40

3 days later:

On a Friday morning David woke up to Soren wailing on the baby monitor, David rubbed his eyes, trying to shake off the last traces of sleep as Soren's cries grew louder through the monitor. He glanced at Mary, who was still sound asleep, and quietly slipped out of bed, tiptoeing down the hall to Soren's room.

As he opened the door, he found his son laying in flat in his crib. He quickly carried him out of the crib and nestled him in his arms. David held Soren close, gently patting his back as the baby's cries softened into whimpers. He swayed back and forth, whispering soothing words, feeling Soren's tiny fingers curl around his shirt. It always amazed David how something as simple as a gentle embrace could calm his son, bringing comfort in a way only a parent could give.

"Shh, it's okay, little man," he murmured, pressing a soft kiss to the top of Soren's head. "Daddy's here. You're safe."

Soren let out a few final sniffles, his bright eyes blinking up at David in the dim morning light. David's heart melted as he gazed down at his son, his expression softening. He was captivated by every detail—Soren's tiny nose, his delicate eyelashes, the small, determined set of his mouth that reminded David so much of Mary.

As Soren's breathing steadied, David settled into the rocking chair beside the crib, cradling him close. He slowly began to rock back and forth, creating a gentle rhythm that lulled them both into a peaceful calm. The house was still, the early morning light filtering softly through the curtains, casting a warm glow over the room. It was a rare moment of quiet, one that allowed David to simply be present, without the rush of work or responsibilities weighing on him.

He whispered softly, "You know, buddy, someday you'll be too big to fit in my arms like this. But for now, I'm going to hold you as long as I can."

Soren's little fingers reached up, brushing against David's cheek in response, his gaze steady and curious. David felt a surge of love so strong it almost took his breath away.

After a while, Soren's eyes began to flutter closed, his breaths growing deep and even as he drifted back to sleep. David continued to rock him, savoring the feel of his son's weight in his arms, his warmth a reminder of everything he cherished most in life.

Eventually, David rose carefully, easing Soren back into his crib. He pulled the blanket gently over him, watching as Soren sighed in his sleep, his tiny fists unclenching in complete trust and comfort.

He lingered for a moment, just watching his son breathe, before finally slipping out of the room and back down the hall. He climbed back into bed, careful not to wake Mary, and lay there in the quiet of the early morning, feeling his love for his family settle over him like a blanket. No matter what the day brought, he knew he'd face it with a full heart, grateful for these small, irreplaceable moments.

...….

As the sun began to rise and shine through their bedroom windows David fully got up, he looked over at Mary and she was still sleeping. He let out a sigh as he got out of bed slipped into his shoes and headed downstairs to prepare breakfast for his wife and son.

David padded quietly down the stairs, the soft morning light casting a warm glow over the house. In the kitchen, he stretched his arms, letting out a quiet yawn before getting to work. He decided on something simple but comforting—a stack of fluffy pancakes, eggs, and fresh fruit, along with Mary's favorite coffee.

As he poured the batter into the skillet, the smell of cooking pancakes filled the kitchen, creating a cozy warmth that felt like home. He took a moment to savor it, grateful for the rare chance to be the one making breakfast. Usually, his mornings were a whirlwind of work calls and rushed routines, but today was different. Today, he wanted to create a peaceful morning for his family.

While the pancakes cooked, he brewed coffee, letting its rich aroma join the mix. He sliced strawberries and bananas for Soren, arranging them on a small plate, picturing the delighted expression his son would have when he saw his favorite fruits. A quiet smile spread across David's face as he thought about Soren's excitement over even the simplest things.

Once everything was ready, he carefully arranged the plates, making sure everything looked just right. Finally, he poured a cup of coffee for Mary, leaving it by her place at the table with a small flower he'd picked from the garden earlier. He took a step back, admiring his work.

Just as he finished setting the table, he headed upstairs to grab Soren who was quietly awake in his crib. He grabbed him out of the crib lifted him in the air which made Soren raise his little hands in excitement.

"Daddy made you your favorite fruits!" He smiled.

Soren let out little laughs as he pinched his dads cheeks, "come on let's go wake mommy up." David held Soren close, his son's tiny fingers exploring his face as he carried him down the hallway. The morning sunlight streamed in, casting a warm glow over the quiet house. David felt a deep sense of contentment as he approached their bedroom, Soren still giggling happily in his arms.

They entered the room, where Mary was just beginning to stir, her eyes still closed as she shifted under the covers. David gently nudged her shoulder, Soren joining in with an enthusiastic "Mama!"

"I made breakfast," David said, Mary shifted ignoring them. "I'm not hungry." She mumbled, "You can't skip eating anymore, this is not healthy it's been 3 days since you've been like this." David added.

Mary ignored him again, "Mary please, I'm getting worried." Once again he got ignored. David's face softened with worry as he looked at Mary, who lay still, her back turned to him. Soren, sensing the quiet tension, stopped giggling and looked up at his dad with wide eyes, as if trying to understand what was happening.

Gently, David placed Soren on the bed beside Mary, hoping his presence might encourage her to open up. He crouched down to her level, his hand reaching out to rest lightly on her shoulder. "Mary," he said softly, trying to keep his voice calm and soothing. "I know you're going through something difficult, but please don't shut me out."

"Can you please just leave me alone!" She raised her voice slightly, David sighed as he carried Soren in his arms and walked out of the bedroom. David felt a pang of hurt as he closed the door quietly behind him, holding Soren close. He glanced down at his son, whose innocent eyes were full of confusion. Soren rested his head against his father's shoulder, sensing that something was wrong, even if he couldn't understand why.

In the quiet of the living room, David sat down on the couch with Soren on his lap. He took a deep breath, trying to push back the worry gnawing at him. Mary's sudden withdrawal was unlike her, and he felt powerless not knowing how to help.

Soren looked up, placing a tiny hand on David's cheek, as if trying to comfort him. David managed a small smile and kissed the top of his son's head. "It's okay, buddy," he whispered, though he wasn't entirely sure of it himself. "Mommy just needs a little time."

"So for the meantime let's give you some breakfast and give you a nice warm bath." He said getting up from the couch and headed to the dining room where the breakfast that he prepared was getting cold.

He frowned at the food as he grabbed Soren's smashed fruits and veggies. David warmed up the mashed fruits and veggies, trying to focus on Soren's needs instead of the worries circling in his mind. He set Soren in his high chair and placed the small bowl in front of him, watching as his son happily dove in, tiny hands grabbing at the soft food with enthusiasm.

"Looks like someone's got an appetite," David murmured, his frown softening a bit as he watched Soren eat with his usual gusto. Moments like these, as small and simple as they were, reminded him of the joy his family brought him, even on tough days.

After breakfast, he carried Soren upstairs to the bathroom and ran a warm bath, filling the tub with bubbles to make it fun. Soren splashed gleefully, his laughter echoing through the room, and David couldn't help but smile. For a while, he allowed himself to focus just on his son, letting Soren's happiness lift his spirits.

As he wrapped Soren in a towel afterward, drying off his damp curls, David paused, hugging him close. "You're a bright little light, you know that?" he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. Soren responded with a toothy grin, patting David's face with chubby hands.

After getting Soren dressed, David carried him downstairs, hesitating at the foot of the stairs as he glanced back up toward the bedroom. He wasn't sure if Mary was still resting or if she might be ready to come down and join them.

Deciding to give her more time, he placed Soren on a blanket with his favorite toys and sat nearby, quietly observing.

TBC