Sajani Singh closed the door after they said goodbye to Priya and Shaun. Her cousin and hubby were going off on a much recommended hotel staycation for some grown up time alone while Sajani and Patrick looked after their two adorable children. Little Reagan was just over 2 and a half and Connor was just over 4 months old. Patrick was walking around with Connor which made Sajani’s heart swell. Patrick with a baby. She had felt this before watching him at the family visit in Langley. That sudden awareness of wanting to have children….with him and watch him hold their own. She gives him a little smile and crouched down by Reagan. “Hey, are you hungry for some supper Reagan? Come sit at the table with us.” They had a fridge full of breast milk for Connor when he needed it but after consulting with Priya and Shaun they’d been told Reagan loved foods she could dip. So Sajani had Naan bread and soup, carrots sticks and hummus, strawberries and yogurt. All things to dip.
Reagan was a little hungry so she let Sajani take her hand and got settled in to eat. But her attention span was short and she was soon jumping down and running around looking in every room of the apartment.
Sajani looked at Patrick “I guess she’ll come back to food if she wants more? Do you want me to take Connor for a bit?” Sajani was in very practical comfy clothes for being with little kids. Her pink rolled up sweats and one of her old Northern Lights Yoga shirts.
Patrick had taken a personal day and didn’t have to go into work until Monday. He dressed in some old AFD sweats and a simple black tshirt. As he watched Reagan almost but not quite eat, he held little Connor who had been well fed by his mother before she and Shaun had left. “He’s almost asleep.” he murmured, pacing a bit. “Is it OK to let him, or … no?” he wonders. Last time he and Connor had met, they had fallen asleep together, but this time Patrick had not had an emotionally exhausting day, so he was still wide awake.
Sajani nodded “Yeah he’s a baby. I don’t know if he sleeps through but we have the bottles.” Shaun had set up a little pack and play for Connor to be put down in but then jovially warned it might not take. They had a bed in the spare room where Priya had secured a bed rail for Reagan on the outside after asking them to push the bed against the wall. Children came with a lot of equipment it seemed. Both kids were also still in diapers although Reagan would sometimes go on the toilet now. As Reagan ran past Sajani again she held out a dipped carrot and tried to make it look like she might eat it if Reagan didn’t come get it “Oh this is the yummiest carrot of them all…..should I eat this one Reagan?”
Reagan swiped the carrot and ate as she moved. She went past Patrick to one of the bags packed just for her. She considered her tablet but then pulled out her little farm animal toys and a little hay wagon and began to play.
Sajani noticed what she was playing with and said “Maybe we should take them to the farm tomorrow? We might have to borrow Noelle and Chris’s wagon though. Reagan might like the animals.” Sajani dipped a strawberry next and then sat down by Reagan and casually offered it out. It got snatched up and eaten before the pigs were carted off with the hay. So far so good. Both kids were happy. Patrick was a pro with Connor and she was figuring out how to get Reagan to eat.
Patrick rocked Connor for a bit, then moved to the makeshift crib and kneeled, setting him in it. The baby didn’t wake, so he moved to the couch. “We’ll probably find out around 3 in the morning.” he quipped as he moved to the couch. “The farm sounds like a good idea. Hey, Reagan, would you like to see some of that for real?” he tried to remember what all was at the farm. “Goats and chickens and ducks?” he couldn’t remember if there were pigs there, which just reminded him he didn’t get out there near as much as he should.
Sajani watched Patrick put Connor down and he didn’t wake up. “Round one to Patrick.” She joked.
Reagan looked up from her pigs and back down at them and up at Patrick with wide eyes and then smiled. She did have a little goat and a duck so she picked those up and piled them precariously on top of the pigs in the hay wagon. She drove it up the couch and they all fell out.
“Uh oh…” Sajani said as she helped Reagan gather them up again. She watched Reagan drive the wagon along the arm of the couch “It would be a fun trip I’m sure. Should we text your sister or is it cool to just visit there? I haven’t spent much time at the farm.” She had by now met Avery three times, once on a very brief stop in to the farm, a small family dinner at Lauren and Stuart’s new house and then a third time with Chris and Noelle and the kids at the lantern ceremony by the inlet. Each time Avery was very pleasant but didn’t stay long. Sajani walked to the kitchen and grabbed the little plate she made up for Reagan and set it on the coffee table where she could reach it and graze, which to her delight she began to. Then Reagan set up her animals around it like it was a feeding trough.
Patrick grinned in delight as the hay wagon fell with all of the animals. “Only one way to find out.” he told Sajani, and reached into his back pocket for his phone. He sent Avery a text message;
Hey A … taking care of a 2.5 yr old. Can we bring her to the farm tomorrow?, so maybe I’ll bring Chris too.
He considered what he’d typed as he sent it, then sent Chris a text.
Hey sexy. The babysitting is going well, but I may still need Noelle if they go crazy. Reagan loves animals so I asked Avery if we could go to the farm. Want to come with Blaze and Olivia? Whole family fun time?
He nodded and sent it. Noelle has great faith in him and Sajani, but Patrick wanted as many people who knew about kids as possible behind him, so he’d told everyone he knew with kids under 5. Cops weren’t the only ones who liked backup.
A text came right back from Avery:
Babies! LOL yeah you can bring a 2.5 year old. We have baby animals for babies to coo at. That’s what they do right? I’m hoping you know. Chris can coo too. I’m easy to find. See ya tomorrow Patty:)
Sajani heard the notification sounds from Patrick’s phone and took great comfort in them having back up and a plan. She was pretty confident they could do this but she’d always been in situations with little cousins where she could hand them back if they had a need she didn’t understand. Patrick had Noelle and Chris on back up as well as Cheryl and Paul McLeod. She had considered calling Darlene Smith, her yoga boss who had all kinds of kids and even step grandkids too. But having those who lived in the building and family were ideal. The little farm toys got covered in yogurt and hummus but Reagan also ate the food after to pretend they had eaten it. She smiled at Patrick “I think we figured out the food...just need to feed the animals.”
A text came back from Chris next:
Gsldgnrgd dklgnead
Followed by:
Sorry that was Blaze. We’re in. We can fit three in the wagon If we need to. Sounds like a fun day bro. Glad it’s cool so far. We’re both home so no worries. You got this XD
Patrick looked at the replies. He laughed at Avery’s and replied with;
Yes. They coo. Like chickens and Chis! See you tomorrow. Love you!
He then looked at Chris’s reply, knowing the first came from Blaze … or maybe Olivia. Confirmation came that it was Blaze and he walked to the window to gaze outside. He saw Daisy Dale headed out of the side yard of her building with Olivia. Olivia was in pink overalls, but Daisy was in a too tight mini skirt and revealing tank top. And headed for their building. Patrick replies.
Sure thing. BTW in case you didn’t know, O is headed your way with Daisy … were you expecting her tonight?
Sajani heard Patrick laugh at something from one of his siblings and glanced over and then as Reagan was eating and playing she went and made up two plates for she and Patrick since they had to eat as well. No sooner had she turned around to come back and Reagan was sending her own plate flying off the coffee table and crashing to the floor. It shattered and Sajani set hers and Patrick’s down and swooped on Reagan as the kid had bare feet. She did as well but cutting her own foot was less of a worry. Reagan however pitched a fit and wailed, twisting and turning in Sajani’s arms. “Hey….hey hey...it’s ok…” Sajani got whacked hard in the face “Reagan…..” Another whack as she screamed bloody murder.
Meanwhile Chris texted back :
Shit no. She’s supposed to come tomorrow morning Sounds like you have your own trouble though. Good luck.
Patrick watched as Daisy neared the apartment. Suddenly Reagan began to scream and Patrick turned in time to see little Connor jump as he was startled awake. He began to screen as well and while Sajani dealt with Reagan, Patrick moved over to Connor and picked him up. “It’s okay, buddy.” he lied, because he had no idea what was going on. He heard a smack and turned to see Sajani get smacked by Reagan. This was like discipline stuff. “Hey! Reagan. No hitting, honey. What’s wrong?” he asked while he tried to comfort Connor who was going off in his ear like a klaxon at the station.
Sajani heard Patrick trying to back her up but now he had a screaming Connor in his arms. This was usually when she passed kids back but they were it now. “No….” She said calmly and firmly as Reagan wound up to hit again. Sajani gently tried to take hold of her little arm and Reagan escalated and screamed louder. Sajani sighed and sat down with her on the couch holding onto her so both arms were a little pinned but not too hard “Talk to us Reagan…” She looked at Patrick “She might be too young….hey Reagan...hitting hurts me…..ow..” Sajani took Regan’s hand and lightly swatted herself and then pretended to cry. Reagan stared at her a little, still sniveling but stopped trying to hit. She was still loud though as she screamed again right in Sajani’s face after the ruse of calming. Sajani worked to keep her face neutral and just sat with her.
Patrick sort of heard Sajani, but it was awfully loud. Connor apparently decided to play his sisters game and started screaming louder. Patrick checked his diaper and it needed changing. He nodded to himself and started to change the diaper on the floor. In the middle, Connor let go again, getting Patrick in the face. But ultimately Connor was changed, dry, but not quiet. Patrick sighed and stood, going into the bathroom to wash his face and hands. Connor was still screaming, but Patrick figured he was already doing that. Finally, he came back and picked the screaming boy up. “You hungry, bud?” he asks heading into the kitchen for a bottle … it was cold, from the refrigerator, so he put it in the microwave for the designated time, all while bobbing and weaving with Connor screaming like a madbaby.
Sajani sat with Reagan until she was screamed out. She had been vaguely aware of Patrick behind her dealing with Connor while he screamed. At one point she caught the hint of urine and diaper scent. He must be changing him. She glanced back just as Connor created a pee fountain and hit Patrick right in the face. Maybe being smacked by the toddler wasn’t so bad. Yuck. God, how did Priya do this alone with them both while Shaun worked? And there was still a broken plate to clean up. But she had Teletubbies cued up on the TV thinking it might be a fun bedtime show. Now it was survival. She clicked play and slowly slid Reagan off her lap as she took the bait and distraction. Moving slowly Sajani walked to the kitchen for the dustpan and little whisk as well as a wet cloth. Patrick was taking a bottle out of the microwave and they passed like ships. Sajani went to the mess and dealt with it. As she came back to the kitchen she looked both grateful and sympathetic. “I love you. We will survive them. People do it all the time. Although I really get why they need this hotel weekend.” She starts back for Reagan.
Patrick is still sort of be bopping with Connor, who is completely unimpressed. His screams continue until the microwave is finished. Patrick tests its temperature and offers it to Connor, who is interested for a second, but spits it out to resume screaming. But he also turns his head into Patricks chest, rooting around for the real deal. “It’s OK, Connor.” Patrick tries to reassure him. “It’s from your Mommy.” but Connor refuses the phony nipple again, takes in a deep breath and screams as if his life is over. “I get it too. They can be kinda hard to handle.” Patrick keeps trying, but the minutes keep going by and the screaming continues. “He’s not buying it.” Patrick laments, dropping into a chair with Connor, but still trying to give the baby the bottle.
After Sajani wipes any trace of plate shards from the floor she puts back the cleaning supplies and goes to Patrick having seen some of the feeding struggles “Want a trade off? You took one for the team in the face. Maybe he’ll cooperate with me?” She shrugs “I look a fair bit like Priya.” She’s not sure if that’s better or worse here.
So far, Reagan is still watching the Teletubbies.
Patrick looks gratefully at Sajani, then shrugs and hands the screaming Connor over to her. “He can’t scream louder, right?” he kisses her on the cheek. “I love you, baby. I really do.” he does and now it's for more than the usual reasons. “I need to stop in the bathroom.” and he heads there immediately.
Sajani couldn’t help but giggle at Patrick’s declaration “I am there with you.” She can see Reagan from the chair she chooses to try and feed Connor from. As Patrick heads into the bathroom she tries but the baby is too distraught to even look at the fake nipple so she tries Patrick’s little bob and weave walk she saw him doing and eventually just stands and sways “It’s ok Connor. Shhh.... shhh...” His crying gets a little quieter so she sits with him cradled and tries the bottle again. He actually takes it for a few sucks but then seems to realize the deception and pulls off as he spits the milk all over Sajani’s shirt and goes right back to shrieking. Before Patrick is even out of the bathroom Reagan is at her side.
“I’m hungry!” Reagan wines.
Patrick pees, tucks himself back in and washes his hands, all with Connor screaming in the background. The baby falls silent for a moment as he is soaping up, but then starts screaming at the top of his little baby lungs again. He comes out and into the living room to find Reagan demanding to be fed. “Let’s go and see what we have.” he suggests and offers his hand to Regan, who stares at it. With a nod, Patrick just heads into the kitchen and waits for her. “What would you like? We have strawberries and carrots…” he offers. It’s near dinner time, so he offers it. “We have naan bread you can dip in lentil soup.” he tells her.
Reagan crosses her arms. “Chicken soup.” she demands.
Patrick binks. “Chicken…” he looks a little cornered, then goes about looking for a can of chicken soup, having to turn on a light, noting that the sun has set.
Downstairs, Noelle looks up at the ceiling looking somehow equal parts pitying and amused.
Sajani ignores the mess of her shirt and walks again with Connor, giving up on the bottle.
She watches Patrick negotiations over food with Reagan “I don’t think we have chicken soup. What about tomato? Do you like tomato Reagan?” From the sour look on the child’s face she knew tomato was not a happy offering. Sajani shifted Connor to the other side and looked hopefully at Patrick.
Patrick blows out a breath. He knew they didn’t have chicken, and tomato was clearly not an option. He looks at Sajani, helplessly. “Tag?” he nearly pleads, offering to try and feed the crying Conner again. The baby has to be getting tired. How long could he hold out before just taking the bottle?
Two floors down, in the ground floor apartment Cheryl McLeod opens her back door and stares up the stairs.
Chloe McLeod peeks out of he door. “What are they doing to that poor baby?” she looks concerned, as if she is considering calling the police. Patrick had seemed so nice, and his girlfriend, too.
Cheryl chuckles and glances back at her daughter. “Not lactating, that’s all.” she guesses by the noise.
Daphne McLeod was watching her mother and sister as she lounged on the couch with her phone and scrolled away. “Don’t you have to be the mom for that?” It was dry wit of course.
Chris could still hear the baby crying as he washed dishes. He had seen Noelle looking at the ceiling and laughed but now he was doing it again too.
Sajani did a sort of jog by baby pass “Tag Patrick. Good luck. Maybe grab a towel before he spits on you too.” Sajani was now determined to find something Reagan wanted to eat. Dirty shirt, slightly bruised cheek and sweat beading on her arms from the warmth of an angry baby she would do this. “OK no chicken…..how about eggs? Do you like eggs Reagan?”
Reagan looked thoughtful and then nodded but a bit unsurely.
Sajani looked hopeful “I make great scrambled eggs. Trust me.” She quickly grabbed the eggs from the fridge and a bowl and fry pan. “Watch a little more Teletubbies for 2 minutes and they’ll be ready.”
Reagan looked agreeable and Sajani herded her back to the couch and then scrambled the most beautiful eggs for the choosy child. Also wise to the recent plate smash she put them in a plastic tupperware container and brought them to Reagan with some ketchup to dip. Reagan took one bite and made a horrible face and then screamed like she was being stabbed repeatedly. Sajani grabbed the container just before it was about to be thrown and exhaled….letting the storm of screams wash over her like a hurricane “No eggs…...OK…”
Patrick took Connor and his bottle and headed into he and Sajani’s bedroom in the back. “OK, connor.” he kept his voice calm, so he wasn't sure he was even being heard. “I don’t know about you, but I need something for my nerves.” he moves to the stereo, pops in a CD blindly and starts it. Immediately he realizes it is the Halo: Combat Evolved Soundtrack. For a minute, he just listens to the Gregorian sounds and inhales. It began to calm him and he sat on the bed, rocking slowly. “Let’s try this again…” he offers Connor the nipple and he tries it, spits it out, but his screams feel like almost normal crying. “I know I’m not your mom, but she really needs a break. I get it. Believe me, I get it.” he offers the botte again and Connor looks at him. Patrick begins to hum along with the soundtrack and Connor finally takes the nipple, grabbing onto Patricks thumb. Connor begins to eat and Patrick continues to hum, amazed, but oh so grateful.
Downstairs, Noelle notices that the baby crying suddenly stops. “Who won that round?” sh wonders, although she hears music she’s never heard before.
All Cheryl knows is that the baby has stopped crying. They get hungry enough … and they stop being so picky.
Chris snorts as he hears the Halo soundtrack. He knows it, and his brother “Patrick. Good call.”
Sajani comforts Reagan again and as she calms down suddenly all she can hear is the teletubbies and then music coming from the bedroom….no crying from Connor. He took the bottle? Patrick is basically some sort of genius deity right now. She watches the teletubbies to the bizarre and melodic musical score that seems to be calming Reagan too. Casually she takes the eggs and eats some herself which inspired Reagan to grab a handful and eat them. Sajani laughs and looks at Regain with a new understanding “I see...you just want other people’s food, not your own?” She pretends to eat again and Reagan eats more without fuss.
Connor finishes with the bottle as the CD continues. Since the combat Evolved CD is a hit, Patrick does nothing to change it, but he gets himself ready to also put in the Halo 2 soundtrack once this one is done. He sort of in place while seated on the bed looking at Connor as he nurses. “OK, so music soothes the savage baby. Noted.” Connor looks at him clinging to the thumb, now apparently without a care in the world. He notices that the screaming in the living room has stopped as well.
Noelle hears noise from upstairs, but it isn’t the sound of screaming children. She looks at Chris and then through to their own living room and the two kids watching television. “It can be hard sometimes….” she remembers.
Chris gives Noelle a loving look “I believe you. But I’d be willing to chance it if you want more.” He head juts at the kids, really meaning them both.
Reagan ends up eating all of the eggs and then lets out a big yawn. It was getting late, past her bedtime but with all the screaming Sajani had let the time go by. Now she managed to convince Reagan, a happier fed Reagan to allow a diaper change and to have pjs put on her and her teeth brushed.
Sajani found a stack of books in the bag of stuff for Reagan and they had story time in the bed with the rail.Sajani read until Reagan was out which meant reading a few of them two or three times. Then she crept from the bed and went to peek in on Patrick, very quietly, again feeling her heart swell at the sight of him with a baby, despite the ordeals of the day.
Patrick and Connor listen to the first CD and Patrick gets the second in with a single hand, then sets both to loop. Connor finishes the bottle and Patrick puts him over his shoulder to burp. That goes well with only a little bit of spitting up, and then he and Connor stare at each other while Breaking Benjamin’s Blow Me Away plays and Patrick softly sings along. Connor closes his eyes and then opens them. By the time Connor slightly does off Patrick is looking down at him singing Never Surrender. It’s hard to say who he means, but it is possibly him. He just wouldn’t give up on this little guy. He looks over and sees Sajani and smiles at her, now that he realizes they will live through this.
Noelle looks at Chris, then the kids in the living room. She smirks at him a little. “You sure? The town won’t pay you hazzard pay for your own kids.” she tases and moves to him. “But …. I think I .. would …. “ she demures.
Sajani doesn’t dare make a move that would wake Connor so she just watches and smiles for a bit until she sees one of his little arms drop down and hang like he’s out. Then she tiptoes over “You are the baby whisperer.” She teases Patrick “I don’t think I’ve ever heard you sing before. It’s nice. I got Reagan to bed. Kids are tough….but sweet.” She exhales.
Chris nods and his smile broadens “Very sure.” He takes Noelle in his arms “I’d love to have a baby with you Noelle. Hazard pay or not.” He jokes back. Then he gets serious “We do need to figure out a few things first of course. Especially related to these two.” He looks at the back of their little heads tilting in unison as they watch TV.
Patrick laughs, but softly. “Yea … give me three or four hours and I can wear any baby down.” he blows out a breath. “I guess I sing ok … and Connor seems to like it so … “ h looks at her and moves to stand, dancing over to her. “He’s down … I can try and put him down. You look tired? Or is it me in your eyes.” he chuckles.
Noelle nods. “I don’t know what all to do yet. I wish I did. But lets wait a little bit … until we know what’s going to happen with these two, eh?”
Sajani nods at Patrick “See if you can. I am tired….we both are. But we might get a few minutes of time together before we fall fast asleep. Now I understand why people with little kids joke about never having sex. Ironic because of how babies are made.”
Chris looks at the back of Olivia and then towards where Daisy lives “She did it again. We should be documenting it all. Every time Daisy drops Olivia with no notice. I know it’s cruel….”
Patrick nods as he moves Connor to the makeshift crib. He goes down easy. “He has to be exhausted after all that screaming.” he quips. “I know I am.” he stares at the baby for a while. “Yea .. it’s very ironic.” he agrees and reaches his hand to her. “But i could still find you sexy even with your puke shirt on.”
Noelle bites her lip. “I have been since that blow up with Seamus.” she nearly whispers. “Just in case… I’ll show you and we can add this to the list…” she leads him to the small notepad in a kitchen drawer.
Sajani takes Patrick’s hand and looks down at Connor sleeping and then at her shirt and laughs quietly “Well I don’t think it went down the hatch so technically it’s just spit and breast milk….god I didn’t even change. Still sexy?” She smiles and then can’t help but look between Patrick and Connor “Not to freak you out but our kids are probably going to look a little like these ones. I can’t help but think about it when I see you with them. It actually makes me really happy to think about it lately.”
Chris follows and looks at the notepad “Wow….this is good police work here Noelle. Most of what we do is just writing stuff down. And this stuff you need to keep track of. We need to keep Olivia safe and if Daisy loses her to the system one day...Blaze….they’ll be split up. We can’t let that happen.”
Patrick plucks at his shirt, which has evidence of his being around Connor for several hours. “Still sexy.” he agrees. Then he looks down at Connor. “Yea … they might. They’re good looking even when they’re screaming at the top of their lungs.” he chuckles and then looks at her. “You’re thinking about us having a baby?” he asks, carefully.
Noelle smiles sadly. “Thank you. I don’t know why I started really, except Daisy got really scary after Seamus ...was it even breaking up … after all that ended. But after Iris came into the picture, it got worse.” she sighs and looks at the notebook. “I don’t want them split up. Especially now … I mean have their memories evn kicked in?” she glances at them beginning to drift together. “They’d forget each other. Well, Olivia would. I’d never let Blaze forget his sister.”
Sajani looks a little sheepish “Well not like immediately….but yes I have thought about it Patrick. More so ever since I saw you holding Connor. I’m not trying to freak you out. I can just...I can see it now. Don’t worry...like later.” She laughs and hugs him “When the time is right.”
Chris nods and puts an arm around Noelle “She has been scary. I know that hasn’t been easy for you to watch since she’s your friend. I don’t know how to help her but Olivia …...well she’s getting caught in the crossfire and it’s not right. I don’t think they remember much from this age but that memory point isn’t far away. I mean I remember stuff from when I was about 3 or 4. Trips to see my grandparents in Hammond at their orchard. Family stuff….Patrick and I before Avery. We were 5 when she was born but I have lots of memories before her so these two are going to be in that zone soon.”
Patrick smiles and takes Sajani in his arms for a kiss, gross shirts be damned. “I think … yea … a baby could be in our future. Why would it freak me out? I mean besides the fact that your cousins kids are either perfectly normal or demon spawn, depending on the hour?” he kisses her again. “Maybe we should lay down. At least rest up for Round Two … unless they both sleep through the night?”
Noelle leans into Chris. “She is and yet … after she found out I was pregnant with Joey too, she froze me out. And after Blaze was born … it still wasn’t easy. We sort of tolerated each other. She sort of played nice whenever she wanted to be with someone. Seamus or whoever Daisy has always been sort of selfish, but … I didn’t really have any friends and .. I don’t know.” she listens to his memories. “Maybe it’s best if whatever happens happens soon.” she bites her lip. “Maybe a small quick wedding … us and your family. With more later .. a reception or something?”
Sajani kisses Patrick back and then looks at him with love when he agrees a baby could be in their future. She laughs about the demon spawn comment and kisses him back again and agrees “I don’t think they sleep through the night so we better get some to be ready for anything. Seriously, how does Priya do it alone during the day? I mean my mother did for a long time but there was just one of me. Your parents must have gone nuts with twins. No offence.” She slides back from his arms to take his hand and lead him to the bedroom “This is not a seduction...this is sleep to survive. But I love you.”
Chris frowns “Daisy is 5 kinds of fucked up and it sounds like not a great friend. I’m kinda glad….well really glad you and Sajani are friends now. That’s way more equal. But yeah soon. Hell let’s see if Pat and Sajani will come witness for us at City Hall before we’re too far into September and then throw a party later. Keep it simple. Get that piece of paper. We know we’re doing it for love too but then if something comes up with the kids. We can start the adoption process with Blaze too.”
Patrick chuckles as he’s led to their bedroom. “Oh … yea … In hindsight, I kind of respect my mother that much more.” he admits. “I’m kinda thinking that this week might turn into a vacation for me, too. I really don’t want to leave you alone with these two. I know Noelle and Cheryl are close by and basically this building is never empty but … still.” he realizes it's not realistic, but he’s considering it. He strips out of his puky shirt and sweats and keeps his boxer briefs on. “Yea … and here I never imagined I’d ever say no, I’m too tired.” he jokes, turning the music off and sitting on the bed.
Noelle nods. “No … she’s not. I’m lucky there isn’t more than just Olivia, too. I know she tried and tried to get pregnant by Seamus.” she glances up. “Let’s do that in the morning. And your sister and parents. Blaze and Olivia. Family only. We’ll invite more later. Maybe when it’s cooler too.” she looks up at him. “We should get the kids to sleep.”
Chris leans in and kisses Noelle “Yes to all that. Mrs. Noelle Peterson.” He teases a bit but it also does sound sweet to him. “Yeah it’s late. Tag team on teeth and then I can take on stories if you want a break. Just hang onto my phone in case Pat texts. But it’s pretty quiet up there finally.”
Sajani sighs “I don’t want to make you feel like you need to take time off…..I mean I assume Priya and Shaun will be around for the daytimes a lot and just want their nights...which I totally support.” She pulls off her soiled shirt, bra and sweatpants and pulls on her nightgown. She giggles at Patrick being too tired but she is too. “I’m just going to brush my teeth and pee and then I’m done. Now I’m happy I skipped makeup today...nothing to wash off.”
Patrick nods. ‘I really hope so … unless they’re not going to be sleeping through the night.” he jokes. “You know, if we have a baby, your make-up days might be over for a little while… Not that I mind a bit.” he waits until she’s in the bathroom and quickly sends his brother a text;
All quiet finally. They didn’t beat us. Good kids, both of em. Exhausted. I’m going to bed.
Noelle returns the kiss and beams at what will be her name. “I love that.” she nods. “Alright … they love doing it together, anyway. But it could be days before they decide on a story.” she giggles. “I’m sure Patrick is asleep by now. I got tired just listening to it.”
Chris does teeth time with Noelle and they each take a kid. He ends up with Olivia tonight and she keeps biting the toothbrush and giggling like it’s a great game. Finally they get it done and pjs and pull ups are on and he’s pulling up a chair beside the bed because when both kids are snuggled in it’s hard to fit Chris too. He’s about to hand off his phone and it chimes. He sees Patrick’s text and shows it to Noelle as well. He sends Pat a thumbs up emoji but doesn’t bug him with anything that requires a reply since he will need sleep. “Shall we take bets on how many hours they get?” Chris jokes as he does hand Noelle the phone. Then he picks up the little basket of bedtime books. Chris is getting wise to giving the illusion of choice and picks out 3 and lets the kids decide the order instead of letting them choose from the entire basket.
Sajani comes back from the bathroom and crawls in next to Patrick “I can live without makeup if we still get sleep. But glad you love me either way.” She snuggles into Patrick and is instantly starting to drift off.
Noelle chuckles as she takes the phone. She looks at the clock on it and considers. “I’m betting on sometime between 2 and 2:30 … we’ll figure out what the winner gets later.” She kisses both kids goodnight and tidies the apartment as Chris reads to them, meeting him afterward in bed.
Patrick holds Sajani with every intention of letting her fall asleep, but falls asleep himself … for a few hours. But now they have a good idea how to handle Connor. The young man is excellent at training. As is his sister.
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