JJ Maybank Imagines

Parenting🤍

It had just gone 1:30am. JJ was working a night shift, and you were taking care of your new 4 week old baby. Sleep wasn't an option when she was wailing all throughout the evening, so you were sat on the couch with Alice in your arms trying to calm her down.

You had read that a mother crying when her baby cries is the worst thing to help the situation. But you just couldn't help it.

You were unbelievably exhausted.

You were trying to be as quiet as possible as whimpers escaped your mouth. Tears dropped from your eyes too, but you tried to catch as many as possible with your hand so that they didn't touch your baby girl's face.

"Sh sh sh" You gently rocked her, caressing her soft but wet cheeks with your thumb.

Then you heard the front door open and close quietly.

JJ would usually call out but because it was so late, he crept in quietly with his bag on one shoulder. He was looking at the ground until Alice wailed again, making him look over at you both and immediately drop his bag off his shoulder and rush over.

"What's wrong, what's the matter?" He rushed onto his knees in front of you both.

He placed one hand on Alice's cheek, whilst the other brushed your tear-soaked hair away from your face and then went on to wipe the tears from under your eyes quickly.

You put your hand on your head, your fingers digging into your scalp.

"She won't-" You had to take a deep breath in order to finish your sentence without bursting into tears. "She won't stop crying and I don't know what to do, I don't know what I'm doing wrong" You let out a cry after, immediately covering your mouth to avoid stressing Alice out even more.

"Heyy no no, you're not doing anything wrong" JJ replied, still caressing the side of your head gently.

"I should be able to handle this right? Like this is what I'm supposed to be able to do as a mother and I-"

"Stop" JJ said, his hand now on the back of your neck as he shuffled further towards you. It didn't take much for him to ease your forehead onto his as he looked into your eyes.

"You are the most amazing mother. You're patient, you're wise, you're devoted. You're everything a person would want in a mom. This was always gonna be hard baby, hm?"

His words calmed you down. They always did.

They obviously calmed Alice down too, because she was only letting out tiny whimpers as soon as JJ began to speak.

You nodded, pursing your lips together and trying to hold back any more tears.

"I'm just so tired" You whispered to him.

"I know" JJ's hand soothed down the back of your head. "I know you are"

You almost fell asleep as he comforted you.

"Here. Let me take her" JJ said, so you passed her over to him slowly. He stood up gradually, Alice immediately beginning to cry again at the movement.

"Ooooh dear okay, you're not a happy bunny tonight are ya?" He moved her up and down slightly, trying to ease her.

You stared up at them both with tired eyes, your hand rubbing your forehead.

"Look I'll get her settled. You go into bed okay?" He said over her cries.

You nodded and did as JJ said.

~

Half an hour later and JJ quietly entered your bedroom.

You were quick to stir, sleepily admiring your boyfriend cradling his baby girl. 

"Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you" JJ whispered. Alice was quiet now. He gave you a sympathetic smile, going to put her in her crib but you stopped him.

"Can I have her here for a little while?" You asked quietly from the bed, scooting up and tapping the middle.

"Of course" JJ replied, placing her down where you wanted her.

He carefully lay on his side, propping his head on his hand that his elbow held up.

His other hand dropped down near Alice's, and she was quick to wrap her tiny hand around his index finger in her sleep. She did the same to yours, making you give a tired smile to her.

"I'm sorry Jay, you're the one getting back so late and you've had to-"

"Y/N" He interrupted you. "Don't stress. I'm fine"

"But you're probably so tired too" You pouted.

"I'm. Fine" JJ said slowly, nodding his head as he spoke.

You stared at him in silence before looking down at your baby.

"I feel like I'm not as good at this whole thing as I thought I would be" Your voice broke as you said that sentence. You were constantly bringing yourself and your role as a mother down, only to know in the back of your mind that this was the reality for everyone parenting.

You were just letting your exhausted mind take over.

"Babe this whole thing was never gonna be an easy ride, you know that. You're doing so good. She knows that" He motioned to Alice.

You nodded. Looking at her again, you couldn't help but tear up.

"She's so beautiful" You said to JJ quietly.

JJ nodded. "Like her mom"

You smiled at him, and he smiled back.

After a couple more minutes, JJ very gradually pulled his finger from Alice's grip.

"Right. You need'a get some rest now" He picked Alice up, making sure he wouldn't wake her, before taking her over to the crib and placing her in it.

After tucking her in, he got undressed and climbed under the covers next to you.

"Come here" He mumbled, pulling you towards him.

You were quick to snuggle into his body, loving the way he wrapped his arms around you tightly. Nuzzling his head into yours, you nodded off to sleep to the feeling off him rubbing your back.