Prompt response from the tums. Kate lulls baby castle to sleep with a song (song by MYMP)
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Two in the morning. Two hours past the time Rick wanted to be in bed. He lingered for a bit after finishing up a chapter, grabbing a glass of wine, but unable to snatch even a sip once he heard Luke stirring upstairs.
Reacting quickly, trying to avoid Kate waking up to his cries over the monitor, he darted in leaps upstairs to his son's aid. Inside the room Luke sobbed and sobbed, arms reaching out the moment he saw his father hovering above him.
"Hey buddy, what's wrong," Rick said lifting up his son. He bounced him in place assessing the cry the little boy gave off. No hunger, no diaper change. Definitely a sleepy cry.
So why wouldn't he sleep?
A couple minutes shortly turned into half an hour, and despite the short intervals between his cries, Luke still wouldn't get to sleep.
"You gotta help me out bud. You need to sleep. I need to sleep. Mommy needs to sleep and if you keep going she'll probably wake up."
"Too late," Kate said appearing in the doorway. He turned around and saw her walk toward him, making eyes at their son, going to caress his face and head. "Hey baby boy—what's the matter huh," she said taking him in her arms. Though his cries continued, they were mostly hushed, changing with the bounce in her step.
"Okay, is it a boob thing? Is he more calmed by you because you are the food giver? Do I need to get one of those man boob slings like in Meet the Fockers?"
"Babe he loves you, he just—isn't a fan of how you put him to sleep."
At the thought, he recalled back to when they both put him to bed. She didn't do it. "You didn't sing to him, did you?" He asked with folded arms. He stared her down, but she kept her face behind the child, humming into his head, turning around as she bounced to avert her eyes from her husband's. "You didn't!" He whispered harsh. She turned to face him with her mouth dropped and eyebrows furrowed, almost offended.
"I did," she whispered back insistent, though hiding her face even more. He cocked an eyebrow and flattened his lips. "Okay you know what, you try singing to him every night, and then expect to have a voice the next day. Espo and Ryan have had way too much fun over my sore and cracking voice—and I can't even yell at them because of it."
"You know I've tried…you also know how unsuccessful that was. I'd help…but I don't think either of us want a night like that again." His eyes widened at her. She started to smile, but he pointed a finger at her. "Do not laugh," he said. Her lips shifted around, trapping the laughter in her throat, translated into a choke.
"I just thought I could get away with one night," she started. "It was just one night…" She looked down at her baby boy, his eyes almost expectant. Her heart slipped further inside her, pouted at him and then at Rick.
"Based off that look, clearly one night is far too many for him," he said taking a seat in the rocking chair. She threw him a look, with a sigh escaping her before she began to sing.
When I first saw ya, I already knew There was something inside of you Something I thought I'd never find Angel of mine
The corners of Luke's lips turned up, exposing his mouth, as if ready to laugh, but he stayed silent. She glanced over at Rick with a smile and glistening eyes, and it beckoned him over. As she held their son, he held them both, swaying them to the melody. It filled the room, made it whole in a way he couldn't explain. Like her voice warmed them, along with the air, enveloping every inch with every note. It made Luke settle fast as he listened to his mother, his eyes droopy and head heavy, but still remained linked up to her gaze.
I look at you, looking at me Now I know why they say the best things are free I'm gonna love you till the end of time Angel of mine
The little one started to fade away, but she kept going, more hushed, with her head now rested into Rick's neck as they continued their slow steps.
What you mean to me you'll never know Deep inside I need to show
You came into my life sent from above Never did I dream such a perfect love And I'll adore you till the end of time Angel of mine
From this point she just hummed the tune, and soon enough Luke was drooling all over her clavicle. Rick looked over to see, and he stopped them. He smiled at the sight of his sleeping child, and kissed his forehead, then Kate's. Just as he went to grab him, she slightly pulled back, her face pouting again and eyes rounded out.
"Just a little longer," she said. She walked into him and he put his arms around her again, swaying them side to side and back and forth again. All their heartbeats synched together, soothed by the motions—their blood flowing in rhythms together, orchestrated by their love.
"Just like this…"
He pressed his face over the top of her head and breathed, "angels of mine."
