#timothee

"Aw, come on. You gotta share!" Your husband playfully pouted his lip and followed as you moved to the sofa. Once seated, you repositioned the baby upright to rest on your chest. Timothée settled beside you and laid his head on your opposite shoulder to continue staring at the miniature human, letting out a contented sigh as she grasped his outstretched finger with her perfectly dainty hand.

You ducked your chin down to place your nose against the baby's hair, all but melting into her scent for a few minutes. "They should figure out how to bottle this new baby smell." You rolled your head to the side slightly to look at Timothée. "You ready to hold her?"

He blanched and hesitated slightly before nodding. You knew he was scared to do so, but not enough to outweigh the desire. You stood so you could easily lay the baby down into his waiting arms.

"You've got this. Just support her head," you encouraged him. "There we go," you added, pulling your arm out from under her.

The baby whimpered softly with the change in position but quickly got comfortable again, snuggling into the crook of Timothée's arm against his chest. She fell asleep with her mouth falling open into the perfect little "o."

He gazed down at her tiny face. "She looks like Pauline's baby pictures," he whispered.

"She is a beautiful baby."

Timothée nodded, seemingly lost in thought for so long that it startled you when he spoke again. "Do you want one?"

You leaned your face against his shoulder so he could feel you nod. You were confident he would make a great father. You had dreamed of having kids ever since you were a kid yourself, so you were beyond ready at this point in your life.

"Me, too." He gently placed his index finger in the baby's hand again, marveling at her tiny features. "I-"

"Y'all are naturals," Pauline commented, walking back into the room while towel drying her hair. The baby stirred at the sound of her mother's voice, and her face scrunched as she started to cry. You thought Timothée would panic, but he just pouted his lip in solidarity and sat her upright against his chest, bouncing her like he had been doing this his entire life. She almost immediately settled, eyes wide open and staring at you.

"See what I mean?" Pauline continued. "You know, she needs a cousin close to her age to play with," she teased.

Timothée looked over at you and winked. "I think you may be right," he replied.

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