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Two weeks have passed since Sarah and Valerie had returned from the hospital. It had been a lovely two week, really. James would go to work in the morning, kissing his girls goodbye as they slept. Sarah, after finagling a deal with her boss, would do her work at home. Restlessness would get to her quickly though and she'd often wind up in Milliways for breaks.
It really had been a lovely two weeks. Valerie and James went on their first father-daughter outing. Sarah had appointed John godfather to her daughter. Really, the past two weeks had been lovely. A perfect start to their little family.
That is, until five nights ago.
Five nights ago, Valerie had discovered a new game. She was generally a quiet and wide-eyed child. She'd cry mostly for food or for a diaper change. Occasionally, it was for attention. But for the first four days, she had kept to crying during the day.
Five nights ago, it all changed.
The hallway clock chimes loudly, but not nearly as loud as the cries echoing through the baby monitor. Sarah Jane stirs in her sleep, snuggling up against the man beside her. An arm flings outward as she tries to ignore the cries. Maybe if she hid her head, they'd go away.
It really had been a lovely two weeks. Valerie and James went on their first father-daughter outing. Sarah had appointed John godfather to her daughter. Really, the past two weeks had been lovely. A perfect start to their little family.
That is, until five nights ago.
Five nights ago, Valerie had discovered a new game. She was generally a quiet and wide-eyed child. She'd cry mostly for food or for a diaper change. Occasionally, it was for attention. But for the first four days, she had kept to crying during the day.
Five nights ago, it all changed.
The hallway clock chimes loudly, but not nearly as loud as the cries echoing through the baby monitor. Sarah Jane stirs in her sleep, snuggling up against the man beside her. An arm flings outward as she tries to ignore the cries. Maybe if she hid her head, they'd go away.
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Date: 2008-01-11 04:09 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-01-11 04:18 am (UTC)Sarah Jane tries to blink but her eyes won't open. Instead, she continues to snuggle her head against James' chest. But the crying continues.
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Date: 2008-01-11 04:24 am (UTC)"Isinkebabysky," he repeats.
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Date: 2008-01-11 04:32 am (UTC)Sarah Jane accidentally kicks James' leg as she tries to sit up. She grabs the alarm clock and frowns. One a.m. Far too early.
"James," she murmurs, blinking sleep away. "'ames, Valerie's cryin'"
And she can't remember who's turn it was to deal with it.
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Date: 2008-01-11 05:32 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-01-11 06:27 pm (UTC)Next step is to look for a robe. She flicks on the lamp next to the bed and blinks in the annoying brightness. It's too early to be awake. Far too early.
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Date: 2008-01-11 06:54 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-01-11 10:01 pm (UTC)"Men," she murmurs as she grabs the robe off her bed. Baby's are not just a woman's responsibility. "I'll be right back, darling."
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Date: 2008-01-11 10:03 pm (UTC)chauvinistichappy to think that they are. Rather than respond, he rolls over to his side, still dozing.no subject
Date: 2008-01-12 03:11 am (UTC)"Sleep tight," she mutters condescendingly as she slips out the room. It's a quick walk upstairs to their daughter's nursery.
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Date: 2008-01-12 03:19 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-01-12 03:52 am (UTC)There is no mistaking the sound of her crying baby now that she's in the room. Valerie is red faced. Her fists are scrunched as she wails and squirms in the bed. Immediately, all of Sarah's frustrations are lost to worry and heartache. she picks the baby up, cooing and murmuring gently.
"Valerie, darling, what's wrong?" It doesn't quite seem to be a diaper issue. But the crying persists, even as Sarah Jane holds Valerie in her arms. "Darling, are you hungry?"
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Date: 2008-01-12 03:56 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-01-12 04:32 am (UTC)She's given up standing by now. Her rocking chair movies back and forth in what she considers a soothing rhythm. No matter how many times she holds Valerie to her breast, the baby girl refuses to eat. She isn't crying over hunger. She isn't crying due to a soiled diaper.
Sarah Jane just can't figure out what it is that Valerie wants.
"Please? Love, don't cry."
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Date: 2008-01-18 02:43 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-01-18 05:29 pm (UTC)"I can't get her to stop crying, James." By now, she's wide awake and worried. "I'm a complete and utter failure as a mum. I can't figure out what she wants."
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Date: 2008-01-18 09:05 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-01-18 09:22 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-01-19 12:41 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-01-19 01:23 am (UTC)"You certainly have a way with women, darling."
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Date: 2008-01-19 02:01 am (UTC)"Yes, I know."
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Date: 2008-01-19 02:04 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-01-19 02:08 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-01-19 02:14 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-01-19 02:17 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-01-19 02:32 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-01-19 02:39 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-01-19 02:44 am (UTC)Or even if it means sleep in uncomfortable positions. When Sarah Jane wakes up the next morning, back still pressed to James' chest and a sleeping baby cradled in both their arms, she smiles. Did they really last the whole night sitting against the wall in Valerie's nursery? Her yawn becomes a giggle. Yet, her family remains fast asleep.
Sarah closes her eyes again. Let them sleep. The day can wait.