Corrode - [Charles Leclerc]

𝙌𝙪𝙖𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙘𝙞𝙣𝙦𝙪𝙚

Soft baby cries were audible over the baby monitor that stood on Charles' nightstand. Both of them woke up nevertheless, the time just a little after three in the night. Little Teresa was at home with them for four weeks now and she was doing great. She wasn't crying much in the night, which is why Charles sat up, listening to her whimpers in case something was wrong. "I got her, I got her". He shushed Joanne, who was about to shove the duvet off her and swing her legs over the edge of the bed. "I can go". She muttered, rubbing her tired eyes. "No, it's fine". Charles replied, getting away from under the sheets and he got out of bed. Charles quietly made his way out of the bedroom and onto the hallway, hoping Teresa's cries wouldn't wake up their other two boys. Charles opened the door of her bedroom, switching on the gentle light in the corner and he looked into her little crib. She was squirming slightly on her mattress, her arms above the baby blanket and her hands kneaded into the soft material.

"Hey, little princess". Charles cooed, lifting her gently up against his bare chest. Her eyes opened to look at him, her cries softening right away. He looked down at her as he craddled her against his torso, his arm supporting her tiny body and his hand caressed her head. He slowly walked around in her room, humming a song he had recently learned from Joanne. Teresa kept looking up at her father, fascinated by the sound and the vibrations coming from his chest, but her bright eyes got droopy soon enough, the fiddling of her hands slowed down and it didn't take long before she drifted off again. Charles looked up as he just noticed Joanne leaned against the doorway, a smile on her face as she watched the two. He smiled back at her, remaining quiet while he placed little Teresa back in her crib, tucking the blanket into the end again and covering her with it, making sure she was lying safely on her back and the blanket didn't cover her too high. Joanne approached them, looking at their little baby. She reached down to caress her soft cheek and her head with the mop of black hair.

"You should go back to bed". Charles whispered, his arm wrapping around her while his lips dropped down to her bare shoulder. "I just wanted to see the two of you". She softly replied, enjoying his warm touch. "At three?". He asked, causing her to chuckle lightly. "At any time of the day". Joanne answered. Charles looked into her eyes when she turned to him and he leaned down to peck her lips. "I'm up again in three hours, I'll have a look at her again". Charles said as he switched off the light and closed the door of Teresa's room behind them. "That's why you should let me get up more often". Joanne still spoke with a soft voice as they crossed the hallway back to their room. "Your work is important too". She said, slipping back under the covers and he joined her on the other side of the bed. "I know". Charles replied, turning to her as she turned to him. "But my family is more important". He said. Joanne let her eyes dart over his face with a soft smile, her hand reaching out to caress his cheek. "And you gave birth just four weeks ago, mon amour". Charles spoke, taking her hand in his.

Joanne felt the warmth blossoming in her chest when he kissed her fingertips and the back of her hand before pulling her closer to himself, tucking her into his chest and leaving soft kisses on the curve of her neck. "But I feel great". She protested, causing him to laugh softly. "Just let me take care of everyone". Charles replied, kissing her lips again and she nodded, letting her head rest on his chest. They were awake for a couple more minutes, making sure Teresa definitely was asleep and wouldn't start crying again. No sounds were audible over the baby monitor and the house of the Leclerc family soon sunk into a deep slumber again.

Charles' alarm went off a couple hours later and he turned to Joanne, who rolled around to her other side and buried her head deeper into the pillows. He smiled at the sight and he briefly let his hand run up her arm and he leaned over to kiss her cheek before he got out of bed. He got some clothes ready and went into the bathroom for a quick shower. The sun wasn't rising yet and it was still dark in the house when he moved across the hallway to check up on Teresa first. She was awake, but it must be because she heard Charles' footsteps nearing her room, because she wasn't crying or whimpering. Her eyes sparkled when Charles lifted her up and a toothless smile was directed his way. "Good morning, my little angel". He cooed at her, keeping her wrapped up in her blanket while he brought her to the desk in the corner of her room, placing her on it so he could change her night diaper for a daytime one. Afterwards, he took her downstairs with him. After these four weeks, Joanne started to prefer to bottle feed her and they switched to a formula milk for Teresa.