Baby Love

Chapter 61

Word Count: 2922

Taylor's POV

Averie clung to me for most of the evening, her small hands gripping my shirt as if she feared letting go would mean losing me. I could feel the tension in her tiny body, the way she pressed herself into me, seeking comfort and security. Joe stayed close by, wearing a concerned expression that mirrored my own, though he had a quieter way of showing it. He tends to pull inward, while my emotions spill out more easily. I've always worn my heart on my sleeve.

Joe and I tried to lighten the mood for Averie with dessert, offering cookies and ice cream in the dining room. Averie sat on my lap, barely touching her treat, more interested in staying close than eating. I gently coaxed her to take a few bites, but she mostly just nibbled at the edge of a cookie, her gaze nervously darting between Joe and me.

After dessert, my dad excused himself, heading out to his hotel. My aunt and uncle retired to their bedroom soon after, worn out from traveling. Ella and Mike went to put their youngest down, the small time change difference making her extra fussy. The house quieted down, leaving just us and the lingering tension from the evening.

Joe knelt beside Averie. His voice was soft and reassuring. "Hey, Nugget, how about we go and apologize to Austin and Henry now? They were excited to play with you."

Averie's grip on my hand tightened, her wide eyes reflecting a mix of fear and reluctance. I rubbed her back gently, nodding in encouragement. "We'll be right there with you, baby. It's just a little talk, and then you can color with them if you'd like."

After some hesitation, Averie nodded slowly. Joe took her small hand, and together we walked over to where Austin and Henry sat. Though I couldn't hear what she was saying, she looked nervous. Henry smiled a cheesy smile after and Austin nodded encouragingly. Her posture relaxed, and soon she was tugging Joe to sit beside her.

I smiled softly at the interaction before refocusing on helping my mom clean up the kitchen. Since she's hosting the holiday, there's a lot of preparation. The rhythmic clinking of dishes in the sink was oddly soothing, but I could feel my mom's eyes on me. "Hey Tay," she started, her voice gentle but curious, "What's going on with Averie? She seemed pretty upset during dinner, and Joe looked like he had a lot on his mind too."

I sighed, setting a dish aside. "She had a nightmare earlier, and it's just been... a tough day for her. She's still processing a lot. It was about...." Before I could elaborate, I felt a small body collide with my legs. I looked down to see Averie wrapping her arms around me, her face buried into my side. Joe appeared in the doorway, looking just as dazed as Averie, with Austin trailing behind.

"Hey, baby?" I cooed, lifting Averie onto my hip. The tension seemed to deflate from her little body as she clung to me.

"Paci?" she whispered into my shoulder, the question barely there but full of that familiar need for comfort.

I glanced at Joe, knowing we'd been talking about weaning her off the pacifier after the holiday. I don't think we even brought one over. I'm fairly certain my Dad would scold me since Averie is too old for one. "Are you getting tired, sweetie?" I asked, gently stroking her hair.

"No," she whined, shaking her head and burying her face deeper into me.

"You sound a little sleepy," I teased, swaying slightly as I rubbed her back in slow circles. "Maybe it's time to get Piglet and Daisy and go to bed."

"No, I'm not sleepy!" she huffed, her stubborn little voice making me smile.

"Stubborn like her mama," Austin teased, winking at me. I couldn't help but laugh.