Blood and Water

Chapter 139: Times Like These

Times Like These - Foo Fighters

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Ear piercing screams came from Cait's room as the sun crept into her window. She kept hollering and crying until Chibs stumbled into the room. Holding onto the door frame, he rubbed his eye and yawned. He picked her up out of the crib and bounced her, pacing around the room.

"I'm sorry, little love," he whispered. "Ye got my sleep schedule." She slowly fell asleep, resting her tiny head on his collarbone. Every time he tried to lay her back down she would wake up and start crying again.

Mina woke up around six-thirty when she heard Cait begin to cry and then Chibs speaking. She stood up and walked down the hall, her eyes slowly adjusting to the darkness. Sticking her head into the room, she watched her husband walk around the room sleepily, trying to keep their daughter content. He looked exhausted.

"Lemme take her," she whispered, stepping into the room. Outstretching her arms, she walked over to Chibs. "Go get some sleep, babe."

He shook his head, yawning, "I'm a'right, love."

"No," she argued, putting her hands under Cait's arms. "You've got shit to do today. Go get some sleep."

"I feel bad," he confessed as she took the stirring baby. "Are ye sure?" She nodded as she rubbed Cait's back. "I love ya," he sighed, leaning down to kiss her.

Mina smiled, "I love you too." As he walked out, she asked, "Do you want me to wake you up?"

He nodded, "Please." She nodded, turning her attention back to Cait as she started to cry. Chibs walked back into their bedroom and flopped down on the bed, falling asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow.

Walking in a circle around the room, Mina hummed quietly to Cait, keeping her soothed as she slept. Mina sat down in the rocking chair and rocked slowly. After a few hours, she laid Cait back down in the crib, hoping she stayed asleep. To Mina's surprise, she continued sleeping, stretching her arms above her head.

Mina went into their bedroom and sat down next to Chibs on the bed. He was sound asleep with his hands tucked under the pillow and his shaggy hair hanging over his face. She stared down at him as he slept. Brushing his hair off the side of his face, she whispered, "Baby?" He grunted as a response, turning his head away from her hand. "It's nine o'clock."

"Shite," he groaned. He opened his eyes, looking up at Mina's beautiful blue eyes that he couldn't live without staring back down at him. "How's our darling daughter?" he asked, grabbing her hand.

"Sleeping," she answered.

Chibs laughed, "It's about time." His phone buzzed twice and he grabbed it off the nightstand to check. "Shite, they're meeting soon. I gotta get ready," he yawned.

He sat up and kissed Mina as he stood from the bed. As their lips connected, moving slowly against each other, Cait's distant cries were heard. Mina groaned, "I'm just gonna get her up and then make her nap later. I can't do this anymore."

"I'm sorry, love," he sighed, kissing her forehead. "D'ya want me to do anythin' before I go?"

Mina shook her head, flopping back on the bed. "No, I'll be fine." She closed her eyes for a moment before Cait's cries turned into screams. Mina groaned, getting up from the bed. She walked out of the room and down the hall again. "I'm coming, baby. I'm coming." Picking her up out of the crib, she kissed her head and carried her back into the bedroom. "Say 'good morning' to Daddy."

"G'mornin', my little love," Chibs smiled, taking Cait from Mina and holding her high above his head. Lowering her down, he kissed her cheek, blowing a raspberry on it before pushing her back up. Cait giggled as he did it a few more times.