Stronger Together (bxb) ✔

Chapter 60 - Chase

This is Dr. Jean's Banana Dance and the part of the song that Chase was singing starts at 2:45

Chase's POV

Amy's piercing cries ring through the air, waking me from my sleep. My eyes flutter open and the red numbers on the digital clock on my bedside table alert me that it's two in the morning. There is shuffling noise, followed by hands reaching for Amy.

"No," I whisper. "Let her try to sleep again on her own." The arms retreat.

Aerial and Mason told me that they're trying to get Amy to self soothe since their pediatrician gave them the green light.

To give myself peace of mind, I touch her forehead to check her temperature, releasing a sigh of relief she isn't warm. Then I tentatively feel her diaper, which I find dry and decide to let her cry for a few minutes to see if she can get herself back to sleep.

My eyes drift to the clock. Two minutes have passed. Two minutes of Amy bawling her eyes out. It's taking all of my willpower not to cradle and kiss her back to sleep. Diego is sitting on the ground watching us in the dark. "I haven't taken care of a child in a long time but is it supposed to take that long?" Comes Diego's almost frantic whisper.

Evidently, he's having just as hard a time as I am, trying to ignore her wailing. Another minute passes and I'm twitching, my arms aching to soothe her. She can't be hungry either because we fed her and followed her nightly routine. Maybe a lullaby might help?

I take a deep breath and start singing. "Hush little baby, don't say a word, uncle's gonna buy you a mockingbird. And if that mockingbird won't sing, uncle's gonna buy you a diamond ring..."

By the fourth time I've finished singing the song, Amy is still bawling and I cave and scoop her up. Mason will not be happy about this, but how could I not soothe her! I spend the next few minutes giving her kisses, singing and rocking her, and her wails finally start to subside.

I sneak her pacifier back into her mouth and being very careful not to wake her, place her in the middle of the bed.

Diego flicks off the lights and moments later, he leans over the bed and kisses my cheek. "I didn't know you could sing," he whispers.

I release a muffled giggle and Diego kisses the side of my mouth before whispering, "I love you, little lamb."

A yawn escapes me and my eyes flutter close. "I love you too, DiDi."

Fortunately, Amy doesn't give anymore trouble after that, but wakes us up, by crying, at six in the morning. However, this was to be expected since this is her usual time to wake up, according to Mason.

I lift Amy into my arms, releasing a wide yawn, while Diego rubs his eyes with both hands. He looks absolutely adorable with his jet black hair sticking up in all directions and the left sleeve of T-shirt rolled up to his shoulder, showcasing his ripped bicep.

Yawning again, I take the crying baby to the kitchen and use one hand to make her formula. Leaving it to cool for a few minutes, I change Amy's diaper. Diego enters the kitchen a few minutes later, face washed and hair less messy, as I screw on the lid of Amy's bottle. He takes a still weepy Amy from me, after kissing my temple and starts feeding her while I head to the bathroom to freshen up.

When I return, cartoons are playing and Amy is happily drinking her formula. I snuggle next to Diego, resting my head on his shoulder and watching the cartoon animals sing and dance across the screen.

After a few minutes of serenity, I peck Diego's cheek and head to the kitchen to start breakfast. Diego loves coffee and drinks at least one cup a day, usually more, so I start the coffee machine and put on hot water so I can make tea for myself.