“Suggesting we were parents.”
“You’re right. They probably do take turns.” I repress a wide yawn with the back of my hand. “But apparently, I’m a stubborn eejit, so I’m getting up too. I can catch up on sleep during the day.”
We trudge downstairs. I follow Callan’s instructions to make the bottle while he tries to settle Aidan.
“We need Hendrix,” he says. “Aidan likes his humming.”
“Will I do?” Theo asks. He rubs his eyes as he joins us.
“I’m sorry,” Callan says.
Theo laughs. “Don’t be. I’m on a day off, so I can sleep later.” He holds his hands out, and Callan hands him the baby. Theo coos, makes sweet, burbling noises, and gives Aidan his finger to suck on. Before long, Aidan becomes quieter. “He’s hungry. And adorable.”
“You’re good with him too.” Callan grimaces. “I think I know how Niamh felt when she was struggling and I swooped in and was able to quiet him.”
“Babies can feel the tension of the person holding them.”
“That’s what I told Niamh.” Callan looks at the floor. “I’m not sure she heard me.”
Theo presses his lips together and smiles sadly. “You look tired. Why don’t you go and sleep? I can look after Aidan for a few hours.”
“Are…are you sure?”
“Of course.”
Callan rubs the back of his neck. “It’s only his first night here.”
“So? You need to sleep.”
“It’s not giving up,” I say softly as I rub Callan’s back. “You’ll be better equipped to be a dad if you’re rested.”
Theo beams. “You know what they say.. It takes eight housemates to raise a baby!”
“I’m not sure that’s the saying,” Callan says.
I kiss his jaw. “Close enough. You can trust Theo.”
“I know I can. It’s not that I don’t trust you,” he says to Theo.
Theo inclines his head. “I know.”
“I feel guilty.”
“Don’t,” Theo urges. “They used to have nurseries in maternity wards. The nurses would look after the babies overnight while the new mums slept. I have no idea why they got rid of them. They were an excellent idea. That was long before I started nursing. I don’t even think they had them when I was born.”
“Probably cost-cutting,” I say.
Theo sighs. “Probably. My point is that you don’t need to feel bad about taking care of yourself. I’m here and happy to help. I have a bit of experience with babies. I work on a children’s ward,” he adds.
“We could go to my room,” I suggest. “That way, Theo could settle Aidan in the cot once he’s been fed.”
“Great idea.” Theo beams at us. “I’ll stay with him and nap until his next feed. Then you can take over.”
Callan worries at his lip. “Are you sure you don’t mind?”
“Positive. I love babies.”
I smile at Theo. He’d make a great dad.
