That Time When I Fell Down the Stairs and Became a Jujutsu Sorcerer

Chapter 53 - G Side #6 - Dad-Toru

In the quiet of the night, Akie's cry pierced the stillness, dragging me yet again from any kind of deep sleep. Exhaustion clung to me like a heavy wet coat, but for her I'd do anything. Love for your own child was a far more formidable force than weariness, and the sound of her pitiful cries made my heart burn with a desperate need to solve every problem on the entire Earth at once.

As I entered her softly lit nursery, I saw her nestled in her crib with her tiny fists flailing in the air. I scooped her up, cradling her right against my chest and whispered whatever the hell I could think of. Didn't really matter what I said, she just wanted to hear something. I bounced her just lightly as I carried her to the kitchen.

I opened the fridge, humming softly to her as she hiccuped and desperately nudged at me to feed her. “Just a minute princess.” I mumbled to her, “It's alright. Just gotta warm it up.”

I leaned against the countertop with my free hand, yawning as I held her close. She felt so light, so delicate. Like she could shatter any moment. In the dim glow of the nightlight I couldn't help but marvel at her tiny fingers as they gripped at my shirt. So vulnerable but so strong at the same time.

“There we go.” I yawned as I checked the temperature on her bottle, “Straight from Mama just you.”

I tilted her back into the crook of my arm, and pushed the bottle gently to her lips. Eagerly she latched on, giving me a little stink eye for making her wait. I couldn't help but chuckle, her little eyes were so expressive for one so small.

I let my head fall back as soon as I got back to her room and sat in the comfortable armchair. Risky move, I could definitely have fallen asleep at any second but I definitely wouldn't drop her. The greater fear was falling asleep without burping her and then dealing with her with gas. Absolutely a nightmare. Didn't want to do that again.

She slurped down all the breast milk from her bottle and finally started to calm down. Pushing the bottle aside she gave a little contented sigh before relaxing in my arms. I put her up on my shoulder and patted her little back.

“Ah. Good work.” I said softly, hearing that tiny little burp and feeling her slump down comfortably.

I swore under my breath when I remembered I was supposed to change her first. I grunted as I forced myself to stand and get her over to the changing table. She was at least not one of those babies that piss all over you. I'd heard the horror stories about me from all the old ladies in the estate. Apparently I was champ with my aim.

She stared at me as I changed her, and I smiled at her and talked to her. I know I must have been saying the most sickeningly cheesy things to her but I couldn't help it. She was so precious. Sarah would always try to not to laugh when I talked to Akie like this, but it's not like I could help it.

Changed. Burped. Fed. I nodded through my little checklist before I sat back down in the armchair with her again. I propped my feet up on the leg rest and started singing a little song for her. I'd looked up a bunch online until I found one I thought was so sweet. I memorized it before she was born and used to sing it to her then. Once she was here she definitely remembered it and that made me literally want to cry.

♪♪Good night sleep tight

In the moonlight

Good night sleep tight

Until morning light

Good night, good night

I love you, good night 

Good night good night

I love you sleep tight