch the most precious thing you’d ever created.

With her lips puckered, Billie whispered, "Sleep sweetly," as she kissed Amelia’s forehead. That peaceful moment lingered until you gently laid the baby in her little sleep kingdom, pulled the blanket over her body, and tucked the pillow under her tiny head.

Your hand lingered on the doorknob, trying to make as little noise as possible as you stepped away.

Then came your familiar, wonderfully comforting routine.

Faces washed. The mess in the kitchen cleaned up. The storm of the day settled.

You still got anxious sometimes. Maybe even more than before. Something in you changed during pregnancy, a kind of worry that never really left.

You and Billie had been invited to Claudia’s launch party for her new makeup collection. Her brand had grown massively over the past year, and this event was going to be important. Alongside influencers and beauty bloggers, she had also invited her closest people.

Your anxiety won, and you decided to try on your dress again, even though Billie was lying on the bed scrolling through her phone.

It was a soft pink dress with puffy sleeves. The fitted fabric hugged your figure beautifully. You always believed every body was beautiful. You never really struggled with self-esteem. But lately, you started wondering… was your belly sticking out too much?

It had shrunk after giving birth, but the swelling and a few extra pounds were still hanging around. Every day, Billie told you that she practically went blind from how stunning you looked. So many sweet compliments, all the time.

You quickly pulled on the dress, slipped your arms through the sleeves, and zipped it up.You stood in front of the mirror, hands roaming from your chest to your waist, trying to see what only you seemed to notice.

Your face fell. You turned side to side, inspecting yourself.

Suddenly, Billie appeared behind you. Her brow arched slightly. She was in her oversized gray pajamas, her body pressed against your back, her chin resting in the curve of your neck.

Those deep ocean-blue eyes stared at your reflection, confused and concerned.

"M-maybe I need to go to the gym?Like you do. It just sticks out..."

In a second, her arms were wrapped around your waist, her hands over your stomach like a shield, protecting you from the world.

"The only thing you need is to realize how ridiculously perfect you are in my eyes, and how loved you are. You created life. You created our daughter.

"Sweetheart, your belly is beautiful. And if it really bothers you, it’ll be gone in a few more months anyway."

Her lips trailed along your collarbone with such gentleness, your heart could burst. Like she was sealing her words into your skin, proving every bit of them.

You nodded and rested your forehead against her cheek, closing your eyes. Billie held you just a little longer than necessary, as if afraid to let go. In that quiet touch, there were more words than you’d ever find on a page.

"Tomorrow, you’ll be the most beautiful one there" she whispered, kissing your temple.

But tonight, you’re already the most loved.

You stayed like that for a while before curling into bed together. You fell asleep with your nose against her shoulder.

And Billie stayed awake a little longer, tracing slow patterns on your back, watching the girl she loved more than anything in the world.