a book of parent!phan

23. the chronicles of teething.

Dan paced around the bedroom, Lily in his arms. He rubbed her back, kissing her head. She sniffled, whimpering once in a while.

Lily was teething, and two of her teeth were just jutting out of her gums. She would cry because of the pain, and it tore Dan's heart.

"Poor baby," he said, shushing her quietly. Lily gripped Dan's shirt, her cheek pressed against her chest.

"Teething is silly, isn't it," he mumbled, stroking her shoulder. "Doesn't feel very nice, huh?"

Lily's bottom lip jutted out, and she started to cry.

"Come here, babe," cooed Dan softly, and he held her close, swaying. "I'm sorry, angel, I can't give you any medicine. It'll make you sleepy again."

"How about we do something fun?" he said excitedly, trying to lift her mood. "How about Lily and Daddy do some art, yeah?"

-

A few moments later Dan and Lily were on the guest bed, paper and markers spread out in front on them.

Lily poked at the paper with her markers, letting her marker drag across the paper. Sometimes her hand kept scribbling, and she would draw on the bed.

"Ooh, and some green on the duvet, lovely," laughed Dan. He was busy drawing Lily's name, decorating it with hearts and little smiley faces.

Lily babbled and smiled, tossing capless markers everywhere. Dan capped them and collected them neatly, chuckling and stroking her hair back.

"You're a very messy artist, aren't you,' he murmured. Lily giggled to herself, squirming restlessly.  She turned over on her side, and Dan gasped.

"Lily," giggled Dan. She had a bright, large orange spot on her bum, and he found an orange marker roll out from under her leg.

"That's the end of those pj's. Don't tell Papa," he said, grinning. He paused, and reached over to caress her cheek. "You feeling better, angel?"

Lily gave him a wide grin, hearing his dad's voice cooing to her.

"You're too sweet."

-

Later, Dan carried Lily in his arms and they padded into Phil's office. In Lily's little fist, she held a paper with her scribbles on it; with To: Papa, From: Lily, written by Dan on the top corner.

Dan knocked on the open door, and Phil turned around from his office chair. He saw the two and grinned, waving to Lily and cooing. "Hello," he exclaimed.

"Lily's feeling better. She made something for Papa. Isn't that right?" he asked her. Lily obviously did not understand but still laughed at her Dad's voice.

"Thank you," said Phil as Dan lowered her down so Phil could take the picture from her hand. "Wow," he said, smiling at the scribbled drawing. "Lily's first drawing! Great job, baby." Phil leaned in to kiss her cheek.

They paused. Lily's lip jutted out, and suddenly, she was crying.

Dan sighed. Round two.