One Word One Shots

Lullaby

requested by maggie

Jasmine held her breath as she stood, hoping it was finally time. Star's eye's popped open and she started to whimper again. Jasmine sighed, sitting back down in the rocking chair. She had been trying to get her to sleep for the past few hours and she just wouldn't go down. She wasn't hungry and she didn't need to be changed, she was just being fussy.

Jasmine sighed, getting comfortable in the rocking chair and she had a feeling she was going to be there for a few more hours. Anthony had just gone back to work, which meant she was usually the one who was putting Star to bed.

She rubbed her cheek, leaning down and kissing her forehead. "What's wrong bubba?" she asked.

Star continued to whimper, wrapping her little hand around Jasmine's shirt. She tucked her head against Jasmine, crying softly. Jasmine sighed, continuing to do her best to comfort her. She had fed her about an hour ago and had tried singing lullabies, but every time she thought Star was asleep she would immediately wake back up and start fussing.

As the night grew on Jasmine started debating if something was wrong or if she was just being fussy. She googled the sleeplessness and felt relieved when she saw that it was most likely reverse cycling.

It was nearly midnight and Jasmine was half asleep herself. She looked down at Star who was staring up at her with wide eyes and still fussing.

"I jus' wish you would cooperate with me," she said to her, laughing softly.

Star cooed and quietly babbled something, playing with her hands.

"C'mon little one, work with me," she said, an idea popping into her head. She hummed quietly and began to sing.

Little lady sitten' there
World at her fingers while she combs her hair
Lookin' through the mirror lost in wonderland
Uncomfortable in her skin
Pick a color to box her in
Too scared to let the fire burn

Star immediately stopped fussing, staring up at Jasmine. She continued to sing and Star's eyes slowly started to shut.

So I said hold on, just a minute
It won't be long, just a minute
'Til you fly, oh oh oh
So I said hold on, just a minute
It won't be long, just a minute
'Til you fly, oh oh oh

She tried her best to make the song a lullaby and smiled when she had finished and Star's eyes were fully shut. She heard Anthony coming up the stairs to the main floor and she froze.

She quickly send him a text telling him to be as quiet as he could when he came upstairs so she would wake up. She put her phone away, continued to rock Star and press gentle kisses to her face.

Anthony was so quiet coming up the stairs that she almost didn't hear him and he appeared in the doorway of the nursery suddenly. He waved to Jasmine so that his voice wouldn't suddenly wake her up. She smiled back at him, knowing Star was slipping into a deep sleep.

After a few minutes, she carefully stood, keeping an eye on Star. She beckoned him over and he leaned down, kissing her forehead and brushing his thumb over her cheek.

She yawned and the two of them froze, silently sighing with relief when she didn't wake up. Jasmine whispered to her, "Sleep well my darling. Papa and I love you so much."

She carefully laid her in her crib, standing there for a few minutes to make sure she was fast asleep. The two of them quietly crept out of the room, continuing to keep an eye on her as Jasmine shut the door as silently as she could.

They let themselves breath when the door shut fully and laughed almost silently. "That was certainly an ordeal," Jasmine whispered. 

"Reverse cycling is a bitch," he responded, kissing her softly.

"I found the cure though," she responded.

"What is it?" he asked, furrowing his brow.

"Little Bird," she told him and his face lit up.

"As a lullaby?" he said.

"As a lullaby," she repeated.

"That's amazing," he said, chuckling. "I'm definitely gonna try that next time."

"We found the magic spell," she told him, cupping his face and kissing him.

"The magic spell," he said. "Magic lullaby."

"Never thought it would be my song," she said.

"Of course it would be," he responded. "You're her mama, she loves your voice."

Jasmine giggled, hugging him tightly. "You always find the way to make me feel like the best mom," she told him.

"You always will be," he whispered.

emmy award winner jasmine cephas jones emmy award winner jasmine cephas jones EMMY AWARD WINNER JASMINE CEPHAS JONES