Chapter Text
He can’t remember where he put the pacifier.
And that, in itself, seems to be the absolute end of the world. He’s fought zombies, mutants, terrorists, he’s been infected by numerous bioweapons and healed back, to the point his blood can be used as a vaccine. He’s spent more time in hospitals or being stitched up than in his own previous place, stitches, bruises, broken and dislocated bones, skin torn and fever rocketing higher than should be tolerable.
But Leon can’t find the pastel pacifier.
His daughter is moody, crying but not yet screaming in desperate need to suckle on something, because of course his fingers are not enough, wiggling in the dark green baby sling he strapped around his torso. She’s been going rampant for no reason these past few days, waking them up at ungodly hours - even when she can do her nights since her first month - and refusing anything that is not her mom’s nipple or the pacifier.
And now, Ashley can’t be sucked on forever, and the pacifier’s lost.
“Shh, come on…” Leon shakes his body from left to right gently, trying to calm her down, looking absolutely drunk while his hand is tapping her back. “Daddy will find it… Please stop crying, baby…”
It doesn’t help that he’s in a suit, the breeze pulling back the smell of the hundreds of flowers around him, in the backyard of the fucking White House. He sighs.
It is of course nice to see Ashley reunite with her family ; he’s glad to see her smile, laugh and discuss with her parents, allowing her some much needed break from the sometimes messy parent life. It still amazes him that his father-in-law is his employer, but that’s cool. No stress, no worries, all is cool.
The baby wrapped close to him kicks his groin, and he hunches over with a muffled groan. Oh, she’s getting real moody.
“Alright, we’re going back inside.” He tells her, and she couldn’t give less crap about it, because now she starts screaming.
Leon feels the burn of shame when the guests turn their heads around, some wincing in annoyance, some simply curious, and some others smiling in sympathy. He’s used to being silent, unnoticeable, like a shadow on the walls. Well, not anymore. Ashley joins him hurriedly, her face contorting in worry. He doesn’t stop and instead takes her hand to lead her inside, where at least the others won’t be bothered anymore.
“She hasn’t calmed down yet?” Ashley asks, cupping her daughter’s face and trying to shush her down. It doesn’t work, so she unfastens the security on the baby sling and picks the 5 months-old in her arms.
“She needs her pacifier, but I couldn’t find it…” Leon groans, cracking his back with relief. “I thought going outside was gonna calm her down, but she…”
Their daughter’s scream subdue, crocodile tears on her cheeks rolling down as she blinks, catching her breath. Ashley gives her a wide smile, cooing at her, while Leon blinks too, immobile.
She’s been in Ashley’s arms for less than a minute, and she likes it better than that costly baby sling that was supposed to be a good idea.
“Hey, there you go honey! You see? Everything’s okay! Oh yes, you’re good, you’re alright.”
“Well, I know who she likes most now.” Leon pouts, but he’s smiling like an idiot when he sees his daughter smile as well.
“Don’t be like that, you know she adores you.”
Leon shrugs his shoulders, peeling away the absolutely useless sling. Yeah, he does know his girls love him.