Daddy's Love

I check on the girls and Carol is awake with a wet diaper and Ana is still asleep.

"Hey baby, sleep well?" I kiss her cheek.

"Daddy, Ana?" She asks surprised.

"Yes, you'd like to play with her, right? She has just had a very bad day though."

"Huh? Why?" She asks as I change her into fresh diapers.

"She'll tell you if she wants to when she wakes up." I kiss her and pick her up.

I put Carol on the couch in the living room after switching on her movie and then go to prepare a quick dinner of soup, bread and vegetables, taking the baby monitor with me in case Ana wakes up. Dinner is done. Ana and Chris are still asleep and Carol is busy watching her movie. I decide to feed the girls first.

"Carol, I am going to wake Ana up, you should be on the dining table when I am back. And would you check on uncle Grey to see if he is awake yet? He is resting in my room."

"Uncle Grey is here?! Why didn't you tell me?!" She gets up all excited.

"He is.... unwell. Don't wake him up if he is fast asleep." I tell her as I go upstairs to check on the baby.

She is sleeping. I pick her up in my arms and bounce her trying to wake her up.

"Time for dinner, Ana. You need to wake up sweetheart." She yawns and opens her eyes and rubs them.

"No rubbing your eyes Ana." I pull her hands down gently.

"You hungry?"

She nods.

"You skipped lunch?"

She nods and rests her head on my shoulders.

I carry her down to see Carol on the table already.

"Where daddy?" Ana asks, wide eyed, as if suddenly remembering Grey.

"Uncle Grey is still asleep." Carol says as I place Ana beside Carol. They smile at each other and Ana visibly relaxes.

Ana doesn't like the food. She hates the veggies and plays with it and passes some to Carol. I let her be. She eats some of her soup and bread though, spilling more. I suspect she is in her younger head space.

Carol eats her food like the good girl she is. I am so proud of her. She is such a good girl. I skip dinner. I don't feel like eating at all.

"Carol why don't you and Ana complete the movie you were watching while I take some dinner for uncle Grey and then I will make you both your bottles and put you to bed?" I tell Carol.

"Yes daddy! I will even give her Ana the surprise I made!" She jumps excited.

"Go ahead, love." I place them down from their high chairs and see Ana squirming and waddling. Her diaper. How could have I not checked?

"One minute, Ana, do you need a change?" I ask her.

She looks horrified, like I have asked her to drink blood.

"No uncle Jay" She whispers.

"Ana, what did I tell you about lying?" I pick her up and she starts struggling trying to get off my arms. What's up with both the Grey's today.

"Ana, do you want me to call Christian to change your diaper?" I asked her genuinely concerned but she shook her head frantically and I realised she thought I was threatening her with Grey's name. What have you done Grey? How will we ever make it better?

After a few tears and one warning swat on her thigh I was finally able to change Ana into fresh diaper and Carol's night clothes which were a size too big for her.

"Good girl, it's okay. You are all clean now. Ready for bed now." I kiss her cheek.

"No play with Carol?" She asks innocently.

"Oh yes! Silly me!" I take her downstairs.

I quickly bring Carol up and change her into her night clothes and leave them both to play till Christian eats. I take two Advil along with his food to my room.☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐