*Two months later*
"Ryder," I cooed while strapping his onesie back on. He was fussing again after his mother had the audacity to strip him and put a new diaper on.
He started to calm down when I handed him his octopus toy and inspected all of the legs. Hayden and I decided that was his favorite by far.
"There we go," I picked him back up and kissed his forehead. "All clean."
Jasper and Bandit were sitting patiently for me to be done with their brother so they could watch him in his crib. Their favorite past-time.
"Come on you two." I nudged them out of his room and went into the living room where we kept one of the swings that usually allowed him to fall asleep or keep him occupied for a few minutes.
Hayden had gone to grab food for dinner as neither of us had felt like cooking. The first month was tough, but slowly there was a routine starting to form. I'd say about half the time Ryder would sleep through the night and the other he would cry and watch the pups run around in circles. Easily the most entertaining thing at two in the morning.
Ryder gazed at the oceanic theme that was flashing across the tv. It made me wonder what was going through that little mind of his with the animals and colors.
"Do you like that baby?" I kissed his forehead while he squirmed and waved his arms at the screen.
Opening my email back up, I went through some work emails just to stay in the loop. Yes I was on maternity leave for another few weeks but having some idea of what was going on kept me engaged with reality. Being a mother was becoming the greatest joy of mine and Hayden's as well. Our little family was perfect and we couldn't have asked for a better outcome. We now had weekly or daily FaceTime chats with my parents and Hayden's so they could see him. Darina was ecstatic to be back in California in a few months for college. She claimed she would be spending every weekend with us while Hayden reminded her she was going to be partying and making friends. She had pretended to be offended while I told her we'll shoot for every other weekend.
Rose enjoyed spending her time over here to help with Ryder when necessary. I know deep down she was waiting to be a mom as well, but the topic didn't come up too often. In time we all knew it would happen.
Hayden interrupted my train of thoughts when he walked back through the door with food.
"Have I mentioned how much I love you?" I teased as he set down the subs and drinks.
"Only about every time I walk in with food."
"Well, I love you even more for going to get something, but regardless I still love you."
Hayden pulled me from the couch and kissed my forehead. "I know sweetheart. Jasper and Bandit would love us even more if we decided to feed them our food."
"I'll think about it," I teased and kissed him. "They'll get plenty from Ryder I'm sure when he's older."
"That I don't doubt."
Tyson had called earlier in the week to announce he was moving to Texas. He had gotten a gig down there with his job and it sounded like a girl was potentially involved. Time would tell on that situation as he remained tight-lipped about it.
"I'm going to take the dogs out and then go shower if that's okay?" I kissed Hayden's cheek while he crinkled up some paper for Ryder to cling onto and smile.
"Sure babe, I think I can handle it from here."
Hayden was talking to Ryder in his "manly baby voice" I called it while I stepped outside with Jasper and Bandit. It was hard not to smile seeing my husband interacting with our son. He was so good to him and was a complete natural.
I stepped out of the shower and heard my music stop playing abruptly as a phone call was coming in. It felt so good to wash my hair and clean up all the questionable stains I had on my skin from Ryder. Lord knows that would continue on for awhile. Yes the baby smell was worth it, but it was nice to reset and feel like myself from time to time.
My hair dripped onto the floor while I dried my hands again with the towel before trying to grab my phone and answer it.
"Perfect timing," I murmured and swiped to answer Rose's call. "Hey Rose!"
"Dasha."
"Yes?" I could hear commotion in the background and couldn't decide if it was from the tv or something else. "Are you okay?"
"I'm more than okay..." I heard her take a deep breath, "I'm pregnant."
The End
**I'm happy and sad to say this sequel is complete. I knew that Dasha and Hayden's story wasn't over yet and this definitely proved it. Thank you to everyone who read this and gave ideas. Could not have gotten through it without you! In time there may be a third installment but I'm going to focus on other works for now. I do hope you enjoyed Aftermath and if you have titles in mind for a third book I'm all ears!**