Holding Tight

By: piperholmes

A/N a short glimpse into the growing relationship between Rollins and Carisi. Originally posted on Tumblr

unbeta'd


"Look who's all clean."

Sonny turned from the dishwasher he'd been loading at the sound of Amanda's sing-song voice. He laughed at her splashed shirt, prompting a large toothless grin from Jesse who reached out for him.

He took the pajama clad baby easily in his arms, her dusting of blonde hair curling slightly with damp, the clean sent of her baby soap and lotion wafting around them.

The baby settled naturally against his side as he said, "She got you good tonight." His head nodding towards the dark splotches on Amanda's shirt.

Amanda just gave a resigned shrug. "I've given up trying to stop her splashing. She loves it. Thanks for doing the dishes, you didn't have to. You cooked…again."

"Nah," he dismissed. "I don't mind."

He looked down at Jesse, who had taken his tie in her chubby hand and immediately shoved it into her mouth.

"Oh no, baby girl," Amanda began, reaching out to remove it from her daughter's mouth. "Sorry."

"She's teethin'" Sonny acknowledged. "But mommy's right little girl. That tie has germs on it and germs are not good for little babies."

Jesse didn't seem interested in his perfectly reasonable argument, and soon began whimpering with disappointment over loosing her toy.

"Oh no no no," he cooed, pressing her close, bouncing as he usually did when she fussed. He couldn't handle her tears, earning him a victorious smirk from Amanda. After the first week of…whatever it was they were doing…it had become clear to her that Sonny had become firmly wrapped around the tiny pinky of the little girl in his arms.

"You got her gel?" Sonny asked, pulling her from her thoughts.

"On the fridge."

Sonny nodded, reaching up for the ointment to help with the pain in Jesse's gums before handing to Amanda. He kept the baby as still as possible, allowing Amanda to apply the medicine, then kissed the baby's neck over and over again until tears had turned to laughter, her small hands grabbing at his face.

"Don't get her riled up before bed," Amanda chided, though her tone lacked any real severity, her own smile betraying her.

Sonny leaned down towards her, offering the baby's plump cheek, and Amanda couldn't resist. Soon they were both taking turns blowing raspberries and nibbling against the soft skin. Jesse's delighted squeals making the NYPD detectives laugh.

"Alright baby girl, bed time." Amanda finally declared, noting how droopy Jesse's eyes had become. She reached for the baby, surprised when the child pulled away, her fingers gripping Sonny's shirt.

Sonny gave frown before leaning down again, offering the baby to her mother, but again Jesse refused, her holding tight to Sonny, her wet mouth pressed against his shoulder.

Amanda threw him an exasperated look, an apology on her lips, but she faltered when his blue eyes met hers. He was smiling at her smugly.

"Oh you just think you're hot stuff huh?"

Sonny shrugged. "Looks like I'll just have to read her her bedtime story."

"This was your plan the whole time wasn't it?" Amanda teased. "To win over Jesse."

His smile grew genuine. "You're a package deal right? If I win her over then I'm halfway there."

He turned from her, heading towards the nursery as if he hadn't just said the very thing they'd been avoiding saying.

Amanda watched, her mouth open, as he walked away, Jesse peeking at her over his shoulder, smiling.

Thanks for reading!