You Get It

Daddy Day Care

"Her bottles are already made and are on the left side of the fridge next to your morning shakes. I pumped enough for three bottles so it should be more than enough but if not text me and I'll rush home. The diaper cream is in the little basket next to her changing table but make sure you rub it in your hands first because she gets kind of grumpy if you put it on cold. If she gets super irritable and won't stop crying she really likes You Are My Sunshine so just sing it or play it and she should stop. If she-" Olivia rambled, rocking Maddy gently before Spencer cut her off.

"Babe, I got this. I am her dad you know?" Spencer chuckled lightly, sensing his wife's nerves. Their baby girl was now 3 months old and Olivia usually didn't leave her side for more than s two-hour date night or store run. Sensing she needed real time away, he offered to stay with the baby while Olivia went on a spa day with Kia.

"I know, I know. You're amazing and you guys love each other so much and I know you'll be fine but she's my baby. That mom guilt everyone warned me about is so real...." She looked down at her daughter and couldn't help but get a little teary. She took a deep breath to stop the tears before turning to him. "Are you sure I should go? I mean I can always reschedule. You know, to when she's in Kindergarten and can ask to call her mom. I'm sure Kia will understand." Liv said with a slight smile, only half joking.

Spencer let out a light laugh, "Baby, Kia will kill you and me if you don't get out of here. And then you'll end up going crazy from not taking care of you. Working from home is great but Maddy knows you love her, y'all are together all day, every day and you're an amazing mom. Take some time for you. We're good." he reassured.

"Fine. I'm going. But if she doesn't stop crying though, seriously Spencer- call me. I'm not kidding." She said firmly.

"You got it, boss." He said pecking her lips before taking his daughter in his arms.

"Alright I am leaving before I completely breakdown and don't make it out the driveway." She said, looking at her two favorite people with a small smile. She leaned in for a quick peck and then walked towards the door. Giving a small shake of her head as she looked back one final time, she took a small breath and walked out.

"Looks like it's just you and me baby girl. We got this. Daddy's got this." He said to the brown eyed baby girl. She looked up at him before scrunching her face and crying.

"Oh no, no, no baby- it's okay! Daddy's here, you're okay!" He said immediately beginning to panic at the now uncontrollable sobs.

"Here, you want your lovey? Robert the giraffe is your favorite! Here you go, princess" he said trying to comfort the screaming infant with no luck.

He started scrambling his brain, running out of ways to comfort her. Trying everything from a warm bath to placing her on her play mat and lying next to her trying to get her to see the toys she usually loved kicking at.

"Okay, baby girl lets figure this out together. Mommy will be back soon and she's usually much better at this stuff than I am so let's work together, alright? How about your song? Huh, wanna try that?" he questioned before starting to sing the first lines.

Maddy briefly stopped and Spencer let out a breath in relief. The song was working. However, it was short lived as she started up again and louder.

"Why don't we see if Uncle Jordan and Auntie Simone can bring Liam over? You love your cousin, lets try that" he said hopefully as he pulled out his phone to call his brother-in-law.

The phone rang a few beats before the sounds of a screaming baby greeted him from the other end.

"Yo, J- you good bro?" Spencer asked confused.

"Spence, I'm so glad you called man. Simone just left because Liv called on her way to some spa day with Kia and invited her. Liam hasn't stopped crying since and I have no clue what to do anymore. I've tried everything man." He said in a slight panic.

"Maddy started up as soon as Liv left. Why don't y'all come over. That way we can at least try together."

"Ugh, thank you man. We're on our way, see you soon"

They hung up and Spencer sighed in relief just as his phone dinged.

Liv💚👸🏽: Hows it going babe? You guys okay?

His eyes widened and he contemplated his options quickly before deciding to shoot back:

Great babe! The song works like a charm 😊 Have fun

He put his phone away as he heard a knock at the door and he opened it to find a flustered Jordan carrying a screaming Liam in his car seat.

"What do we do?! How do mothers do this?! He never cries like this any other time, it's like he senses she's gone for a long time today" he spat out hysterically.

"Listen man, we're the Dads. We got this. Maddy loves me and Liam loves you. We just gotta breathe and let them know Dad is here. Confidence, bro." he said feeling a bit more relaxed from having to calm Jordan.

"Alright, alright you're right. Let's do this." They sat the babies in their bouncing seats and started to rock them, rattle toys, dance, and sing but were met with cries and stares from the extremely unimpressed duo.

After forty-five minutes and the cries still going, Spencer let out a defeated sigh.

"Maddy loves You Are My Sunshine, maybe he will too. Let's try that again" Spencer said seriously.

"I'm down for anything at this point"

After the first verse and the heightened screams not ceasing, the men looked at each other before Jordan spoke up "Why don't we try Big Poppa? I swear he loves that one, he never cries when I play it in the car. He's clearly a Biggie fan and I'm sure my niece is too."

"J, that might be top tier stupidest thing you've ever said. You know that ain't gonna work, right"

"So you say- let's just try, not like it can make them cry harder"

Shaking his head, Spencer just shrugged his shoulders before finally relenting. "Alright, fine you start"

Jordan let out a small breath and began with Spencer joining after a few lines. To their surprise and relief, the babies began to slowly stop crying.

"Holy shit. That actually worked" Spencer cheered with a wide grin.

"Told you man." Jordan said proudly.

They took the babies out of their seats and cradled them on their chests, making their way to the couch to turn on the television and catch the end of a game.

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About three hours later and with Jordan and Liam long gone, Olivia walked into the James household to see a sleeping Maddy resting on her also sleeping father.

"Oh my god. He makes me want to have another tomorrow. How cute are they?" Olivia said with a pout as she took a picture of the site. She quietly walked over and snuggled under his free arm. Spencer stirred slightly, and offered a sleepy "Hey, baby. How was your girls day?"

"It was great. Relaxing. How'd it go for you guys?" she questioned.

Deciding against worrying her from the cry fest or feeling her wrath for introducing their baby to some more....adult words, he said "It went great. J and Liam even stopped by"

"That's great, babe. I knew you guys would be fine. Maybe, I can make this a once-a-week thing after your practices or something-"

"Let's see how our schedules keep looking" Spencer cut her off with a slight panic in his tone.

Liv just looked at with a confused expression before giggling and saying, "Alright. Well I appreciate you. You're such a great father and husband."

"From the baddest mom and wife in the world. I'll take it." He said pecking her lips before they all drifted off to sleep.