Alex scrolls through Facebook as Emma sleeps calmly in the basket and wrapped in blankets again. Alex looking at newborn baby care tips.
"I'm so out of my depth… ugh…" Alex looks at Emma, the baby boy now sleeping calmly. The job wasn't perfect, and it was anything else but. But Alex felt accomplished. Alex turned and stared at Emma, his chest tight with something that felt like a mix of relief and pride. It wasn't perfect, but the baby was finally asleep, and for now, that was enough.
"It wasn't good, his diaper isn't perfect… but I can do it… I gotta get his birth certificate since he seemingly showed up to my door as a fresh newborn…" Alex exhales and then pauses.
"A birth certificate… I'll have to figure out how to get that. And a doctor's appointment… there's so much," Alex muttered, feeling the weight of it all. It was overwhelming, but at the same time, there was a strange comfort in knowing that he was the one responsible for Emma now.
Alex's eyes open as he groans and turns over in bed. Wanting to pull over in the cover and go back to sleep, but he couldn't ignore Emma's crying. He pushes the covers away and yawns. Walking over to Emma groggily.
"What is it buddy?" Alex picks Emma up and rocks him. As he rocked Emma, Alex's mind raced with the responsibilities ahead. The weight of the interview, the uncertainty of the future—everything felt overwhelming.
He sleepily creates a bottle of baby milk and tries to feed Emma, but he isn't hungry. His diaper didn't smell, so Alex relaxed in the chair and rocked back and forth, humming a simple melody.
"Oh… ooooh… oh… oh… You saved… me… And I saved you… I'm not ready for this… but you helped me through… and now I… Can't help… falling in Love… with… you" The soft creak of the rocking chair mixed with the gentle hum of the lullaby, creating a cocoon of warmth and tranquility. Emma silently and calmly returns to sleep as Alex also drifts off to sleep.
Alex's eyes fluttered open, his body heavy with sleep. He felt the cool air of the early morning seep through the gaps in the curtains. An alarm loudly blares as Alex reluctantly pulls himself from the comfort of the chair, the alarm blaring a harsh reminder of the day ahead. He glanced at Emma, still peacefully asleep, and felt a pang of guilt for the responsibilities awaiting him.
"Oh… right… Interview today…" Alex's eyes have bags as he messes his hair. Stretching and yawning.
"I'll need someone to watch him while I'm gone… it'll probably be best to leave him at the hospital so they can check on him and stuff and i'll return after my interview…" Alex yawns again and stands up, still rocking the sleeping Emma. The interview was crucial, a chance to secure a stable job after his recent move. The thought of leaving Emma, even briefly, made him uneasy.
As he rubbed the sleep from his eyes, he glanced at the disheveled state of his hair in the mirror, a stark reminder of the long day ahead
The sterile smell of antiseptic and the hum of fluorescent lights greeted Alex as he entered the hospital. His clothes were rumpled, and his eyes were heavy with exhaustion. Baby Emma in his hands wrapped in several small blankets. The doctors exchanged concerned glances before one of them stepped forward.
"Need something sir?" Alex yawns, majorly exhausted.
"I'm really sorry for the trouble, but I found this baby on my porch last night. He seems like a newborn, but I don't know much more. I have a job interview and was hoping to leave him here while I'm gone. Can you help me with that?" The doctors look at each other concerned.
"Of course. We can take him in and check on him. But we'll need to ask you a few questions before you go." As he handed Emma over, Alex's heart ached. The thought of leaving the baby in a hospital while he attended his interview was unsettling. His mind raced with worries about Emma's well-being and his own ability to balance everything. Alex then looks at the other. The nurse nodded.
"I don't have many answers… but I'll try my best too…"