Two Pink Lines

chapter 15: dada

James was now six months old, and he couldn't be growing up faster. He had been babbling incoherent words, but had yet to put together a real word.

Joe rock James back and forth, trying to get him to go back to sleep. Taylor was sitting on the couch, trying to answer some emails.

Joe leaned down while still holding James, and grabbed the binky, trying to get James to stop crying. "Love, where's his stuffed monkey?"

Taylor looked up from her computer, "Remember, we lost it last week. I still haven't found it."

James let out another cry, and Joe rocked James back and forth. "Shhh," Joe said softly, trying to call him down.

When James continued to cry, Joe looked back to Taylor, "Can you sing to him?"

Taylor nodded, putting her computer to the side, and taking James. She stroked his head gently, "Is it romantic how all my elegies, eulogize me. I'm not cut out for all these, cynical clones, these hunters with cell phones."

James cries slowed, and soon his eyes closed, curling up into his mom's chest. Joe smiled as Taylor handed him back, "Sorry I know you're busy."

"It's alright," Taylor said, pulling her computer to go back to work.

Joe carried James over to his room, setting him down in his crib before coming back out to where Taylor was. Joe sat down next to her, running his hand through his hair and closing his eyes.

Taylor turned to him, "Tired?"

Joe nodded, and Taylor kissed his cheek, "C'mere, you can rest your head on my lap."

Joe did just that, stretching his legs out on the couch and laying his head on her lap. Taylor set her computer on the table, so she could work while using her other hand to comb through Joe's hair.

Thirty minutes later, Joe was asleep on Taylor's lap, but Taylor's legs were going numb. She tried to maneuver out, placing a pillow for Joe's head. The attempt was unsuccessful, and Joe woke up, turning to his wife. "Where are you going?"

"Ramen, I'm hungry," Taylor said, standing up.

"Can we just cuddle?" Joe asked, making puppy dog eyes.

Taylor just shrugged, "Ramen before husbands."

Joe groaned, "You're mean."

Taylor didn't respond, instead boiling water. Joe stood up, walking over to the kitchen and placing his arms around he waist, causing her to jump a little. Joe placed a kiss on her shoulder, and Taylor turned around, resting her head on his chest. Joe kissed her softly, and Taylor reciprocated. "Now cuddle?" Joe mumbled into her lips.

Taylor giggled pulling away and turning back to the stove, "Sorry darling."

Joe groaned, giving up and going to sit at the counter, resting his head on his arms. Once Taylor finished making her ramen she came over to him, sitting down on the stool. Joe watched her eat, waiting for her to finish. Taylor turned to him, "Want a bite?"

Joe nodded, opening his mouth. Taylor used her chopsticks to pick up a few noodles, putting them in Joe's mouth. Joe smiled, "Yummy."

Taylor smiled, taking a bit for herself. "Can I have another bite?" Joe asked.

Taylor put more noodles in his mouth, before giving his a kiss on the cheek. Joe chuckled, and they bean alternating bites, Taylor feeding Joe. Eventually they finished the bowl, and Taylor stood up, putting it in the dishwasher. Joe stood up as well, wrapping his arms around her, "Cuddle now?"