Baby Pogue // JJ Maybank

sleeping

"Avie! I'm home!" JJ shouted as he entered the door of his apartment. He got off a little early today, looking forward to spending time with his girlfriend and daughter.

He shut the door behind him as his eyebrows knitted together when no one responded, "Baby?" JJ threw his backpack on the kitchen counter and walked further into his home. It was almost too quiet.

"Hi, Dada!" A little voice sounded as a small figure popped out of the bathroom in the hallway.

"Jesus." JJ whispered as he placed a hand over his heart, not expecting Riv to pop out at him, "Hey, Rivvy." He knelt down and placed his hand on her back, pulling her into his chest.

He noticed she was in a t-shirt and a diaper, no pants or skirt on her lower half causing JJ to grow confused at her wardrobe. 

"I mish you today." Riv told her father as she hugged him, pressing her cheek to his chest.

JJ chuckled, "I miss you everyday, cupcake."

Riv pulled away from him and scrunched her nose up, "Mama say no call me dat."

"Mama also says to save money but where does she take you everyday?" He scooped her up into his arms, placing her to sit on his hip as he stood up, "What were you doin?"

"Takin' bath." She pointed to the bathroom beside them.

"Is that where you guys were?" JJ asked as he walked into the bathroom only to find it empty. The bathtub was running water but the drain was open, not holding any water in for a bath. Confusion further sunk into JJ's head.

Riv shook her head, "No, I take bath."

"Riv, where's Mommy?" He asked her more seriously as he leaned over slightly to turn the faucet off.

"On da couch." She pointed to outside the bathroom door.

JJ nodded and headed towards the living room only to find his girlfriend sleeping on the couch as River tried to tell him.

"Mommy." Riv said in a sweet tone as a smile formed on her lips, leaning her head into her father's neck.

"When did Mommy fall asleep?" He asked her as he stared at Avie who was curled on her side facing outward. Her phone was about to slip out of her hand, making it seem as if she accidentally fell asleep.

"Umm," Riv picked her head up and poked at her lip in thought, "Now."

JJ sighed and placed his daughter on her feet, "Go wait in your room."

"Tay." She nodded once and turned on her heels to go to her room.

"And don't touch any water!"

"Okay!" 

JJ shook his head then knelt beside the couch, "Aves."

"Hm." Avie's eyebrows furrowed in her sleep.

"Avie!" He was losing his patience. Finding his two year old daughter trying to take a bath alone while his girlfriend slept on the couch wasn't exactly his ideal scenario to come home to. If that drain was shut, who knows how much water could have filled in the tub. River could have been in there and traumatized or worst. 

Avie's eyes opened with the loudness of JJ's voice as she propped herself up on her elbows, "J, what the hell?" She looked around with sleep under her eyes, "Holy shit.. How long have I been asleep for?"

"I don't know just my daughter was about to drown while you slept. You tell me!" JJ stood up as he backed away giving her some space.

"What?" Avie sat up, "Are you serious?" The panic was written in her eyes and fear rushed through her veins, instantly feeling worried that something bad had happened.