Hughes looked down at his cellphone. It was Neal's number, though he was still out on paternity leave before his term as a paid consultant officially started.
"Hughes," answered Hughes, evenly, not sure he wanted a call from a bored Neal.
There was the sound of a baby crying in the background, and Neal spoke awkwardly, and quickly, "hi, uh, are you busy?"
"I am at work," said Hughes, "I'm not in a meeting or anything."
"Right," said Neal, "uh…"
"Neal, spit it out."
"Will won't go to sleep and it's been all night and morning. He'll sleep in the car but I can't drive for more than a few blocks," Neal said it all in a rush, "Peter took El upstate. Is there any chance…you'd…"
Hughes relaxed. There was no crime, no bored Neal up to something. There was just a stressed, sleep deprived new parent making a desperate call for help.
"I'll be there in about half an hour," said Hughes, gently.
"Thank you," said Neal, breathlessly.
Hughes had driven the convertible into work that day. He got his bag and told a couple people he was leaving the office.
Nobody answered when Hughes knocked on the apartment door. He could hear crying, though, so he opened it and went inside. Neal was on the loveseat near the door, rolling a stroller back and forth, trying to sooth the wailing baby. He looked like he hadn't slept in days, more tired than Hughes had ever seen him.
He finally saw Hughes, his exhausted face brightened, and he said loudly over the crying, "hi!"
Hughes chuckled, and lifted the baby carrier part out of the stroller chassis while Neal moved into the wheelchair. Hughes looked into the carrier. Will, red faced, dressed in a little green onesie, bawled up at him.
"El or Peter have been taking him for a drive every night," explained Neal, "I didn't think about it, until…he wouldn't sleep without it."
"Well," said Hughes, "you got me out of the office on a nice afternoon, I'm not complaining. Let's go."
"Thank you," said Neal, and they headed down to the car.
Will fell asleep in a matter of blocks. Neal looked like he wasn't far behind the infant, leaning against the door with his eyelids threatening to slide shut.
"Is he going to wake up if I stop for coffee?"
"Not if you leave the engine running."
"Okay. I would like some coffee, and you look like you need some."
Neal chuckled, smiling sheepishly, "yeah, I'm a little tired."
Hughes pulled up beside a cafe, and went inside. He saw Neal lean back into the back seat, tucking the baby's blanket in a little bit more. Hughes smiled to himself, shaking his head, then went to the counter and ordered lattes for both of them, Neal's with an extra shot of espresso.
Once he had the coffees he walked back out. Neal was leaning on the back of the seat, still facing the back of the car, but his head was on his arm and his eyes were closed.
"Neal?"
Neal lifted his head, "yep, hi, I'm here."
Hughes laughed and handed Neal the larger cup. Neal sipped it, found it at a drinkable temperature, and started nearly chugging it. Hughes put his own coffee in a drink holder saddle over the center console and pulled away from the curb. They got out of gridlock, found a relatively open avenue, Hughes turned on the radio. Neal watched the streets and people go by, Nina Simone on in the background.
Neal sipped his coffee, slumped in the seat, and looked sleepily at Hughes, "this is the first time in twelve hours I could put him down without him crying. Thank you again."
"Sure."
Neal closed his eyes. Hughes gently took the coffee cup out of Neal's hands, as Neal started to fall asleep.
