@erictwd l plotted starter
"C'mon Gracie," Aaron cajoled, bouncing the seven-month-old in his arms. She'd been cranky today, tossing every toy he gave her to the floor, pushing food away, and worst of all, screaming at the top of her little lungs. She'd been perfectly fine, cooing and babbling when Eric had left them the day before, but as soon as he'd tried to sit her down to eat her dinner of baby cereal, it'd started.
She'd slept for all of two hours (collectively) the night before, and Aaron had gotten....significantly less than that. He could barely keep his eyes peeled open as he paced the living room floor, occasionally tripping on the toys she'd strewn around as he'd tried to comfort her. He hadn't realized how many toys they had for her until he was accidentally kicking them all across the room.
Gracie continued to scream.
"What is it?" he asked, trying to be comforting but coming off a little laced with desperation. "You're changed, you had some mash for breakfast - half of which I'm wearing - you had a bottle, huh, whatsamatter Gracie?" he asked, patting his hand soothingly over her back. Maybe she was gassy?
For a moment she was quiet, and Aaron let out a slow breath of relief. Maybe she had been g - her next screech was so loud Aaron almost flinched, brow drawing into a furrow. He was glad the house was far enough away from the wall to not attract attention.
"Come on baby," Aaron said, near tears himself. "It's okay."