More Than Anything
*Not my gif*
Pairing: Greg Gerwitz (Mouse) x Reader
Requested: Yes
Prompt: Mouse meets his baby for the first time
Warnings: None
A/N: Fun fact, I’ve been obsessed with the name Halston for years before I even knew any Halsteads existed. Also, protective Jay in this gif does things to me.
Having your first baby was hard. It was nothing like you imagined as a kid. You had married Mouse right before he decided to re-enlist. You hadn’t planned for a baby, but you had both gotten pretty drunk at his going away party and you would admit you weren’t always careful with protection. So, you weren’t that shocked to see the plus sign appear on the test. However, that did not calm your nerves in the least bit. You knew you were going to have to do this alone, and it was not going to be as you always hoped. Instead of doing a cute announcement for your husband you had to tell him over a computer with spotty internet not even able to take in his reaction as the picture lagged every two seconds. Mouse’s best friend, Jay or your best friend, Kim having to accompany you to doctor’s appointments instead of your own husband. Relying on Jay to help you put the nursery together, or more realistically supervisioring Jay as he put the nursery together. Having to decide on a name through multiple letters instead of on the couch with a baby name book. Enduring the few fights you’d be sure to have over a couple. If you had a late night craving? You had to fix it yourself. Kim volunteered to stay with you a week before your due date, not wanting you to go into labor alone. The happiest moment of your life was also accompanied by an overwhelming sense of sadness and loneliness.
If you thought the pregnancy was difficult being essentially a “single” parent was even harder. You swore your daughter cried more than she didn’t. You had plenty of people offering to help, but you were exhausted. Having to go back to work was a whole other obstacle. Struggling significantly with finding a good enough daycare you felt you could trust without Mouse’s input. You showed Halston his picture everyday. A little nervous of their first meeting. Knowing Greg would be freaking out a little despite his calm composure he would be sure to show on the outside. What if she somehow triggered him? What if her crying was too loud? Too much? These thoughts only heightened your anxiety.
And when the day finally arrived the swirl of emotions running through you was unbearable. You had gotten notice that Greg would be going on leave not too long before and you were just happy that he would be home before her first year of life had passed. Jay stood at your side, 7 month Halston resting in his arms, who was contently observing everyone hurriedly moving around her. You bounced on your heels, hands clasped together ready to attack your husband as soon as your eyes met his face. Jay’s hand landed on your shoulder squeezing it tightly.
“It’s going to be fine. Calm down.”
“I’m worried.” You admitted looking up at him and over to your daughter whose hands were tightly tangled in the front of Jay’s shirt undoubtedly stretching it out.
“I know, but I promise. It’s all going to be okay.” He pulled you into a side hug hand resting on your back as he let you work through your own thoughts for the next few minutes.
Mind going blank as soon as you witnessed Mouse walking towards you. Reaching him in a few strides he caught you in a hug, bag dropping to the floor beside him. You were silent for a few seconds just enjoying each other’s embrace before Mouse kissed your head, setting you back on your feet.
“I missed you so much.” He sighed, cradling your face in his hands as he leaned down to give you a hard kiss. Pulling away his gaze drifted over your shoulder swallowing hard before looking back down at you,
“Is that her?” He asked causing you to roll your eyes,
“No, Jay’s just holding some random baby. Yes, that’s her!” You exclaimed grinning as you pulled his hand towards the two. Mouse took slow steps appearing a few inches away while a look of awe took over his face.
“Can I hold her?” He asked, looking at Jay nerves getting the best of him, making his voice shake.
“Did you really just ask me if you can hold your own kid?” Jay teased with a smirk on his face.
“I really did not miss you two.” He sighed a small smile on his lips.
“Not what you just said.” You shrugged watching as Mouse carefully took Halston from Jay’s arms treating her like a china doll as he brought her closer to his body. He looked down at Halston while she looked up at him with big eyes, bottom lip quivering a few seconds later. When he realized this Mouse began to panic,
“Hey, baby girl it’s me, daddy.” He explained moving to rock her on his hip. She moved to reach for Jay forcing Jay to step behind you pretending like she wasn’t reaching for her dad’s best friend instead of her own father. The tears that had welled up in Halston’s eyes began to fall accompanied by a loud cry. Mouse’s expressions soon turned to sadness, “it’s okay sweetheart I got you. I promise I’m not going to hurt you. I love you so much.” Mouse choked out visible tears starting to appear at the corner of his eyes that he attempted to blink away as the crying got more insistent. “Okay okay, let's go back to Uncle Jay it’s alright.” He gave in holding her out to him.
“Greg I don’t-“ He started before Mouse interrupted him.
“Please.” He whispered as Jay nodded, taking his goddaughter back into his arms, which almost immediately calmed her as she stuck her face by his neck. At the realization you could see your husband’s sadness and guilt take over his whole body, practically breaking your heart into pieces.
“Greg-“ You reached for him but he took a step back.
“I’m going to go get my other bag, I’ll meet you in the car.” He faked a small smile stepping forward and pressing a kiss to your forehead before turning around and walking away from you, shoulders significantly more slumped.
————
“Thank you for coming along.” You thanked Jay as you took Halston out of her car seat. Mouse had barely said a word the whole way home. Which only concerned you more.
“Anytime. I’m glad you’re home safe brother.” Jay clapped Mouse on the shoulder.
“Yeah thanks man. I’ll call you later?” Mouse pulled Jay into a tight hug before getting out to grab his bags and follow behind you into your house. Jay yelling a goodbye to the three of you before pulling out. The air around you was tense. This is not how you wanted this to go.
“Well it’s time for baby girl’s nap or she’s going to get real cranky soon.” You informed him.
“Take after her mom?” He joked, but you could tell his heart wasn’t in it.
“I’m going to make her a bottle. Could you take her up?” You urged moving to hand her to him cautiously.
“Actually I think I should unpack some of this stuff if I don’t start now you know how I put it off.” He shrugged, moving to pick a bag up.
“Greg.” You scolded, making him stop his action and look up at you. “Take her.” You ordered.
“I-I don’t think that’s a good idea.” He sighed standing up straight again.
“What do you mean it’s not a good idea? She's your daughter in case you forgot.” You huffed.
“I didn’t but it sure seems like she has.” He replied.
“Baby, I get that this has to be hard for you, but you can’t just avoid it. I’ve done this for 7 months alone, and I would really appreciate the help.” You explained hoisting Halston back up on your hip where her head fell on your shoulder eyes getting heavier.
“She doesn’t like me.” He chewed his bottom lip nervously.
“She doesn’t know you, honey. She hated Jay at first too, but I mean to be fair can you blame her? Don’t we all?” You joked earning a small chuckle from him. Shaking his head he held his arms out to take her from you. After being placed securely in his arms Halston started to whimper. Taking a deep breath Mouse began to soothe her, “I’ll meet you up there.” You smiled before heading to the kitchen to get her drink. You knew he could calm her; he just had to be given the chance. You could hear Mouse’s footsteps against the staircase as you busied yourself with making a bottle taking a few extra minutes thank you normally would. You hadn’t heard any loud wails from Halston or your husband so you atleast took that as a good sign. Walking up the staircase in sight of the nursery you stood outside to see Mouse rocking in the chair, Halston rested against his chest as she fumbled with the dog tags hanging from his neck. Standing back out of view you leaned against the wall to hear your husband’s voice,
“I’m sorry I haven’t been here. That I wasn’t here to see you come into the world, but I hope you know how much I love you. More than I could ever put into words. I can only hope I’ll be here to watch you grow up. To see you become a smart, brave, beautiful little girl that is sure to take after her mom. She’s incredible isn’t she? Together we are going to give you everything we have, Halston. I promise.” He kissed her head lightly watching her eyes grow heavier fingers tightly wrapped around the tags, “also while I’m at it I’d just like to point out I’m cooler than your Uncle Jay. You may not know it right now, but I definitely am.” He teased making you laugh as you entered the room.
“He is pretty cool.” You smiled walking towards them.
“She stopped crying.” He whispered to you a smile on his face.
“You know she looks so much like you.” You said hand resting on the back of his neck, “I think that’s what helped me most through the last 7 months. Being able to look at her and see you.”
“I don’t know. She has your eyes and that cute little nose of hers is all you.” He smirked.
“Is it finally hitting you that you’re a dad?” You asked looking down at your daughter who was taking deep breaths now, eyes closed.
“Yeah, and it’s kinda the best feeling in the world.” He answered.
It might take Halston a little to warm up to him, but you had no doubt when she did she wouldn’t want to leave his side.