Ch 48: Sleepless Night

Cecilia's POV

The night had settled in, and Serena and her family had finally retired to Hearthstone Cottage for some well-deserved rest. Brianna and I remained behind, sitting in the dimly lit living room.

Leon was holding Laura, stiff and awkward, as if she were made of fragile glass. I could see the tension in his little shoulders, his arms locked in place, his expression serious. Laura, on the other hand, was completely at ease, smiling and wriggling slightly in his grasp, utterly unconcerned with Leon's internal crisis.

A thought struck me. I stood up.

"I'm going to grab something," I said.

Brianna glanced at me but didn't question it. "Alright."

I headed upstairs, rummaging through my space pouch until my fingers brushed against something familiar. A camera. It had been a while since I last used it, but something about this moment made me want to capture it.

When I came back down, I saw a scene that made me pause.

Brianna had leaned closer to Leon, gently adjusting his arms to show him how to properly hold Laura. She spoke softly, patiently, her hands guiding his in a way that clearly showcased how she'd done this countless times before.

Leon, ever serious, followed her instructions to the letter, brows furrowed in deep concentration. Laura simply giggled, utterly oblivious to the gravity of the situation.

It was beautiful.

I raised the camera and took a picture.

The flash went off.

Leon and Brianna both turned to look at me.

I froze. "Ah… I didn't mean to take a picture without asking."

Brianna chuckled. "You can take as many as you want, Cecilia. Come sit with us."

She patted the space beside her. I hesitated for a moment before obliging, settling onto the floor with them. Leon had already shifted his attention back to Laura, who was now reaching for his nose with her tiny fingers. I lifted the camera again and took another picture of them.

As I focused the lens, Brianna suddenly leaned in closer.

I nearly flinched.

It wasn't that it was uncomfortable, just… unexpected. I forced myself to remain composed, reminding myself that Brianna was naturally like this—unbothered by proximity.

"Can I borrow that?" she asked, pointing to the camera.

I handed it to her without question.

She fumbled with it, "How do you even use this thing..." muttering to herself as she tried to figure out the controls. I turned my focus back to Leon and Laura.

Leon looked constipated.

He was struggling because Laura wouldn't stop moving, her small body constantly shifting in his arms. He was holding her like she was a ticking bomb, ready to explode at any second.

I couldn't help it—I laughed.

*Click*.

I turned my head sharply to see Brianna grinning, camera in hand.

"I thought you didn't know how to use it," I said, narrowing my eyes.

Brianna smirked. "That was just to lower your guard."

I blinked. She laughed at my expression, and I could only let out a small, resigned smile.

Before I could respond, Leon let out a panicked, "Take her! I think I'm gonna drop her!"

I moved to help, but Brianna stopped me with a hand on my arm.

"No," she said firmly. "He should learn how to do it properly."

I hesitated. Leon looked seconds away from throwing Laura at us like a hot potato. But when I made eye contact with Brianna, I knew she wasn't going to budge.

So I held my tongue.

=================================

We went upstairs to put Laura to bed in her room, which was right next to Leon's. It didn't take long before she fell asleep, and I carefully placed her in her crib before stepping out of the room, leaving the door slightly open so I could hear her if she woke up.

I checked on Leon next. He was fast asleep, his small face relaxed in peaceful rest. Brianna was there too, moving carefully as she stood up.

Satisfied, I left and headed to our room.

Once inside, I laid down on the bed and picked up a book. The words blurred slightly from exhaustion, but I forced myself to focus.

A few minutes later, the door opened.

Brianna walked in, plopping onto the bed without hesitation.

"Welcome back," I said.

She smiled, stretching her arms above her head. "Tonight was fun."

She started recounting the events of the day, her voice warm with amusement. Her smile was contagious, and before I realized it, I was smiling too.

Sleep claimed us not long after.

=================================

A loud cry ripped through the silence, jolting me awake.

Laura.

I moved on instinct, heading straight to her room. As expected, she was crying. I quickly made a bottle of milk and gently fed her. She latched on without hesitation, drinking eagerly.

The moment she finished, her eyelids fluttered shut again.

I let out a small sigh of relief.

Peeking into Leon's room, I checked to see if he had woken up. Luckily, he hadn't.

I returned to bed.

=================================

Crying. Again.

I groggily got up and went back to Laura's room.

…Something smelled awful.

I froze.

Oh no.

It was clear—she had pooped.

I stood there, staring at her for a moment, before realizing that I had absolutely no idea how to change a diaper.

After a few seconds of internal debate, I made up my mind.

I scooped her up and went back to our room.

"Brianna," I whispered, shaking her shoulder lightly.

She groaned. "Mmm…?"

"I'm sorry, but I need help."

She cracked an eye open, took one look at Laura, and sighed.

"She pooped, didn't she?"

"...Yes."

Brianna took Laura from my arms, cradling her with practiced ease. "Come on, I'll teach you how to change her diaper."

We returned to Laura's room, and Brianna patiently guided me through the steps. Despite my initial fumbling, I eventually got the hang of it.

Once Laura was clean and comfortable again, Brianna hummed a lullaby as she rocked her to sleep.

She made it look effortless.

I watched, completely entranced. There was something… beautiful about it. The way she held Laura, the gentleness in her voice, the warmth in her expression—it made me feel something I couldn't quite place.

Soon, Laura was asleep again.

We returned to our room, and as we laid down, I whispered, "Sorry for disturbing your sleep."

Brianna chuckled. "It's fine. Wake me up anytime."

I smiled softly. "Thank you."

Sleep took us again.

=================================

She woke up again, 'I'm so tired'.

But I don't regret anything.

=================================

I woke up feeling sluggish. I had been woken up multiple times last night, and my body was feeling the consequences.

Then, I remembered—Laura.

I bolted upright and hurried to her room—only to find it empty.

Panic shot through me, and I rushed downstairs, only to pause at the sight before me.

Brianna was sitting at the dining table, playing with Laura, a bright smile on her face. Leon sat beside her, eating breakfast.

Brianna noticed me and grinned. "Good morning, sleepyhead."

I exhaled, letting my shoulders relax. "...Good morning."

Brianna tilted her head. "You okay?"

I hesitated. "I just—thank you. For taking care of Laura."

Brianna waved it off. "I like playing with her. Now sit down and eat."

I sat at the table, and Leon looked up from his plate. "Morning."

I ruffled his hair. "Morning, Leon."

After breakfast, I absentmindedly murmured about my archery class with Rodan, trying to figure out how I'd take care of Laura at the same time.

Brianna overheard. "I'll watch her."

I was about to refuse, but she gave me a reassuring smile. "I mean it. Serena and I can play with the babies while you and Valerie train the boys."

I hesitated before finally nodding. "If you don't mind…"

"I don't."

I watched as she returned to playing with Laura, Leon joining in.

I smiled and sat beside them.