Baby Brother

31- Stressed Out

*Marcus's Perspective*
I felt a major pounding in my head, as I someone was hitting it with a hammer, which wasn't too far off. Josh wouldn't stop crying for his "dada" which got me worried since I didn't know what to do when James wasn't here. I got the toy shark that James had said was his favorite, but that didn't seem to do much. Poor baby. How could I do this without James? Josh doesn't trust us with this side of him. Will he ever? This was going to be a problem if he doesn't start trusting us. I had no idea what I could do to calm him down until James got here, which wasn't going to be until another four hours since he was still at work. I sighed and made a warm bottle, hoping he was just hungry, but he refused to take it. "Come on Yoshi," I sighed as I bounced him gently, trying to slip the bottle in his mouth. He still didn't stop. I'd decided to give up, having enough of his little fit. I took him to Nate and Tim's room, placing him in Nate's crib before leaving him, though I left his stuffie, paci, and bottle in there with him incase he changed his mind on them. I then go over to Mathew who was currently feeding Nate. "At least one of them is being good," I cooed as I tickled Nate's chin. Mathew looked up to me. "He wasn't a few minutes ago," he said. "Oh is that true?" I asked, knowing it was probably something small. All of us had neglected punishing Nate for anything ever since baby Josh got here since we knew it was a big adjustment for little Nate. I just know that here in a few months they will be best friends. They just need time to adjust; we all do. I sighed, heading Josh crying from the baby monitor. As much as I wanted to go get him, I knew I couldn't, he needs to learn how to part with his daddy, and I know he won't stop crying until he's here. A part of me wanted Josh to live with James, but I knew I'd miss him too much. Luckily, we had managed to get him on disability so our taxes were reduced, but it was still a struggle to make ends meet. I had applied for a few jobs, needing a second one to hold us afloat, Timothy and Mathew had started working at an auto parts company, which did help a bit, but it wasn't fair to them to not have any money in their pocket. I love my brothers and I can't have any of them being stressed, especially because I need them. I need them more than ever now. "Marcus! Get me out of here!" I hear Josh say from the baby monitor. That meant he was out of headspace. That easily? That's no good. I don't know what triggers it. I sighed and picked him up. "Are you done having your tantrum?" I asked as I bounced him in my arms. He rolled his eyes at me. "I'm not a baby," he said. I shook my head. "Yes you are," I cooed, mostly to embarrass him. "Does my big brother need a changy?" I teased more as I checked his diaper. "Hey!" He squirmed. I sighed and laid him down on the changing table. "Oh hush," I said as I began to change him, ignoring the fact he was no long little. After I changed him I picked him up, though he was fighting me the whole time. "Oh quit," I said, giving his thigh a harsh slap. He yelped a little. "I'm not little! Let me down!" He protested. I simply shook my head. "No, now quit before I have to spank you," I threaten, which immediately shut him up. "Good boy," I praised as I sat him next to Nate. "You can play with bubba okay?" The white haired boy nodded, saying nothing as he began to play, though he didn't really seem interested. Poor bubba. He must be missing James. I check the time. "Only a few more hours buddy," I whispered to him, making him blush. What a cutie, even when he wasn't little. How have I need realized that before? He was absolutely adorable, though Nate would sure give him a run for that title.