NEWBORN NIGHTMARES
Masterlist
When Brendon usually wakes you up in the middle of the night it’s for sex, but since you pushed out a tiny being six weeks ago. When Brendon wakes you up it’s because said tiny being is crying.
“Hey, baby, wake up” He nudges softly, making you groan and roll over, “she’s hungry, my nipples are no use to her”
You stir, pushing yourself up, “give her”
Brendon passes her over once you’ve unbuttoned your shirt, cooing softly as she suckles against your breast, “you look so pretty”
You raise an eyebrow, a sleepy groan as you stare at him staring at you. Yawing as you rub your eyes, sleep pulling you back into sleep, “m so tired, I don’t know when I showered last” you murmur. Still rocking her slightly as she pulls off your nipple. Baby Edith opening her arms to her father as he sits back up to burp her.
It’s usually how the nights go, waking up at twelve to feed her. Letting Brendon burp and change her while you collapse again from exhaustion.
You move in patterns, coffee, breakfast, cuddling the baby as she sits in your lap. She moves in patterns, sleeping, eating, pooping, “she has your face when she sleeps” Brendon murmurs from the couch, her nose is scrunched, eyebrows wiggling softly as Brendon traces over her face with his thumb, “she’s beautiful”
You look up from the couch, a sight you want to remember forever. Your baby girl, tucked in her dad’s arms, sound asleep. Nose scrunched. Cooing softly, “she’s a happy baby”
Edith is a happy baby, she likes to go on walks, but only if Brendon carries her, and you like to shower with her. Not in the weird sense, you just like having her wrapped around you while you shower. Skin to skin, although mostly it’s just you standing in warm water as you wash her.
You’re deep in the newborn trenches, paternity leave over for Brendon. Caring for yourself and a newborn, in a house that’s barely moved into. Dana shows up at your door, you know her. Briefly during some hospital events with Brendon, “Dana! I’m so sorry- the house is a disaster”
She smiles, carrying bags of food and made meals, “oh honey I know! I’m here to bring you something to eat, be your little helper. Let you rest and snuggle that baby”
Your shoulders drop as you let her in, “really?” You think you’re hallucinating, that she’s a dream. A dream in jeans and a cardigan.
“Really, I know you and Shark just moved. But I got. Lasagna, chicken, enchiladas. Stuff to eat now, freeze” She sets things down on the marble counters, slowly unpacking and placing things into the empty fridge, “how are you doing?”
“I’m tired. I don’t know the last time I showered” You admit, “and my boobs are sore”
Dana laughs softly, “you poor thing, here. You wanna put her down for a nap? I can watch her. You go shower and sleep. Or I can set you up on the couch to pump change the sheets”
Your lip quivers, “she sleeps at.. one thirty usually, there’s breast milk in the fridge. Are you sure you can watch her?”
Dana nods, “I’ve raised three of em myself, if it’s okay with you”
You bring her in for a brief hug, apologizing when you realize how bad you smell.
You shower, wash your hair. Even contemplate a face mask, you indulge. You feel like a new woman when you step out, detangling your hair, moisturizing your legs and arms. When you come out, the bed is made with new sheets; and you can hear the washer running.
Edith is asleep in her downstairs crib, Dana is pulling something out of the oven, “hey honey, good shower?”
You nod, wordless at the state of your house. Clean, partially unpacked now fully unpacked, “yeah. You. Unpacked?”
Dana nods, “I kinda winged it, ‘m sorry I overstepped the boxes were just gettin to me. Is everything in the right place?”
You rifle through, and you can’t complain. Because it’s unpacked. And the baby is asleep, and dishes are washed. And something wonderful is cooking in the oven, “it’s. Dana thank you”
“Don’t mention it honey. I have chicken parm in the oven. I can make some pasta to go with it. Some greens. How’s your stomach?”
You nod, “greens would be great. If that’s not to much”
She prepares a salad, “I wish I had all of this after my first. Benji was great but. Having someone cook and clean and let you feel like a human again”
You nod, “I know we aren’t super close- I appreciate it.. I don’t. I have friends” you clarify, “they just.. live in North Carolina”
She nods, “I understand.” The timer dings and she pulls the chicken parm out. Sliding a cutlet onto your plate; with some salad. And when you hum she smiles in satisfaction, “good?”
“Heavenly, I’m serious Dana. Brendon can cook but this is. Phenomenal” You grin into a second bite, eyes closing in satisfaction.
Dana wipes the counter down before she leaves, and Brendon is surprised to see dinner when he comes home, you showered. Looking refreshed in a soft yellow sweatset, “you got busy” he comments, picking up Edith from your arms as he takes his shoes off
“I didn’t. Dana did” you grin, “she came over, I showered, did a face mask. And she made like a ton of food and we have enough leftovers to last us until she goes into college” You continue, “she even changed the sheets. And folded the laundry”
You’re beaming as Brendon rubs Edith’s back, “that sounds awesome honey, did you eat dinner yet?”
“No, do you wanna shower? I’ll warm something up?”
Brendon nods, “perfect,” he kisses your cheek before heading upstairs:







