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Cloud stirred from his sleep, blinking the sleepiness out of his eyes. Soft whimpers and hiccups came from the baby monitor situated on the bedside dresser. He peered over at the monitor, seeing Denzel wide awake, and upset. He was most likely hungry. Cloud began to sit up in bed.
"I got it, hon. Don't worry, go back to sleep," Aerith's voice whispered in the dark bedroom, yawning right after. Cloud shook his head, taking his hand onto her shoulder. Lightly pushing her back down.
"You deserve more rest, Aerith," he speaks, kissing her cheek. "Relax, I'll go get him."
She didn't object, he was equally as stubborn as her. She smiled tiredly, "Thanks, Cloud...I'll be here if you need me, wake me up in case."
"I will." He pulled himself off the bed and headed to the nursery, opening the door. Denzel laid in his crib, kicking and crying. Hands curled up into fists and near his mouth. A sign of hunger.
"Hey, buddy. Shhh, I know, you're hungry. Daddy's gotcha." Cloud reached into the crib, lifting Denzel out of it. He held him close, gently rocking and shushing him. He made his way out of the nursery and into the kitchen. "Yeah, yeah, I hear ya, lil' man. Don't need to scream into my ear," he lightly jokes.
Cloud was able to prep up a bottle in no time, adding the formula powder and mixing it. It wasn't too difficult, once he knew the amount to give Denzel. He placed the bottle in a bottle warmer, turning it on. The machine gently whirred as it heated it up. Denzel, cranky as ever, squirmed in his father's arms. He wanted his food now, willing to showcase his impatience. Cloud chuckled at this, bouncing him in his arms.
"Shhh, buddy, it's gonna be done soon. Just gotta wait a little bit longer, okay? Then, I can feed ya." He whispered softly.
Soon, the bottle warmer let out a soft "Ding!", indicating that it was finished. Cradling Denzel securely, Cloud grabbed it and tested it. dropping a single drop onto his arm to see how hot it was. Wasn't too hot, just the right amount of warmth.
Cloud situated himself on the couch in the living room, propping Denzel up in his arms. He offered the bottle, and Denzel took it, gulping his formula.
He couldn't help but stare at his son as he drank. Gently stroking his head with the hand cradling him, he took in his son's features. Those striking blue eyes, his tufts of brown hair. Those chubby, rosy, round cheeks. His little arms and legs, plump belly. Despite the harder parts of raising a baby, seeing the life he helped to create with Aerith was worth it.
"I love you so much, yes I do." He coos to him, placing a kiss against his forehead. "Daddy loves you so much..."
Denzel didn't seem to pay much mind, more focused on enjoying the formula given to him.
"I promise to be the best dad you can have, alright kiddo?" Cloud was still quite exhausted, but rambling helped the time go by as he waited for him to finish the bottle. "I'll be someone you can rely on, someone to help you back up." He glanced down at the infant. "Got that? Though, I doubt you'll remember this conversation." He laughs softly. "But, good talk anyways, bud."
As Denzel finished up the last few drops of formula, Cloud leaned over to grab a burp rag from the coffee table. He placed it over his shoulder, pulling the now empty bottle away from Denzel. Moving the now fussy baby upright against his shoulder, Cloud began patting and rubbing his back. Denzel squirmed in protest.
"It's alright, bud, shhh...burp for daddy, then we both can go back to sleep. Okay? Daddy's tired..." He yawned, continued to pat and rub his back. After a couple minutes, he heard a soft burp, and smiled. "There we go." Checking the cloth for any spit-up, he moves it off his shoulder and tosses it into the dirty laundry basket. Cuddling Denzel close, he stood back up. "Ready to go back to sleep?"
However, his son was already a few steps ahead of him, eyes closed and content. Drifting back into sleep.
Aerith woke up the next morning, turning her head to the side. Cloud wasn't in his spot. Curious, she got out of bed and checked the nursery. Upon checking, a smirk etched along her face.
Sitting in a rocking chair, snoring, was Cloud. Next to him, was Denzel, in the crib. Also fast asleep, a smile on his face.