— -Restless night— -Dad!Matt— - New born era - —
The clock read 2:42 AM, but it might as well have been frozen in time. Emerie’s cries filled the room, relentless and piercing, her tiny body squirming in distress.
You had tried everything.
She wasn’t hungry—you had fed her an hour ago. Matt had changed her diaper twice just to be sure. You had rocked her, swaddled her, unswaddled her, walked her around the room, hummed, shushed, whispered sweet reassurances. Nothing worked.
Your arms ached as you bounced her gently, exhaustion weighing on every inch of your body. “Shhh, baby, please… Mommy’s right here.”
Nothing.
Matt was beside you, his elbows resting on his knees, rubbing his temples. His curls were a mess, his shirt wrinkled from Emmy gripping at it earlier. He looked just as drained as you felt, but when he reached for her, his hands were steady.
“Let me try,” he murmured.
You hesitated but let him, sighing as he took her from your arms. Your body immediately sagged against the bed, relief and guilt warring inside you.
Matt pressed Emmy against his chest, swaying gently. “Okay, baby girl,” he murmured. “What’s going on, huh? You just wanna keep us awake forever?”
She only cried harder.
Matt exhaled, rubbing her back. “Alright, let’s try something else.”
You watched as he walked toward the bathroom, flicked on the light, and turned on the sink. The soft rush of water filled the room. At first, Emmy’s cries stayed the same, but then they softened into hiccuping sobs.
Matt turned to you with a small, hopeful smile. “White noise?”
You let out a breath, rubbing your eyes. “Worth a shot.”
But just as quickly as she had calmed, Emmy let out another sharp cry, writhing in Matt’s arms.
“Okay. Not that,” he muttered.
You felt utterly helpless as he walked her back toward the bed, bouncing her as he went. “What if she’s uncomfortable?” you asked. “Maybe her tummy hurts?”
Matt sat down beside you, adjusting her position so she was lying belly-down along his forearm, her tiny head resting in the crook of his elbow. He rubbed slow circles on her back, bouncing his leg just slightly.
For a moment, it seemed to help. Emmy’s cries weakened, turning into little hiccups.
Your shoulders sagged in relief. “Oh, thank god.”
Then, as if to spite you, she let out another sharp wail.
Matt groaned, tipping his head back. “Alright, Emmy, you gotta give us something here, baby.”
You felt your own frustration bubble up, exhaustion making your nerves fray. “I don’t know what to do anymore,” you whispered, voice cracking.
Matt immediately looked at you, concern softening his tired expression. “Hey,” he murmured, shifting Emerie so he could reach for your hand. “We’ll figure it out.”
Tears burned at your eyes. “But what if something’s actually wrong?”
Matt gave your hand a gentle squeeze. “She’s not sick. No fever, no rash. She’s just…” He looked down at her. “She’s upset.”
You swallowed hard, leaning into him. As soon as you did, something changed.
The baby’s cries, though still loud, softened just a little.
Matt looked down at her, eyebrows raising. “Oh, you just wanted both of us, huh?”
You blinked, processing, then let out a breathless laugh. “Are you serious?”
Matt adjusted her slightly so she was still against his chest, but now you could reach her too. You placed your hand on her tiny back, rubbing slow, soothing circles.
Her cries turned into whimpers. Then sniffles.
Then—silence.
Matt looked at you, eyes wide. “No way.”
You both stayed completely still, afraid to breathe too hard and break whatever spell had just been cast.
Then, she let out a tiny sigh, her body fully relaxing against Matt’s chest.
Your lips parted. “We spent hours trying everything, and all she wanted was for us to sit together?”
Matt huffed a quiet laugh, tilting his head against yours. “She’s got expensive taste in comfort.
You let your head rest on his shoulder, your exhaustion finally winning. “I don’t even care. As long as she sleeps.”
Matt pulled the blanket over the three of you, his voice barely above a whisper. “We should sleep too.”
You hummed in agreement, already drifting, and as the room settled into quiet, you finally—finally—let yourself relax, knowing that even on the hardest nights, Matt would be right there with you.
