"Do I still have any concerns?" Andre asked directly. "Let's hash them out tonight."
Mia shook her head. "I'm scared to say more."
"Then let's not talk about it."
Andre stood up, ready to put their son to bed. As soon as he laid Henry down, the little boy rolled around on the bed, propping himself up with his hands, looking at the big bed where he was all alone, wondering why his parents weren't joining him. Andre was about to leave when Mia quickly got up. "Honey, where are you going?"
"The study."
"Our son hasn't had his bath yet. Can you stay and help me bathe him?"
"How about we skip the bath tonight?"
Andre left the room without another word. Mia watched him go, blinking in surprise. "Did I really say all that, and he didn't react at all?"
She looked at the little bundle of joy on the bed, sighed, and called Molly. "Hey, Molly, are you asleep?"
"No, Chad is explaining some science stuff to me."
"Can you come over and help me bathe Henry? I think Andre's mad at me again; he went to the study and left us."
"I'll be there in three minutes."
Molly hung up, got out of bed, and turned to Chad. "You go ahead and sleep; I've got to help Mia with Henry's bath."
Molly headed to Mia's bedroom, where Henry was stripped down and waving
have." They chatted a bit more. "Did you
"Couldn't get
Anya
so Mia quickly washed his bottom, armpits, neck, thighs, and
"No problem."
into his diaper, Mia gave him a few kisses
on their phones, trying to understand their son's interests, regretting their lack of involvement in his
were still on. Hansen, who usually liked to calculate things, put aside his usual concerns to search for information for
check on Anya, who had swollen eyes. "Aunt Molly, Chad isn't answering
helped him voice his thoughts.
...
of the bed and quietly got up to head to her husband's study. As soon as she opened the door, she was hit by a pungent smell; the room was full of
got
whatever was on his computer, stood up, and walked out,
eyes, Mia nodded. "Yes, but before he fell asleep, he kept
"I smell like smoke; it's not good for you and the baby. I'll sleep
a shower, and we won't smell it. Besides, you can explain to me
some data. "You should go back to sleep;
too. If you smoke, I'll inhale
his arm and not letting go, Andre relented. "I'm waiting for some
When the message finally came through, Andre took her hand and returned to the bedroom, checking his
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