Andre had just gone downstairs to grab some warm milk for his son, thinking he'd help out with bath time, when he overheard his wife and Naomi chatting. Something in their conversation hit him right in the heart.
Little Mia wasn’t her usual energetic self lately, all thanks to their high-spirited son. He cried a lot, fussed even more, stayed up late, and was generally a handful.
Motherhood had sapped a lot of Mia's energy, now divided with their son.
Andre pushed open the bathroom door and saw their son, almost done with his bath. He grabbed the little guy's special hooded towel.
Mia pulled their slippery son out of the tub and handed him to Andre. “Thanks for the help, Naomi,” she said.
Naomi waved it off. “We’re all family here, no need for formalities.”
As she left, Naomi reminded, “Mia, if Henry won’t sleep tonight, bring him to me. You need your rest, especially with classes tomorrow.”
“It’s fine, my husband and I can handle it.”
Back in the bedroom, the little one was already wrapped up and sipping the warm milk his dad had fetched.
“Mia, maybe we should let the nanny put Henry to bed from now on,” Andre suggested. “It’s too much for us.”
Mia shook her head gently. “I can’t bear the thought.”
She sat beside her husband, looking lovingly at their son. “Yes, it's exhausting, but it's a happy kind of tired. Sure, he’s a handful sometimes, but he’s so lovable.”
She gave her son a tender peck on the cheek. “Do you love mommy?”
The little guy giggled, kicking his legs joyfully.
Leo and Anya got home around eleven, the house already quiet.
Yawning, Anya mumbled, “Goodnight, Chad.”
Leo nodded, watching Anya head to her room before he did the same.
After wrapping up work, he got busy with his “personal projects,” keeping his room light on till the early hours.
When Andre went downstairs for more warm milk, he noticed the light under Leo’s door and knocked.
“Who’s there?” Leo paused his game to respond.
“Still busy with work? Pulling an all-nighter?” Andre asked.
Hearing it was his uncle, Leo closed his book. “Nah, just winding down with a game. Heading to bed now, Uncle.”
Andre looked at his nephew’s door thoughtfully before heading back downstairs.
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