"Come on, Charlie," Chloe puts the spoon up to her daughter's mouth but she shakes her head and waves her hands in front of her, "you've got to be hungry by now."

"Mama, no, no, no."

"She's still not eating?" Beca asks, walking in from upstairs.

"Nope, nothing that i've tried."

Beca puts her palm on the baby's forehead but there isn't a fever.

"Alright, I'll bring her up and try nursing her. Len is waiting for her story in her bed."

Chloe wipes her hands on a towel and stands up. She kisses Charlie's head and then turns to Beca. She's barely seen her today; Beca got home from work late and Lennon demanded most of her attention until bedtime and now Charlie is in a difficult mood. It's just been one of those days. She wraps her hands around her waist and rests her face against her shoulder for a second until Charlotte starts to cry. She reaches her arms out for Beca.

"I think this little lady has some more pressing business."

Beca gives a sympathetic look to Chloe and kisses her before she walks up the stairs. Beca takes Chloe's seat and tries her luck at feeding the baby but her crying only gets louder. She cleans her face, now covered in spit out applesauce and carrots, and unbuckles her from the high chair.

Chloe is laying in bed with Lennon reading a story when Beca walks up the stairs with the baby on her hip. She pauses in the doorway to listen to the tired giggles at Chloe's use of different voices for every character. Chloe glances quickly at the doorway when she senses being watched.

"Oh, pause. Give Mama and Charlie a kiss goodnight."

Lennon sits up and kisses Beca and then Charlie, who tries to squirm away and swats at Lennon's face, but she doesn't seem to care. She plops back down in her spot, cuddling her stuffed narwhal into her chest, resting her forehead against Chloe's shoulder. Her eyes get heavy and she stifles a yawn. She just started extended day preschool and she is still getting used to the long days.

"I'll be there in a minute." Chloe says.

Beca nods, "Good night, monster."

"Good night, Mama." Lennon says through another yawn.

Beca walks into the next room, the nursery, and sits in the rocking chair. She unbuttons her shirt and lets Charlie latch onto her breast. She hears a gentle hum, something she's been doing while nursing lately and it makes her smile. She looks down into Charlie's eyes and watches her eyelashes bounce up and down while she fights sleep. Her tiny fist opens and closes around the fabric of Beca's shirt until she is ready to switch sides. Beca adjusts her on her other hip and waits for her to latch but she doesn't. She lets out a scream and continues to cry and kick her feet. She reaches her hands up to Beca's face.

"What's wrong, tiny?" Beca lifts her up and kisses her cheek but the crying only gets louder, "Charlie bug, you're okay."

She rocks the chair back and forth but the crying doesn't stop. Chloe walks quickly into the room, shutting the door behind her so the baby doesn't wake up Lennon, who has just fallen asleep.

"What's wrong?"

"I don't know. She was nursing but halfway through she just stopped and started screaming."

"Mom, mom, mom," Charlotte starts babbling through her tears and lifts her hands to Chloe.

She takes her from Beca, who gathers her pajamas and a clean diaper. Chloe sways gently back and forth and tries her best to get Charlie to calm down with her favorite song. She grips at Chloe's shirt.

"Are you hungry? Huh?" Chloe speaks in her softest voice.

Charlie lays her head down and starts sucking on Chloe's bare shoulder. Eventually she stops crying and reaches back for Beca. She pulls at her shirt and Beca looks back at her wife.

"I think she's just restless."

"Switching from two naps to one is my personal hell." Beca says, gruffly, which makes Chloe laugh.

She kneels down in front of Beca when Charlie latches back onto her breast. Beca rubs her hand gently over Charlie's little baby belly and they hear the gently hum again. When they're sure she's done Beca hands Charlie over to Chloe and lets her change her. They both kiss her head before they lay her in her crib. Beca leans over the top of the crib and sings a lullaby until Charlie's eyes don't open again.

Another two hours later, Chloe is in the shower and Beca is reading in their bed when fussing on the baby monitor catches her attention. She sits there staring at the screen hoping that Charlie will settle herself back down but when she pulls herself up in her crib and starts screaming she knows that's not the case. She walks back into the nursery and scoops her up. Her face is beet red and her eyes are wet with big tears.

"What's the matter, baby? Sh, you're alright."

She sits in the chair, her own exhaustion starting to take hold. Charlie pulls at her shirt and starts crying harder.

"Again?"

For the past few weeks Charlie hasn't wanted anything to do with solid foods. Instead she has only wanted Beca when she's home. It's been trying on both of them. Charlie won't sleep and Beca's body is sore. She unbuttons her shirt because if this is what her baby needs to get a little bit of comfort that's what she's going to get, no matter the discomfort it gives her. Charlie latches on but her fussing doesn't stop. She kicks her feet up and down and grips at Beca's shirt.

"Settle down, you can't eat if you're squirmy."

"She's awake?"

Chloe asks from the doorway. She is in her usual pajamas; sweatpants and a tank top.

"I don't know what's going on with her lately. I feel so bad, she's so unhappy."

Chloe nods and walks over to them both.

"What can I do to help?"

"I don't know. It doesn't even feel like she's getting anything."

"Should I get a bottle?"

"Yeah, maybe."

Chloe disappears from the room for a few minutes. When she comes back, Charlie is crying again. She has unlatched and is flailing her limbs against Beca, who narrowly misses her foot to the face. Chloe reaches out.

"Here let me take her. You need to try to sleep."

Beca hands her over but doesn't leave the room. Chloe holds the bottle to Charlie's mouth but she refuses to take it. She pushes it away with her tiny hand and turns her head from side to side.

"Come on, love bug, you're okay."

Charlie reaches out for Beca. Her whines once again turn into unsettled cries until Beca sighs and takes her back, settling her on her hip. She pulls at her shirt again and Beca shakes her head.

"I can't do this all night." She looks down at Charlie, "What's going on, baby girl?"

Charlie tugs harder on her shirt so she sits back down and unbuttons it. She winces when Charlie latches.

"I wish she could talk to us. I don't know how much longer I can do this."

"Do you think she's getting sick?"

"I don't know."

A tear drips down Beca's cheek. Chloe moves to her and wipes it away.

"It's okay, we're okay. We'll figure it out. This clingy stage can't last forever, right?"

"It feels like it already has."

She looks down at the baby. She is still latched but no longer sucking.

"Alright Charlotte, close your eyes."

Charlie closes her eyes but Beca doesn't move until she is completely sure she's asleep. She carefully puts her in her crib and tiptoes out of the room, closing the door behind her.

Chloe is in their room putting laundry away when she finally comes back.

"She's asleep?"

"For now."

Beca plops face down on the bed, regretting it immediately when her boobs start to hurt. She rolls over on her back and Chloe joins her on the bed to rub gentle circles on her stomach. Work has been crazy for Beca these past few days and Charlie's anxiousness has only heightened her own. Chloe rubs her stomach and rubs her fingertips lightly over her arms and neck until she sees all of the tension disappear from her wife. She covers Beca with a blanket and takes off her new reading glasses, the ones she hates so much, so they don't break. She kisses her head and pushes the hair out of her face before turning off the lamp.

They make it all the way to midnight before Charlie wakes up again. Chloe stirs but doesn't wake up fully and Beca is happy that at least one of them is getting some sleep. She pokes her head in and checks that Lennon is still sleeping before going to the nursery. She picks Charlie up. Her eyes are barely open when she feels the pull on her shirt.

"I got you baby. I got you."

Beca sits in the rocking chair and Charlie is already sucking on her shirt.

"Hang on, bug."

She unbuttons her shirt and Charlie latches immediately. She hums and calms herself down for a few minutes. She unlatches and tries to reconnect. After a few failed attempts she gets frustrated and starts to scream. It's moments like these that Beca is grateful Lennon is such a sound sleeper.

"Alright, give her to me." Chloe's raspy voice comes through the dark.

She pulls her tank top off and cuddles Charlie against her warm skin. She takes Beca's seat in the rocking chair and kisses her head. Charlie seems to get a little less squirmy when Chloe starts to hum.

"She likes that."

"She had to like something sooner or later," Chloe laughs a little through her exhaustion, "go back to bed. I've got her for a little while."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah, she seems okay right now." Chloe says.

She places her hand on the baby's forehead, checking again for a fever. Beca walks out of the room but before she can even shut the door Charlie is crying again. Beca sighs and lets her shoulders slump. She peeks back into the room after she doesn't settle for a few minutes. Charlie is grabbing at Chloe's bra strap and kicking her feet. Chloe looks completely defeated and has unshed tears in her eyes. Beca stops in the doorway when she hears Chloe talking.

"I'm sorry, baby. I can't help you there. But we need to let Mama sleep. She's been up around the clock with you. We both know she's strong but even Mama needs her sleep. She probably won't admit that to us though," she runs her hand over Charlie's hair, "are you hungry or just upset about something? Huh? That's a pretty grumpy face."

Charlie watches Chloe's face with content for a while, like she can understand every word.

"Are you having a hard time with all the changes around here? I'm going to tell you a secret but you have to promise not to tell anyone, especially Mama. I'm having a hard time too. Your sister is going to school full time now and she's getting so big. Your Mama is working more and I don't get to see her as much. Before I know it you'll be going to school too," She takes a deep breath, letting it out slowly, "we just need to get through this rough patch. Can you help me out with that?"

For a minute it seems like Charlie has understood everything. She looks up at Chloe with wide eyes and puts her fist into her mouth. Beca feels like she could cry; Chloe hasn't said any of these things to her and she feels horrible for not noticing. Charlie grips Chloe's bra again and starts crying. She hangs her head and rubs her hand over Charlie's belly to try to calm her. Her cries only get louder, more helpless, until Beca comes back into the room.

"She won't settle. I don't know what else to do." Chloe's voice is resigned, and approaching exhausted.

Beca takes her from her wife and walks back and forth across the room. Charlie grips Beca's shirt tight in her fist.

"Mama, mama, mama."

Beca starts to cry too. She bounces up and down and continues her pacing. She feels panic rising in her chest.

"Hey baby, don't cry. It will only make her worse."

Chloe's voice is calm again and she doesn't break eye contact with Beca despite Charlie's crying.

"I know you're exhausted, I can see it. But you're doing great," Beca shakes her head, "yes, you are. She'll settle down soon."

Charlie has been fussier than Lennon ever was, since she was born; but even as a newborn her crying spells and feeding strikes were never this bad. Beca sits back down, her exhaustion finally taking over, she isn't able to stand. She rocks back and forth, hoping that Charlie will tire herself out. She unbuttons her shirt. Charlie latches and reaches up to touch Beca's chin.

"That's it baby girl," Chloe coos, encouraging her daughter to actually get something to eat, "is she getting anything this time?"

"I don't think so," Beca shakes her head, "it doesn't make any sense."

"Do you think she's even hungry?"

"I don't know, Chlo. I don't know what I'm doing wrong."

Chloe runs her hand up and down her thigh.

"Don't get frustrated. You're not doing anything wrong. You're doing everything you can. We've been through this before."

"It's never been this bad."

Both of them keep their voices quiet and calm to try their best to soothe Charlie into sleep.

"If she doesn't eat soon I'm going to have to pump. The pressure is starting to hurt."

"I'm sorry, baby. Do you want me to get the pump?"

"Not yet, I'm going to wait a little while longer. She's still trying, I don't want to discourage that."

"Okay."

Chloe picks up Charlie's blanket and hands it to her. Her tiny fingers play with the soft sea foam green fabric. Her whole demeanor has changed; she is calm, once again starting to fall asleep. Beca doesn't get her hopes up when Charlie's eyes fall closed. She rocks back and forth for a while, rubbing circles on her belly and humming softly. Chloe disappears from the room a few times but comes back a few minutes later each time; undoubtedly doing little things here and there to keep herself awake in case Beca needs something. Beca gets up and lays Charlie down in the crib but when they make it back to their bedroom Charlie is already crying on the monitor.

"Can you go get her, please?"

"Yeah, baby."

Chloe walks out of the room. The crying gradually gets louder, down the hallway, until she brings her into their room. Beca can hear Chloe talking softly to her through the bathroom door. Her voice is as patient as ever and it makes the guilt bubble up more inside. Beca lets a few frustrated tears fall before she splashes water on her face and looks up into the mirror.

"Mama, Mama, Mama."

She can hear Charlie crying for her in their room and for the briefest moment she debates staying in the bathroom. She walks back into the room and Chloe is pacing back and forth with Charlie who is somehow still crying.

"Bring her here."

Beca extends her arms and Chloe places her in them.

"What are you doing?"

"If she's not going to sleep in her room then she will sleep in ours."

"Are you sure?"

"If I don't get some sleep soon I'm going to lose my mind, so yes, I'm sure."

The next day, Beca wakes up early, despite not having slept for more than a couple hours. Lennon is already awake and downstairs in the living room. She's using her crayons in a coloring book, laying on her stomach kicking her feet in the air.

"Morning Mama."

Her smile is bright and Beca smiles back at her, despite her exhaustion.

"Good morning, monster. How'd you sleep?"

"Okay," she stands up and rubs her eye. She sits in Beca's lap when she sits on the couch, "Charlie was crying a lot though."

"Did she keep you up?"

"Only a couple times."

"I'm sorry."

Beca gently rubs her arms.

"Why is she so sad?"

Beca kisses her temple and shrugs.

"Me and Mommy are trying to figure that out."

"I think she misses you Mama."

Beca furrows her brow and stands to carry her into the kitchen to start making breakfast.

"What do you mean?"

"Well," Lennon starts and Beca giggles at how adult she sounds, "I think she wants to see you at night cause she doesn't see you during the day as much."

Beca is stunned by the astute observation, one she hadn't even thought of as a possibility.

"I think you might be right, Len. Since when are you so smart?"

"Since always," she shrugs, "can I help with breakfast?"

"Absolutely you can. Do me a favor and grab the blueberries out of the fridge."

"Yup"

She hops off the counter and runs over to the refrigerator. Beca hears crying from upstairs and feels all of the emotions from the night before come rushing back.

"Charlie's crying, Mama."

"I hear her. Give her a minute she might go back to sleep."

Beca gathers all of the stuff she needs to start breakfast but Charlie's cries only get louder. She is about to go and get her when she hears Chloe moving around upstairs. After another minute the crying stops, not for very long, enough time for a diaper change, before it starts back up again, full force.

"Uh, Mama," Chloe's tired voice echoes from the staircase, "I think someone is looking for you."

Beca looks up at them and smiles at how similar they look when they've both just woken up. When Charlie spots Beca she stops crying and sticks her arms out.

"Hi beautiful," Beca kisses Chloe, "there's my bug," she takes Charlie and bounces her back and forth gently, "did you finally get some sleep?"

Charlie wraps her arms around Beca's neck and squeezes.

"Oh my baby."

Charlie pulls back and places both hands on Beca's cheeks. She looks into Beca's eyes and smiles; it's such a Chloe thing to do that it makes her smile and start kissing her face, causing her to giggle.

"Thank God, she's in a better mood than last night." Chloe says, happily.

"We'll see how long that lasts."

"Mama, Mama, Mama."

Charlie reaches for Beca's shirt.

"I guess we're trying this again. I'll be back."

"Mommy, we're making pancakes!" Lennon yells happily.

Chloe walks around the island and scoops her up. She kisses her face all over.

"Pancakes? Who likes pancakes?"

"I do!"

"No, I don't believe it."

"You like pancakes too, Mommy." She says in a 'duh' tone.

"That doesn't sound like me." Chloe says, pouring a giant mug of coffee.

"Mommy," Lennon rolls her eyes.

"Alright, let's fire up this stove." Chloe says.

She sprays the pan and twists the dial to turn the burner on, having slight difficulty against the baby proofing plastic.

She's a little concerned when she is finished making pancakes and Beca still isn't back. She makes sure Lennon is all set with her food before she wanders upstairs to find her wife. Beca is sitting in the rocking chair, Charlie is laying in her lap. She is latched and looking right at Beca's face.

"How's it going in here?"

"I think she's getting as frustrated as I am."

"Do you think we should call the doctor? She's barely eaten for a few days and she's clearly agitated about something."

"It might be our only option," Beca looks down at their daughter and rubs her finger on her cheek, "I already called out sick today. I can see if they can sneak her in."

"Mom, Mom, Mom," Charlie lifts her hands up to be picked up.

"Go easy on your Mama today. I have to get ready for my meeting today." She says, punctuating her loving tone with a kiss on her cheek.

Chloe has decided to go back to work part-time but it couldn't have been planned at a worse time. She tries to hand her back but Charlie grips onto her neck.

"I guess she's coming with me."

Chloe puts her on their bed while she gets dressed and notices Charlie pull on her ear and start to cry. She pulls on her pants and lays down on the bed with her. She kisses her cheek but Charlie squirms away.

"What's the problem, bug?"

"Mama, no, no."

Charlie fusses for another few minutes but her eyes get heavy. It's clear she is about to fall asleep until Lennon comes running into the room, startling her awake.

"Mommy, guess what!'

"Lennon, come on. Your sister was almost asleep."

Chloe snaps and it comes out a lot harsher than she intended it to. Lennon stops in her tracks. Charlie starts screaming again and grabs onto Chloe's blazer.

"I'm sorry, Mommy."

"No, I'm sorry, baby. I didn't mean to get mad."

Chloe kisses Lennon's head and picks Charlie up. She looks at the clock and sighs.

"Where's Mama?"

"Downstairs."

Lennon looks downtrodden when she walks behind Chloe down the stairs. Beca and Chloe know that Charlie has been commandeering a lot of the attention lately and Lennon has felt a little more displaced than usual. But right now they need to get to the bottom of Charlie's strange behavior and they will make it up to Lennon in as many ways as they can.

"Bec, baby, I have to go or else I'm gonna be late."

"What a first impression that would be. Maybe if you blow it you can stay home with Ms. Attitude instead of me."

Chloe gives her 'the look'.

"Okay, give her to me. The doctor can see her in two hours. Can you take Len to school on your way?"

"Yeah, Lemon, are you ready to go?"

"Yeah Mommy."

"Okay, we've gotta fly," Chloe kisses Beca and then tries to kiss Charlie but she pulls her head away, "Call me as soon as you're done at the doctor."

"I will. I love you."

"Love you too."

Chloe stops before leaving the room.

"She's going to be fine."

She isn't sure if she's trying to convince Beca or herself more.

Beca kneels down and kisses Lennon, "Have a good day, monster. I'll see you tonight."

"Bye Mama."

Chloe gives Beca and Charlie each one more peck before picking Lennon up to leave. She pinches her side and it makes her giggle. Beca revels in the sound, one she's heard a lot less lately. She pushes the guilt aside when the baby starts crying again.

She puts her down on the living room floor and she picks up a toy to put in her mouth. She rubs her eye and lays down on the blanket. Within a few minutes she is sound asleep; Chloe and Beca aren't the only ones who are exhausted.

Beca picks Charlie up, hoping to get her into her carseat without her waking up but while she is struggling with one of the buckles, Charlie's eyes flutter open. When she realizes where she is, she starts flailing her arms and kicking.

"No, no, Mama, no." She yells and pushes Beca's hands away.

When one of the first words Charlie learned was 'no' Beca thought it was hilarious, but now she's getting really sick of hearing it.

"We've gotta go, baby."

Beca manages to get the car seat buckled. She takes a minute, a deep breath, before she gets into the driver's seat. Charlie screams the entire way there and doesn't stop when Beca gets her into the waiting room. Beca snuggles her into her lap and she settles when she realizes she isn't getting dropped off anywhere. They wait and Charlie is almost asleep again when they are called into the exam room.

"Beca, what seems to be the problem with our little lady?" Dr. Wyatt, the girls' pediatrician, asks when she walks into the room.

"Uh, we've been having a really hard time getting her to sleep. All she seems to want to do is nurse."

Dr. Wyatt looks at her chart then gives a smile to Beca who looks nervous and utterly exhausted. She wishes Chloe were there with her because Charlie is starting to fuss again and she knows as soon as she puts her down on the table she is going to scream.

"Is she eating any solids at all?"

"Not really, not for a few days."

"Okay, can you lay her down?"

Beca tries to put her down but she clings to her neck and starts to cry.

"No, no, Mama."

Beca pries her tiny hands off of her but she clings back on.

"You can lay on the table with her if that helps."

Beca climbs onto the table and lays with the baby on top of her chest. Dr. Wyatt checks her lungs and heart. She checks her stomach, ears, eyes, and mouth.

"She's teething. That explains the not sleeping and the constant nursing. Once her teeth break through it should get better. It looks like she has quite a few spots where teeth could appear very soon."

"Is there anything we can do for her?"

"Teething rings or a frozen wet rag when you lay her down may help. But I think for now the best you can do is offer comfort and muscle through it. I'm sorry I couldn't be more helpful."

"No, this was extremely helpful. It will give us some peace of mind. Thank you."

Charlie fidgets in Beca's arms.

When they leave the doctor's office Beca pulls out her phone and calls Chloe.

"Hello?"

"Hey baby it's me."

"How did it go?"

Beca sighs when Charlie starts to fuss in the backseat.

"Mom-ma." She cries holding out the middle 'm' sound.

"Dr. Wyatt said she's teething."

"Why is it so bad? It wasn't this bad with Len."

Beca can hear people buzzing around in the background. Chloe is talking quietly, like a kid that's about to get caught.

"I know but every baby is different and with Charlie, well, she was pretty fussy already."

"So this just heightened it?"

"Yeah, I guess so," Beca shrugs.

"Any idea when this is going to stop?"

"Nope," Beca sighs and her exhaustion falls over her again, "but we just got home and I'm going to see if I can get her to take a real N-A-P."

"Okay, I'll call you after my next meeting. If I can sneak home I will."

"Alright, I love you."

"I love you too."

"Mama!" Charlie yells when she realizes that Beca is about to hit the end call button.

"I love you, baby girl. Mommy will see you tonight."

Charlie reaches for where the sound is coming from and starts to cry harder. Beca struggles to get her inside.

When Chloe comes home for dinner, Lennon is sitting at the island coloring and Charlie is playing with blocks on the floor.

"Hi family," Chloe walks over and kisses the back of Lennon's head.

"Hi mommy."

"It smells good in here."

She looks like she's about to fall over but she has a broad smile across her face, her dimples showing up. Beca turns and smiles back at her and kisses her on the lips.

"Thank you, it will be ready in a minute."

"Mama, Mama, hi."

"Hi bug," Chloe picks her up and kisses her stomach, "did you see the doctor today?"

"Do I have to go to the doctor too?"

"No Len, Mama took Charlie because of all of her crying."

"Oh good, I didn't want a shot."

"That's not the only reason people go to the doctor, you know?" Beca says from her spot at the stove.

"Alright, get in your chair."

Lennon hops off the stool and gets into her chair and Chloe buckles Charlie into her high chair. Beca puts a plate in front of Lennon who starts to eat immediately. She puts some food on Charlie's tray but she picks it up and throws it onto the table. She waves her hand up in front of her face.

"Come on, love bug. Please eat."

Chloe lifts a spoon of mashed potatoes up to her mouth but she pulls her head away.

"Charlie, look at me, it's good," Lennon says, lifting another spoonful of food to her mouth.

Chloe smiles at her efforts but when she refuses to eat for several more minutes she gives up for the time being and eats her own food. When Beca is done eating she grabs applesauce from the fridge and tries to feed that to Charlie. She fusses but ends up eating a few bites of it. When Beca lifts another spoonful she pushes it away.

"Mama, no, Mama."

"Do your teeth hurt baby girl?"

Beca walks over to the sink and washes her hands. She picks Charlie up and rubs her finger over her gums. She settles in Beca's arms. Chloe kisses Lennon on the head and stands up.

"I have to get back to work. Good night baby, I love you so so much."

"Love you, Mommy. See you tomorrow."

"Yes you will."

Chloe walks over to Beca and Charlotte. She kisses them both and walks out the door. When it shuts behind her, Charlie starts to whine again.

"Mommy will be back. It's okay."

An idea pops into Beca's head.

"Hey Len, keep eating. I'll be right back. And I want those peas gone when I get back."

She steps into the living room and pulls out her cell phone. She dials one of the few numbers she knows by heart and waits while it rings.

"Hello?"

"Em, hey, are you busy tonight?"

"No, just watching tv, why? What's up?" Emily asks, she can hear

Charlie screaming on the other end and her voice sympathetic.

"Well, I was just wondering, and you absolutely do not have to say yes, but I was wondering if you could take Lennon tonight? Charlie isn't sleeping at all and-"

"Of course we will."

Emily jumps at the chance to spend more time with her "niece". Beca hears her say something muffled to Kara, she can't quite make out her reply.

"I'll be right over to pick her up."

"Thank you so much. I owe you big time."

"Not at all. See you soon."

Beca hangs up the phone and walks back to the kitchen, bouncing Charlie from side to side.

"Alright beautiful, you are going to spend the night with Aunt Emily, okay?"

"Really?" Lennon's face lights up, "Tonight?"

"Yeah, is that okay with you?"

"Yeah!" Lennon yells which startles Charlie and spurs a fresh round of tears, "Can I bring my new stuffed animal?"

"Of course you can. As soon as you're gone eating go upstairs and put your pajamas, toothbrush and clean underwear in your bag. I'll be up in a minute to pick out an outfit for you for tomorrow."

"I'm done," Lennon throws her napkin down and runs upstairs before Beca even has a chance to think. She smiles because at least someone in this house is happy.

It takes Emily barely twenty minutes to get there and when she walks into the house she is surprised at just how loud Charlie is. She walks into the kitchen where Beca is pacing back and forth with Charlie in her arms. She looks utterly exhausted; her skin is pale, there are dark circles around her eyes which are also red rimmed and bloodshot.

"Hey," Emily greets her. She isn't quite sure how to help but she also doesn't want to make matters worse.

"Hey Em, do you mind taking her for a second? I just want to make sure Lennon is all set."

"Uh, sure."

Beca hands Charlie to her and she struggles in her arms.

"Mama, no," Charlie reaches for her but Beca disappears up the stairs.

She would never admit it out loud but she is secretly happy to get away from Charlie for just a minute. She knows she's in pain and her heart is aching at the idea that there is nothing she can do about it, but she also isn't sure how much more of the crying she can take.

"Hey Lenny, you ready to go?"

"Yeah."

Beca walks into Lennon's bedroom and is met with a sad little girl, sitting in her bed with her knees pulled up to her chest.

"Mama, is Charlie ever going to stop crying?"

Beca sits next to her.

"Yeah baby, she will eventually. She's getting her new teeth so she's in a lot of pain but once they start growing in she'll feel better. Don't worry about your sister, okay?"

"Okay. What about you?"

"What about me?"

"It makes you and Mommy sad when we're sad, right? So are you sad right now?"

Beca feels tears prick her eyes. Her daughter, at four years old, is more perceptive and empathetic than most adults she knows. She kisses her head and smiles.

"Of course I'm sad that your sister is hurting but it's not the kind of sad you need to worry about. We'll all be fine, very soon. Especially if Mommy and Mama can get some sleep."

Lennon nods and wraps her arms around Beca's neck. She takes an extra minute just to hug her; to have a quiet moment with her older daughter. It's the kind of moment that is coming fewer and farther between these days and she doesn't want to let go. Lennon eventually squirms out of Beca's arms and points to her dresser.

"Can you pick out an outfit for tomorrow?"

Beca nods and chooses a dress that Emily had bought for her and matching leggings and tosses them into Lennon's bag.

"You're all set, monster, let's go."

When the get downstairs, Lennon runs over and hugs Emily's legs. Charlie is still fussing in her arms but the screaming has died down. Emily trades Beca, Charlie for Lennon's bag and takes the opportunity to pick Lennon up and give her a proper hug and kiss.

"Alright, you be good for Aunt Emily, you hear me?"

Lennon nods.

"And you, not too much sugar, you hear me?"

Emily nods. Lennon leans over in Emily's arms and kisses Charlie on the head.

"Feel better, tiny."

"Thanks again, Em, for doing this. If we don't get some sleep soon we're both going to lose our minds."

"Good luck tonight. When's Chloe coming home?"

"An hour or two, hopefully."

"Do you want me to stay here with you until she gets here?"

"No, that's okay. Go have fun."

Emily gives a skeptical look but is waved off by her friend. She kisses Beca on the cheek and leaves. The house is quiet for all of two minutes when Charlie starts to cry again.

"What am I going to do with you, huh? For a tiny girl you have some big lungs."

Beca sways, paces, bounces, she tries teething rings, a frozen rag, her finger again, everything she can think of, but nothing seems to help.

"Becs?" Chloe's voice echoes down the hall when she comes home from work.

"We're in here."

Beca looks like a ghost of herself when Chloe looks at her.

"Oh baby, you look exhausted. Give her to me."

Chloe walks over and takes the baby. Charlie looks up at Chloe and she looks back with a warm smile. "Hi, love bug."

"You must be just as tired after working all day."

"I snuck a nap in my car," Chloe says with a guilty expression.

Beca lets out a little laugh. Chloe starts to sway with Charlie but it's clear she's uncomfortable.

"Mama."

She even sounds exhausted; her cries have turned to nasally whines. Her tiny fist rubs at her eyes and she snuggles into Chloe's neck. She sucks on the soft skin there and it seems to give her some relief.

"Our baby is going to give me a hickey."

Beca scoffs. She is so grateful Chloe is finally home.

"Are you all set? I just need a minute."

"Yeah, are you alright?"

Beca nods and walks out of the room quickly when she feels tears start to drip from her eyes. She walks upstairs and listens as the house falls into silence; when the stretch of quiet grows longer and Charlie doesn't start crying again Beca starts to cry. She doesn't know how long she is sitting on top of the closed toilet lid in their bathroom before Chloe knocks on the door.

"Baby, you alright?"

Beca does her best to wipe the tears away before opening the door.

"Hey, what's wrong?"

Chloe takes her in her arms and kisses her head.

"I was with her all day and she didn't stop crying for more than two minutes. You're home for thirty seconds and she calms down. What the hell am I doing wrong?"

"Bec, you know that's not it. She just finally exhausted herself. It has nothing to do with us."

"I don't know that. Because every time she's sick, or she can't sleep, or she's sad, she only ever wants you. They both do. The only time she wants me is if she's hungry and pretty soon she won't even need me for that."

"Beca."

"Chloe, I don't think I can do this if they don't…"

She stops and lets her shoulders slump down.

"If they don't what?"

Beca bites her lip. She looks away from her wife who uses her index finger to move her head back to make eye contact.

"If they don't what?"

"If they don't love me."

"Of course they love you. You're their Mama."

"So are you."

"No," Chloe shakes her head and leads them to sit on the edge of their bed instead, "I'm their Mom. They need both of us, and they love both of us equally. I don't need to explain to you what it's like to be in so much pain that you don't know what you want. That's where Charlie is right now."

Beca sighs and nods.

"Yeah, I know," She snaps out of it a little bit, "I'm just so tired."

"I know. You should try to get some rest while she's asleep."

Beca climbs into bed and Chloe changes quickly into pajamas so she can climb in to cuddle behind her. Beca rolls over to switch their positions, always the big spoon, except when her pregnant belly got in the way.

"Oh my God."

"What?" Chloe turns her head as much as she can to look at her wife.

"She really did give you a hickey."

Beca laughs despite her own exhaustion and Chloe does too.

"Eh, it's fine. I'll just blame it on you."