41. Welcome Home, Baby #4
"Ika, I can make her sleep. You just go back to sleep."
"But-"
"And don't worry about me. I'll sleep once she sleeps." He gently pulled the duvet over her shoulders. "Now sleep. Come on."
Shivika looked like she wanted to argue, but the exhaustion in her eyes made Rakshit certain she needed rest more than he did.
He turned towards their daughter.
The baby moved her tiny neck in his direction as soon as he came around the bed.
Rakshit's lips curved into a small smile.
"Okay, princess. Papa is coming."
He gently picked her up and carried her towards the balcony so that his voice and movements wouldn't disturb Shivika.
He sat down on the couch, keeping the baby securely in his arms.
For a while, he simply looked at her.
She was wide awake, silently staring at him.
Rakshit leaned down and kissed her forehead.
"Good morning."
The baby continued staring.
No smile.
Rakshit raised his eyebrows.
"What happened, baby? You didn't smile this time."
He tilted his head.
"Did you get bored of smiling? Hmm?"
The baby remained completely serious.
Rakshit chuckled softly.
"Okay. Very serious mood today."
A sleepy yawn escaped her tiny mouth.
Rakshit immediately smiled.
"You are sleepy."
He gently adjusted her in his arms.
"But just like your mother, you don't want to sleep."
The baby suddenly turned her face towards the balcony railing when the sound of birds came from outside.
Rakshit followed her gaze.
A smile appeared on his face when he realized what had caught her attention.
"Those are birds, baby."
He pointed towards the sky, knowing she couldn't possibly understand yet.
"They're going to get food for their family."
The baby looked around, her eyes moving from one side to another as she tried to find the source of the unfamiliar sound.
Rakshit gently took one of her tiny hands.
He played with her little fingers.
"Papa can hear them too."
He brought her hand closer and kissed her fingers.
"How small are your fingers?"
He looked at them with quiet fascination.
"So tiny..."
He kissed them again.
"So cute."
His voice softened as he looked at her.
"Everything about you is so tiny."
He leaned down and kissed her forehead again.
This time, she looked directly at him.
And then-
A tiny smile appeared on her face.
Rakshit froze.
"Aww..."
His entire expression softened.
"Now you're smiling, hmm?"
He kissed her forehead again.
The smile disappeared.
Rakshit blinked.
"You smiled once and that's it?"
He waited.
Nothing.
"You are seriously moody."
He shook his head, amused.
"Just like your mamma."
He brought his face closer and gently rubbed his nose against hers.
"But don't tell her."
He whispered conspiratorially.
"She'll get angry at both of us."
The baby moved her tiny lips.
Rakshit smiled.
"See? You agree."
He gently caressed her forehead.
"You know, baby..."
His voice became softer.
"I've thought of a very special name for you."
The baby looked at him.
"I just hope you like it."
He paused, looking at her tiny face.
"Because Papa has been thinking about it for a long time."
As if responding to him, the baby lifted one tiny hand.
Rakshit immediately held it.
"What are you trying to say, baby?"
He gently squeezed her fingers.
"Do you want to know the name?"
Her lips suddenly scrunched.
The tiny expression on her face changed.
Her lower lip trembled.
Rakshit's eyes widened.
"No, no, no..."
He immediately began swaying her gently.
"Don't cry."
The baby's face scrunched further.
"Shhh..."
He continued rocking her.
"Sleep, baby."
His voice became softer.
"You're getting cranky because you're stubbornly refusing to close your eyes even though you're sleepy."
He gently patted her back.
"Come on, princess."
The baby stared at him for a while.
Rakshit kept swaying her without saying anything more.
He had learned quickly that sometimes talking only made her more interested in staying awake.
Her eyelids slowly became heavier.
She blinked once.
Then again.
And finally, her tiny eyes closed.
Rakshit smiled.
"That's my girl."
He continued swaying her for a few more minutes, just to make sure she was properly asleep.
He didn't dare stop too soon.
Once he was certain she was in a deep sleep, he carefully carried her back inside.
He walked quietly towards the bed and gently placed her beside Shivika.
He adjusted the comforter around her tiny body before making sure she was comfortable.
Then he slowly moved towards his side of the bed.
The moment he lay down, Shivika stirred in her sleep.
"Did she sleep?" she mumbled, her voice barely audible.
Rakshit hummed.
"Yeah."
Shivika immediately moved closer and wrapped her arms around him.
Rakshit closed his eyes and pulled her gently against his chest.
Within moments, the room became quiet again.
Their daughter slept peacefully beside them.
Shivika slept in his arms.
And Rakshit, after making sure both his girls were comfortable, finally allowed himself to drift back into sleep.