The hospital room was silent, only the subtle sound of the rain hitting the window. Aurora slept peacefully in the crib next door, a light gray blanket going up and down with her small breath.

You, exhausted, looked at the ceiling with burning eyes. The whole body sore. The mind still trying to believe what had happened.

You turned your face slowly when you felt Aaron approaching. He had a towel folded in his arms, clean clothes and that gentle look that only you knew.

“You need help to take a shower,” he said, with the sweetest voice he had ever used.

You looked away.

“I don’t want you to see me like this...”

The voice came out low, stroked.

“...I’m horrible. Swollen. Drained. All wrong.”

Aaron frowned, knelt next to him, and held his hand calmly.

“You just brought our daughter into the world.”

He pressed his lips on your hand.

“You’re the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”

You bit your lip, emotional, and shook your head. “That’s not how I feel.”

He got up and stretched out his hand.

“So let me remind you how you are. One step at a time.”

You hesitated, but his gaze was so full of love, so firm and calm, that you ended up surrendering.

He helped you with care, with patience. He took off his shirt from the hospital, held you in his arms gently.

And in the shower... he washed his hair, massaged his back, kissed his shoulder.

“You are a force of nature,” he whispered, while wiping you with a warm towel.

“And I’m completely in love with every piece of you.”