Disclaimer: I don't own either "Walking in Memphis" or "I'll Be."
Unconventional Lullabies
When Neil didn't return to the kitchen thirty minutes after leaving with Grace to put her to bed, Eva wasn't surprised. Despite the baby having settled into some patterns regarding sleep by fifteen weeks—such as the number of naps she took, or the amount of time she spent sleeping—at sixteen weeks, those patterns had been apparently forgotten. Lately, Grace was waking up more often at night, her naps were shorter, and it had gotten more difficult to get her to actually fall asleep. If Neil had managed to get their daughter sleeping in the time it took Eva to clean up after dinner, she would've considered it a small miracle.
At present, Eva left the kitchen and headed down the hall next to the living room, figuring that Neil could use some help. She wasn't even halfway to their bedroom when she heard music playing. Soon enough, she made it to her destination and opened the door to find Neil cradling Grace in his arms, rocking her to the sound of a Marc Cohn song playing from his phone, which was placed on their bed.
"Walking in Memphis," Neil sang. "But do I really feel the way I feel?"
"Interesting choice of lullaby, Neil," Eva commented. He gave a start upon realizing she was there, and she continued, trying to keep the amusement out of her voice. "Did 'Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star' go out of style?"
"What can I say?" Neil asked rhetorically. "Grace's developed a penchant for nineties soft rock."
Eva couldn't help the chuckle that escaped her throat. "Has she now?"
Neil slowed his rocking. "That, and bath time didn't help get her to sleep."
"Hence you trying to lull her with a song about a Jewish gospel music lover."
"Hey, if it works."
And it did seem to be working—Grace was now yawning and rubbing at her eyes. As Neil resumed singing, Eva stepped over to the bed to lower the music's volume. After another moment, Grace's eyes closed, and Neil walked to her crib and settled her down in it.
"So how long do you think she'll be asleep?" Neil asked as Eva joined him in front of the crib, a new song beginning to play.
"With the way her schedule's been? I doubt it'll be an hour," she admitted.
"Might as well make the best of it." So saying, Neil wrapped his arms around Eva and pulled her into a hug, swaying her to the music.
"Tell me that we belong together," he sang. "Dress it up with the trappings of love."
Eva had to laugh a bit at that. Smiling, she let Neil continue their impromptu little dance until the song ended.