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Chapter 9 - Changes

It was now Monday again, two days after Mia and Cesca had come home, it was 5.00 am and Mia was crying her eyes out and screaming from the tops of her lungs. Cesca rolled out of bed, she loved Mia but she was so exhausted. She couldn’t understand how Jonah could sleep through it all, she laughed to herself, despite being frustrated with all this deprivation of sleep. She walked through to the nursery turned on the light and went over calmly, picking up Mia she slowly rocked her back and forth as she wandered around the nursery, she went back to the cot and picked up Flopsy hoping that if Mia saw Flopsy she might calm down but it hadn’t worked. Meanwhile Jonah had walked in, tired but more awake than Cesca, who had woken up with Mia 3 times in the last hour, Cesca passed her over to Jonah “Ces, I’ll try and settle her, you go get some rest”, she gave him a kiss and happily went back to bed. Jonah held his daughter, cuddling her and rocking her, the same as Cesca except this time he walked past the window and Mia immediately stopped crying. He couldn’t understand this was the second time this had happened while Mia was crying. He couldn’t quite understand her obsession with the window until it hit him, she was obsessed with her reflection, he laughed to himself she was Cescas daughter all over. He would be proud to bring up a daughter as beautiful and as lovely as Cesca so he let her continue gazing, anything to make the crying stop. He held her so tentatively he’d been rocking her for a while now and figured that she must have fallen back to sleep so he carefully placed her back in her cot, “sweet dreams” he whispered and went back to bed for some much needed rest.

Jonah was woken by the alarm which red 7.30 am, it couldn’t have been that time; it felt like he had only just put Mia back to bed. He turned it off and began to get ready, today was really important for Jonah, it was his first day back at school after all he was still a pupil and wasn’t entitled to maternity leave like Cesca was. It was a big day for him going back and facing everyone, he felt like a new person. He had arranged to meet Vicki and Ronan outside school, they were becoming a lot closer again which pleased Cesca, the car seemed to be working after all. He got himself ready. Showered, dressed and groomed he went back to see Cesca to say goodbye, “morning beautiful”, “Cesca woke up, a smile instantly beaming on her face the minute she saw Jonah, “morning, guess your off to school, have a good day lovely, I love you lots”, “you going to be okay” Jonah checked, “yes, I’ll be fine, me and Mia were going to have a good day, but first I am definitely going to have a lie in, I think it is well deserved”, “yeah, I think so to, Mia is completely flaked out, all that screaming, she really does have some lungs and a serious obsession with her reflection, seemed to be the only thing that got her off to sleep”, Cesca laughed, she sounded just like her and she knew that’s exactly what Jonah was thinking. “You get off to school, me and little miss vain will be fine, I’ll text you if I need you, love you Jonah”, Jonah laughed “love you to Ces”. And with that Jonah went off to say goodbye to Mia being careful not to wake her as he kissed her tiny forehead, “bye Mia, see you later, I love you”, he shut the door quietly, he didn’t want the banging of the door to wake her up, especially after the night that Cesca had, had with Mia screaming the place down. He left for school in his dark blue ford fiesta that so nicely complemented Cescas light blue Cleo. He reached school thinking about little Mia and Cesca the whole entire way, he saw Vicki, not exactly Cescas favourite person and Ronan outside school, and he beeped them, making them jump into laughter at the school gates. He went and parked and then headed for first lesson.

Back at home someone was stirring but this time it wasn’t Mia, she was sound asleep catching up on the hours she had missed screaming. It was Cesca she felt so awake she had caught up on her sleep and was ready to face the day, she knew it would be hard without Jonah but that was just the way it was, she would be fine, she was rather excited about spending another precious day with gorgeous little Mia. She got up in a better mood than ever; showered and dressed she headed down to grab a bite to eat, something Cesca valued now she wasn’t pregnant. She got a bottle ready for Mia when she woke up, she knew it would be soon and much preferred to be organised. She took advantage of the fact Mia was still asleep and got on with some chores that needed much attention.

Jonah walked into school, greeted by many of Cescas fellow colleagues, including her two best friends, Tom and Adana, who seemed even closer than when Jonah last saw them, he to like Cesca was really happy for them. “So how’s little Mia”, asked a rather excited Adana, “She is just perfect” Said a very proud dad “Cesca is great and Mia just keeps on proving how much of a fighter she is”, “How is Mia after everything”, a supportive Tom added “She is doing great, she definitely doesn’t have blocked lungs anymore, she quite happily screamed her head off last night, poor Ces was up for at least half of it”, “oh dear, you just wait till their talking” added a slightly smug Karen, whose intentions were just meant to add to the conversation, she walked on in. Jonah didn’t take it the wrong way instead he just laughed. “have a good day, I’m sure that me and Adana will pop round sometime soon, Adana can’t wait to see Cesca and the baby”, “sure, come round whenever you like, I’m sure that Ces will like to see a few friendly faces”, with that they all walked in and got ready for lessons to start.

Back at the Kirby’s Cesca had just received a call from Marcus just before he left for work, he wanted to arrange when they could come round and see them all, Cesca was excited she couldn’t wait for Mia to meet her aunt and Granddad so she arranged for them to come around for dinner, Cesca was blissfully unaware of all the arrangements Jonah had already made, seemed to look like the Kirby household was going to be a busy place tonight. Cesca could hear Mia grizzling so grabbed her bottle, testing the temperature on her wrist as she began to walk up the stairs to Mia’s room. “hello gorgeous”, she said as she watched little Mia sucking her hands “Someone’s hungry, here we go” Cesca picked up Mia and sat down in the rocking chair that was in the corner of the nursery, Mia had her feed as Cesca watched chuffed at how adorable little Mia was. She put her back in her cot whilst she chose an outfit for her. She had so many clothes, but with a fashionable mum like Cesca who wouldn’t. She finally decided on an outfit, it was a white t-shirt, it was so tiny and a purple with white polka dot playsuit. She dressed her up and lifted her in the air to see her outfit fully, she looked gorgeous, and Mia even let out a little smile. With Mia sorted, Cesca grabbed the empty bottle and headed downstairs to chill for a few hours, placing Mia in her spotty baby bouncer, Cesca was careful to put  Mia’s muslin cloth through the straps, she wasn’t risking her being sick all over her new outfit, plus she wanted Marcus and Ruth to see her at her best.

School had just about finished but Jonah was staying behind to do some extra course work, Adana and Tom weren’t expected till half 7, so he took the chance to get some work done. He seemed to be getting it all done a lot quicker which was surprising since he now had a tiny baby to look after, Jonah definitely didn’t show any signs of not coping in fact he was the complete opposite. At home Cesca was playing Peek a Boo with Mia when the phone rang “gosh, we’re popular today” Cesca said to an occupied Mia, she answered the phone whilst finding Flopsy to keep Mia calm while she was on the phone, “hello...” Cesca said, it was her mum, she was coming over to England next week with Cescas dad and sisters, Cesca was thrilled, despite not getting on with her father, she decided that she wasn’t going to let him ruin the few days she had to see her family, and she couldn’t wait to show off Mia to her whole family. So much had happened and she needed a proper catch up, face to face. Mia was one busy girl meeting all the family, it was a shame she couldn’t understand what was going on. Cesca gave Jonah a call she knew he was doing work but wanted to clarify with him the plans for tonight. “Hey, how was your day?”, “it was great, just finished coursework so will be home shortly, how’s Mia been?” “she has been  really good actually, she is playing with Flopsy at the minute, she loves her bunny” “oh I am so glad she does, oh while I remember Adana and Tom said they would pop round at about half 7, sorry didn’t get a chance to tell you earlier, thought it might do you some good seeing your friends”, “that’s a lovely idea Jonah, guessing were going to be a busy house, your dad phoned he wondered when they could come round and meet the little rascal, so I said they could come tonight, it’s all fine thought it will be nice to have people in the house other than us three for a change, “aw Ces, that sounds great I’m just leaving, missed you today”, “missed you to, I’ll talk to you when your home”. She put the phone down and went to sit with Mia, “looks like you’re going to be worn out tonight, hopefully that means you’ll sleep well”, just as Cesca had finished her sentence Jonah came in the door, “Where are my gorgeous girls”, Cesca couldn’t help but blush as he entered the lounge “were good, just telling Mia about her busy life, my family are coming down next week!”, “Ces, that’s great news, I’ll finally get to meet the Montoya’s, it’s about time, they’re going to love little Mia” Jonah was so happy another day of positivity and love. He knelt down for a bit with Cesca and Mia tickling her little feet, she giggled for the first time, he then went on to start making the dinner. “Mia are you mummy’s clever little girl?” Cesca treasured moments like that, hearing her little girl giggle was the icing on the cake for the start of a few fabulous days. The doorbell rung and Cesca unbuckled Mia and headed for the door, it was Adana and Tom, “aw Ces, she is such a little cutie”, Adana greeted Cesca as she opened the door, “Congratulations to you both”, Tom added handing over a bottle of some rather expensive champagne, “aw Tom your too kind, come on in”, they all went and sat in the lounge all taking it in  turns to hold little Mia, she was being so good, “I think she likes you guys”, Mia let out another one of her giggles, “Yes, that’s right Mia” Tom added, they all laughed, “I hope you don’t mind being joined by Marcus and Ruth?”, there was no need for answer Tom and Adana were fine with it, the more the merrier in their case.

The door yet again rung, Cesca left Mia in the hands of Tom, who was bouncing her around, making her giggle. “Hey Marcus, Ruth, How’re you two?”, “were great thanks, how’s mummy”, Cesca smiled “Not too bad, caught up on some sleep, Mia’s through here”, she led them through to the lounge where they were greeted by Tom and Adana. Tom instantly handed Mia over to Marcus, he smiled, he even shed a tear, there is nothing that can even comprehend the feeling of holding a grandchild, “you two have done good “, Cesca laughed “glad you approve” she winked, Mia was getting grizzly so Cesca took her for a while, soothing her with Flopsy which was actually working for once, “Ruth, why don’t you hold her” Ruth’s face lit up, she was clearly excited about meeting her niece “she is lovely, Cesca, you are a spitting image of your mummy, yes you are” Ruth was really getting into, Jonah was serving the food on the table just as he saw his little sister holding his baby. He walked through, arm round Cesca as he entered the room, he was so proud of his little sister, he loved how proud they all were of him to, the responsibility of a new person, was a challenge but a challenge that Jonah wouldn’t swap for the world. They all enjoyed the meal; Mia fell asleep in her bouncer so the meal was a peaceful one. Tom and Adana looked at each other with so much passion and then Tom spoke, “me and Adana  have something to tell you”, everyone stopped, eyes on tom “We’re moving in together”, “Congratulations”, Cesca said she leant over the table, kisses all round. Everyone felt the need to celebrate, “Congratulations mate, you did it”, Cesca and Adana couldn’t help but laugh at the way the guys talked to each other.  The meal ended and Marcus and Ruth left after all it was a week day, Adana and Tom stayed and watched a film, Cesca took Mia to bed and Jonah set up the TV, Tom and Adana shared a few cuddles. It was great to spend time together, they all needed it. Mia went out like a light “might have to do this more often if I’m likely to get an undisturbed nights sleep”, Cesca called out as she walked down the stairs. “I wouldn’t jinx it if I were you Ces,” Jonah replied signalling for her to come and sit with him, the snuggled up together, they hadn’t had a proper moment like this since Cesca was 5 months pregnant, this time was very much valued. The film soon ended, Adana and Tom went home, arm in arm, Jonah and Cesca smiled, they couldn’t believe the passion that Tom and Adana shared, how could they have missed it. They closed the door, Jonah leant in for a passionate kiss “I love you Mrs Kirby”, and the moment soon became more passionate as the couple shared a night together for the first time in months.