Timeless: Tayvis Oneshots

the ups and downs of babies

Taylor's POV

I was nervous.

I mean, I had babysat before, heaps of times. Wyatt and Eliotte and Bennett were the sweetest little girls and I loved going over there to look after them for an evening with Travis while Jason and Kylie went out to something. We had so much fun.

But this? I felt a little out of my depth. Capable, but tentative.

"You're sure this is fine?" Kylie fussed, hovering at the door. The older three girls were already being rounded up into the car by Jason, and Kylie was fretting a little, worried for me, not so much about me. She knew I wouldn't have agreed if I couldn't do it.

"Ky, you guys have been elbow deep in diapers and sleepless nights for months." I reminded her. "A newborn takes up a lot of your attention, so it'll be so nice for the girls to have some time with their parents without all of that fuss. Finn and I will be just fine."

"Okay." Kylie smiled. "Call me or Jason if you need anything."

"I will, you guys drive safe." I hugged her tightly. "And have fun." I whispered into her ear. "Relax."

"I'll try." She laughed, and I joined in, waving at the girls as Jason closed the car doors.

I watched them drive away together, leaning against the frame of the front door. Once their car had vanished, I was very aware of how quiet the property was, and how odd it felt. It was normally chaos, running feet, the girls playing, Jason and Kylie moving around it all, but now it was just me and a baby who was currently sleeping.

The older girls knew that their baby sister needed a lot of attention, but when Jason had suggested to me that they might benefit from a break, I'd agreed it was a good idea. Finn was sleeping better than she had been a few weeks ago, so Kylie felt better about leaving her, and I knew she trusted me with everything she had. Travis had wanted to come with me and spend the few days in Philly, but he was swamped in Kansas City right now and it wouldn't have worked. So here I was, a three hour flight away from my boyfriend, babysitting his niece on my own. 

Well, our niece. I knew I wasn't related to the girls even through marriage – though that might change sometime in the next few years – but I loved them to bits like they were my own flesh and blood. I absolutely adored every single one of them, and I made sure they knew it too. Sometimes I did spoil them a little, but I couldn't help it.

As I turned away from the entrance, I heard a little sound from down the hall. Smiling to myself, I closed and locked the door before going all the way down to Finn's room and peeking inside, just in case she was making noises in her sleep. I didn't want to wake her.

"Hi sweet girl." I whispered when I saw the little baby already awake, kicking her legs as she stared up at the little mobile hanging above her cot. "Did you have a good sleep, yeah?" I crooned, pushing the door wider open and crossing over to her. She made a little cooing noise, stuffing her fist into her mouth. "Hi." I whispered, leaning over the edge of the cot, smiling adoringly at my niece. God, she was just the sweetest little thing I'd ever seen. I fell so much more in love with this little girl every time I looked into her eyes.

Finn hadn't slept for long, so I tried keeping her in the crib, just reaching in and rubbing her stomach in slow circles. It worked quickly, and soon she was fast asleep again. I left the room very quietly, knowing just how easy it was to wake a baby. I swore, you could vacuum right next to their heads and they wouldn't stir, but one creaky floorboard? Wide awake.

Wanting Jason and Kylie to come back to a relaxing, clean house, I started putting away a few things. I did the dishes, brought the washing in to fold and put away, and stacked the girls toys back into their proper places. As I tidied up the playroom, my phone started vibrating in my back pocket. I straightened up, reaching to grab it.