A Sleepless Night

Bryan anxiously paced in front of the crib as cries wailed from inside it. With his phone pressed to his ear, he ran his free hand through his hair, messing it up.

"Come on David... Pick up, pick up, pick up!" he chanted, panic creeping into his voice. Finally a voice came through the other end.

"Hello, this is Dr. David Collins—"

"David, thank God!" Bryan began in a rush, "There's something wrong with Sawyer. He won't stop crying, maybe he's got a fever—"

"I'm sorry I cannot come to the phone right now, but please leave your name and number after the—"

"No! No, no, no, no! David! I need you. I really need you right now. Just, call me back... Now!"

Bryan hung up the phone and tossed it on the night table, next to Sawyer's crib. The baby's cries still filled the air, and each one struck Bryan with even more fear.

"Oh God, okay... Okay... Think, Bryan, think." Bryan closed his eyes, and massaged his temples.

"You need to do something... Anything. Just do something you stup—"

Just then Bryan's phone began to ring. He jumped back in fright.

"AAHHH!" Bryan yelped. "Oh god, help me..."

He scrambled for the phone and was relieved to see the call was from David. He quickly picked up.

"David!"

"Bry? What's up? Is something wrong?"

"Yes, everything is wrong! Sawyer won't stop crying, and I don't know what to do. I think he's dying!" At this point Bryan was basically hyperventilating.

"Whoah, whoah, whoah... " David tried to keep his voice steady. "Bryan, you need to calm down, Sweetie! Deep breaths, okay? Deep breaths."

"Okay... Okay..." Bryan sucked in a deep breath... but held it, panic settling in again.

"Bryan, honey, are you breathing? I can't hear you breathing. Are you okay?" David's voice prompted from the phone. Bryan let all the air out of his lungs along with his answer.

"Yeahhhhhh I'm fhhhhiiiinneee" he said, breathily. Bryan gasped for air, as David continued.

"Okay, then listen..." David tried to use his best calm doctor voice, talking to Bryan as if he were a patient. "Remember how we talked about teething? This is totally normal. In fact, it's just like last night. Do you remember how we dealt with it last night?"

"Yes," Bryan shot back "but this is different Davey. He sounds like he's trying to beat Mariah Carey in a pitch battle. It's terrifying!"

"Bry... Just try to calm him down, okay? He's going to be just fine." David assured him.

"I don't know how David, I can't do it without you!" Bryan's voice caught, as if he was almost on the verge of tears. This made David's heart sink.

"Yes you can, Sweetie, yes you can!" David encouraged, "Just rock him, hum to him, read him an article from Ladies Home Journal, just... do anything to calm him down. Okay? He'll be sleeping in no time. I promise!"

The only sound from the other side of the phone was baby Sawyer's cries.

"Bryan?"

"Yeah... Yeah, okay!"

"I love you, Bry. I'll be home before you know it!" David said soothingly.

"Just so you know, you are not allowed work nights ever again!" Bryan responded, before hanging up. He placed the phone on the bedside table again, then turned his attention back to the screaming baby. He scooped Sawyer up in his arms, shushing and hushing him as he pulled his little body into his chest.

"Shh... It's okay. Daddy Bryan is here. Shhh..." He hushed as he rocked the baby back and forth.

"I'm sorry I can't ease your pain little man, but I'll be right here until you fall asleep, okay?"

He was met with more cries from Sawyer and Bryan couldn't help but cringe every time. As if each cry stabbed him in the heart.

"Shh... I know, honey, I know... Just go to sleep."

After what seemed like hours of rocking, and shushing and humming, Sawyer's screams finally subsided. Bryan sat in the rocking chair, exhausted and clutching the tiny human lovingly to his chest. He rocked him back, and forth, back and forth in soothing monotony.

"Okay, little man... That wasn't so bad." He murmured sleepily. "Don't you worry. Daddy Bryan is going to be right here until you fall asleep... Don't... You..."

Bryan could feel his eyelids drooping. He struggled to keep his heavy eyes open but was determined to do so until he saw his baby close his eyes first. Finally, Sawyer's breaths evened out, his eyes closed for the night and together Father and son drifted into a much needed sleep.

•••

When David got home it was well past mid-night, and the whole house was peaceful and quiet. He crept upstairs carefully and opened their bedroom door as quietly as he could. He soon discovered however, his efforts were not needed. The lights were still turned on, and the bed was cold and empty. David set his bag down, slightly confused. He was so tired, and his brain was foggy with fatigue.

"Bry?" He called to the house. He then remembered the panicked phone call and his brain snapped back to attention. He quickly made his way to the nursery and was slightly concerned to see that the light was still on, flooding into the dark hallway. David checked his watch: 3:47 am. He had received the call around 11:40. David quickened his pace.

"Bry?" David burst into the nursery, but stopped dead in his tracks. A smile spread across his face as he took in the scene before him.

Bryan was fast asleep and practically laying in the rocking chair, his head resting peacefully on his shoulder. Baby Sawyer slept equally as peaceful in Bryan's arms, who despite being sound asleep had not relinquished his loving grasp on the child. David couldn't help his smile from turning into a chuckle. He watched the two most important men in his life as they slept soundly. It was in that moment David realized just how lucky a man he was to have such a beautiful family.

After a few minutes of listening to the melodic sound of Sawyer and Bryan's even breaths, David walked slowly towards the sleeping couple. He gently took Sawyer from Bryan's arms, trying not to wake Sawyer or Bryan. Neither of them even stirred. David kissed their child on the forehead, then set him down to sleep in his crib.

"Good night, Sawyer. And sweet dreams, my little man."

David turned back around to see Bryan's limp body still strewn across the rocking chair. He wanted so desperately not to wake him, but a conflict soon arose.

"Now how am I supposed to get you to bed?" David asked aloud, obviously not expecting an answer. He figured that he should be strong enough to carry Bryan, he'd done it before... Hadn't he?

He softly hooked his arms around Bryan, one under his armpit and limp arm, and one in the crook of his knees. He then lifted his husband slowly out of the chair, his head falling into place on David's chest. David walked him carefully out the door, closing the light on the way out (which took more effort then you'd think).

Finally, David made it back to their room. He set Bryan on his side of the bed, making sure his head was comfortably on the pillow. He straightened out his legs, and then pulled the covers over his body. He rubbed his hand through Bryan's hair, kissed him on the forehead, then settled in on his own side of the bed. He closed the light and when snuggling into the covers, he couldn't help but smile. He had the best husband and the best son... What else could a man ask for?