“Where should I put it, Seth?” I asked him.
He shrugged and pointed out that my comforter was also wet. “Would you throw it and the outfit in the washer?” I asked.
Seth then pointed out that he didn’t think the two should be washed together. I informed him that he should call Mom and find out because right now, I needed to feed my daughter before she started crying again.
I cleaned Asia’s back with a wipe, found a blanket and a bib then carried my baby to the living room where I asked, “Who wants to hold her while I make a bottle?”
“I will.” AJ held out his arms. “I haven’t gotten to hold her as much as Heath.” My other brother snorted at that statement. “Why is she naked?” AJ asked cradling her in his arms.
“She’s not naked. She’s wearing a diaper,” I corrected my brother.
AJ adjusted her against his chest the way we all did. Timid. Afraid she would break. We were all big men and Asia looked small in our arms.
I went to the kitchen and grabbed a bottle out of the cabinet.
“Hurry up Ben. She’s starting to fuss.”
I was hurrying.
“Ben, she’s whimpering. That’s not good.” I was going to punch AJ in the face, if he didn’t shut up.
I filled the bottle with water from the counter that mom had put there just for Asia. Then I grabbed the can of formula.
My daughter was starting to cry. I peeked over the counter at my brother who was standing with her. He was bouncing like he was on a pogo stick. “Will you hurry up?” He snapped at me.
I shook my head at him then measured out the proper amount of powder and dropped it in the bottle. I heard Seth tell AJ to let him try. In Seth’s arms, like magic, Asia stopped crying. So maybe this wouldn’t be so bad. Asia liked Seth.
I put the lid with the nipple on and shook the bottle while I headed to the living room. Whatever mojo Seth had, Asia liked it.
“How did you do that?” I asked.
“Don’t know,” he replied. He held her out to me.
“You don’t want to give her a bottle?” I asked.
“Nope, you should do that. You’re the dad.”
I took Asia in my arms and stuck the nipple near her mouth. She was greedy when she took it, so it was a safe assumption that she was hungry.
I sat on the sofa and watched her. Her eyes met mine and I was mesmerized by the child I was just beginning to get to know.
“You got this, Ben,” Heath informed me. “Let’s go, AJ.”
He got out of the chair and my eyes followed him in disbelief. He was leaving me. The bastard. “But I’m having a lot of fun watching Ben panic,” my other brother exclaimed. I glared at my other brother who was enjoying my dilemma with amusement.
Heath shook his head at AJ. “I’m sure there will be more moments for you to amuse yourself with Ben’s plight as a new father. Let’s go.”
AJ slapped my knee startling Asia. I shot him a look of disdain. “Good luck,” he told me.
Heath was much nicer. He kissed Asia’s forehead then he touched my shoulder. “Call if you need someone to hold her while you wash clothes or something. I’m at your service if it involves rocking or holding Asia. No diaper duty.”
“We’ve already established that, Heath,” I grumbled.
Then my two brothers left me alone with Seth and Asia. He was checking on the laundry while I gave my daughter her bottle. I could do this, I reassured myself, repeatedly while she sucked down the bottle.
My phone buzzed in my pocket. I slipped it out without disturbing Asia and read a text message from Rachel.
Don’t forget to burp the baby after a few ounces.