Baby Robbie ficlet for Lora~
The soft chiming of a bell pricked Michael into wakefulness. He grumbled and rolled over, cracked open one eye; the sheets were rumfled, creamy peach with tangerine shadows. He groaned and pushed himself up onto his elbows. Paul was at school already today, he wouldn't be home until two, when Michael had to leave for the studio. Michael yawned and stretched out on his belly, back arching. He scrubbed his face against his forearm and crawled to the edge of the bed. He was still slightly dazzled from yesterday's migraine, and he knew better than to stand immediately. He didn't want to fall. Robbie was awake and moving, a merry chiming in the bright morning, from the tiny anklet of silver bells his grandmother had bought him so his parents would know when he was awake.
An abundance of sunlight crept past the curtain-rod, around the side of the curtain. Ugh. Too bright. Michael wished he could wear shades, but that would upset Robbie. Michael levered himself up, wobbled off towards Robbie's room.
Robbie stood in the crib, clinging to the smooth wood with both small hands. He beamed when he saw Michael. The redhead dredged a smile out of his back pocket and wore it: he didn't return the baby's 'good morning' but scooped him up instead and kissed his neck. "Your grandma says you're a perfect tubby baby," he said. Robbie locked both hands into the hair at the nape of Michael's neck and butted his head under Michael's jaw. Michael held him securely, one elbow under his diapered bum, the other forearm laid against his back, warm in his fuzzy yellow baby-bootied pj's. He stumble-walked backwards a few steps to lean against the wall, careful not to pinch the baby's arms. He rested the back of his head against the wall and petted Robbie's back slowly. Robbie snuggled in and settled down. Looked like one of the mornings where the normally energetic baby was ready to laze in; his temperature was normal and his eyes had been bright, so Michael wasn't worried.
He cupped the back of Robbie's head and leaned away a little. Robbie peeked up at him; Michael mouthed, 'wanna make pancakes and then go back to sleep?'
Robbie crinkled his nose in a grin, a willing co-conspirator. When Paul got home from class he found the two of them sprawled on the bed in a nest of pillows, picture books, and puzzle blocks, both sound asleep.