Songbird

Anna hadn’t stopped fussing since Greg and Jeff had shown up on their front door step to see their new niece. Lindsey and Stevie alternated between feeding her, or, well, trying to feed her, rock her, burp her, even changed her diaper but nothing was calming the little one down.

"I’m sorry guys, she’s usually not like this." Stevie offered a meek apology as she rocked the child back and forth. She looked like she was about to cry. "Well, at least we know her true feelings towards her uncles." Lindsey winced, it sounded funnier in his head.

Greg smiled. “I have no idea what you’re talking about, little brother. I think she’s upset because the Dodgers are losing,” gesturing to the score on the screen. Lindsey mumbled something incoherent as he put is head on Stevie’s shoulder and watched as Anna continued to squawk and squirm in his girlfriend’s arms. The two brothers took pity on the new parents and decided to put them out of their misery.

Jeff got out the stroller while Greg put on his shoes. Suddenly, Anna was out of Stevie’s arms and being strapped into the stroller. Stevie and Lindsey bolted out of their seats. Greg put a calming hand on Lindsey’s shoulder. “Hey guys, relax, we’re just gonna take her on a walk, see if that’ll help settle her down.” Jeff nodded in agreement. “You guys can finally have some alone time or you know, time to shower since you smell like formula and dirty diaper.”

Lindsey lifted his shirt to his nose and quickly let it go as he realized Jeff was right, he indeed smelled like a dirty diaper and baby formula. Terrible combination.

"Come on little nightbird," Jeff cooed as the two brothers walked out the door. Greg chuckled. "She got her mama’s pair of lungs, I’ll give her that."

Stevie smiled as she heard the brothers bantering and when they shut the front door she reached up and slipped her arms around favorite Buckingham brother. “How ‘bout it Buckingham? Hot shower and a nap?” Lindsey rubbed Stevie’s sides and kissed her forehead. “As long as we get to do those things together.” Stevie rolled her eyes.

Three hours later two very exhausted men walked through the door, their niece finally asleep. “Lindseyyyyyyyyy, Steeeeeeevie, we’re home!”

Jeff hit his brother in the shoulder. “Shut up, Greg!” Greg whipped around. “What? I was just announcing our presence.”

"You wake her up and you’re on your own, man. It took us three hours to get her to sleep. Longest three hours of my life."

Greg waved him off. “Alright alright, let’s get her in her crib and then boot scootin boogy out of here.” As soon as Jeff picked her up, Anna’s eyes popped open.

Shit.