[bhdire8]

They were soon ready to depart with Rosemary peacefully sleeping in Alex's arms. When they got to the car Martin carefully sat Alex down, knowing his bottom should be still very sore.

[lxcttrll]

Alex settled in the car with little difficulty, eyes on Rosemary as they drove home.

[bhdire8]

The first week was a little bit of chaos where Rosemary needed to be fed every few hours, and both of them were exhausted with lack of sleep. Martin however made sure Alex was getting more of the rest, with his body still needing to recover.

As Rosemary was given the bottle and settled, Martin came back into the bedroom and said "Alex babe, time for your balm now. Lay down will you? Today should be the last day and it should be all good afterwards." The balm was prescribed for the stretched opening and was to be applied daily for a week.

[lxcttrll]

Alex nodded, settling on the bed. His opening, as well as the stretched skin on his stomach, were very sensitive, even after almost a week of balm.

[bhdire8]

Martin carefully got the balm and applied it on the anus. He inserted the finger to reach a bit further inside and spread tbe balm evenly. The swell had mostly died down and was on its way to full recovery.

[lxcttrll]

Alex took deep breaths throughout the application of the balm, turning his head when he heard some coos from Rosemary's baby monitor.

[bhdire8]

"Ok all set. Let me get to her, you should stay on the bed to let the balm get absorbed. I will bring her over so you could look at her alright? I know how you always worry over her if you can't see it with your own eyes." Martin smiled at Alex knowing exactly how Alex thought.

[lxcttrll]

"I just... She's my baby, I worry about her," Alex defended weakly, smiling at the pair when Martin returned with Rosemary in his arms.

[bhdire8]

Martin started tending to Rosemary who had was fussing for no obvious reasons. He checked the diaper and found it still clear. Most probably then she just wanted the attention. "Looks like Rosemary had missed your scent too, must be wanting your touch. Aww I am so jealous, I am the one tending to her yet she still only like to get close to you." Martin covered his heart pretending to be hurt.

[lxcttrll]

"She's been stuck with me for nine months, I don't think she wants to leave so soon," Alex smiled softly, shushing her and rocking her, holding her close. "Hey princess, it's okay. Daddy's here, Rosie."

[bhdire8]

Rosemary soon settled down and fell back asleep. Martin asked "She would probably wake up again in 2 hours' time for the next feeding. I will get her settled in the crib again? The next feeding is yours so I think we better catch some sleep now." They had learnt to grab every opportunity to close their eyes. It was challenging to take care of a new born and frankly they both got bags under their eyes now.

[lxcttrll]

"I guess," Alex replied, kissing Rosemary's forehead and handing her over to Martin. He truky slept better with Rosemary on his chest, but didn't know if it was good for her.

[bhdire8]

"I know what you are thinking about, but sleeping with Rosemary while she is still so small is a bit dangerous. There is a chance of suffocating her accidentally while we turn in our sleep, as she is still too little to respond. So... sleeping with her would be against my advice." Martin said gently. "Alright princess let's go back to your palace in the jungle." Martin lifted her gently and got her settled before returning.

Sharp as a clock, Rosemary started wailing 2 hours later.

[lxcttrll]

"I know, I know," Alex responded, not wanting to think about it. Alex woke when he heard Rosemary wake, standing slowly from the bed not to wake Martin. He slipped into the nursery with a bottle already made, picking her up and slipping the bottle into her mouth, easily silencing her cries.

[bhdire8]

Martin of course woke when Rosemary cried, but he soon fell asleep again. He had got this ability developed since his houseman days, to wake instantly and to fall back asleep instantly when he needed to.

[lxcttrll]

Alex easily fed and burped Rosemary, sitting in the rocking chair with her curled up against his chest, pure love in his eyes as he looked at the being he created.

[bhdire8]

Martin was blissfully asleep until he turned and found Alex missing. He thought maybe he fell back asleep for less time than he thought and maybe the feeding was still not finished so he restrained from going to the nursery to check them out, leaving them time to bond.

[lxcttrll]

Alex relaxed in the rocking chair, pressing his lips to Rosemary's hair as she slept against his chest. He knew he should go back to be, but wanted to keep Rosemary close, keep her safe.

[bhdire8]

Martin was startled awake again when the baby monitor transmitted Rosemary's wailing again. He turned and found Alex still missing. Shaking his head, he got out of bed and went to the kitchen, knowing that Alex was probably there preparing the bottle as he had clearly spent the whole time with Rosemary.

[lxcttrll]

Alex let the bottle heat up in the kitchen as he changed Rosemary's diaper, whispering sweet comforts to her as she squirmed and wailed softly.