XXVII. New Parents
Erik checked the clock again. 2:00. It was 2:00 in the morning and his wife was pacing their bedroom with their child in her arms. Muffled cries met his ears as their child kept crying for them to relieve something. His wife shushed their child lovingly. After standing for a bit she collapsed in the wooden rocking chair and began to rock Aya. Erik put a hand over his eyes and growled softly.
"What is the matter with her?"
"Erik, she must need to be held. I have fed her, changed her, rocked her, and everything else I could think of. Why don't you bring me a book to read to her?"
He groaned softly then stood up and reached for a book on the night stand. "Here. I will go make some tea." He said as he handed her the book.
"How about I go make it and you stay with your daughter." She suggested.
"Okay but make my tea strong." Erik said then picked his daughter up and switched places with her. He watched as she left to make tea. His daughter was indeed a beautiful baby. She had her mother's jet black hair and his golden eyes. "See. What is this nonsense about?" He asked Aya while she sucked contently on his right forefinger.
Zuri came back ten minutes later with a tray in her hands. She was surprised, happily, that her husband was holding her sleeping daughter against his chest. "How did you calm her down?" She asked quietly.
"I guess she just needed to be held by her father." He replied in the same quiet tone. He stood up and put his daughter in her crib then covered her up with her baby blanket.
Zuri smiled and kissed his lips softly then handed him his cup of tea. He sipped some then put it down on the tray. "Do you want to try to sleep a bit?"
"A bit."
"I'll stay up and watch Aya then."
"But I want you to lie down too."
"I will." He said then helped his wife in bed. "Sleep good sweetness." He covered her up quickly then kissed her cheek.
After kissing her he laid down on the other side then draped an arm over her waist and pulled her in his embrace. "Goodnight Erik."
xxxx
Zuri awoke later to a soft murmur from her husband. "Zuri what time is it?"
Glancing tiredly up at the clock she replied, "5:30, shall I make breakfast?"
"Not before feeding your child. Ugh," he groaned, "parenting is hard work."
She rolled on her side then kissed his lips softly. "But it is all worth it, besides think about our future children."
"Ugh." Erik repeated.
Zuri giggled quietly then stood from the bed and picked her fussy daughter up after pulling the top half of her gown down. She then sat on the rocking chair and cradled her daughter to her left breast. Erik sat up while watching his wife. "Maybe I should make breakfast."
Zuri shook her head no. "No monsieur. I am not going to allow you to. I need my release and cooking is it."
"Ugh." Erik repeated once more. "As you wish."
She giggled at him. He was really cute when he acted like that. After Aya had her fill she gave him to Erik then smiled as he cradled her. Zuri put the top half of her gown back in place then walked towards the kitchen with her husband behind her.
Erik put their daughter in the high chair while his wife prepared to make eggs, bacon, sausage, and toast. "Erik. I have an idea."
Looking tiredly at her he asked, "What?"
"How about I ask Antoinette if she would watch Aya for a little bit tonight? That will give us some time together."
"That sounds nice."
"Go and lay down."
"But I am fine."
"You need sleep!"
"I'll lie down only if you call me when breakfast is ready."
"Yes. I will." Yawning he left the kitchen. "Aya, you should know now that men are very stubborn." She told her daughter with a giggle then went to prepare their breakfast.
