D&B5

32

"What’s the baby’s name?" Ingfa asked Brick as they entered the house together.

"Ob," Brick replied. He was currently holding his son and sitting on the sofa, while Ingfa sat down beside him.

"The baby is so tiny!" Ingfa exclaimed. Brick chuckled softly because Ingfa was the only one saying that little Ob was small; all the adults were saying Ob was chubby.

"Do you want to hold him?" Brick asked. Ingfa nodded eagerly, her eyes sparkling. Brick had her lean back comfortably against the sofa and then gently laid little Ob into her arms. The little guy, having had a good nap, looked up at Ingfa with interest.

"Little Ob, I’m your big sister Ingfa," Ingfa said.

"Ooooo, uh," little Ob responded with charming babbles. Ingfa kept chatting with her little brother, and Ob replied back.

"Wow, he’s quite the talker, isn’t he, my nephew?" Bank, who had finished helping with the deliveries, came and sat beside his daughter, watching little Ob.

"Dad, can you hold the baby? My arms are getting tired," Ingfa said softly, making everyone laugh.

"Is the baby a bit heavy for you?" Brick teased.

"Just a little. My arms aren’t strong," Ingfa replied. It might have been because little Ob kept wriggling, so Ingfa had to tense her arms to keep him from slipping.

"Come here. Dad will hold him," Bank took little Ob immediately. When he leaned in closer to tease, little Ob grabbed a fistful of Bank's hair.

"Ouch! P'Day's kid is tough even from a young age!" Bank joked, laughing. Brick helped pry little Ob’s hand away from Bank's hair.

"Not that, little Ob! Uncle Bank hurts!" Brick said. Ob made a little wailing sound as if he disagreed, and everyone smiled.

"He’s really smart! He plays along with Ingfa but is a little mischievous with his uncle," Bank said with a grin.

"Where’s Phai?" Day asked.

"He's at the shop. A band is coming for auditions today. He told me to let you know that he’ll come see the baby tonight," Bank replied. Day nodded.

"Aren’t you going to the shop, P'Day?" Bank asked.

"Yeah, I’m taking little Ob to meet the others at the shop," Day answered.

"Then I’ll take Cotton to my house. I’ll come back for dinner later. You guys don’t need to buy anything; I’ll take care of it," Bank offered. Day and Brick agreed before Bank and Ingfa took Cotton back to their home, while Day and Brick headed to the car to go to the shop.

Ring... ring... ring

While they were in the car, Brick's phone rang. He picked it up and answered.

"Hey, Beam,";Brick said.

("You and Day are bringing the baby back to Kanchan?") Beam immediately asked.

"Yep, we’re headed to the shop now. We just dropped some things off at home first," Brick replied.

("Can I come see the baby tonight?") Beam asked, his voice full of excitement.

"Of course! Come have dinner with us. Who are you coming with?" Brick asked back.

("I’ll invite P'Kan to come along. See you tonight!") Beam said. Brick agreed before hanging up and informing Day that Beam and Kan would visit in the evening. Day then called Bank to prepare food for both of them as well.

Before long, they arrived at the shop. Brick had a baby carrier made for a three-month-old, suitable for little Ob, who was strong enough to sit in it. The doctor had recommended the carrier, and Day looked at their son in the carrier, switching his gaze between Brick and little Ob, unable to resist lifting his phone to take a picture.