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A/N: Regardless of the choices and paths you choose, there are no dead ends in this story. I’ve linked certain chapters in each storyline so that the story progresses accordingly and one path isn’t incredibly short. If you reach the point where it says there are no more chapters left, it means that you’ve caught up with my writing and check back later for updates! Hope you enjoy the story and don’t forget to like and comment!

-L

There are a lot of good things about flying first class, but the best thing to me at the moment is not having to wait forever for other people to deplane. Right after the captain turns off the seatbelt sign, I'll be out of my seat, off the plane, and heading home to see Elaine and Ellie within a matter of minutes.

This is the first business trip I'd taken since Ellie was born six months ago, and even though it was only two nights, I feel like I've been apart from Elaine and her for months. I really didn't want to leave them, especially since I knew Ellie still wasn't sleeping through the nights and Elaine was exhausted, but she assured me that they both would be fine. I'd FaceTimed them multiple times a day over the past two days, but that doesn't compare to being there in person. I want to hold my baby, kiss my wife, be with my family. I never pegged myself as a family man, but all that changed the moment I held Ellie. My heart had never been so full.

When the plane lands after what seems like ages, I jump out of my seat, grab my bag out of the overhead bin, and rush out of the plane. I call Albert, my driver, to bring the car around to the terminal and within ten minutes I'm in the back of my Range Rover on my way to Elaine and Ellie.

When Albert pulls into my driveway, I don't even wait until the car is stopped to open the door and hop out.

"Thanks so much, Al! Have a good night!" I yell back toward the car as I quickly head inside. He smiles and gives me a wave.

I unlock the front door then swing it open and excitedly step into the foyer and set down my suitcase.

"Daddy's home!" I yell, my voice echoing throughout the house. "Where are my two favorite girls?"

I wait for a reply but hear nothing. A bit surprised, I close the door and shout again "Hello? Elaine?"

Still no reply. But I do hear the sound of Ellie crying coming from upstairs. I bound up the stairs and follow the sound of her cries into our bedroom, and am taken aback from the sight before me. Elaine is sitting on the edge of our bed, tears streaming down her face, holding a loudly screaming Ellie to her chest. She looks up at me in despair when I walk in.

"Harry. She won't stop crying." Elaine sobs. "I don't know what to do."

I rush over and take Ellie from her, holding her in one arm and wrapping my other arm around my wife, pulling her against me. Elaine buries her head into my chest and sobs uncontrollably into my shirt.

"Elaine, honey, it's okay. I'm sorry I left you here all alone." I try to comfort her as I plant kisses on the top of her head while simultaneously trying to calm Ellie.

Elaine looks up at me through her tears. I notice deep lines in her forehead and dark circles under her normally bright eyes and my heart aches for her. Her breasts are leaking creamy milk which has made two dark, wet stains on her chest.

"I'm so exhausted, Harry." She whispers and I can see the despair in her eyes.

"I know, baby." I say and wipe the tears from her face with the pad of my thumb. "You've worked so hard, done such a good job while I was gone." I kiss her, and this seems to make her cry even more.

"Elaine, it's okay." I say, soothingly. "Tell you what. You sleep. I'll take care of Ellie for the rest of the night and for however long you need." I start to pull back the covers on the bed for her.

"But I need to change her and feed her and..." Elaine starts to protest but I put my finger to her lips.

"I've got it under control, darling. I'm capable of changing a nappy and I'll give her bottles according to her feeding schedule. There's breast milk in the fridge, no?"

Elaine nods, and I can tell that she doesn't have the energy to fight me on this. Her eyes are already starting to close and she's not even laying down yet, plus Ellie is still wailing.

"Don't worry about a thing, darling. You get some sleep, okay?" I say. I tuck her under the covers and give her a kiss on the cheek.

"Sleep tight, baby. I love you." I say as I turn out the light, and I can already hear her softly snoring.

"Okay, little girl. You're next." I say to Ellie, bouncing her in my arms as I head downstairs.

"Shhh, it's okay. Daddy's here."

I grab a bottle of milk out of the fridge and pop it into the microwave. While it's warming up, I change her nappy and put on a fresh pair of pajamas. I grab the warmed milk and head into the nursery, where I feed Ellie her and read her some story books, and manage to calm her down. I'm not surprised when she falls asleep in my arms soon after finishing her bottle; the poor little thing probably wore herself out with all of her crying.

She squeaks softly when I gently lay her in her crib and brings her thumb to her mouth, but fortunately stays asleep. I smile as I look down at her, my perfect little angel. I kiss her softly on the head and quietly leave the room.

"You sleep tight, little one. I love you." I whisper before closing the door.

What's next?

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