A Mystery – or – Why do Babies Cry?
Nathan wondered exactly how his break ended up like this. He had gone to the couch for a break from writing and then next he knew Elena had come in with a crying Alex. She tried fed him, changed him, and tried rocking him, but the three-month-old would have none of it. So Nate, who had just been reading a book, was tasked with trying to help Alex calm down while Elena called her mother. It had almost frightened Nate how panicked and close to tears Elena had been when she handed their child off to him that he hadn't thought twice when held out his arms.
Thankfully, Alex had begun to quiet down. He was still fussy, but fussy Nate could deal with a lot better than unknown reasons for crying. So here he was, lying on the couch with Alex laying on top on him and gently patting his tiny back. Nate glanced over in the general direction of the kitchen. He could hear Elena desperately speak to her mother on the other end. Hopefully Coraline would have some idea of what needed to be done. Alex started making noises discomfort again and Nate wanted to sigh.
"Come on, Alex. It'll be alright." He said softly. It seemed to help a little. "You know, I kind of wish you could tell us what's wrong. But I know there's not much that can be done about that right now."
Nate looked up as he heard footsteps. Elena sighed and gave him a half-hearted smile as she came up to the couch. "Let me see him." She said, gently picking up Alex. She confused Nate by sticking her finger in Alex's mouth.
"What your mom say?" Nate asked softly.
"She thinks he might be teething." She replied, "And I think she might be right."
"Isn't this a little early? I mean, he just turned three months-"
"-Last week. I know, I know. Mom was expecting Alex might start teething around four months like me and my cousins." Elena let out a small chuckle as sat down on the couch. "You wouldn't happen to know if you were an early teether, would you?"
Nate laughed quietly, "Sorry. All I know is I have all of my vaccinations." He took a look at Alex, "Can I?"
Elena just smiled and shook her head before handing Alex back. "You know you don't always have to ask." Nate just shrugged as he settled back down with Alex lying on top of his chest. "So how are things going with the final book?"
"Okay. Should be ready for the last round of editing; I just hope that Fran doesn't chew me out over the ending." He heard her snort and he smiled, knowing what she was thinking about. "Looks like he's finally asleep."
"I'd be surprised if he was still awake. He was making such a huge fuss in the store, I just couldn't get any shopping done. I'd rather try and see what's wrong in the privacy of my own home than in store." Elena sighed. She looked so tired and worn down.
"Hey. Look on the bright side. At least you have your mom to call for things like this. And you've got an extra set of willing hands." Nate said, "Imagine what it would be like if the both of us didn't have any parents to call."
She laughed a little at that, "Dear lord, we'd be doomed."
"We'd defently be relying on Google right now." Nate added.
"And a lot more frazzled. I doubt you'd be as calm you are now if we didn't have my parents to call." Elena chuckled.
They fell quiet for a several long moments, enjoying the rare silence. Alex, without a doubt, had turned everything upside down the moment he came home. Little things the couple hadn't expected. Like the laundry never seeming to be done or how Nate suddenly had to learn how to make something more than pasta. Though they had underestimated how much they would miss sleep. Lord only knows how much they both missed a full night's sleep. Elena more so than Nate. Yes Nate was doing his best to be helpful during the nights when Alex started crying, but with the lack of mammary glands…
"You can go get some sleep, you know." Nate whispered.
Elena's gaze snapped to him and she tried to shake off the tiredness. He could see her glance down at Alex.
"We'll be fine. You've earned at least a good few months worth of naps." He encouraged. "I'll get ya when he's hungry or time for big people food. Whichever comes first."
She finally nodded and got off the couch, kissing her husband and placing a soft kiss on the top of Alex's head. Nate watched her walk off towards the bedroom, feeling relieved that Elena would finally be getting some much needed rest. He looked back at Alex.
"Well, I guess it's just you and me for now, buddy." Nate whispered, a soft smile on his face.