Baby boy

Bath Time

Damien's pov

As the soft sounds from the baby monitor fade, I lean back into the couch, feeling the momentary peace settle over us. It's not long, though, before we hear a faint whimper through the speaker, followed by the unmistakable sound of little feet shifting in the crib.

I glance at Lauren, who smiles knowingly. "He's up," she says softly.

I nod, standing and stretching. "I'll get him," I offer, already heading upstairs. There's no mistaking that sound—Jesse's waking up a little grumpy, and after the day he's had, I don't blame him.

When I open the door to his room, I see him sitting in his crib, rubbing his eyes and frowning. His hair's a tousled mess, and his cheeks are flushed from sleep. He looks up at me with a pout, clutching his stuffed tiger.

"Hey, buddy," I say softly, walking over to him. "Did you have a good nap?"

He doesn't respond, just gives a little huff and holds his arms out for me to pick him up. I can't help but smile as I scoop him into my arms, feeling his small body melt into me. He's still warm from sleep, and I rub his back as I carry him downstairs.

By the time we reach the living room, Jesse's frown hasn't budged. Lauren looks up from the couch, chuckling softly. "Someone's a little grumpy, huh?"

Jesse buries his face in my chest, not wanting to engage. I pat his back, swaying a little. "Yeah, I think nap time wasn't long enough," I say with a grin.

Lauren stands and walks over, running a gentle hand over Jesse's hair. "How about a bath to help you wake up, sweetie?" she asks softly.

Jesse tenses in my arms at the mention of a bath, and I feel him grip my shirt a little tighter. His voice is quiet, barely a whisper. "No bath."

I exchange a look with Lauren. We both know bath time is still a little stressful for him—there's always a moment of hesitation, a flicker of anxiety that crosses his face. After everything he's been through, even simple routines like this can trigger old fears.

I press a kiss to the top of his head. "It's okay, Jesse. Mommy and Daddy will be with you the whole time, and you can play with your toys. We'll make it fun."

Jesse doesn't say anything, but his grip on me loosens slightly. I take that as a good sign, and we head toward the bathroom together. Lauren starts filling the tub with warm water, adding some bubbles and setting out a few bath toys—soft animals and boats. She makes sure everything is as gentle and welcoming as possible.

As the water fills, I sit down on the edge of the tub with Jesse still in my arms. "Look at all the bubbles, buddy. We'll have a bubble party, how about that?"

Jesse glances at the tub, his brow furrowed, still uncertain. I kneel down so we're at his level, making sure he can see the toys floating in the water. "You can splash and play, and if you want, we'll stay right here the whole time. Okay?"

He looks up at me, searching my face for reassurance. "You stay?"

"Of course, I'll stay," I say, nodding firmly. "Mommy and I will be right here. You're safe."

Finally, he gives a small nod, though I can tell he's still a bit nervous. Slowly, I help him out of his clothes, keeping things calm and steady. Lauren kneels beside me, talking softly to him the whole time, making sure he knows we're here and that nothing's going to hurt him.

Once he's ready, I lower him gently into the tub, and he stiffens at first, his hands gripping the sides. But after a moment, the warmth of the water seems to soothe him, and he relaxes, letting out a small sigh.

"There you go," I say softly, handing him one of the little bath toys. "See? It's not so bad."

Jesse takes the toy, watching it float on the water. He looks up at me again, still a little unsure, but I can see the tension starting to leave his body. Soon, he's cautiously splashing, creating small waves that send the toys bobbing around the tub.

Lauren and I stay close, offering gentle encouragement as he plays. After a while, he starts to giggle softly, catching a handful of bubbles and blowing them into the air. It's a small victory, but it feels huge to us.

"Look at that! You're making a bubble mountain," Lauren says, smiling as she joins in the fun, adding more bubbles to his growing pile.

Jesse smiles back at her, still hesitant but more relaxed now. I let him play for a while longer before gently washing him, making sure to keep things calm and reassuring. 

Once bath time is over, I wrap him in a fluffy towel and scoop him up, holding him close as we dry him off. He rests his head on my shoulder, seeming a little more content now, though the grumpiness hasn't completely disappeared. 

I lay him down quickly on the changing table, causing a whine to spill from my little boy's lips. But  quickly, I have him in a diaper and back in my arms.

"How about some dinner, bud?" I ask as we head back downstairs. "Mommy's making something yummy."

Jesse nods, still quiet but clearly warming up to the idea. Lauren has already started prepping dinner, and by the time we reach the kitchen, the delicious smell of chicken and vegetables fills the air.

"Smells good, huh?" I ask Jesse, bouncing him slightly on my hip. He nods again, his little nose twitching at the smell.

Lauren smiles at us as she sets the table. "Dinner's ready, sweetie. Let's get you in your highchair."

Jesse tenses again, turning his face into my chest. I know the highchair is another point of contention for him—he's still getting used to the idea, and sometimes it brings back those old feelings of being forced or confined.

I rub his back gently. "I know, buddy. The highchair is safe, though. It's just to keep you comfy while you eat. How about we try it for a little bit, and if you don't like it, you can sit with Daddy instead?"

He looks up at me, his face uncertain, but after a moment, he nods slowly.

"Good job, buddy," I say, giving him a reassuring smile. I place him in the highchair, making sure he's secure and comfortable. He fidgets a little, clearly still not a fan, but once Lauren sets his plate in front of him, his attention shifts to the food.

As he starts picking at the chicken and vegetables, I keep a close eye on him, ready to step in if he starts to get upset. But, to my relief, he seems content enough, taking small bites while glancing between Lauren and me.

Lauren smiles at him. "Is it yummy, Jesse?"

He nods, his cheeks full of food, and for the first time since his nap, he gives a small, shy smile. I feel a wave of relief wash over me, knowing we've managed to navigate another tricky moment.

By the time dinner is over, Jesse is much calmer, his earlier grumpiness melting away as the day winds down. I clean him up, making sure no stray bites of food are left on his face, and then scoop him up into my arms.

"Let's get you into some cozy pajamas, and then we can have some quiet time before bed," I say softly, kissing the top of his head.

Jesse wraps his arms around my neck, resting his head on my shoulder. "Okay, Daddy," he murmurs, his voice soft but content.

I smile, knowing that while there are still challenges ahead, moments like this—where he feels safe and loved—make all the hard parts worth it.