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“Absolutely not.”
Claudia Henderson plants both hands on her hips, steadfast as ever. “You two are going.”
Steve shifts Jonah a little higher on his shoulder. “I don’t know, Claudia.” Dustin, six months postpartum and still looking exhausted more often than not, shuffels where he stands. “Mom, he’s never been away from us.” Claudia raises an eyebrow, “He’s six months old Dusty, not six minutes.” Dustin looks at Jonah, who is happily chewing on the sleeve of Steve’s T-shirt. She points at Steve: “You’re exhausted.” Then at Dustin, “And you, sweetheart, look like you haven’t slept since he was born.” “…That’s because we haven’t,” Steve mutters. “I know.” She softens immediately, “And that’s exactly why I’m here.”
She’d arrived an hour earlier carrying a casserole, dessert, and enough determination to bulldoze through both of them.
“I am spending the evening with my grandson.” Steve opens his mouth, but tgere is no stopping Claudia Henderson, “No arguments.” Dustin smiles sheepishly “We didn’t say anything, Mom.” “No, but you were about to.” “…Fair.” In total contrast to his parents, Jonah is perfectly content. He’s sitting in Steve’s lap chewing enthusiastically on one of his own socks. Claudia smiles at him “See? He’s happy.”
By five-thirty Steve and Dustin are both dressed. At least technically. Neither has actually put on their shoes and Steve glances toward the nursery for what has to be the twentieth time. When he is relatively sure that Jonah is content where he is he turns toward his mother in law. “He usually takes another bottle around seven.” “I know.” “And then he’s normally sleepy around eight.” “I know.” “He likes the white-noise machine.” “Sweetheart…” Dustin adds, “And if he rubs his left ear, he’s getting tired.” “Boys, I-” Steve continues, “And if—” Claudia throws her hands up, clerly signaling them to quite down. She looked at them both with silent exhasperation, “I raised you, Dusty. I remember how babies work” She gently takes Jonah from Steve’s arms, the little boy blinks once and just looks at Grandma then smiles. Claudia beams, “Well, hello there.” Jonah immediately grabs a handful of her necklace. “Oh. So that’s how we’re saying hello?” Steve still doesn’t move from his spot by the door, visably anxious, “What if—” “No.” “What if he cries?” “I’ll cuddle him.” “What if he—” “I’ll cuddle him.” “What if he spits up?” “I’ll clean it up… and then I’ll cuddle him.” Steve sighs in silent defeat.
Meanwhile Dustin kneels beside Jonah, “I won’t be long, okay?” Jonah smiles and then sticks his fist into Dustin’s mouth with utter delight. Steve snorts. “I think that’s a goodbye kiss.”
When time came for them to leave neither father moves. Again. Claudia points toward the front door, a stern look across her face, “Get out now.”
They finally make it as far as the porch where Steve suddenly stops, “Dustin, the baby monitor!” Dustin gasps, “Oh my God.” They hurry back inside where Claudia is sitting comfortably on the couch now. Jonah is giggling because she’s making ridiculous fish faces at him. “The monitor,” Steve says. Claudia points toward the kitchen counter. “You already showed me how it works. Now for the love of god, leave.”
Dinner starts surprisingly well. Steve and Dustin actually talk. Not about diapers or sleep schedules or laundry. But about movies, work and about absolutely nothing important. It’s…nice. Almost like it used to be when it was just the two of them.
Steve reaches across the table and squeezes Dustin’s hand, “I missed this.” Dustin smiles genuienly, “So did I.” Then they both go quiet. “…Do you think he’s okay?” Steve checks his watch, “We’ve been gone for Seventeen minutes. I wonder what they are up to…”
—————
Back at the house Jonah has discovered Grandma Claudia’s glasses and he reaches for them repeatedly.
“No, sir.” She gently redirects his little hand. “You may not steal Grandma’s glasses.” Jonah squeals because apparently this is the funniest sentence he’s ever heard.
—————
Dustin picks up his phone, “I’m just going to text really quick.” Steve nods immediately.
Dusty: Everything okay?
Less than ten seconds later a picture arrives. Jonah is lying on a blanket on the living room floor, laughing so hard his tiny feet are kicking the air. Claudia has added one caption.
Mom: No, he‘s having a terrible time
Steve laughs so hard people at the next table glance over.
An hour later another picture. Jonah wearing one of Claudia’s reading glasses upside down.
Mom: He insisted.
Another Picture, Jonah asleep across her chest. A tiny drool spot soaking into her sweater.
Mom: We’ve both been trapped for thirty minutes.
Dustin smiles so warmly his eyes sting, “He looks so happy.” Steve nods. “He really does.”
—————
Claudia quietly rocks in Steve and Dustin’s living room. Jonah wakes briefly and takes a look around, his little face searches the room. “Looking for your daddies, sweet baby?” He blinks. She smiles. “They’ll be home.” Jonah studies her face for another moment, then reaches up and pats her cheek as if accepting the explanation. “That’s right.” She kisses the top of his head. “They always come back.” And within minutes he’s asleep again.
—————
By nine-thirty Steve is already asking for the check. “We’re supposed to stay until ten.” “I know, but I miss him, Dust.” Steve smiles sheepishly. “I know, Love. I do too.”
They arrive home twenty-five minutes earlier then planned by Claudia. The house is quiet. Steve quietly unlocks the front door. Immediately they hear laughter, tiny baby giggles way more adorable then is fair. They follow the sound into the living room. Claudia is sitting on the rug, Jonah is lying on his back in front of her while she enthusiastically sings “The Wheels on the Bus.” Completeed with dramatic arm movements. Jonah is absolutely beside himself, every verse earns another delighted squeal. Steve and Dustin stop in the doorway. Neither says anything, they simply watch.
Claudia notices them first. “Oh, goodness, Jonah. Look who’s home.” Jonah turns his head. The second he spots them his entire face lights up. “Dadadada!” Both fathers melt instantly. Steve is the first one to scoop him up. Jonah immediately buries his face against Steve’s shoulder with a happy little sigh, then reaches one hand toward Dustin. Dustin strokes his tiny back. “Hi, sweetheart.”
“So…” Claudia asks with a knowing smile. “Did the world survive without you for four hours?” Steve laughs, “Barely.” Dustin grins, “Apparently he did better than we did.” “Oh, much better.” Claudia smiles. “He laughed, he ate, he napped and he charmed me into singing children’s songs for forty-five minutes.” Steve looks at Jonah with a blasting smile, “You were good for Grammy?” Jonah grins proudly as if to say, Obviously.
Later, after Jonah is asleep in his crib once more Steve and Dustin walk Claudia to the door. “Thank you, Mom.” She hugs them both. “My pleasure, Sweethearts.”
Steve smiles. “I think we worried more than he did.” Claudia laughs heartly, “Welcome to parenthood, my loves.” Dustin leans against Steve’s shoulder. “I don’t know if we’re ready to do that again next week.” “You don’t have to.” She smiles, “but don’t wait another six months.” Steve slips an arm around Dustin’s waist. “We’ll try.”
As Claudia climbs into her car, she looks back through the living room window. Steve and Dustin are standing together in front of the baby monitor, smiling at the tiny sleeping boy on the screen. She chuckles to herself. Some grandparents babysit so the parents can have a night out. Tonight she suspects she’d really babysat two very anxious first-time fathers and she’d happily do it again.