But when we got home, everything changed.
Ava cried constantly—day and night without pause. There was no rhythm, no rest. And I could barely stand. Every movement pulled at my stitches. Even holding my own baby felt like more than I could handle.
Still, I did it.
Because I was her mother.
And someone had to.
Daniel helped—but only when I asked. Never before. Never on his own.
When Ava cried, he would pick her up for a moment, then hand her back with the same words every time:
“She wants you.”
At first, I accepted it.
Then I noticed.
And finally… I understood.
I was alone.
Even with him there.
Four weeks passed, and I still hadn’t healed. My body was weak, my exhaustion constant.
That’s when Daniel told me about the trip.
A celebration for a friend. A promotion. A week at the beach—sun, parties, relaxation.
He spoke as if it were normal. As if I weren’t standing there, still recovering from surgery, still learning how to care for a newborn.
I asked if he was serious.
He said yes.
Without hesitation.
I reminded him of everything—the surgery, the pain, our daughter.
He sighed, as if I were making things difficult.
“It’s just a week,” he said.
A week.
“My mom can help you.”
Something inside me shifted.