Hoops & Harmonies

Come Get Your Baby!

Angel shifted Jasai higher on her shoulder, gently patting his back as his little cries filled the quiet house. Her phone was wedged between her ear and cheek while she kept pacing the floor, bouncing him lightly.

"Hey baby," Monica's warm voice came through the line.

"Hey baby," Angel sighed, tired but still soft. "When are y'all coming back? Jasai is being super fussy."

"We'll be back tomorrow," Monica said. Angel could hear the faint noise of a hotel in the background. "Is he hungry?"

"No, he just had a bottle," Angel replied, rubbing Jasai's back as he whimpered.

"Does he need to be changed?"

"I did that too," Angel said, switching him to her other shoulder. "It's not that."

"Maybe he's just tired and fighting his sleep. Put me on speaker."

Angel adjusted the phone, setting it to speaker, and held it near Jasai. Monica's voice came through, sweet and playful. "What's the matter, grandson?"

The baby's cries softened just a little. Angel looked down at him, surprised.

Monica kept talking, her tone light and sing-songy. "What's wrong, papa? Who did it to the baby?"

Jasai let out a little coo, as if trying to answer.

"Ohhh, you're sleepy, aren't you?" Monica said knowingly. Then, without missing a beat, she began humming and singing a soft lullaby, her voice floating through the speaker like comfort wrapped in sound.

Slowly, Jasai's cries dwindled into tiny hiccups, then nothing at all. His eyes fluttered shut, his little body relaxing against Angel.

Angel let out a long exhale of relief. "Finally," she whispered, walking him over to the bassinet. She laid him down gently, pulled the blanket over him, and switched on the gentle rocking motion.

"You're a lifesaver," Angel said, picking the phone back up. She sank onto the couch with a laugh. "I tried everything. Rock wasn't answering the phone."

Monica chuckled on the other end. "Probably because he knew you were going to tell him to come get his baby."

"Hell yeah," Angel admitted, shaking her head. "He knows I don't like babysitting. Hurry up and come home."

"I'm trying," Monica laughed. "I'll be home early tomorrow morning. I love you. Take a nap while he's napping."

"Good idea," Angel said, already kicking her feet up. "I love you too. And tell my daughters I'm sending them money."

Monica groaned. "Will you stop spoiling our kids?"

"Never," Angel grinned. "I'm sending you some too."

Monica laughed, the sound warm and full. "Talk to you later, baby."

"Later," Angel said softly before ending the call. She leaned her head back against the couch, finally letting herself relax, the house quiet again except for the gentle hum of the bassinet.