Will Graham w/Baby Reader
Will cradled you in his arms in the early morning, the microwave buzzing and casting a warm glow over his drained face as he warmed up your milk for you.
Such a fussy little thing, your eyes squeezed tight as you whined and babbled, your small arms wriggling out of your cotton swath, all bundled up like a gift. You were a gift, his gift. One he wasn't expecting nor was he even ready for, but one he accepted nevertheless.
He found you when he still worked as a police officer. During one of his cases, he found you hidden inside a small cardboard box, left alone in a recently abandoned apartment flat. No close family was found, and no one came to claim you. So, he took you in as his own. Funnily enough, it was on Christmas day that he officially adopted you, bringing you home.
You let out a sharp cry in his arms, and with a gentle touch, Will shifted you onto his shoulder, bouncing slightly and patting your back in an attempt to soothe you. The microwave beeped once, twice, three times, signaling to Will to swiftly pop it open and take the bottle lest your reign of terror continue. He carefully re-positioned you back into his arms, letting your head rest atop his bicep as you readily sucked at the nib of the bottle. A sigh of relief escaped him, his shoulders slouching slightly as your cries subsided in favor of quenching your hunger. You could be a piece of work sometimes, but that was to be expected. You were only about 10 months now, going on 11.
He often had to bring you into work with him, tucked into a harness as he either lectured or graded papers. His students would coo at you and surround you like your own personal paparazzi. Famous already... but he made sure they didn't touch you. He technically could afford a babysitter, but if he was honest with himself, he didn't trust anyone else with you. Alana was an exception, but she had responsibilities of her own so she couldn't always look after you. Though, it was always much appreciated when she did; it took a bit of the load off of his back.
The dogs adored you as well, their wet noses poking and chuffing around you when you were first introduced, the family taking in the new sight and smells. His home was starting to stink a little less like wet dog thanks to you. More like baby powder and warm, clean blankets that had just come out of the dryer. Will loved seeing you all bundled up and cozy.
Will pressed a quick kiss to your forehead, gently rocking you as he made his way back to the living room, sitting down on the mattress, the springs squeaking in a quiet greeting. Once you finished eating, he set you down in your cradle. It was placed right beside his bed, so he and the dogs could always keep an eye on you. You looked peaceful like this, the moonlight shining through the curtains, illuminating you in small, glowing patches. It looked as if stars were dancing across you. Will gave you one last peck on the forehead before settling back against the mattress to rest until you inevitably would wake again. He stayed like that for a long while, gazing down at you like you were the most precious thing in the world, until his eyelids began to droop, and he fell into the quiet comfort of sleep.
