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The first thing Tae heard when he entered his condo was his tiny son’s cries.
“Zoro. . .shhhhh. It’s ok.” Zelda sighed.
Tae entered the living room to find Zelda sprawled out over the couch, tiny Zoro laying on her chest refusing to nurse. He was letting out little wails that broke Tae’s heart. Zelda looked up.
“Oh, Tae, you’re home.” Her face relaxed in relief. “I don’t know what to do. He’s running a fever and he won’t nurse.”
“Sweetheart, why aren’t you in bed?” He asked as he squatted down next to the couch.
“Was too tired to walk back there,” she sighed.
Tae reached up and rested his hand on Zoro’s forehead, wincing at how warm his tiny son felt. Zoro’s cries died down a bit as Tae’s cool skin made contact with his.
“Do you think you could try to give him a bottle?” Zelda asked, clearly exhausted.
“You want me to?” Tae asked.
“Yes. Please. I barely slept last night, and he’s been crying on and off all day.”
Tae watched as a tear slipped down her temple.
“Should we take him to the doctor, Tae?”
“How long has he had a fever for?”
“Um. . .I don’t know. Since around noon?”
“Let’s wait it out. If it hasn’t gotten better by the morning, we’ll take him in, ok?”
She nodded, her eyes fluttering shut. “Ok.” She was silently so glad she had Tae there to make that choice for her.
“Hey, sweetheart, don’t sleep on the couch. Can you keep a hold of Zoro?”
Zelda unconsciously tightened her grip on the tiny baby, letting out a surprised squeak when Tae scooped her up. He carried the two of them back to their bedroom and laid Zelda on the bed. Then he picked Zoro up before cradling him against his chest.
“Take a nap, hon. You need it. I’ll take care of Zoro, ok?”
Zelda was already half asleep when Tae bent down to press a kiss into her forehead.
Tae carried Zoro out to the kitchen after that. He pulled one of Zoro’s bottles out of the fridge and stuck it in the bottle warmer. Zoro was still letting out little whimpers and cries, so Tae gently rocked him back and forth.
“Are you not feeling well today? Hmm?”
Zoro stared up at Tae, his tiny mouth forming into a pout as he quieted down.
“I think you worried your Mama, bub. That’s not good.”
Tae smiled down at his tiny son, who seemed to hang on his every word. Tae gently stroked the top of Zoro’s head.
“I think we should get some milk in you and then take a nap. How does that sound?”
Zoro cooed, seeming to understand this time that Tae’s question wasn’t rhetorical. Tae smiled.
“There we go. You feeling a bit better now?”
Zoro blinked a few times, finally shutting his eyes. Tae patted his back gently. It wasn’t long before the milk was warmed, and Tae headed to the couch to feed Zoro. The tired baby didn’t fight it when Tae slipped the nipple of the bottle into his mouth. Tae quietly started singing.
“Hey snow,
“It’s coming today.”
Zoro opened his eyes again. Tae smiled at him and continued singing to the tiny boy. It wasn’t long before the bottle was empty Zoro was sound asleep against his chest.
“Sleep well, Zoro.” Tae brushed his thumb across his son’s cheek.
Tae rocked Zoro gently, smiling down at the tiny boy. He’d only been in their lives for two months, but Tae was already in love with him. He especially loved that Zoro had come out with Zelda’s dark blue eyes. There was already a bit of dark hair sprouting on his head. Tae ran his hand over that soft hair.
“I love you, Zoro.”
The corners of Zoro’s mouth momentarily tugged up. Tae rested his hand on Zoro’s forehead to check his temperature again. Thankfully, his temperature had already dropped a bit. Tae leaned back against the couch, fully exhausted after his day at work. Maybe it was nap time for the whole house.
Tucking Zoro against his chest, he stood up and headed towards the bedroom. Zelda was sound asleep, hugging Tae’s pillow to her chest. Tae smiled and laid Zoro down in the middle of the bed before laying next to him.
“Tae?”
“Hmm?”
“How’s Zoro?”
“Sleeping. His fever went down, don’t worry. Go back to sleep.”
“Thank you.”
Tae grabbed Zelda’s hand and kissed her palm. “Of course. Now sleep.”
“Ok.”